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

March 2006

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Vic Mills of Blanchard & Calhoun,  addressed the Board to thank Mr. Price and his staff for their efforts in modifying the architecture components of the new middle school on Blackstone Camp Road.  Mr. Mills asked that the Board consider naming the new middle school as part of the River Island community.

NEXT MEETING:
The next scheduled Board meeting will be a Study Session on March 28 at the Board of Education Office in Appling at 6:00pm.

The agenda for the next BOE  meeting can be found here and is updated by the Friday before the next BOE meeting.

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave tentative approval of consent items: minutes of 1/24/06 and 2/14/06, January financials, employee travel, fundraisers, athletic camps, and partners in education.
Resolution.  The Board approved the resolution to Transfer Ownership of Evans High School Columns to Columbia County and locate in Gardens/Amphitheater outside the new library.
Budget Amendments/Transfers. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Amendments/Transfers: Budget Amendment No. 32 - Request matching grant funds for Martinez Elementary - school grant was received from the Junior League of Augusta ($500); Budget Amendment No. 34 - Budget state expenses for the National Board Certified Teacher grant ($); Budget Transfer No. 8 -Transfer funds for Lewiston Elementary K-5 Reading and Math Grant.
BOE Policies. The Board gave final approval for: Policy BDH(2) - Waivers and Variances of High School Graduation Assessments; Policy JBDA - Students Release to Non-Custodial Parent; Policy GBRE - Extra Duty; and Policy GBRI - Personal Leave. All BOE policies can be viewed by going to: http://www.ccboe.net/boe/policies/home.html
2007-2008 School Calendar. The Board gave tentative approval of the 2007-2008 calendar based on the calendar survey results indicating the majority of parents in favor of  calendar B (August 15 start date). Click here to see results.
Bid Results-Furniture. The Board gave final approval of the bid results and authorization to purchase furnishings for new administrative office and award to three companies for a savings of $10,043.
Curriculum. The Board gave final approval for the recommendation from the Sex Education Review Committee for the addition of curriculum materials (serious comedy by Keith Deltano).  The materials are through a state grant supporting abstinence education and works with the juvenile court.  The Board gave approval of the Elementary and Middle School Math Curriculum Committee Members.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: Evans Middle (projected completion date of 7/1/06), and the New Administration Building (projected completion date 5/17/06).
Vocational/Technical Programs.  Mr. Price presented the recommendations for additional Career & Technical offerings based on students surveys at each high school and sample floor plans. Student surveys indicated the addition of Automotive and Cosmetology at Greenbrier and Lakeside, and the addition of Healthcare Science at Harlem. The addition of these programs could impact existing program offerings. 
Bid Results. The Board approved the bid results and awarded two contracts: 1) the New Elementary School No. 6 (Grovetown) awarded to Beams Contracting at a price of $1,721,650; and 2) the 3rd floor Administrative Building awarded to RCN Contracting at a price of $587,535.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Personnel Allocations.  Mr. Price presented to the Board the final professional personnel allocation for 2006-2007 based on new classroom sizes.  CCBOE is projected to need an additional 62 classroom teachers (this figure does not include retirements)

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS
On the recommendations of Superintendent Price, the personnel recommendations were approved as presented.  Congratulations to Ed Williams, new assistant principal at Greenbrier High!

This newsletter is produced by the Superintendent's Office.  Any questions can be directed to Karen Ribble