Board Bulletin

December  2004

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

BOARD COMMENTS
The Board gave special recognitions to: the Vocational Advisory Committee, all the National Board Certified Teachers (we have 54), E3 employees, "We rely on these people to make the system work", said Regina Buccafusco;  Superintendent's Breakfast at EHS,  Mr. Price and his staff for the poinsettias.

NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be a Special Called Meeting in January 2005 at the Board of Education in Appling.

BOARD ITEMS
The Board will need to schedule a Called Meeting the first week in January for swearing in of newly elected Board members and election of Board officers, appointment of Board Attorney, and scheduling of meeting dates and times.  A date and location will be coordinated by the board Secretary and emailed to Board members.

Ms. Blackburn thanked Mr. Muns for his dedication of service to the Board.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

Pratima Neti, LHS, was recognized for first place winner in the senior division of the 2004-2005 Youth Symphony competition.

Michael Johnson, LHS, was recognized for completing the Eagle Scout Badge.

Ethics of Educational Excellence Nominees for fall quarter.  Click here to view nominees.

Mr. Price and the Board recognized teachers who recently received National Board Certification.  Click here to view list.

PARTICIPATION
Anthony Sweat, a graduate of EHS,  expressed his respect and thanks for Lee Muns and the work he has done to represent the Board and the county for Columbia County students. 
Richard Jacobson, representing parents from  HHS Band Booster, requested a committee be formed to review  the facility needs of the HHS band program and to study the need of a full-time choral director and percussion specialist.
 
BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: stages,  and EHS Re-roof/HVAC.
New Elementary School. Masonry walls are 35-100% complete on the east, west, and north wings with classroom frames set 70-100% complete.
New Administration Building. Project will be bid out in December, with contractor on site the end of January.
New EMS.  Erosion and sediment control measures are being installed.  Grading work is scheduled to begin next week.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
SPLOST Audit 2003-2004.  Mr. Price presented to the Board the SPLOST Audit for 2003-2004.  The audit revealed no discrepancies from the resolution to actual expenditures.  Mr. Price reminded the Board of GSSA/GSBA Day at the Capitol - March 7, 2005.

BOARD APPROVALS/Discussions
Consent Items.  The Board gave approval of consent items: minutes of 10/26 and 11/9, October financials, employee travel, fundraisers, partners in education, and athletic or summer camps.
Budget Amendments.  The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Amendments:  No. 19 - Title III LEP Grant ($15,871); No. 20 - Elementary Foreign Language Grant for Stevens Creek Elementary.($500); No. 21 - Budget the difference in the estimated State Special Education Pre-school grant ($6,752). No. 22 - Budget the difference in the estimated Federal Special Education Pre-school grant ($1,557). No. 23 - Budget the difference in the estimated Federal Special Education Capacity Building grant. (-$38,234). No. 24 - Budget the difference in the estimated Title 6B grant. ($490,807). No. 25 - Budget the International Paper Company grant for Westmont Elementary. ($1,343) No. 26 - Budget the High Schools That Work grant for Harlem High School. ($4,000)
Budget Transfers.  The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Transfers: Budget Transfer No. 8 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Martinez Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 9 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Harlem High; Budget Transfer No. 10 - Lottery Pre-k Grant; Budget Transfer No. 11 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Grovetown Middle. Budget Transfer No. 12 - Title II Grant; Budget Transfer No. 13 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Euchee Creek Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 14 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Belair Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 15 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Greenbrier Middle; No. 16 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Columbia Middle; Budget Transfer No. 17 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Greenbrier Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 18 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Westmont Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 19 - K-3 Reading/Math Grant for Blue Ridge Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 20 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Blue Ridge Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 21 - Special Board Incentive Grant- South Columbia Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 22 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Crossroads Academy; Budget Transfer No. 23 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Evans High; Budget Transfer No. 24 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Greenbrier High; Budget Transfer No. 25 - Special Board Incentive Grant- North Columbia Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 26 - Special Board Incentive Grant- North Harlem Elementary;  No. 27 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Riverside Middle; Budget Transfer No. 28 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Grovetown Elementary; and No. 29 - Special Board Incentive Grant- Lakeside High.
Zoning Options for New Elementary.  The Board motioned to table this tentative approval until the next meeting.  Information about the zoning options can be found at www.ccboe.net.

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

Happy Holidays!