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South Harrison teacher urges reconsideration of virtual lab; board votes to keep paraprofessional
Summary
A South Harrison High math teacher asked the board to reconsider a virtual distance‑learning lab intended to expand course access; after debate the board removed the transfer from the agenda and then approved retaining the paraprofessional position in a 3–2 roll‑call vote.
Dr. Michelle, a math teacher at South Harrison High School, told the Harrison County Board of Education the proposed virtual distance‑learning lab is intended to give students access to classes not offered at the small high school rather than to serve as a replacement for in‑person instruction.
"It is simply a way to allow our students to take classes that are not offered at our school," Dr. Michelle said, asking the board to reconsider the planned transfer of a paraprofessional who would staff the lab and instead to keep the position in place while the proposal is reviewed.
Board members discussed concerns raised in public comment and in their own questions about purpose, supervision, and whether the lab could be misused as a placement for students with special needs. After an executive session, the board moved to remove the paraprofessional distance‑learning position from the posted transfers (voice vote). The board subsequently voted on a separate motion to retain the position; the transcript records the roll‑call result as "three, two," and the motion carried.
The transcript does not include a full roll‑call table in the spoken record for that vote; the official meeting minutes or personnel record should be consulted for the named roll‑call. A prior motion to remove the position from the agenda did not itself abolish the position; the later roll‑call established that the position will remain. The district indicated staff will handle the personnel processing steps following the board action.
What’s next: The board retained the position and asked staff to follow the normal personnel process and to report back as needed; any further changes would appear in subsequent personnel agendas.
