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

August 8, 2006

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
There was no public participation at this Board meeting.

BOARD ITEMS:
The Board discussed the search process for a new Superintendent of Schools.  The Board agreed to form a selection committee and recommended retired Board Secretary, Carol Lewis to coordinate process and committee.

NEXT MEETING:
The next scheduled Board meeting will be a Study Session -on August 22 at the Board of Education Office in Evans 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.

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

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave approval of consent items: minutes of 6/26/06, 6/27/06, 7/6/06, 7/11/06,  and 7/18/06,  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. 1 -Matching grant funds for Stevens Creek Elementary Foreign Language Program ($25,000); Budget Amendment No. 2 -Matching grant funds for Greenbrier Middle (SRS-$500), Lakeside Middle (Teaching Tolerance-$1359), Lewiston Elementary (SRS-$500), River Ridge Elementary (SRS-$750) River Ridge Elementary (GA School Food Service-$1231), South Columbia Elementary (Monsanto-$2500), and Stevens Creek Elementary (SRS-$500); and Budget Amendment No. 3 -  Matching grant funds for Euchee Creek Elementary (SRS-$500).
Supplementary Novels for 9-12 Language Arts Curriculum.  The Board approved the required and supplementary novels for 9-12 Language Arts Curriculum.  Click here for the list of novels.
Approval of Bid Results for Cargo Vans and Trucks.   Mr. Price recommended to award the lowest bidder for cargo vans and trucks to Allan Virgil Ford ($44,832 for 3 3/4 ton cargo vans) and Bill Heard Chevrolet ($60,516 for 3 3/4 ton pickup trucks) through the existing Georgia State Contract.  Local vendors were asked to bid but did not submit proposals. 
 

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at LHS/HMS; Consumer science lab upgrades at CMS/HMS; Evans Middle (delay to gym and bleachers);  New Administration Building (punch list for first two floors);  the New Elementary School in Grovetown (view progress); and  the New Middle School on Blackstone Camp Road (view progress). 
Design for New High School.  Mr. Price reviewed the timeline and key items for discussion including design and funding for Columbia County's fifth high school. Mr. Price informed the Board that the county qualifies for advanced funding providing a possible site is selected by October 1. To begin site selection/work a decision must be made on the design model in order for a 2008-2009 opening.  The Board discussed using the existing Greenbrier High School design and directed Mr. Price to begin site selection.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Update on Opening of School.  Mr. Price updated the Board on the opening of school as it relates to enrollment, (need to add 9 classroom teachers)  transportation (add 4 routes), personnel vacancies (12 certified/27 auxilary), furniture and textbooks (additional kindergarten supplies ordered).  No major problems to report with the opening of school. 

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