Dr. Greg Firn attended his last Board of Education meeting as Anson County Schools superintendent on Monday night. Firn announced his resignation on Jan. 2.
School board member Russell Sikes presented a plaque to Dr. Firn in appreciation for his years of service. Firn has been superintendent since 2007. “The folks who have made this work are in the classrooms,” Firn said. “I had the opportunity to build upon the great work that was done before I got here.”
Firn said that moving forward, he believes the greatest challenge for the school system is trust. “I would challenge all of us to trust in one another,” he said. “Trust differing perspectives. Trust folks to do what is right, what is good and what is true.”
Deputy superintendent Michael Freeman will take over as interim superintendent on Feb. 1. Firn said after the meeting that he would announce his future plans later this week.
After the presentation, the board got down to business as usual. As part of his monthly report to the board, Dr. Firn provided a comprehensive instructional technology planning table to help guide the school board through future technological purchases.
Dr. Mary Ratliff shared plans for ninth grade selection this year, saying that 272 students will be placed in the ninth grade for the 2013-14 school year. Notifications will be sent to parents on June 3, with a final decision made on June 25. More information will be shared as the process gets closer, Ratliff said.
Freeman updated the board on current job postings, saying that as of now, there is only one job opening in the school system, for a math teacher at Anson High School. The position has been open for months, and after school board member Mike Turner questioned why, Freeman said secondary math teachers are typically hard to find, due to stringent requirements.
The school board unanimously approved its consent items, which included budget amendments and several funding items. The board also unanimously approved Internet safety and technology responsible use policies.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, one parent reported concerns that her child was involved in a bus accident on Dec. 18, and the school nor the central office had never notified her. Dr. Firn encouraged parents to call 704-694-4417 and hit zero at any time before 5 p.m. if such problems occur again. Dr. Firn also agreed to meet with the grandparent of a student who was suspended after a bullying incident.
The school board briefly discussed the possibility of renaming the press box at Anson High School Stadium after Dave Thomas, but the board’s attorney, Michael Flake, advised the board to hold off on making a decision until new policies are finalized.
The Anson County Board of Education will next meet at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Charles Riddle Staff Development Center in Wadesboro.
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