The Chattooga County Board of Education met Monday night in their regular monthly meeting. The meeting room was filled to capacity with audience members curious to see if the Board would carry out Superintendent Dr. Dwight Pullen’s recommendations from the Board work session meeting last week.

 Part of the Superintendent’s recommendation included a Reduction in Force Plan. As a part of the plan CHS chorus teacher Rhonda Ledbetter was to be eliminated and her program was to be taken over by the CHS band teacher Ken Smith. Many supporters for Ledbetter were on hand at Monday’s meeting and spoke her behalf. Those who spoke had nothing but praise for her as a person and as a teacher. Speakers included former students, teachers in the Chattooga County School System and a parent of a current CHS chorus student. Ledbetter addressed the Board herself stating that she serves multiple schools in the County and was planning to serve CHS, Lyerly, Menlo and Summerville Middle School in the 2010-2011 school year. Ledbetter stated that if her position was eliminated one person could not do the job in trying to combine band and chorus. Ledbetter, along with others who spoke on her behalf, named many of the opportunities provided by chorus that students woudl be deprived of such as musicals, tour of schools, singing at community churches, national performances, etc.

After hearing from Ledbetter and supporters the Board began to review items for voting. Boardmember Eddie Elsberry asked Board Chairman William "Fuzz" Anderson to pull item E1, which was the Board Conisderation of the Superintendent’s recommendation for approval of the 2010-2011 school calendar, from the items for further discussion. Elsberry wanted the Board to further discuss the option of a four day school week. Regarding the four day week he said,  "there is no research that shows any negative impact on education." Elsberry went on to explain that he feels we need to think outside the box in order to save money and eliminate the need for reduction in force (RIF). Elsberry concluded his statements by saying he wanted to explore the option of a four day week. Elsberry’s speech elicited cheers and claps from audience members. Chairman Anderson made a motion to approve item E1 as it was on the agenda and the motion was defeated 3 to 2. Eddie Elsberry, Dot Johnson and Terry Money opposed the motion and Fuzz Anderson and Eddie Massey voted to approve it. All other items under D, E2-4 and F1 were approved on consensus vote.

The Board retreated into executive session for a lenghty period of time. Upon their return A motion was made by Chairman Anderson to revise item G2 under personnel to make Rhonda Ledbetter a 1/2 time employee instead of eliminating her completely  in the RIF plan. THis motion was voted on and passed unanimously. The crowd responded with loud cheers clapping as a result of this passing motion. All other items under G Personnel with the exception of the change made to Rhonda Ledbetter were voted on unanimously by the Board.

Chairman Anderson made a motion to adjourn at which point Superintendent Dr. Dwight Pullen asked Chairman Anderson for direction on the school calendar issue. Pullen asked Elsberry if he wanted to explore the four day week more or if he wanted a plan recommended and Elsberry stated that he would like to  see a four day week in place. Chairman Anderson made a motion to have Dr. Pullen proceed wtih a calendar made up of a four day week. The motion was approved 3 to 2. Eddie Elsberry, Terry Money and Eddie Massey voted to approve the motion and Chairman Anderson and Dot Johnson voted to oppose the motion. The motion passed.

 The Board will have a called meeting to be announced where Dr. Pullen will present calendar dates that includes school start and end dates and holidays.