Board Bulletin

October  2004

Present were Superintendent Thomas A. Price, Chairman
Roxanne Whitaker, 
Vice-Chair
Mildred Blackburn,  Wayne Bridges, Regina Buccafusco and Lee Muns.

BOARD COMMENTS
The Board gave special recognitions to recent Board member debates and the students participating from LHS and GHS, GTE honoring staff and students for coming off the AYP list with an ice cream celebration, HMS monthly breakfast with community leaders and its newly formed Saturday School, and the businesses stepping forward and supporting our schools through school/business  partnerships.

NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be a Study Session on October 26, 2004 at the Board of Education in Appling.

BOARD ITEMS
Board Member, Mildred Blackburn will hold a town hall meeting Saturday, October 30, 2004 at 9:00am at Martinez Elementary School.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Price, along with Rita McDonald, School Nutrition Manager at Stevens Creek Elementary, recognized Peter Robbins of WJBF-TV with the Georgia School Nutrition Media Award.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was no public participation at this meeting.
 
BOARD APPROVALS/Discussions
Consent Items.  The Board gave approval of consent items: employee travel, fundraisers, partners in education, and athletic camps.
Budget Amendments/Transfers.  The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Amendments:  No. 14 - Difference in the estimated Title IIA Grant-Highly Qualified Teachers ($3,440); No. 15 - Difference in the estimated Title IIA Grant-Staff Development ($42,055); No. 16 - Difference in the estimated Title V Grant-Media Materials ($17,112); No. 17 -Difference in the estimated Title IV Grant-School Safety & Drug Awareness ($12,530); Budget Transfer No. 3 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Evans Elementary.
Board Policies.  The Board approved changes to Policy GBU/CB  Code of Ethics for Educators and Policy IHA  Statewide Passing Score.  These policy changes will be reflected on our website at www.ccboe.net/boe/policies/

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at Grovetown Elementary, stages,  and transportation.
EHS Re-roof/HVAC. Bob Pruett, Architect, reported to the Board that the complexity of this construction project will require the purchase of 12 portables.  The Board approved the purchase of 12 portables to be utilized for temporary classrooms.  Students will be moved  into the portables  to address environmental and safety concerns for students while the project is underway.
New Elementary School. Masonry foundation is 85% complete, with under slab & electrical is 65% complete.
New Administration Building/New EMS.  Finalized changes to drawing have been submitted to Architect.  Site can be viewed at www.ccboe.net

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dropout Report.  Mr. Price presented to the Board a tracking report of dropouts for the 2003-2004 school year.  Our schools reported 341 dropouts last school year. The primary reasons for dropping out are:  seeking a GED (187), lack of attendance (95), and for suspension/expulsion (22).  However, 40 dropouts reentered CCSS this year  Schools will be asked to identify at risk students in an effort to curb the dropout rate..
Preliminary Planning for Next High School. Mr. Price suggested to the Board to start thinking about the next high school.  Should it be a traditional high school program or a magnet concept offering a specialized curriculum?  The Board has requested that a task force be developed to consider community input.
Policy JN.  Mr. Price discussed with the Board Policy JN - Awards and Scholarships that was approved in 2002 and will go into affect in 2005.  While the policy is posted in the 2004 course catalog, many parents were not aware of the change.  Additional communication will be communicated to parents via system and school publications.
Mr. Price reminded the Board of a few events going on around the county for Professional Learning on October 15:

• "Closing the Achievement Gap", Larry Bell at CSRA RESA. 8:30am-4:00pm

• Social Studies, Carlos Cortez at- LHS, 9:00-11:00am

• Learning Focused Schools -math at RES/BWD, 8:00am-4:00pm

National Bus Driver Appreciation Week is October 17-23. Our recognition ceremony to honor bus drivers will be held on October 26 at West Acres Baptist Church.

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS

On the recommendation of Superintendent Price, the personnel recommendations were approved as presented.