Issues with senior memorials at Parkers Chapel Schools resurface
PARKERS CHAPEL — Parkers Chapel’s school board revisited its ongoing senior memorial controversy, hired new employees and considered a new outreach program at its meeting Monday.
Sections of the senior sidewalks were removed during construction in June. After a town hall meeting, the board decided to preserve the remaining sidewalks and work around them.
Members of the board proposed that a committee, composed of 10-12 Parkers Chapel community members, high school upperclassmen and alumni should lead the charge on the district’s new student memorial.
“We want a committee to research options for replacing names in the sidewalks and investigate ways going forward,” said Wes Taylor, school board president.
Continuing the Parker Chapel senior sidewalk isn’t an option due to a lack of space, but with suggestions from the community and a committee dedicated to this project, a manageable memorial is possible, said Howard Skinner, vice president.
“(At) our public meeting, a lot of people threw different things out — stuff I never even heard of before like doing some plazas and putting the names in that,” Skinner said.
The district wants the Parkers Chapel name to be seen in the entire Union County community and an opportunity to do so was presented at Monday’s meeting.
Union County government and the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce is building a website that would entice prospective movers and highlight local businesses, healthcare facilities and schools, said Superintendent Michael White.
CTI, a video production company, reached out to White and offered to make a professionally produced promotional video for this new website and the district’s own use. This would cost $5,000 for the production and one year on the site, with a $2,500 renewal fee.
“When someone clicks on that site, information about who just clicked on that site would be sent to one of us. The concept there is that you have opportunity to follow up with someone who may be interested in the Parkers Chapel School District,” White said.
While the board wants to improve advertising for the district, there were some concerns with the business side of the proposed community outreach method.
“Unless we put it on our video, they have to know where they have to live to be able to go. They can’t move to El Dorado with intentions of coming to Parkers Chapel,” White said.
CTI has been in the Union County area pitching promotional videos to businesses for about nine months, Skinner said.
Community participation and the legitimacy of this new website were concerns for board members as well.
“They’re sending us a letter from the county judge (Mike Loftin). I’d like to talk to the county judge himself,” said Jason Hardy, board secretary.
Unless the Chamber of Commerce expresses its involvement in this effort, board members said they wouldn’t move forward with the proposal. Taylor proposed that White invite CTI to the next meeting.
The school board also hired several employees in time for the upcoming school year.
New staff members include a licensed practical nurse, a cafeteria administrator, special education paraprofessionals and a night custodian.
Ongoing renovations including an expanded, air-conditioned auditorium, renovated tennis court and secure entry ways between school were also discussed.
After going over a new design, the board decided to collaborate with Nabolz Construction to redesign its plans to finish the extensive renovation project within its $6.5 million budget.
The five-member board also approved a staff resignation and student transfer from El Dorado; renewed state board association membership and property insurance and discussed pickup and drop off procedures for the first week of school.