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Grundy County School Board of Education held their first meeting with newly elected members last week during their regular schedule. Highlights from the meeting included the voting on and passing of Dr. Donald Durley’s contract as the director of schools, policy changes regarding teacher’s salary scale, a brief metal detector discussion and an address to the board from a concerned parent regarding bullying throughout the district.

In regards to teacher’s pay, the board discussed an adjustment in the policy that would extend the teacher’s salary scale increase from 21 years to 30 years. As it sits now, the certified salary recommendation is a $8,000 increase over the course of 21 years. The adjustment would extend the current 21-year scale to 30 years. The Central Office stated that the total cost for the extension would be approximately $347,000.00, which is an approximate difference of $60,000 from where the cost is now. Board members voted in favor of the adjustment, passing the extension with a unanimous vote.

While the vote on metal detectors was tabled this month, the board did have a brief discussion and received feedback from the sheriff. Part of the discussion included the cost of the metal detectors and installation, who would man them, how many detectors would be needed throughout the system, and reaching out to other districts that are using them to gain information and receive feedback on their experience.

Newly elected Grundy County Sheriff Virgil McNeece voiced his opinion stating that if the board voted to have them installed, he would one hundred percent support that decision. However, the sheriff did state that the school resource officers would not be responsible for manning the metal detectors and the school would be responsible for filling those specific positions themselves.

After agreeing to assemble a committee within, the board made the choice to table to vote on metal detectors until more information was gathered.

Taking to the microphone to voice district concerns was parent Matt Griffith, who has a 13-year-old daughter in the Grundy County school system. Griffith stated his daughter has been relentlessly bullied and urged the board to implement an anti-bullying campaign throughout the district.

“In front of her peers, my daughter has been called a fat pig.” stated Griffith. “In front of her peers, because she’s dark complected, she’s been called other names that are not appropriate. Seeing your child have that loss of self-worth that bothered me.”

“What I want to encourage us to do is review our bullying policy and our zero tolerance against bullying.” continued Griffith. “Not only that, I really want us to consider a proactive approach to bullying. I would like for us as a school, as individuals, as parents, to look at that and consider if we need and anti-bullying campaign in our school.”

In response to Griffith’s concern, board member Colby Ladd voiced his shared concern and stated that he was confident the board would be looking into it.

“I have two daughters at home so I understand where you are coming from.”, stated Ladd. “I would feel the same if I were you. We will look into this and take this very seriously.”

Also on the voting agenda was the extension of Dr. Donald Durley’s contract as Director of Schools, the positions of chair and vice-chair on the board, and the two individuals who will chair the Disciplinary Hearing Authority.

Being voted unanimously in favor for filling the positions on the board were Phyllis Lusk being elected as Chairperson and Kyle Collins being elected as vicechair. Filling the seats for the Disciplinary Hearing Authority were Deidra Helton and Kathy Hill, also being elected by unanimous votes by the board. And after intense discussion and voiced opinions, Dr. Donald Durley’s contract as Director of Schools was extended for another four years, beginning January 1, 2027, in and 6-3 vote. The four-year contract is set to expire on December 31, 2030.

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting is planned for October 8 in the cafeteria of the Grundy County High School. A public workshop is held at 6 p.m., with the board meeting beginning at 7 p.m.