TERRI CARTER

Contributor

The School Board held its regularly monthly meeting on March 9 as it hosted a special dedication to Mary Sharp School and unanimously approved the proposed contract for incoming Director of Schools Dr.

Roger Alsup.

The meeting kicked off with a special dedication to Mary Sharp School, celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the school’s founding.

During a building cleanup, some of the original lettering was found, polished and hung behind the School Board. The Mary Sharp School had previously been housed at the current Board of Education building.

Community members in attendance who had taught at the school were recognized, and tribute was paid to the importance that the trailblazing school had to the Franklin County community.

“Tonight we really want to pause for a second just to really celebrate the legacy of learning that has been throughout this building for many, many years,” Director of Schools Dr. Cary Holman said. “We wanted to do something very special.”

Three teachers who had previously taught at the school were recognized. More teachers had visited the Board of Education earlier in the evening to look through the memorabilia that had been placed in the hallway but chose to leave the meeting early due to incoming inclement weather.

After the special dedication, the meeting was officially called to order, followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The School Board then discussed the Trane Awards Light Switch Cover Contest, which was led by Chris Hawkersmith, Coordinated School Health coordinator, and Randy Mauldin, a Trane representative.

The Light Switch Cover Contest was held throughout all of Franklin County’s schools.

There were winners picked at the elementary, middle and high school levels with the winning designs to be placed on all of the light switches at the coordinating schools that align with the winning grade levels.

The contest brought forth many artists, having more than 500 entries overall with each winner receiving a new iPad.

The winners were Rock Creek student Easton Watts, South Middle student Aerabella Yingling and Franklin County High student Elizabeth Tapp.

Moving to the approval of the incoming director of schools’ contract, the board unanimously voted to approve the proposed contract for Dr. Roger Alsup.

Huntland School was highlighted by Principal Dr. Lisa Crabtree, who shared a slideshow spotlighting comparative data and sharing goals the school had set and the progress that has been made toward those goals thus far.

Two calendar-adoption proposals were presented to the board for the 2027-2028 school year. After a brief discussion, the board voted in favor of a calendar that would have the first day of school occurring on Aug. 9, 2027.

During the legislative-report segment, the board showed continued concern for upcoming schoolvoucher legislation and the amount of vouchers that are being given.

Board Member Sarah Marhevsky urged attendees to reach out of their legislators to voice their opinions on the matter.

Another piece of legislation discussed was in regards to an issue the School Board had already voted against regarding the immigration status of students and their ability to enroll in school without proof of citizenship or residency.

Although the board voted against it, some policy components were changed.

Holman stated that the new approach would include having districts submit a number of students in the elementary schools who do not have appropriate documentation.

Marhevsky said the piece of legislation is expected to cost about $55 million to carry out.

New business included a request for Franklin County High School volleyball activity fees and a request for petty cash for the Huntland baseball and softball programs. Both requests were unanimously approved.

During the finance report, the board unanimously approved to receive and file the February 2026 financial report and a March 2026 budget amendment.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 13 at 6 p.m.