The Sweetwater Board of Education on Monday unanimously voted to extend Director of Schools Dr. Keith Hickey’s contract through June 30, 2012.

Hickey, who now has one of the longer running tenures as a school director in the state at 18 years, received a 4.86 rating out of a possible 5 on his evaluation from School Board members and principals.

“The School Board and principals gave you a very good report card,” Board of Education Chairman Richard Rowe said.
The School Board approved several summer work projects, including renovation of the junior high gym floor for $9,980 and a new roof for Brown Intermediate School’s auditorium and library building for $55,587.

The board also approved the food services budget for the coming school year and minor amendments to the federal portion of the school budget.

Dr. Larry Stein gave a presentation on the many summer school and enrichment activities going on this month in the city school system with 114 students participating.

Hickey read of a list of highlights for the 2008-09 school year, which included:
• All schools listed in good standing with state and federal No Child Left Behind regulations
• Record writing scores at the junior high for the second straight year
• All special education students who are on portfolio assessment scored proficient or above
• All students who took algebra Gateway test passed with more students scoring advanced
• Archery team member placed 5th in state
• Literacy coach position expanded to full-time
• Only one lost time accident for cooks, custodian and maintenance staff
• Received inclusion grant for the junior high
• Junior high chorus received highest possible rating in regional competition
• Continued and expanded Coordinated School Health program
• Brown School had after-school track team organized by parents and assisted by two teachers
• Added teaching position at junior high to reduce class size
• Expanded high-tech classrooms with additional Promethean systems
• Music teacher selected as Yale Distinguished Music Educator
• SES teacher selected by Chamber of Commerce as Sweetwater area teacher of the year
• Partnered with Lee University for math grant and program at junior high
• Fourth-grade Clover Bowl team finished third in 33-team region
• Partnered with Sweetwater High for reading buddy program
• Seventh-grade Talent Search team won region and competed nationally
• Many parent and community events hosted by schools

After the meeting, architect Sam Moser showed the evolving drawings for a new auditorium and classroom wing at Sweetwater Elementary School to replace the 83-year-old building at the school.
Work should begin in a few months on the project.

Moser plans to put the auditorium at the front of the building to better serve community events and limit traffic in the school building during the events.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101