Food assistance available for all Franklin County Schools students, families

The  Franklin County Schools Board of Education elected board member Terry Welborn president  and board member Kacey Johnston vice president at the board’s annual organizational meeting, held November 18th.

The board also approved an amended medication policy and pandemic preparedness plan recommended by Diane Baker, Lead School Nurse for Franklin County Schools. 

Both policies tracked the language in the state plans, with one exception on the pandemic policy. While the state plan only applies to pandemic influenza, the board’s policy includes additional other diseases and processes per Baker’s recommendation.

Franklin County Schools Superintendent of Education Greg Hamilton updated the board on a food collection drive the school system started when SNAP food benefits were temporarily suspended earlier this month. Hamilton said a generous donation means there is more than sufficient food for any student and his/her family and if any families or students who need food assistance for Thanksgiving or the upcoming Christmas holidays.

In other agenda items at the November 18th meeting, the board:

—approved a compensation agreement for Patti Swinney, yearbook sponsor at Vina High School, for $500 in compensation for yearbook supplement for the 2025-26 school year. Vina High School will reimburse the Franklin County Board of Education the $500 plus applicable benefits.

—approved out-of-state trips for Tharptown High School basketball teams to travel to Tremont, Miss., for games on December 2nd, and for the Red Bay varsity basketball teams to travel to Corinth on Nov. 29th, Belmont on Dec. 5th, Pontotoc on December 13th, Hamilton, Miss., on January 12, 2026, and New Site, Miss., on January 29, 2026.

—approved the following personnel moves: RESIGNATION of Amy Rutherford, special education aide Tharptown High School, Brooke Orman, Child Nutrition Program assistant, Tharptown, Amanda Galloway, Child Nutrition Program Manager, Tharptown, Myra Coats, Child Nutrition Program assistant, Red Bay. RETIREMENT: Lesa Ewing, Child Nutrition Program Assistant, Phil Campbell, effective January 1, 2026 , Danny McKinney, bus driver, effective Jan. 1, Lavelle Mays, Child Nutrition Program Assistant, Red Bay, retroactive to October 31, 2025. EMPLOYMENT of Danielle Mitchell and Courttne Gray, special education aides, Franklin County Schools. TRANSFER of Trey Nanney, from special education aide to temporary instructional aide at Red Bay High School. PAID PARENTAL LEAVE for Kayla Jennings, East Franklin elementary teacher, from Jan. 26-March 23, 2026. FMLA REQUEST for Beatrice Hardin, custodian, Red Bay, effective Nov. 4 and Kayla Jennings, East Franklin elementary teacher, effective March 24-April 27, 2026. PERSONAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE for Kayla Jennings, East Franklin elementary teacher, from April 28-May 22, 2026. NEW TEACHER SUBSTITUTES including Jenna Whitfield, Deborah Holt, Kaycey Miller, Tonya Emerson, Madison Yocum, Sheila Lindsey, Evan Reeves, Hayden Moss, Paige Pike, Alexis Hill and Emily Duncan. SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVER: Scott King. CHILD NUTRITION SUBSTITUTE: Alice Pitts.

The next regular meeting of the FCBOE will be Tuesday, January 13, 2026, with work session at 4 p.m., and meeting to follow.