An unofficial summary of discussions, presentations, and actions of the Columbia County Board of Education

November 2005

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
There was no public participation.

BOARD ITEMS:
The Board reviewed an appeal of disciplinary hearing case# 05-06-147.  The Board unanimously approved to overturn the decision of the Hearing Officer.

The Board moved the next BOE meeting to Monday, November 21 and cancelled the 12/27/05 BOE meeting.

The Board agreed to meet on 1/5/06 to appoint Board attorney and schedule 2006 BOE meetings.  The Board also agreed to table plans for  the technology audit until after recommendations from the Technology Planning Meeting.

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave final approval of consent items: minutes of 9/27/05, and 10/11/05, September financials, employee travel, fundraisers, and school/business partnerships.
Budget Amendments/Transfers. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Amendments/Transfers: Budget Amendment No. 13 - Increase travel allocation due to the increase in mileage reimbursement changing from .28 per mile to .485 per mile ($39,479); Budget Amendment No. 14 - Adjust preliminary Title IID Grant to actual allocation received (-$22,066); Budget Amendment No. 15 - Matching incentive grant funds for 12 grants/7schools ($13,445); Budget Amendment No. 16 - Matching incentive grant funds for 5 grants/4chools ($3,700); Budget Transfer No. 3 - Transfer funds for Martinez Elementary School's Special Board Grant.  Budget Transfer No. 4 - Transfer funds for Lewiston Elementary School's Special Board Grant.  Budget Transfer No. 5 - Transfer funds for Harlem High School's Special Board Grant. 
BOE Policies. The Board gave final approval for Policy CGA - Compensation and Contracts for Administrative Personnel; Policy CGE - Administrative Personnel Assignment; Policy GBA (4) - Employee Benefits - 49% retired Employees.
Projected Enrollment.  Mr. Price presented the system-wide projected enrollment for the next five years.  The figures indicated an actual growth of 834 students this year and an averaged of 625 over the next five years.  The Board gave tentative approval of Projected Enrollment.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at  EHS and HHS, stage additions at EES and NCE, EHS Re-roof/HVAC-skylights, Evans Middle (projected completion date of 7/1/06, and the New Administration Building (projected completion date 5/17/06).
New Middle School Concept Model.  Mr. Price reviewed with the Board a new middle school concept for construction of the next middle school.  The model being considered is a 2-story building located in the vicinity of Blackstone Camp Road and Fury's Ferry Road. The Board unanimously approved the 2-story concept and to discuss modifications with the architect.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Proposed Modifications to Policy JN and Procedure IHAB.  Statute 20-20-157 changes the HOPE GPA Calculation and Eligibility for Scholarship for high school graduates after May 1, 2007. Modifications to Policy JN - Awards and Scholarships and Procedure IHAB - Report Cards will be necessary to follow the law.  Mr. Price presented  committee members that will review and suggest changes to our policies as a result of 20-2-157 O.C.G.A. 
Special Events.  Mr. Price reminded the Board of a few special event/meetings coming up:

• Proud to be an American - November 18, 7:00pm at First Baptist Church.
• State Board of Education Member (Pat Biggerstaff) Public Hearing - November 14, 7:00pm at Washington-Wilkes High School.

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