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

April 11, 2006

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
There was no public participation.

BOARD ITEMS:
The Board appointed Mr. Mike Sleeper as the legislative delegate and Ms. Regina Buccafusco as the alternate.

The Board also discussed the procedure and timeline for the Superintendent's Evaluation.  The Board would like to wait for the new evaluation instrument from Georgia School Boards Association. (GSBA)

NEXT MEETING:
The next scheduled Board meeting will be a Study Session on April 25 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 2/28/06 and 3/14/06, February financials, employee travel, fundraisers, athletic camps, and partners in education.
Budget Amendments/Transfers. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Amendments/Transfers: Budget Amendment No. 36 -Budget additional Title I School Improvement funds received for Grovetown Middle. ($10,000)
FY06-07 RESA orders.  The Board approved the funds for 2006-07 RESA orders for textbooks and supplemental material orders for $54,363.60 and $999,425.
Site Lease Agreement for T-Mobile Tower.  The Board gave tentative approval for a lease agreement with T-Mobile for a communication tower to be located on Evans High School property.  The lease agreement is expected to generate funds to the system anywhere from $500-1100/month.
Proposal for 2008-2009 School Calendar. The Board gave tentative approval of the 2008-2009 calendar that follows the same timeline as the approved 2007-2008 calendar.  The BOE questioned whether Memorial Day would be a holiday or a post-planning day. Click here to see calendar.
Career Technical Education Curriculum.  The Board gave final approval of the Career/Technical Education Curriculum and textbook selection for grades 6-12.
Approval of Bid Results for Furniture at Evans Middle.  Based on unit prices offered and the responsiveness of the bidders to CCBOE specification.  Mr. Price recommended to award multiple bids totaling $188,405. Board gave final approval of bid results and authorized purchase of classroom and administrative furniture for EMS.

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).
Approval of Bid Results for Middle School No. 3. The Board approved Mr. Price's recommendation to award site improvements to Beams Contracting Company for the New Middle School No.3 (Blackstone Camp Road).


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Middle School GPS Math Implementation Report.  Mike Lindsey, Director of Student Learning 6-8, reported to the Board on the changes to the curriculum with implementation of Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).  GPS will integrate math concepts into grade levels instead of topics (Algebra/Trig).  With the implementation of the new GPS Math, there will be no Algebra I for middle grade students and the carnegie math credit will be removed at the middle school.
Report of Technology Three-Year Plan (2006-2009) - Phase I.  Dr. Sandra Carraway, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support, updated the Board on the Technology Committees' recommendations.  the three area of focus are student achievement, customer service, and network security. Dr. Lauren Williams reported on the instructional sub-committees priorities: 1) media circulation software, 2) LCD Projectors for classrooms, wireless keyboards.  Pat Sullivan reported on the communication/administrative sub-committees priorities: 1) student records converted to digital images, 2) transportation needs with cell phone vs. radio,  3) streamline paperwork with development of electronic forms.
Report from Department of Audit and Accounts on FY05 Audit.  Overall the report is a good audit with only two findings: school activity accounts were not recorded with the general ledgers and general long term debt.  The state has new requirements this year that will be included in the next audit.
Mr. Price reminded the Board of a few special events.
Budget Study Session - April 25 @ 4:00pm, Appling
Retirement Reception - May 2 @ 2:30pm, Westlake
Proposed Rollback Millage Hearing Schedule:
- July 11 @ 7:30am, 6:00pm, Board of Education
- July 18 @ 10:30am, Savannah Rapids Pavilion
Dedication of New Admin Building - July 25 @ 4:00pm

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS
On the recommendations of Superintendent Price, the personnel recommendations were approved as presented.  Congratulations to Ms. Katie Yeargain, Assistant Principal at Euchee Creek Elementary.

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