Board Meeting News & Updates

BOARD OF EDUCATION SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:

APPROVAL OF BOARD POLICIES

Piedmont Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 board policies. These votes were unanimous. In addition, the Internet and Technology Safety policy was unanimously approved.

TABLED POLICY

The policy on Procurement was tabled for the next scheduled board meeting.

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH PROTOCOL & ACCOMMODATIONS POLICIES 

Piedmont Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the Student Mental Health Crisis Protocol policy and Mental Health Accommodations policy.

As the need for support for student mental health grows, Piedmont Public Schools has hired two Behavioral Health Professionals. The role of these individuals is to help students navigate difficult situations and to connect students and families to outside resources to improve mental health.

Each school has a counselor serving as a support person in partnership with all students, staff, and parents to help every child have a successful and positive school experience. As part of the counseling program, classroom guidance lessons are offered on a rotating schedule. Topics that are taught include bullying prevention, peer pressure, career exploration, and study skills. Counselors also see students individually and in small groups. Contact information for our counseling team is listed below.

PIEDMONT SCHOOLS COUNSELING TEAM

Piedmont Early Childhood Center

Mrs. Jenna Smith, Counselor 

jenna.smith@piedmontschools.org

Northwood Elementary

Mrs. Kelly Barker, Counselor

kelly.barker@piedmontschools.org

Piedmont Elementary

Mrs. Cathy Adams, Counselor

cathy.adams@piedmontschools.org

Stone Ridge Elementary

Dr. Erin Nation, Counselor

erin.nation@piedmontschools.org

Piedmont Intermediate

Mrs. Jill Holland, Counselor

jill.holland@piedmontschools.org

Mr. Cody Ferguson, Mental Health Professional

cody.ferguson@piedmontschools.org

Middle School of Piedmont

Mrs. Cindy Attalla, 8th-Grade Counselor

cindy.attalla@piedmontschools.org

Mrs. Amy Dalton, 7th-Grade Counselor

amy.dalton@piedmontschools.org

Mr. Cody Ferguson, Mental Health Professional

cody.ferguson@piedmontschools.org

Piedmont High School

Mrs. Brandi Bird, A-G Counselor

brandi.bird@piedmontschools.org

Mrs. Rachel Hacker, H-Pg Counselor 

rachel.hacker@piedmontschools.org

Mrs. Judie Meier, Ph-Z Counselor

judie.meier@piedmontschools.org

Mr. Jake O’Bannon, Behavioral Health Professional

jacob.obannon@piedmontschools.org

BOARD WARDS

The board wards for Piedmont Public Schools were revised, as required by law. Board members unanimously approved these revisions.

DISCUSSION & PRESENTATIONS

Mrs. Lisa Campbell presented on the 2022 Spring Employee survey. The board approved the action to conduct another survey for employees for the 2023 school year. These surveys allow us to measure employee engagement and strengthen retention and recruitment efforts at Piedmont Schools.

Middle School of Piedmont construction and student safety was discussed. A full-time school resource officer is on-site at the Middle School. Construction gates are closed unless accessed by a construction vehicle. Students are supervised during passing periods. Doors to MS buildings are closed and locked except during passing period.

Mr. Shawn Blankenship presented on our Transportation department, challenges for the department and potential solutions. Transportation procedures during road closures were discussed by board members and district leadership. Piedmont Public Schools’ procedure is if there is a known road closure or a road closure with signs posted, a bus will not go down the road.

Board meetings will soon be streamed through the PPS YouTube channel. The link to meetings will be posted on the Piedmont Schools website on the Board of Education landing page.

The consent agenda was approved. The board did not convene into executive session. The board approved the employment list. These votes were unanimous.