Clinton County Board of Education held a somewhat “informal” special meeting last Wednesday, January 25 that lasted an hour-and-a-half total with no action necessary regarding any issue that was brought up. All members, as well as Board Attorney Lindsey Bell, were present for the call session.

The only primary reason for the meeting was a training session with a Kentucky School Boards Association consultant pertaining to the hiring process of a new superintendent. The board had earlier agreed to contract with KSBA to assist them in the selection process. (A separate article on that training session can be found beginning on page 1.)

Following the meeting being adjourned, the board continued to discuss two more issues. However, since the meeting was a call session with only one item of business, no action could be taken, other than general discussion.

Some board members discussed a middle school dress code policy and issues that had come up with that code and the punishment that had been handed out to students as a result.

The Site Base Decision Making Council at the school was in charge of writing and enforcing the dress code.

Board member Paula Key said that if a dress code was in place, both students and staff should follow those guidelines. The policy as written was also to help with the enforcement of the code, she said, adding, “I hope they (CCMS-SBDM Council) can come up with a clear code.” She also said the controversy that had arisen is affecting the learning process.

Board Attorney Bell also concurred that the school board itself, if necessary, could set its own policy pertaining to a dress code and its enforcement that could supersede the school council’s policy. However, the board didn’t go as far as deeming that necessary at this time.

The middle school SBDM Council held a call meeting on the issue last Thursday evening, January 26 and a separate detailed article on that meeting can be found beginning on page one of this week’s edition.

Board member Kevin Marcum also suggested that prices for students to get into basketball games should be reduced, which he feels would allow more students to be able to afford to attend home games.

Board members Key and Goldie Stonecipher agreed, with Key saying a free pass to students to home games may be tied into trying to help attendance. This would be something of the effect of giving free passes to students to some games who have perfect attendance for a month. The board may consider those suggestions later on.

Key also touched upon the need for better security at the door during basketball games, inferring that in some instances, once games are well underway, some people are basically getting in free.

The next regular meeting of the school board is scheduled for Monday, February 13 at 5 p.m. at the Central Office and is open to the public.