Board Bulletin

November  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: the Greenbrier High School State Softball Champions; voters of Columbia County for high turnout on Nov. 2; Wayne Bridges and Mike Sleeper for being selected as the winner in their BOE district; Inside ccboe, and the schools for planning Veteran's Day and Proud to be an American celebrations.

NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be a Study Session on November 23, 2004 at the Board of Education in Appling.

BOARD ITEMS
There were no Board items.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Price introduced to the Board the state champions- the Greenbrier High's girls softball team with special recognitions given to Kristen Glover, senior pitcher. (picture not available)

Columbia County Schools received the following awards at the annual conference for the Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA): gold medal for the Columbia County School Employee Information Calendar, silver and bronze medals for Inside ccboe, and a bronze medal for the Columbia County Schools website.  These awards were presented to Karen Ribble, coordinator-special projects.

PARTICIPATION
Donald Jones, a business owner, presented drivers education safety program information available to parents of Columbia County students.
 
BOARD APPROVALS/Discussions
Consent Items.  The Board gave approval of consent items: minutes of 9/28 and 10/12, September financials, employee travel, fundraisers, partners in education, and gifts and donations.
Budget Amendments/Transfers.  The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Amendments:  No. 18 - Difference in the estimated Title I Grant-and grant award ($51,807);  Budget Transfer No. 4 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Riverside Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 5 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Lewiston Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 6 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Riverside Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 7 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Stevens Creek Elementary.
Board Policies. The Board gave tentative approval of Policy AF - School Day. The changes were made to the definition of recess. Policy revisions are reflected on our website at www.ccboe.net/boe/policies/
Projections for 2005-2006.  Mr. Price presented to the Board the system-wide enrollment projections for the 2005-2006 school year at 514 students.
Zoning Options for New Elementary.  Mr. Price discussed with the Board two options to be presented to the public on Dec. 7 at RMS at 6:30pm.  Information about the zoning options can be found at www.ccboe.net.

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. The Board approved the contract to be awarded to Gold Mech., Inc.
New Elementary School. Construction has started on east, west, and north wings with classroom frames set 40-60% complete.
New Administration Building/New EMS.  Timber harvesting complete.  The Board approved the contract for site work to be awarded to Beams Contracting.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Plan for High School Task Force.  Mr. Price presented to the Board a plan for the High School Task Force, which will be headed by Nettie Engels. Members will include three members from each high school council, Booster club representative from each middle and high school, principal from each high school, central office staff, a representative from the Chamber's Manufacturing Council, a representative from the Columbia County Government, and two BOE members. The task force will meet  from January -April 2005.
System Goals 2003-2006.  Mr. Price presented the system goals for 2003-2006 along with the evaluation measures.  The goals are published on our website at www.ccboe.net.
Elementary Strategic Planning.  Committee members, Mike Doolittle, and Tami Flowers presented the recommendations from the committee.  The committee identified a need for collaborative planning, that the current model is difficult to achieve during the regular school day. The committee recommended implementing an early release day each Wednesday and extending the other four days. Two major issues must be addressed: adjustments for after school care for working parents and the loss of instructional time. The recommendations will be reviewed with school councils for input. "We are asking our students to do collaborative studying, but we don't have our elementary teachers do collaborative planning," said Regina Buccafusco.
Proud to Be an American. Our celebration will be held at First Baptist Church on Nov. 19 at 7:00pm.

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS

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