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

May 9, 2006

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Sue Tomasito and Mark Link , parents at GBE, expressed concern about Mr. Pike's leave of absence and spoke on his behalf.

Sandy Gunter, homeowner in Carriage Hills subdivision, expressed safety/traffic concerns at the new middle school being constructed on Blackstone Camp Road.

Michelle Van, parent at RRE spoke on the  incident involving her child’s  teacher and the process of handling bathroom hygiene during the kindergarten’s restroom break.

NEXT MEETING:
The next scheduled Board meeting will be a Budget Study Session -on May 23 at the Board of Education Office in Appling at 4:00pm. The regular Board Meeting will follow 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 approval of consent items: minutes of 3/28/06 and 4/11/06, March financials, employee travel, fundraisers, athletic camps, partners in education, and memorandum of understanding with Family Connections for 21st Century Grant Application.
Budget Amendments/Transfers. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Amendments/Transfers: Budget Amendment No. 37 -Matching grant funds for North Columbia Elementary ($3500); Budget Amendment No. 38 - Budget additional funds for Special Education State pre-school grant ($34,647); Budget Amendment No. 39 - Budget carry over funds for Special Education Federal pre-school grant ($34,963); Budget Amendment No. 40 - Budget carry over funds for Special Education Title 6B grant ($183,760); Budget Amendment No. 41 - Budget actual allocation for Special Education Capacity grant ($-39,928); Budget Transfer No. 9 - Transfer funds for Belair Elementary special board grant ($10,000);  and Budget Transfer No. 10 - Transfer funds for Grovetown Middle Title I School Improvement grant.
Graduation Waivers/Variance Requests.  The Board approved all the requests from current and previous students  for waivers/variances to the State Board of Education for high school graduation requirements.
Request to expend FY07 Budgeted Funds. The Board gave approval for the purchase of a new web-based library management software (Follet) that will replace the existing software (Mandarin) and the authorization to expend FY07 budgeted funds so it can be tested and implemented before the start of school.
Approval of Bid Results for Copy Paper.   Mr. Price recommended to award the lowest bidder for copy paper to Ricoh for bulk paper and summer delivery and award additional paper as needed to Office Depot.  The Board authorized to expend FY07 budgeted funds to order copy paper for summer delivery (cost=$161,193).
Social Studies Curriculum - AP Human Geography.  The Board gave tentative approval of the social studies curriculum committee recommendations for AP Human Geography textbook.  The Board wished for more time to review content.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at LHS/LMS/HMS; Evans Middle (projected completion date of 7/1/06),  New Administration Building (projected completion date 5/17/06), and the New Middle School on Blackstone Camp Road( projected completion date of 7/1/07).  Mr. Price communicated to the Board that the Appling and Grovetown offices were scheduled to move this week even though there was additional work needed in the Board room and lobby.  McKnight Construction is on target to move into classrooms at EMS, however, there may be a delay to gym and bleachers.
Approval of Revised Five Year Facility Plan.  Mr. Price reviewed the state facility team's visit and recommendations based on 2004-2005 enrollment and projections through 2010.  The team commended the Board on its commitment to improve all facilities, even the older schools for students. The Board approved the GADOE revised 5-year facility plan that prioritizes projects that include a new high school (to relieve the four high schools), three new middle schools (EMS, Blackstone Camp Road area and an undetermined location) a new elementary school (in Grovetown), and classroom additions at RRE and LES. 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Elementary Collaborative Planning Report.  Mr. Price reviewed the elementary collaborative planning report and the recommendations to continue it for next year using substitute teachers. 
Columbia County Board of Commissioner's Offer for Purchase of School System Property.  The County Commissioner's to purchase the Old Leah school site (4.2 acres) in Appling for $50,912 or $12,000/acre.  The Board has discussion on price since it could have increased commercial value near the corner of Ray Owens/Ridge Road.  The Board authorized Mr. Price to counter offer with a price of approximately $16,000/acre.
Mr. Price reminded the Board of a few special events.
Nurses Appreciation Breakfast - May 11 @ 8:00am at Brandon Wild
Graduation Ceremonies - May 20th @ Augusta Civic Center
 -   9:00am - EHS
 - 11:30am - HHS
 -   2:00pm - GHS
 -   4:30pm - LHS

PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS
On the recommendations of Superintendent Price, the personnel recommendations including the appointment assistant principal of Evans Elementary,  were approved as presented.  Congratulations to Ms. Neisha Parks,  Assistant Principal at Evans Elementary. She has been a special education teacher at Martinez Elementary since 2002.

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