During a school board meeting July 16, Superintendent Dr. Dee Dee Jones offered an update on the partnership between Hartselle City Schools and the Mental Health Association. The partnership provides a clinician to Hartselle City Schools to help provide mental healthcare to students. 

Jones said a large number of students have already benefited from having the clinician in place. “We have an in-house counselor and clinician. We have 115 students this year that were serviced in emergency situations. That’s astonishing for a system our size,” Jones said during the meeting. 

Jones said an additional 55 students were able to receive help for non-emergency situations through the grant. She said the partnership is one the system hopes to be able to continue in the years to come. “That’s very important for what we do. We are thankful for the partnership, and we will continue to work with the Mental Health Association,” Jones said. “We are very thankful for them.” 

Jones also gave an update on the career partnership between Hartselle City Schools and local industries. She said the schools opened a new site this year, and the success stories have shown the need for career tech training. “This is a blessing for our students,” Jones said. 

During the meeting the board also moved to approve the following items: 

• Bids for milk, ice cream, fresh fruit and gas combination ovens
• A supplement schedule to include additional supplements for drama, robotics and junior high baseball and softball
• A contract with Robin Irwin for physical therapy during the 2019-2020 school year
• Personnel items to include various transfers, resignations and employments
• A non-employment agreement for a part-time teacher to assist with homebound students in the system.