News from May 18, 2006 issue
CCMS changes
dress code
A change in the dress code at Crittenden County Middle School
will take affect next school year and will greatly alter what
students can wear.
The new policy prohibits students from wearing clothing with any
type of writing or logos, except those smaller than a quarter.
School administrators say the new policy is aimed at protecting
students and their instructional environment.
The new policy adopted April 27 was explained this week in a letter
to parents of fifth through seventh graders. On Monday, parents
of students in grades five through seven received an automated
Phone Master message asking them to be on the lookout for the
policy, which was also sent home with students.
The CCMS school council, comprised of teachers, parents and Principal
Vince Clark, began in February discussing amendments to the current
dress code because of an increasing number of students wearing
shirts depicting inappropriate symbols and suggestive messages.
Clark said the council was poised to adopt a policy that listed
some prohibited symbols and language such as Black Panther, KKK,
Nazi swastikas and Confederate flags, then a parent of a student
questioned the legality of that proposal and allegedly reported
the issue to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
After researching other school policies and consulting with the
school attorney, the council approved the new policy.
Clark said limiting particular logos and language is considered
viewpoint discrimination, and for that reason the new dress code
takes an all-or-nothing approach. The new policy is modeled after
one adopted by Fort Thomas Highlands Middle School which was upheld
by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
"All we want to do is protect students and their instructional
environment," Clark explains.
"I know Nike isn't gang related or American Eagle doesn't
create a hostile environment, but the law says if you can't wear
(anarchy symbols, Confederate flags and the like) you can't wear
athletic logos either."
The consequences for failing to abide by the new policy will result
in the following: First offense, student will be asked to change
clothes and warned. Second offense, a notice will be sent to the
student's parents; and on third and and subsequent offenses, the
student will be sent to detention.
New
assemply jobs coming
City leaders have agreed to provide a local tax incentive package
to Tyler Manufacturing, Corp., an upstart company created recently
by owners of Par 4 Plastics.
Tyler Manufacturing will employ six workers initially and plans
to grow rapidly, according to Lee Conrad, director of the Crittenden
County Economic Development Corporation. The new company will
assemble plastic components for the automotive industry.
Conrad attended Monday night's Marion City Council meeting and
presented a request on behalf of the company to have its city
payroll and net profits taxes abated for five years. Conrad said
the company is also asking the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet
to approve state payroll tax credits in the form of a Kentucky
Rural Economic Development Act (KREDA) incentive.
Council members voted 5-0 to approve the plan with new Councilman
Darrin Tabor abstaining because his wife works for Par 4 and he
has other professional relationships with some of the principal
owners.
Conrad told the city council that Tyler Manufacturing will begin
operations at the former Marion Mining Bolts building. It will
rent the building temporarily while looking for a suitable location
to grow the company.
"They will be assembling car parts with plastic products
made at Par 4 Plastics," Conrad said. "We think this
might lead to many more jobs down the road."
Par 4 Plastics and other local manufacturing companies have received
similar tax incentives by the city. The City of Marion collects
a three-quarters of one percent payroll tax on all workers inside
the city limits and a one percent net profit tax on businesses
in the city. Employers accrue payroll taxes and pay them quarterly.
Conrad said that tax incentives like this are common. The company's
savings will be minimal, but it does help pay down debt.
It's also common for property taxes to be abated for manufacturing
facilities, but Conrad said that since Tyler is renting, it doesn't
qualify for that type of help. It may in the future make an additional
request for property tax incentives if and when the company finds
a new location, Conrad said.
Man
dies in ATV wreck at Bluff
A 45-year-old Mt. Vernon, Ind., man was airlifted Saturday afternoon
from Paddy's Bluff ATV Park after being injured in an all-terrain-vehicle
accident. He died a few hours later at Evansville's Deaconess
Hospital. According to the ATV park owners, Daniel Hawes was riding
a new four-wheeler on flat ground when he apparently used the
front brakes in an attempted to stop the vehicle. The brakes locked,
flipping the ATV and ejecting the driver. Crittenden EMS responded
to the scene and Hawes was taken by PHI Air Ambulance to Deaconess.
The accident occurred about 3:30 p.m., at the ATV park near Dycusburg.
Hawes died of apparent internal injuries at about 8:30 p.m., at
the hospital.