Troup trustees hear update on Reading Recovery program
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Troup Supt. Marvin Beaty enjoys a reading demonstration by Austin Starkey at last week's regular board meeting.

Students and staff from the district's Reading Recovery program were guests at last week's regular meeting of the Troup school board, with trustees enjoying a demonstration of the students' reading mastery. With few action items on a relatively short agenda, the update on the success of the Reading Recovery program was the highlight of Thursday's meeting.

Jan Singletary and Pug Wamble were on hand to give trustees an overview of their program, which is an early intervention effort aimed at first-graders who are having trouble reading.

"We just finished our 12th year, and we're both still very excited," said Wamble. She and Singletary explained how students are referred to them and how their program works.

"These are smart children," Wamble said, "there's just something that needs to be tweaked. We build on their strengths and build their confidence."

Supt. Marvin Beaty complimented their efforts and the program's affect on the district as a whole. "We couldn't be as successful as we are as a school if you didn't do what you do," he said. "If you can't read, the door closes on everything else."

Board members Andy Griffin, Johnny Johnson and Homer Jones listen to readers.

Several of the Reading Recovery students were present and brought their favorite books to share with board members.

Two parents asked to address the board and extended their gratitude to Singletary and Wamble for their efforts. "Our children are blessed to have them," said one. "My husband and I thank God every day for them."

Beaty told the board that the district has been selected as a pilot school for a specialized math program that is similar to Reading Recovery. Only 20 districts were chosen for the program, and Beaty praised elementary principal Debbie Moxley, curriculum director Dr. Katie Preast and math instructor Amy Ledford as instrumental in the district's selection.

In other matters, trustees heard an update on summer renovation projects from Dewayne Brown, director of support services, and a financial report from Jennifer Stewart.

Participants in Troup's Reading Recovery program were eager to show off their skills at last Thursday's TISD board meeting. Pictured, left to right, are Tristan Mahoney, Ethan Perez, Matt Adams, Dylan Walston, Madison Bonner, Austin Starkey and Bobbie Cook.

Brown said a variety of projects were under way and progressing on schedule. Change orders to the original projects had been made for additional painting and new doors at the Ag shop building.

Brown also told trustees that the source of a water leak in the walls at the Ag building had not been located, but he had spoken with the contractor to make sure that issue was resolved before new floor covering was installed.

In addition to the board-approved renovations, Brown said maintenance staff is in the process of cleaning carpets and stripping floors for all campuses.

Stewart told trustees that the district's cash investments through the end of May were $9,956,000 compared to $7,500,000 last year. She also reported that tax collections for May were $42,418 and $4,450,000 year to date.

Trustees accepted written reports from department heads. Supt. Marvin Beaty told the board that his mid-year evaluation was scheduled for the next regular meeting, and he gave them documentation of efforts to achieve desired board goals. Trustees were asked to review the information, make notes and return those to board president Joe Paul McElroy who will prepare recommendations for the July 8 meeting.

Board members approved the consent agenda and, following a short executive session, accepted the resignations of Susie Brewster, Sharla Capps, Melissa Freeman and Shannon Davis. The board approved offering a contract to Mary New as a special education teacher at the elementary.

Trustees also authorized McElroy and Beaty to complete a land purchase on behalf of the board.

The next meeting of the board will be 5:30 p.m. July 8. Trustees agreed to an earlier start to allow time for Beaty's review and Team of Eight training scheduled after the meeting.