During their Feb. 2 meeting, the Yazoo County School Board approved a policy banning the use of drones (unmanned aircraft systems) on all the district's campuses.
According to Superintendent Becky Fisher, other school districts have reported having difficulty with drones being used on schools' campuses.
“They're having trouble with this in Madison (and) certain school districts they're having issues with, especially for sports like during practice,” Fisher said.
“So, one school is sending a drone to watch the practice (of another school),” Trustee John Newton remarked.
“Believe it or not, yes,” Fisher responded. “People who have money.”
The adopted policy banning drones states, in part, “Understanding that airborne UAS/drones poses a safety hazard, the Yazoo County School District forbids anyone from flying a drone or any remote-controlled aircraft in the skies over any of its school campuses or school properties, including, but not limited to individual schools within the district, football stadiums and athletic fields without authorization for the FAA.”
“The FAA has serious concerns about the safety of operating UAS near people or stadiums,” the policy continues.
The policy further states that the superintendent or the designee “shall report any unauthorized operation of UAS/drones over school property to law enforcement authorities and/or the FAA.”
Violators will be subject to immediate removal from school property, and will be reported to law enforcement, including the FAA. Student violators will be dealt with according to the district's student code of conduct. “Any school district employee violating the policy shall be subject to formal disciplinary action.”
In other school board activity, the trustees:
• Approved the employment of the following administrators and principals for the 2016-2017 school year: Tom Taylor, assistant superintendent; Angela Hudson, federal programs coordinator/administrative assistant superintendent; Delorris Smith, special education director/administrative assistant superintendent; Christy Vandevere, district test coordinator; Melanie Roberts, principal of Bentonia-Gibbs Elementary School; Shundria Shaffer, principal of Linwood Elementary School; Gloria Washington-Jamison, principal of Yazoo County Middle School; Jana Bardwell, principal of Yazoo County High School.
• Were recognized as a part of School Board Member Recognition Week, which will be observed Feb. 14-20. In recognition of their service, Fisher read Gov. Phil Bryant's proclamation, which commemorates the week. School board members are Dewel Ladner, Chastity Magyar, Gregory Moseley, John Newton and Larry Walls.
• Discussed 16th Section matters.
• Approved out-of-state travel for Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tom Taylor and Dr. Shundria Shaffer to attend the Southeast Blended Learning Symposium in Orlando, Fla. Feb. 10-12. All expenses will be paid by Curriculum Associates.
• Accepted the following donations: $637 from Go Fund Me Account for PBIS at Linwood Elementary School; and $300 from the Louise Christmas Parade Committee to the Yazoo County Band.
• Heard Fisher discuss the district's strategic plan.
