The Bradley County Board of Education recognized Bradley Central High (BCHS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) for bring home their 42th consecutive Gold Emblem Award, a record recognized at the national conference in Indianapolis recently.

Josh Hannah addressed the board on behalf of the chapter and gave credit to Richard Ledford, club advisor, and Lu Anne Carey, assistant advisor, for the success of FFA at BCHS.

The mission statement of FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Local businesswoman Brenda Lawson and husband, Stan, were presented a plaque in appreciation for their creation and ongoing sponsorship of Christmas Memories allowing elementary school age children and younger a shopping trip to pick out Christmas gifts. Mrs. Lawson credited principals, counselors and teachers for making it possible. She related the story of the second grader several years ago who prompted the creation of Christmas Memories.

Mrs. Lawson was sitting at a table with a group of children when one of the boys stated he wanted to draw when he grew up. Mrs. Lawson asked if he wanted to be a painter, then an architect. To both suggestions the boy answered no. He said he wanted to draw a check like his Daddy.

Christmas Memories is a way to teach children to give back.

There will be a memorial ceremony for Coach Robert Maupin at BCHS next Thursday. Mr. Maupin passed away Tuesday at the age of 65. He was a longtime assistant coach at Bradley High School and worked very closely with Athletic Director Turner Jackson.

In other business:
The renovation at Valley View Elementary is nearing completion. Park View Elementary construction is underway with a great deal of attention being paid to the wet conditions of the site. Board member Terry McGuire questioned Site Manager for American Constructors Derek Martin about the abundance of water. Mr. Martin said they will create the building pad by using chert. Again, the board was assured there would be no problems with wet conditions when the school is completed.

The board voted unanimously to approve the additional cost of around $60,000 for the chert. Chert is a very fine-grained dense rock consisting of chalcedony or opal, often with some quartz, and sometimes with calcite, iron oxide, organic matter, or other impurities. It has a homogeneous texture and can be white, gray, or black in color.

Board Chairman David Kelley appointed Mr. McGuire, board member Charlie Rose and former Juvenile Judge C. Van Deacon to an Ethics Committee designed to hear complaints from employees, media and the public.

Board member Christie Critchfield introduced the first reading of Policy 6.307.1 Drug and Alcohol Testing of Students. The proposed policy was prepared by the school board attorney using language referenced in the Tennessee Code and adopted by the State Board of Education. The board will vote on this policy at the second reading in December.

In Director Johnny McDaniel’s Good News Report:
Mr. McDaniel was pleased to announce two Bradley County schools received an “A” on the state report card issued recently. North Lee Elementary and Michigan Avenue Elementary were the only schools in the Cleveland City and Bradley County systems to receive an “A”. All other county schools received a “B”.

The Ronald McDonald Dental Bus visited Blue Springs and Charleston Elementary schools.

Hopewell Elementary has begun Family Math Night every Tuesday. Family members participate with their students using games, puzzles and other events to teach math.

Oak Grove Elementary received a $20,000 grant from BEST Partner Proctor and Gamble to purchase computers for the classrooms. BEST is Business, Education Serving Together.
Prospect Elementary with help from BEST Partner Santek Environmental collected clothes, toys, candy and school supplies for children in Iraq. Fourth grade student Alex Moore’s father, William Moore, SSG, is serving in Iraq and will be distributing the items.

Taylor Elementary received eight new computers from BEST Partner Eaton Corporation.

Walker Valley High has been chosen to serve as a pilot school for an engineering academy. Classes will begin in spring 2010.

The Cleveland Rotary Club presented dictionaries to all third grade students.