Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Schools board of education gave a vote of confidence to the administration to continue a planned transition that will see the Grove School students and staff move to the high school.
Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins, Betsy Allison, Ryan Muench, and Pam McCord presented the transition plan to the board and the community members who attended Thursday night. Several citizens were present to hear the plan first-hand, but no one spoke during the citizens’ forum.
Administrators said the transition will have benefits for both students and teachers. Dr. Watkins said the transition plan will create a ‘School Within A School’ and allow students to be on the same campus with previous teachers, coaches, mentors and advisory teachers. The state requires 22 credits for graduation. The schedule proposed will offer full year courses for one credit and one semester courses for one credit which will offer students many opportunities to earn the credits they need to graduate with their cohort. There will be a need to evaluate and improve traffic concerns.
The E. W. Grove building on Grove Blvd. will keep its name and serve the community as a site for Dyersburg State, offering the community members and students a campus for earning an Associates degree.
E. W. Grove will also house the Alternative Learning Center, MAPS program, Patriot Play School Employee Day Care, and offer on site testing for HCVA.
Ninth graders will still have the “Every Student, Every Day” mission in a different location. Ninth grade teachers have expressed excitement in being present for their students all four years.
Coach Muench, who was a ninth grade student at Grove and now an administrator, was overcome with nostalgia, but believes the transition is a plan that will be best for students and staff. Currently, there are approximately 200 students who are transported to HCHS to take classes that are not offered at Grove.
Thursday’s meeting was held at Grove School.
In other business:
Greyson Crawford is recognized as an outstanding student and employee. He works with the Henry County Prevention Coalition working in digital design for the non-profit agency as they work to reach the community to prevent alcohol and drug abuse. He received a plaque from the school system and $100 from our RISE partner, Foundation Bank. Shamiah Carson was also recognized as a RISE recipient but was attending a women in leadership conference and unable to come to the board meeting. She works at HAT Law firm. Both students exemplify Employability Counts characteristics.
Rob Goad, Director of the Paris/Henry County Industrial Committee, made the presentation for RISE.
Photo: Ryan Muench and Pam McCord were two administrators making the transition presentation. Susan Burton/Henry Co. Schools photo.