"What's going to be provided to us is health care services by a nurse practitioner, not just an RN, so we have the abilities now to also prescribe medicines, whether it be antibiotics, and also provide advanced medical screening for our students and our faculty," said director of pupil personnel Troy Brock.
Motions passed to approve separate agreements with Mercy Medical Associates and AR Care. According to the agreement, an AR Care nurse practitioner will be at the Morgan campus two days during the week. On other days, "telemedicine" video equipment installed by the company will allow conferencing and consultation, so access to advanced-level healthcare will always be available. At other district schools, registered nurses will be available, but two nurse practitioners will always be available by telemedicine technology provided by Mercy Medical.
Brock said the schools and companies will evaluate their relationships through the year to determine what benefits the students most, and one company may be chosen for the following school year.
One sports decision passed the board, as archery will now be a sport for male and female students at Paducah Tilghman High School beginning this year. PTHS Principal Art Davis commented that approximately 190 schools in Kentucky already have archery programs, including several in the first and second region. He said they have faculty who could lead the teams, and Paducah Middle School already has students who participate in archery, so growth in the program is expected.
The school's bowling program will end at the school due to declining interest.
In other business, recognition was given to this summer's Governor's Scholar Students in academics and in the arts, and graduates who finished their work in the credit recovery program after walking with their classmates at commencement in May.Brock gave an attendance report for 2013-2014, and presented a trophy to Clark Elementary Assistant Principal Erin Hayden for best attendance in the district, at 97.4%. Morgan Elementary and McNabb Elementary were second and third, less than a percentage point behind. Paducah Middle was fourth, Paducah Tilghman High School was fifth, and Choices Educational Center was sixth.
Overall attendance in the district was 96.13%, ranking 13th in the state.
Business handled by consent appointment of a new board secretary, treasurer, and attorney of record. a change order was approved and a Kentucky Department of Education document related to a change at the Paducah Middle School Fieldhouse. This change will increase the expense of the project by $21,673, and will convert part of the locker rooms for football use instead of other sports. Work will be done by A&K Construction.
