Board Bulletin

**special summer issue combined for the month of June 2005

BOARD COMMENTS
The Board Chairman met with the County Commissioners and discussed items related to growth and to consider projects to work on together.  Board members  congratulated the EHS automotive team for finishing 15 out of 50; and thanked Carol Lewis and Mr. Morris for all they have contributed to the Board and the central office and wished them the best of luck.

BOARD ITEMS
The Board gave Superintendent Price a satisfactory plus in his evaluation.  The Board also discussed the need for a technology audit and considered items to be included in audit.

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

REGULAR SESSION-6/14/2005
Present were Superintendent Thomas A. Price, Chairman, Regina Buccafusco, Vice-Chair, Wayne Bridges, Mildred Blackburn,  Mike Sleeper, and Roxanne Whitaker.
Special called meeting (executive session) 4:00pm- to discuss legal matter and Superintendent's annual evaluation.

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave final approval of consent items: minutes of 4/26/05, 5/3/05,  and 5/10/05,  April financials, employee travel, fundraisers, gifts/donations, athletic or summer camps, and school/business partnerships.
Budget Amendments. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Amendments:  Budget  No. 34 - To budget the 2005 state midterm adjustment for increased enrollment ($1,476,907); Budget No. 35 - Budget the National Teacher Certification Grant ($260,197); Budget No. 36 - Budget additional funds for the Federal Pre-k Grant ($5,014); Budget No. 37 - Budget additional funds for the Federal Capacity Building Grant ($61,095); Budget No. 38 - Budget additional funds for the K-3 Reading Grant ($28,043). 
Transfers. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Transfers:  Budget Transfer No. 39 - Transfer funds in the K-3 Reading and Math Grant for Brookwood Elementary; Budget Transfer No. 40 - Transfer funds to reimburse EHS for athletic buses; Budget Transfer No. 41 - Transfer funds to reimburse HHS for athletic buses; Budget Transfer No. 42 - Transfer funds to cover Title 6B cost of contracted services.
FY06 Budget.  The Board approved the FY06 budget of $134,377,037. The Board approved budget amendments for: Budget Amendment No. 1- Budget the difference in the state pre-k grant and allocation ($29,563); Budget No. 2 - Budget the difference in Special Education Title 6B; and Budget No. 3 - Budget the difference in RESA membership fees.
BOE Policies.  The Board gave final approval of Policy JBD-Absences and Excuses. BOE policies and any revisions can be viewed by going to: http://www.ccboe.net/boe/policies/home.html
Paper Products.  The Board approved the bid results and contract award to purchase paper products for the School Nutrition program from Southeastern Paper Group, Spartanburg, SC.

BOE DISCUSSIONS
Stevens Creek School Council. Michelle Paschal, principal at Stevens Creek Elementary presented to the Board the recommendations from the School Council. The School Council requests that the BOE match funds awarded to individual schools that have been secured through federal, state, or privately funded grants.  The BOE has 60 days to review proposal/recommendations.
Wireless Internet at LHS/LMS. Ms. Dumas and Mr. Carney served on the system technology committee and presented to the Board a plan to "bring technology to the kids" by piloting a wireless internet system shared by the two schools.  The Board expressed concern that this proposal complement the technology plan and consider a risk assessment that could be addressed as part of a technology audit.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at Harlem and Evans High, EHS Re-roof/HVAC & lighting upgrade, River Ridge Elementary (projected completion date 7/18/05), Evans Middle (projected completion date of 7/1/06, and the New Administration Building (projected completion date 5/17/06).
Change Orders.  The Board approved Change Order No. 1 for EHS Re-Roof/HVAC ($32,778) and Change Order No. 2 for River Ridge Elementary ($7,557).

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
GA E-Learning Program.  Mr. Price updated the board on student enrollment for the GA E-learning Program. Forty-seven students were enrolled in the fall 2004 program with a completion rate of 47%.
Summer School.  Mr. Price updated the Board on Summer School Enrollment.  Actual students enrolled in summer school is 633 with 1023 seats (students taking multiple classes).
i-Parent Pilot.  Mr. Kent provided an update on the i-Parent pilot with over 2400 families participating in the three pilot schools (GHS, LHS, RMS). i-Parent will be promoted at the Back to School Festival and at open House at every middle and high school.
Sands Hills Program. The Richmond County Board of Education has requested funds for the Sand Hills Program of $76,939 for the 2003-2004 school year.
Road addition at Greenbrier Complex. Mr. Price updated the Board on a letter received from the developer with a request to donate a portion of the entrance road to Greenbrier High for the extension of a second entrance from Washington Road to the Greenbrier Complex. 
Report of Personnel Vacancies.  Mr. Price reported to the Board that we had 15 teacher vacancies and 49 auxiliary vacancies for the 2005-2006 school year.
Technology Audit.  Mr. Price updated the Board on the items to be covered in a Proposed Technology Audit. The Board directed Mr. Price to wait until further discussion.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony-River Ridge Elementary August 2, 2005 at 5:00pm.

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS
On the recommendation of Superintendent Price, the personnel recommendations were approved as presented.   Congratulations to Michael Johnson, principal at Evans Middle.

STUDY SESSION - 6/28/2005
Present were Associate Superintendent Charles Nagle, Chairman, Regina Buccafusco, Vice-Chair, Wayne Bridges, Mildred Blackburn,  Mike Sleeper, and Roxanne Whitaker.

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave final approval of consent items: minutes of 5/24/05, and 6/14/05,  May financials, employee travel, and fundraisers.
Budget Amendments. The Board gave tentative approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Amendments:  Budget  No. 39 - Budget payment to Richmond County School System for Sand Hills Program ($76,940); Budget No. 40 - Budget the State Mentor Teacher Grant ($32,392).
Transfers. The Board gave tentative approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Budget Transfers: Budget Transfer No. 43 - Transfer funds to reimburse EHS for athletic buses.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Nagle updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at Harlem and Evans High, EHS Re-roof/HVAC & lighting upgrade, River Ridge Elementary (projected completion date 7/18/05), Evans Middle (projected completion date of 7/1/06, and the New Administration Building (projected completion date 5/17/06).

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Report of Personnel Vacancies.  Mr. Nagle reported to the Board that we had 9 teacher vacancies and 27 auxiliary vacancies for the 2005-2006 school year.
Proposed Road Extension at Greenbrier High.  Mr. Price presented a map from Bryant Engineering (on behalf of Pollards Land Company) that outlines an additional access road from the front of  Greenbrier High out to Washington Road. The Board requested additional information before transferring any land or easements.
Special Dates.  Mr. Price reminded the Board of a few special events:
Millage Rollback Hearings for FY06
July 12 @ 7:30am at Savannah Rapids, 6:00pm at Evans Government Complex;
July 19 @ 7:30am at Evans High.
New Teacher Orientation
July 12 @ 11:30am at Savannah Rapids Pavilion
Business Partner Breakfast
July 21 @ 7:30am at Westlake

 PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS
On the recommendation of Superintendent Price, the personnel recommendations were approved as presented.   Congratulations to Monica Stallings, assistant principal  at Greenbrier High.