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Bullying in school targeted
Board members eyeing hazing policy
STEARNS — With hazing in the news following the hospitalization of an Eastern Kentucky University student last month and the Kentucky legislature wrangling over a bill which would require school districts to create a policy to deal with bullies, one member of the McCreary County Board of Education is leading a crusade against the practice.
Dist. 5 representative Deborah Gibson announced her intention to form a committee which would talk with admin-istrators and students alike to draft a district-wide policy for the school board to consider. Asst. Superintendent Aaron Anderson, she noted, has already prepared a packet on the issue. Gibson believes a policy is critical to preventing school violence.
“Most of the shooters documented were bullied at one time or another,” Gibson said. “We have got to put a stop to it. It has to stop at the elementary level.”
House Bill 91 was in conference committee at press time, having been initially approved in both the state senate and house of representatives. The bill would require schools to formulate a code of "acceptable behavior and discipline that prohibits harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a student." It also asks for schools to have strategies in place to protect victims from retaliation.
In other news, the board heard reports from McCreary County Middle School and Whitley City Elementary School regarding their school improvement plans.
MCMS Principal Jason Creekmore discussed how his school’s academic index had jumped from 68.2 in 2005 to 77.4 this past year. The school has also improved its attendance and reduced incidents requiring student discipline.
“Our goal at the middle school every day is to have the kids come first,” Creekmore said.
WCES Principal Tim Moore noted that his school has already “reached our goal through 2013” with an academic index of 95.7. However, the school is working to improve its Arts and Humanities score (68.4) as other areas were emphasized in the past.
“I’m glad you will work on that,” Gibson told Moore. “Kids need to have education be fun.”
Superintendent Arthur D. Wright commended both prinicpals on their reports.
The board’s next meeting will be a special-called session on April 17 to approve bids for the McCreary Central High School renovation. They meet in regular session on April 24.
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HTC celebrates grant
SUNBRIGHT — It was a day for celebration as the staff of Highland Telephone Cooperative Inc. invited dignitaries from Morgan, Scott and McCreary counties to HTC’s headquarters Thursday to celebrate a $66 million stimulus grant/load which will
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Troxell arrested in Keith murder case
WHITLEY CITY — The second defendant charged in the murder of Marshes Siding man Donald Ray Keith has been captured.
Barbara Nicole Troxell, 25, of Strunk was lodged in the McCreary County Detention -
2 indicted for Keith murder
WHITLEY CITY — A McCreary County grand jury yesterday indicted two individuals for the murder of a Marshes Siding man.
Michael T. Keith, 24, of Marshes Siding is charged with capital murder, -
Flood monitor installed in Whitley City
WHITLEY CITY — The county has received equipment that could hasten a flood warning by hours.
On Thursday, a monitor was installed at the corner of US 27 and -
A Cut Above
WHITLEY CITY — A leading magazine for the grocery industry has honored a McCreary Countian.
Sandra Cundiff, store manager for Kroger in Whitley City, was -
Brannon passes
PINE KNOT — The civic community lost one of its brightest stars with last week’s passing of Kathy Brannon.
Brannon, 57, died Thursday at Lake Cumberland Regional -
Strunk resigns from tourism commission
WHITLEY CITY — The McCreary County Tourist Commission has lost a second leader in as many months.
Hap Strunk, who was serving as interim chair following the resignation -
Remains found in Marshes Siding
MARSHES SIDING — The search for a missing man has ended with his son charged for murder.
Michael Todd Keith, 24, of Marshes Siding was served yesterday afternoon with a warrant -
Fiscal Court to keep EMS downtown
WHITLEY CITY — After considering the construction of a new EMS/911 complex, McCreary County Fiscal Court voted last Tuesday to refurbish the structures they have.
The ambulance service has been sharing headquarters with the Whitley City Fire Department -
Rogers attends groundbreaking
WHITLEY CITY — Congressman Hal Rogers was in McCreary County on Wednesday to help other federal and local dignitaries break ground for a $1.5 million sewer expansion project along Williamsburg Street.
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