Athletics and Agriculture: FC School Board Holds Monthly Meeting
- Terri Carter
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
The Franklin County Board of Education held their monthly meeting last Monday night. Highlights of the meeting included the continuation of an athletic report, the approval of new construction for a Huntland Barn Project, and slight changes that were made to the personnel dress code policy.
Continuing a newly added segment to the monthly agenda, Franklin County Athletic Director Kelly Kennedy delivered the athletic report, beginning with a series of athlete spotlights. The athletes highlighted were North Middle School 8th grader Dalton Brown, South Middle School 8th grader Lilah Banks, Franklin County Middle School 8th grader Chloe Cole, Huntland Middle School 8th grader Bryant Walker, Huntland High School 11th grader Skylar Roberts, and Franklin County High School 11th grader Skylar Pendergraff.
Kennedy continued her presentation with a list of August wins by the different sports teams throughout the community that included reports of wins from North Middle School Track and Field and Cross Country, Franklin County Middle School Girls Soccer, South Middle School Football and Volleyball, and Huntland Football, Girls Soccer, and Cross Country, and Franklin County High School Golf.
In the finance report portion of athletics, Kennedy reported that the department has open purchase orders that add up to approximately $150,000.00, with approximately $120,500.000 that will remain after the open purchase orders are paid out.
As part of the facilities and maintenance report, South Middle School raised concerns about its basketball court. Athletic Director Kelly Kennedy noted that separation and buckling have occurred in the wood panels due to humidity, potentially compromising the floor’s seal and leading to further damage if left unaddressed. While a professional evaluation is scheduled, Kennedy emphasized the importance of making the board aware of the issue in advance.
Kennedy also submitted a proposal to resurface and level the Franklin County High School Softball Field. The director stated that the press box deck has deteriorated over the years, making an impact on the only entry/exit to the box and bringing the need for replacement. And water and material run-off has caused what Kennedy referred to as “rivers” on the field, creating a significant lip on the outfield grass, raising concern and potential hazards for the student athletes during games and trainings.
The athletic director also stated that the home team dugout has started to flood during heavy rains because of the run-off, creating a mildew residue and deterioration of the wooden bench.
The estimated cost for scraping and releveling the field and for the installation of bullpen lanes was $16,000 and the estimated cost for the press box improvements was approximately $10,000, bringing the total cost of improvements to approximately $26,000.
Preliminary steps have been taken to assemble a special committee that will oversee athletics throughout the school district. The special committee will take on the task of creating a strategic plan for athletics that will retain student-athletes within the district, develop competitive programs that rival surrounding districts, enhance community and alumni engagement, strengthen feeder programs to build a pipeline of talent, and provide college exposure and recruiting support for student athletes. The idea of the committee is expected to be presented to the board of education in January 2026.
“We’ve already met several times.”, stated Kennedy to the board. “I think it’s been very productive. As someone who has been a part of those meetings, I think it’s been really good to have athletics brought forward. Because I do think there was a disconnect before between you and us, and I think that this is remedying that. We’re all on the same team here and we all want what is best for our student athletes. And I think this committee would go very far to help with that.”
A presentation was made on behalf of Huntland School, asking the board to approve of the construction of an agricultural barn on property that is already owned by the school board and located next to Huntland School. The property is located across the street from the football field and was originally intended to be used for a soccer field. However, the property had previously been a sawmill and has a wetland located in one of the corners, rendering it unusable as a soccer field but usable for agricultural purposes.
“The Huntland barn can present a lot of areas. Our agricultural program is our largest club.”, stated Huntland Principal Lisa Crabtree. “I think we have in the neighborhood of 85-100 students that are involved our agricultural program. We are constant state competitors and national competitors in that field. And we have seen quite a few things that it can add for our students. Our elementary students as well as our middle and high school students. I just want you to know that Huntland School is excited if we’re able to do this and what it might bring to the students experience at school.”
The agricultural barn addition is expected to serve several purposes that would include giving the students an opportunity for a hands-on learning experience that will allow students to gain practical agricultural skills, community engagement that will build local partnerships and foster collaboration with local farmers, and environmental awareness education where students will learn about sustainable practices and conservation efforts in agriculture.
The layout of the barn is expected to house multiple stalls, a chicken coop, wash bay, feed and tack area, and a large multi-purpose stall that can be used for situations such as a livestock birth. The outside of the barn will have a lean-to on each side, providing even more space for equipment and educational purposes.
The construction of the barn will be funded by an ISM Grant, and yearly expenses are expected to cost approximately $2,600.00 a year. The board of education showed excitement and support for the project, voting unanimously on its approval.
A small change was made to the personnel dress code, eliminating the restriction of allowing teachers to wear sandals and high heels during the school day. While the motion to allow the teachers to wear these types of footwear was the only motion brought forth, attention was brought to other dress code policies that some board members viewed as out of date and ready for a new review. While the board did have a discussion regarding other policies throughout the dress code, the only change made during the meeting was regarding footwear and the other policies will be discussed at a later date.
In other reports on the agenda, there has been litigation come out against some textbook companies for overcharging on some of their textbooks and supplies. An investigation has been opened, and the board has been advised under their attorney to allow him to take a further look into the investigation on behalf of the school district. If the district attorney determines that there will be financial gain for the district from the lawsuit, the board will intend to join the lawsuit due to multiple textbooks or materials having been purchased from all companies under investigation.
Fall break throughout Franklin County School District is scheduled for October 6th through October 10th, and the next regular board meeting is scheduled for October 13th at 6:00 p.m.
