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Parent asks Board for parity: Sports, A-team coaches 'No other school-sponsored teams are as directly representative of what students' job descriptions entail. The A-Teams are a direct reflection of the quality of education our students receive in the classroom and of the quality of coaching they receive from these gifted individuals. . . . It is clear that this is a team in every sense of the word, as worthy of that status as any team that involves bouncing or throwing a ball.' -JACKIE MONTGOMERY By Jackie Montgomery Letter and text of presentation prepared for delivery to Adair County School Board, Thursday, September 16, 2010 I would like to express my excitement at supporting a group of coaches who have already proven themselves to go above and beyond, to take their students (OUR children) above and beyond, and to put in the additional time and energy to make the Academic Teams the success they are. This represents academic progress for the entire district. These coaches are not unknown, untried or unproven. You know them, you have seen their results and dedication, and the accolades speak for themselves. Let me first say that this is my sixth year as a parent who has been closely involved with the Academic Teams (A-Teams), beginning in the 2005-2006 academic year through the present. I have observed the competence, diligence, dedication, mentoring, inspiration, and extra effort and time invested, that is to say, the exemplary coaching of the A-Team coaches personally, and through the actions, successes and comments of my children, their fellow teammates, and other team parents. My son began his A-Team career under Mrs. Sherry Stotts at the Middle School in 2005 as a 7th grader and has continued into his current senior year at ACHS with Mr. Reliford. Mrs. McQuaide and Mrs. Absher coached my daughter on the ACES 6th grade team in the 2009-2010 academic year. My daughter is now practicing with the ACMS A-Team and the new middle school quiz bowl team. During these years of involvement, Mrs. Tammy Rich and Mrs. Betty Knifley have also proven their indefatigable support for and coaching skills with the A-Teams. I believe that Mr. Reliford is, and has been, and is, an important mentor in my teenage son's life. This is no small thing, in this day and age, for one's son to have such a person as Mr. Reliford to guide, teach and mentor him through the adolescent years. The A-Teams are not seasonal; they train, practice and compete throughout the academic year, and into the summer in the event of international competition such as the FPS Internationals this last June in Wisconsin at which team members placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in world competition. There are weekend, afternoon and evening practice and competition obligations. Coaches plan; train; prepare; evaluate; assess; mentor; inspire; cajole; meet with parents, students and teams; organize and participate in fundraisers; and represent the teams in school, district and community meetings. They travel with the A-Teams to competitions, including supporting one another. They participate as judges, evaluators and trainers at competitions and summer camps. They participate in a variety of ways on their own time, and make (I am certain) personal financial contributions about which they stay very quiet. Team members study and practice on their own as well, comparable to sports team members whopractice their drills and techniques at home or on a field or court with teammates. They form a cohesive team, identify proudly with that team status, and consistently perform at remarkably high levels. It is clear that this is a team in every sense of the word, as worthy of that status as any team that involves bouncing or throwing a ball. The A-team coaches and student members have placed Adair County on the Kentucky, United States, and world maps with their resounding successes year after year. No other school-sponsored teams are as directly representative of what students' "job descriptions"entail. The A-Teams are a direct reflection of the quality of education our students receive in theclassroom and of the quality of coaching they receive from these gifted individuals. I believe that the Academic Team coaches are more than deserving of the equitable compensation ascoaches that they are requesting. I would be proud of the Board of Education's decision to provide themwith the well-deserved and certainly well-earned coaches' salary in place of a simple stipend. Such a stipend, I believe, relegates them to a "less than" status, which is frankly embarrassing given the facts that they coach legitimate and clearly academic quality-related teams, and in light of all that they have done and continue to do. It is clear that coaching the A-Teams is a calling for these gifted, creative and dedicated coaches; I would urge the Board to provide them with the commensurate salary for their hard work and contributions to the academic quality and recognition of the Adair County Schools. If this change in compensation status requires a sacrifice on the part of the Board of Education, then I firmly assert that such a sacrifice is warranted especially in this climate of economic uncertainty. These are faculty and staff who are helping students attain higher and higher levels of knowledge, experience and character which will stand the students (and by extension the county and state) in good stead in these difficult times and those to come. Respectfully, Academic Team Supporter and parent of Ryan and Rebecca Montgomery This story was posted on 2010-09-20 05:25:53
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UL Chemistry professor Dr. Eugene Mueller to present seminar at CU Enrollment up for 13th straight year at Western KY University Adult Education Center offers English as a Second Language (ESL) Adair Adult Education Center will observe Family Literacy Week Adair Co. Board of Education, Sept. 16, 2010 Agenda Col. Casey School Site Based Council meets Tuesday Bingo for Books this evening at Col. Wm. Casey school Chris Lloyd, ACHS, 1 of 16 area Sen. Jeff Green Scholars Dr. John Stempel to speak on State of the UN at KHIPP Kentucky misses out on Race to Top Funds View even more articles in topic Education |
 
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