Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Board, Superintendent Split On Transfer

Members of the Nevada School Board went against the recommendations of the superintendent and allowed a student to transfer out.

Meeting in special session Monday, June 22, the board heard a request from a child's mother asking for the transfer as she is a working single parent.

The mother works in Hope and has the child enrolled in a daycare there as well. She told the board it would cause her difficulty having the child in the Nevada system while its daycare is in Hope.

Don Callicott, a member of the board, agreed it would be hardship on the woman, though Nevada could, he said, provide her child with a better education.

Daycare, she said, is vital as she has no one else to turn to in helping care for her child. The daycare facilities she spoke with do not take drop-ins without charging the full amount.

Callicott said no school should come between what a parent feels is best for their child and family life, despite what they may believe to be best for its education. With this said, he moved to approve the transfer.

Board President Nelwyn Almand reminded Callicott Superintendent Rick McAffee recommended denying the transfer.

Jerry Bishop, also a board member, suggested the panel follow McAffee's recommendation, as the decision was based on district policy against transfers.

"I'm concerned about the quality of education," Almand said of the transfer to Hope, "but I look at these (transfer requests) on an individual basis."

Almand, Bishop and Callicott were the only members on hand at the time, with Almand seconding the motion to approve the transfer.

The mother asked if her situation changed how she could bring her child back to the Nevada district, as this is where she'd rather her child be.

Almand informed her she'd have to go through the same process of transfer at Hope as she did with Nevada.

Jim Cross, transportation and maintenance supervisor, said it may be possible to return to the home district at any time.

Still, the motion passed 2-1, with Bishop casting the lone vote against the transfer.

Should the mother's situation change, a special board meeting could be held to address the situation. But, the Hope School Board meets on the third Monday of the month, whereas Nevada's board meets on the fourth Thursday.

In other business, the board accepted a letter of resignation from Tracy Light, who left for what was termed good personal reason.

All summer school workers were approved, with Jerry Reeves being hired as head custodian and bus driver. Two math teachers and a counselor were also hired.

A proposed budget for the 1999-2000 school year was also approved.

July's meeting will be held Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m.