Wrapping up the Feb. 8 SBDM meeting

By Lauren Pennington and Kennedy Foreman

At the beginning of their regularly scheduled meeting, Site Based Council acknowledged the latest student achievements. The success of HC’s Speech, Debate team, and various student clubs’ were addressed. The meeting also mentioned Lexington’s bid to host the National Speech and Debate Competition in 2020, which would be held at HC. The only competitor for hosting is a city in Nevada.

There were positive comments concerning the removal of class rank, including the mentioning of current eighth graders who are basing their schedules on classes they are interested in, rather than ones that will boost their rank.

With this, the meeting turned to HC building coordinator Amanda Biddle to give a wrap of testing in HC. MAP testing being administered this spring, as well career readiness tests. PSAT scores have come back, and HC is on target with the district and exceeding expectations. Currently, Biddle has administered over 9,000 tests to HC students. EOC’s are ending after this school year, although it has not been announced what will replace the exams.

SBDM reviewed the activity budget, but the motion was not passed due to unclear use of funds.

HC student representative Zachariah Sippy gave the student review for the month. Issues regarding parking were briefly mentioned. However, student concern about discrimination was also a discussion. Talk of antisemitism and alleged targeting of students of color regarding hall passes was mentioned.

The meeting ended after HC junior Regan Smith mentioned that Fayette County is supporting and lobbying for a bill in legislature that would remove most of SBDM council’s power, giving it to the superintendent. It would give Fayette County Superintendent Manny Caulk the ability to choose principals, a power that now goes to SBDM councils.

The next SBDM council is on Mar 8 and will again be discussing class rank, as well as further budget approval.