Baby Birds on school panel agenda
Apr. 12—Cumberland County school administrators hurriedly dashed off a grant application late last month to allow the continued operation of the Baby Birds Learning Center.
The matter is on the Tuesday agenda of the Board of Education's building and grounds committee. The committee is the first of the board's working committees scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. in the Central Service Building at 368 Fourth St., Crossville.
"Baby Birds Learning Center Grant Funding Results and Property Improvements" is the only mention of what could decide the fate of the program for developmentally and intellectually challenged children ages 18 months-3 years. No supporting documentation or explanation was supplied.
Parents became emotional when it was announced in late March that the program would be closing effective June 30. Many of them attended the March school board meeting with their children who are being helped by the services Baby Birds offers.
Matters not on the published agenda can be discussed if a board member requests it and obtains the consensus of the majority before the agenda is approved. By a 5-4 vote, the board approved the motion of Elizabeth Stull, 1st District, to make the addition.
Director of Schools William Stepp had earlier told the Chronicle he had made the decision to shut down the program, which began as a cooperative effort between Tennessee Early Intervention System and the school district. TEIS provided funding for constructing the building near The Phoenix School on Taylor St., and its grants have fully funded the center that's maintained through the school district by its special education director and The Phoenix School administration.
"The differences being made in these kids being able to participate in this program is huge," Stull said during the board meeting. "And there's a waiting list on this program — this is not something that the community isn't using. The community is using this program to its fullest."
After a discussion that at times became heated, Stepp was met with applause when he said, "Let's go ahead and apply and we'll see where we go from there."
The committee will also look at a quote for Homestead Elementary safety fencing. The public frequently addresses the board about safety issues at the school. Its campus of small historic cottages is at the juncture of two major highways. The intersection is undergoing state improvements.
Other matters on the building and grounds agenda include tennis court construction cost estimates and an update on the Stone Memorial High School baseball facility.
Contact Cheryl Duncan at cduncan@crossville-chronicle.com or 931-484-5145.
