Emmick elected chair of School Board, Kennedy finishes eight years

South Hancock Elementary School preschool teacher Meredith Hayden was recognized by the Board for her contributions in fundraising for Puzzle Pieces, an organization which aids those with developmental disabilities. Presenting to Hayden is SHES Principal Jennifer Howe and Superintendent Robert Asberry.

The Hancock County School Board has restructured its leadership team, electing Board member David Emmick as chairperson. Emmick replaces Allen Kennedy, who served as chair for eight years.

“I love the job, but it was time for a change,” Kennedy said. “I love being a Board member, but there are four other qualified people here to do whatever needs to be done.”

Kennedy said he plans to remain on the Board.

In other officer elections, Board member Donna Quattrocchi was elected vice chair, Nicole Cameron as Board secretary, Kara Eckles as treasurer, and Kennedy will sit on the Finance Committee.

Superintendent Robert Asberry said he is grateful to the leadership Kennedy has demonstrated in the time he has been superintendent.

“I am thankful for the hospitality attention given to me and my family,” Asberry said.

In other business, the School Board:

• Heard a report from Hancock County Middle School Principal Traci Sanders that MAP testing scores for students have shown improvement since the beginning of the year.

Sanders said students have recorded improvements from the fall to winter in the testing areas of mathematics, reading and science. Students are measured on the RIT scale, with top scores typically in the 240 to 250 range for reading and math.

Scores reported by Sanders, with the winter score in parentheses, are: Sixth grade – math, 214.8 (219.6); reading, 210.2 (213.8), and science, 205.4 (206.9); Seventh grade – math, 218.1 (223.3), reading, 214.2 (217.1), and science, 210.5 (211.9); Eighth grade – math, 223.7 (227.7) and reading, 219.4 (220.6).

Sanders told the Board students at the school also performed above the state average in recent K-PREP testing among students scoring as proficient or distinguished. Students demonstrated a 12.3-percent jump in proficient/distinguished scores, which Sanders attributed to increased writing by students during remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Heard the financial report. Beginning balance for December was $3.26 million, with receipts of $4.68 million, $1.76 million in expenditures, for an ending balance of $6.81 million. Eckles said the uptick in revenue was due to annual property tax proceeds.
• Received an audit report with no significant findings. Auditor Kris Kemp said the General Fund has a $1.2-million increase, demonstrating the district is on solid financial footing.
• Recognized accomplishments by South Hopkins Elementary School preschool teacher Meredith Hayden for fundraising through Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit organization which serves the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well the Hancock County Middle School Academic Team, which recently won the district championship in Governor’s Cup competition.

By C. Josh Givens