The county school board on Thursday approved a resolution supporting the new Tennessee academic standards, which took effect last August for students who entered high school this year.

The action, which followed a 4:30 p.m. workshop about the new standards, came despite the expression of reservations about the long-term implications of some of the standards by board members and Director of Schools Dr. Joe Parkins.

Wayland Seaton, supervisor of secondary education and Debra Jo Boles, supervisor of grades 4-8 made presentations about the new academic standards during the workshop.

In remarks to the board, Parkins said that while he supports the new standards, he is concerned about the math component of the new standards.

Specifically, Parkins said he fears that some students will not be able to pass higher level math courses, which the new standards will require all students to take.

Parkins said he doubted that many people present in the meeting room at the James W. Parham Central School Board could pass two algebra courses, a geometry course and an advanced math course, such as pre-calculus.

Earlier, Parkins had explained that the new state academic standards require students entering high school this year and those who follow to complete four math courses.

Board member Richard Morrison noted that he personally knew one freshman who already is having difficulty with math. "She hasn't even gotten to the difficult courses yet," Morrison said.

The former director of schools said he fears that the only way many students will be able to pass advanced math courses is if the courses are "watered down."

"If you do that, what have you accomplished," Morrison asked rhetorically.

But Board Chairman David Johnson warned that efforts to add rigor to Tennessee's high school curriculum are needed because high school graduates are no longer just competing with residents of adjacent counties for jobs.

He also pointed out that China will produce more "advanced students" this year than the U.S. has students."

Wayland Seaton, the county school system's supervisor of secondary education, said the same is true of India.

In addition, the board approved, at Chairman Johnson's urging, development of a local administrative training program for aspiring principals and administrators.

Johnson said the program could provide a local pool of administrators for principalships and future director of schools vacancies.

Also during the meeting, the board approved a Report of School System/School Compliance to be submitted to the State Department of Education.

It also approved mid-year general-purpose budget amendments.

The board also approved a number of low bids, including:

* a low bid from the CenturyLink telephone company for local telephone service;

* a low bid of $78,974 each submitted by Central States Bus Sales for six new buses; and

* low bids submitted by New Age Alarm Communication for installation of security cameras at four schools.

The board also:

* approved a request from McDonald School to construct a pergola (archway) on school grounds;

* approved a request from North Greene High School to name the school gymnasium in honor of former long-time basketball coach Jerome Woolsey;

* approved the addition of Latin to the high school curriculum, contingent on availability of a certified teacher and funding;

* approved the Katie Key Outreach Project for implementation in the middle school and high school grade levels at the principal's option.

The Outreach Project had been proposed by the county school system's curriculum committee to address the problem of domestic violence among high school students.

According to Director of Schools Dr. Joe Parkins, the project honors the memory of the late West Greene High School student Katie Key, who was held hostage by an estranged boyfriend who killed her and himself several years ago.

In addition, the board:

* approved budget adjustments for Title I Stimulus funds.

The board also approved out-of-state field trip requests, including:

* Camp Creek 6th-8th grades to Charleston and Isle of Palms, S.C., and Charlotte, N.C., on May 13-15, 2010, with bus transportation by Greene Coach; and

* NGHS 11th-12th grades to Hilton Head, S.C., May 7-9, 2010, with transportation via Greene Coach.

Finally, the county school board approved, on a single vote, a list of routine items, such as approval of previous board-meeting minutes, the payment of monthly bills and in-state field trips.