The Troy Board of Education discussed changes to the State and Federal education landscape Tuesday at its regular meeting.

Superintendent  Dr. Lee Hicks told those in attendance to fight for educational policies they believe in. “Don’t be afraid to advocate,” Hicks said.

Hicks brought up looming decisions at the State level, including a bill that would require students to take a citizenship test to graduate and the potential for the State Board of Education to turn away from using the ACT. “Right now students take the ACT Aspire in 10th grade and that’s what we’re judged on,” Hicks said. “It’s worth more than graduation rates, and I don’t really think that’s right.”

Hicks said that the sate board may be looking to discontinue using the ACT for another testing service, which would again change the standards for the schools.

“I spoke with a history teacher yesterday that’s using textbooks from 2002 because the funding isn’t there and the legislature wants to add another cost to create a new history test,” Hicks said. “We’ll deal with whatever they hand us. We pinch pennies, but we’re left with potholes we’ve got to fill. Mickey (Daughtry, chief financial officer) might as well be a gardener.”

In other business, the board:

• Approved for a Dell laptop “damaged beyond repair” to be listed as surplus equipment.

• Approved the resignation of Travis Baxley, a Charles Henderson High School history teacher.

• Approved the hire of Tyler Eady to fill Baxley’s position.

• Approved medical leave for Stacy Carpenter, Troy Elementary School guidance counselor.

• Approved medical leave for Kimberly Sellers, pre-engineering instructor for Tory-Pike Center for Technology.

• Approved a contract extension for CHHS volleyball and soccer coaches from nine months to 10 months.