Board Bulletin

April 2005

Present were Superintendent Thomas A. Price, Chairman
Regina Buccafusco,
Vice-Chair
Wayne Bridges,
Mildred Blackburn, and  Mike Sleeper.

BOARD COMMENTS
Board members  congratulated the grade level winners of the Young Georgia Authors', and Pat Sullivan, Controller, along with her staff for no errors listed in the state audit report.  The Board also thanked the schools for invitations to special school  events.  Ms. Buccafuscso also expressed to the audience 'thank you for the cards and flowers for my mother.' 

NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be a Study Session on April 26, 2005 at the Board of Education in Appling.

BOARD ITEMS
The Board will need to identify a delegate and alternate appointments for GSBA.  Ms. Buccafusco informed the other BOE members that she received a courtesy call from the governor's office regarding HB 839.  Ms. Buccafusco was not aware that the original SB 312 (elected county wide chairman and redistricting BOE districts) was substituted with HB 389.   HB 839 outlines that 4 out of the 5 Board members would be up for re-election in 2008 leaving only 1 veteran Board member.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
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Mr. Price recognizes the 2004-2005 Young Georgia Authors' Winners for Columbia County. 

Lakeside High JROTC - State Champions for the Dual Exhibition Drill perform for Board members and audience.

John Cleveland of the Georgia Emergency Management Association (right) recognizes Columbia County Schools and Pam Tucker.

PARTICIPATION
Steve Smith, an electrical engineer at SRS, provided an overview to the Board for 2006 Technology Days.  This event is sponsored by Fort Discovery and SRS.  The event is held in February and  offers CSRA middle grade students an opportunity to talk with local working scientists and engineers with hands on-activities.  Lee Muns, previous BOE member, addressed  his concern with the Board on the bid process for Evans Middle School project.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
FY06 Budget Calendar Mr. Price presented the revised budget calendar for FY 06.  The calendar indicates final Board approval for FY06 budget at the June 14 BOE meeting.
FY06 Space Needs.  Mr. Price reviewed the process to determine the FY06 space needs.  The Board receives the enrollment projections, which are used to drive the teacher allocations, which are then used to determine the space needs.  With the current enrollment projections we will not need to budget for more portables, however, several teachers at the middle and high school will float locations based on the master class schedules from the 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.   Congratulations to Karen Fischer, assistant principal at Martinez Elementary.

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave approval of consent items: minutes of 2/22/05 and 3/8/05,  February financials, employee travel, fundraisers, athletic or summer camps, and Partners in Education  The Board also approved the request from Rev. Corbin for an extension for long term facility use by Family Bible Church.
Budget Transfers. The Board gave final 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.  Budget Transfer No. 36 - Transfer funds in the K-3 Reading and Math Grant for North Harlem Elementary and Stevens Creek Elementary.
Instructional Materials. The Board gave final approval of the revised the Social Studies 9-12 Curriculum and the Fine Arts K-12 Curriculum.  The Board gave final approval to add A Modern Southern Reader for high school Language Arts course 372-373.
Textbook Software.  The Board gave final 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.
Name for New Elementary School. The Board gave final approval to name the new elementary school River Ridge Elementary.  To acknowledge and honor the history of Oakey Grove, the Board agreed to  name the private entrance drive Oakey Grove Drive and to designate a permanent area in the media center for historical memorabilia of Oakey Grove. 
Gymnasium Bleachers/Floors.  The Board had discussion on bid and contract for gymnasium bleachers, but gave final approval to award contract to Southeastern Building Systems for the replacement of gymnasium floors at Lakeside and Riverside Middle Schools.
FY06 Funds.  The Board gave final approval to encumber FY06 funds for the purchase of textbooks and RESA orders.

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 & lighting upgrade.
River Ridge Elementary School. General: HVAC duct work to classrooms is 90% complete.  Preformed metal roofing is about 20% complete. Window installation is underway.
New Administration Building.   General: Footings for building have been poured and layout started.
New Evans Middle School. Site: Curb and gutter has been installed with additional grading at main entrance.