News from Oct. 13, 2005 issue

2 board members want tobacco ban
After a second straight monthly meeting discussing the existing tobacco use policy, a split Crittenden County Board of Education tabled the issue again Tuesday night. It was the second time the issue was debated but stalled as a result of dissension.

Board members Phyllis Orr and Red Howton are in favor of amending the current policy, which only prevents smoking inside buildings. They advocate a broader tobacco prohibition. The two board members want the school system to add language to school policy that would outlaw smoking or chewing any time teachers or staff are in supervision of students. That would include at extra-curricular activities including field trips or ballgames.

Based on the fact that there have been no complaints to the existing policy, board members Tina Harris and Bill Asbridge suggested leaving it alone. Chris Cook served somewhat as a mediator among the five, supporting Asbridge's proposal that the issue be addressed in the form of a resolution, or recommendation rather than as a direct policy change. Employees, Cook suggested, would be asked to voluntarily adhere to terms of the resolution which would encourage them not to use tobacco while they are in a supervisory role.
According to Superintendent John W. Belt, 13 employees indicated on state insurance questionnaires that they use tobacco products.

"Who is going to enforce the policy?" Asbridge asked, speaking against a policy change. "We'll have teachers telling on teachers and morale will drop."

Asbridge has said the policy change creates a double standard, allowing employees to use tobacco at school, perhaps in view of students, but not if they are directly supervising students.

"I would like to think that administrators and teachers would want to do what is best for kids," Howton said. "Setting an example is one thing they have to do, and when they see administrators, teachers or coaches using tobacco they remember."

Asbridge said the board in September spent 10 minutes discussing the system's $10 million budget but spent a great deal more time discussing the tobacco issue, which affects only 13 employees and has nothing to do with student performance or education.

Discussion over the tobacco policy arose during an early-September working session while board members were reviewing policy changes suggested by the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA). KSBA's recommendation was to amend the the tobacco policy to state that employees may smoke in outside areas designated and supervised by the superintendent or principal. None of the board members have said that they received complaints about employees using tobacco.

Belt told board members he respects each of their opinions and that his role is to advise and implement any changes but not to assist in the board's decision.

Since the issue was tabled during Tuesday's meeting, it is likely to be discussed again in November. It appears that the board will consider the resolution option which would not prohibit tobacco use, but would encourage faculty and staff to avoid doing it front of students.

Two Marion paramedics are honored
Two Crittenden EMS paramedics have been honored for their bravery during a late August apartment fire in Marion.

Kenneth Davenport and Larry Granstaff were recognized with the Above and Beyond Award during the annual Kentucky EMS Conference.

Davenport, with assistance from Granstaff and the Marion Police Department, rescued a woman trapped in a second-story apartment at Bellville Manor Aug. 27. As fire consumed a first-story apartment, Davenport climbed a ladder and broke out a second story window and helped lower an 80-year-old woman to safety.
The two were nominated for their heroism by another Crittenden EMS employee.

According to members of the department, it is the first time a local EMS member has received one of the annual awards handed out during the state EMS conference.