Board Bulletin

March 22, 2005

Present were Superintendent Thomas A. Price,
Vice-Chair
Wayne Bridges,
Mildred Blackburn,    Mike Sleeper, and.
Roxanne Whitaker.

BOARD COMMENTS
The Board members commented on their visits to special school events at Blue Ridge Elementary, Brookwood Elementary, New Elementary #5, Greenbrier Middle, and Greenbrier High.  "You outshine them all," said Ms. Whitaker in reference to Mr. Price for his letter to the CC-News Times on School Board Appreciation Week. Condolences were expressed to Regina Buccafusco and her family for the loss of her mother.

NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be a Regular Session on April 12, 2005 at the Evans Government Complex.

BOARD ITEMS
There were no Board items.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS


Sana Hasmi and Cameron Ballard of Lakeside High received special recognitions for featured in The Next Step Magazine as Super Teens in Georgia.

PARTICIPATION
Barry Paschal of the CC News-Times, reviewed with the Board a bit of history regarding Columbia County Schools and past Superintendents and asked the Board to name the new elementary school Oakey Grove Elementary. Paul Dunbar, of RD Brown Contracting, expressed concern for the bid results for the new EMS.  Carolyn Chase, PTO president of the new elementary, recognized the committee members for their participation in naming of the new school by majority vote.  Ms. Chase requested that the Board honor the committees recommendation of River Ridge Elementary. Mr. Childs, Director of Natural Resources at SRS expressed appreciation to the Board for their monetary support ($10,000) and asked the Board to consider increasing the support to $20,000.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Update of Professional and Non-Certified Personnel Allotment.  Mr. Price presented the additional positions required for the 2005-2006 school year.  The updated allotments include an increase in special education teachers to address inclusion.
Report of High School Committee.  Mr. Price reported to the Board the recommendations from the High School Task Force Committee.  The task force suggested that the next new high school should be a comprehensive high school incorporating the strengths found in the four existing high schools and improving upon the areas of unmet student needs identified by the four schools.  The needs of special needs students, at-risk students, and gifted students should be included in each aspect of the planning of a new high school and the improvement of the existing high schools.
Special Dates.  Mr. Price reminded the Board of the Retirement Reception held on  5/3/05 at Westlake.

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS

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

BOARD APPROVALS (final)
Resolutions. The Board gave final approval declaring the results of the SPLOST election and authorizing legal counsel to proceed with validation of school bonds.
FY06 Funds.  The Board gave final approval to encumber FY06 funds for the purchase of new school furniture and 936 new computers.

BOARD APPROVALS/Discussions
Consent Items.  The Board gave tentative approval of consent items: minutes of 2/22/05 and 3/8/05,  February financials, employee travel, fundraisers,  and athletic or summer camps.
Budget Transfers. The Board gave tentative approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Transfers: Budget Transfer No. 34 - Transfer funds in the Title II Grant for Harlem Middle; Budget Transfer No. 35 - Transfer funds in the Lottery Pre-K grant for Grovetown and  Westmont Elementary.
Sand Hills Program.  Funds have been requested by Richmond County (RCBOE) to address the Sand Hills Budget Deficit.  RCBOE is fiscal agent for the Sand Hills Program and is allowed to draw FTE for our students.  This was brought to the Board for discussion only until more data is received.
Textbook Software.  The Board gave tentative approval for the purchase of Hayes Textbook Software.  This software application will utilize barcodes and scanners to manage our textbook inventories.  CCBOE spends about  $1.5 million on new textbooks every year.
Instructional Materials. The Board gave tentative approval of revised the Social Studies 9-12 Curriculum and the Fine Arts K-12 Curriculum.
New Elementary School. Mr. Price identified the process for the naming of a new school.  A committee made up of students, parents, teachers, principal and community members reviewed options and voted on River Ridge Elementary.  The Board gave tentative approval for naming the new elementary #5 to River Ridge Elementary.  The Board expressed desire to name the road into the new school as Oakey Grove Drive.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at Greenbrier Elementary, and EHS Re-roof/HVAC.
Change Order. The Board approved change order No. 1 for the EHS HVAC Replacement for $209,000 for environmental tests.
New Evans Middle School. The Board approved the bid results and awarded the contract for Evans Middle School Project to McKnight Construction.