Clay School Budget Includes Staff Raises, Tight Funding
The Clay County Schools’ new budget includes the state-mandated $50,000 starting salary for certified employees. Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the district maintains a salary schedule that honors up to 20 years of service to help retain high-quality staff. Like many school districts in the region, Bailey said they are struggling with reduced state funding […]
Board Extends Monroe Following Higher Evaluation Scores
The Clay County School Board extended the contract of Director of Schools Diana Monroe by two years following an annual evaluation that showed an increase in her performance scores. Chairman Benji Bailey said Monroe received an overall average score of 4.31 out of five. That is an improvement over her previous score of 4.21. “So […]
$310K Paving Contract Awarded, Concern About Local Biz
The Clay County Board of Education awarded a $310,000 paving contract Thursday to resurface the parking lot at the Celina K-8 School. Chairman Benji Bailey said the board received five bids for the project. The board also considered whether to hire a civil engineer or a specialist to oversee the work. “We have several surfaces […]
Clay Schools Approve Purchase To Replace Chromebooks
The Clay County School Board has approved the purchase of new Chromebooks as part of an effort to replace aging devices. The school board awarded a bid from its current provider to purchase 90 Chromebooks for an estimated $33,000. School Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the new Chromebooks help during state testing. “That’s the primary […]
Clay Schools Replacing Damaged Roof On Old Auditorium
The Clay County School Board has approved an emergency roof replacement for the district’s old auditorium after recent storm damage exposed the aging structure. School Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the storm peeled back the rubber roof, leaving it in poor condition. Bailey said the school’s insurance provider said a repair would cost around $7,500. […]
Clay Schools Requesting Bids For K-8 Paving Project
The Clay County School Board approved Thursday beginning the bid process for a major paving project at Celina K-8 School. School Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the project has been on the board’s five-year plan. Bailey said a contractor recently evaluated the K-8, Clay County High School and Hermitage Springs School. “In their opinion, Celina […]
Clay Receives TCAP Testing Extension Following Storm
Clay County Schools will have additional time to prepare students for TCAP testing after receiving a 15-day extension from the state due to January school closures. The state has granted similar extensions to several other counties that were heavily impacted by the ice storm. School Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the extension will help both […]
Clay Schools Replace Football Stadium Sewer Pump
The bathrooms at the Clay County High School football stadium are open again after the school system replaced a failing sewer pump. School Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the pump’s warning mechanism of potential failure was not working properly. The pump went out without much warning. Bailey said the pump has since been replaced. “We […]
Clay School Board Approves Bids For Rip Rap, Phones
The Clay County School Board Executive Committee approved low bids for new phone systems and an erosion control project Thursday night. The erosion control project at Clay County High School entails installing rock-lined rip rap. School Board Chair Benji Bailey said there is a growing problem with a waterway running to the left of the […]
Clay CTE Building To Open In Weeks, Final Touches Underway
The new Clay County High School CTE Building is almost finished, and students could use it as soon as late September. School Board Chair Benji Bailey said he is excited to see the building come to fruition. Bailey said the remaining work includes finishing touches on the inside, and the only delays have come from […]
