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

March 13, 2007

BOARD COMMENTS:
Board members expressed appreciation for the school gifts, dinner provided by the School Nutrition Association and students at Stevens Creek and Lakeside High for their performance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
There was no public participation.

BOARD ITEMS:
Mr. Bridges initiated discussion of the athletic proposal presented by parent group.  The Board agreed to review the proposal and also asked Mr. Price for feedback from principals.

NEXT MEETING:
The next scheduled Board meeting will be a Study Session on March  27 at the Board of Education in Evans at 5:30pm.

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

BUSINESS SESSION
Response to request for priority Pre-k enrollment for Columbia County employees.   Mr. Price verified with Mary Marzarky, State Director for pre-k program that enrollment for pre-k must be open and non-discriminatory. School systems may operate a first-come first served or lottery method for enrolling children.  However, priority may not be given to an certain group of children (employees) and that all families are assured of equal access.
Response to Blue Ridge Elementary School Council Safety Concerns.  The Council has requested that the Board consider alternatives to enclose and secure the area between the main school building and the gymnasium. Due to the number of schools with a similar situation as Blue Ridge, enclosing the walkways seemed cost prohibitive.  Mr. Price presented to the Board several cost estimates for chain link and ornamental fencing.  The Board questioned if this solution would address the expected safety results/concerns.  The Board has not made any official decision at this time and indicated they would need additional time to look at the estimates and consider the options.

BOARD APPROVALS
Consent Items.  The Board gave final approval of items: minutes of 1/23/07 and 2/13/07- January Financials, employee travel, fundraisers, partnerships, and camps. Also under consent items was the resolution for system membership in CSRA RESA; and request to State BOE for variance of the Georgia High School Requirement.
Budget Amendments/Transfers. The Board gave final approval to the following General Fund or Special Revenue Amendments/Transfers: Budget Amendment No. 43 - Budget a matching competitive grant for Grovetown Middle. This is a field trip grant from Target ($1,000); Budget Amendment No. 44 -Budget a matching competitive grant for Greenbrier High. This is a Best Buy Teach Grant Target ($2,500 ); Budget Amendment No. 45 - Budget carry-over funds for Title I Grant ($185,898); Budget Amendment No. 46 - Budget the State Middle School Intervention Grant used for 8th grade remediation ($12,182); Budget Transfer No. 4 - Transfer funds to reimburse Lakeside high for athletic trips. Budget Transfer No. 5 - Transfer funds for Riverside Elementary special Board grant.
BOE Policies.  The Board gave final approval to: Policy GBRIB - Sick Leave; Policy GBRIC - Family Medical Leave . (any change to this policy must give 60 days notice to employees); Policy IDCH - Dual and Joint Enrollment Programs; Policy JBC (2) - Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades, Assignments to Classes; and Policy JH - Student Activities.  The Board gave tentative approval to Policy ABCDA- Board Member Unexpired Terms.  Policy DJED - Bids and Quotations was tabled until next meeting. All BOE policies can be viewed by going to: http://www.ccboe.net/boe/policies/home.html.
Approval of Bid Results. The Board approved bid results and awarded contract to the lowest bid for high speed duplicating systems to RISO at a price of $576,550 for service contract and 38 machines.
Instructional Materials.  The following textbooks were approved by the Board:  Choosing the Best Life for sex education courses (grades 6-8), The Informed Argument for AP 11^th grade Language Arts, Government in America/People for AP Government, The Earth and its Peoples-A Global History for AP World History and The Hendrickson Parallel Bible for Comparative Literature and History of the Old and New Testament.

BUILDING PROGRAM
Project Update.   Mr. Price updated the Board on the various building projects going on within the county: painting at GMS;  Twelve classroom additions at Lewiston (view progress and River Ridge (view progress); the New Elementary School in Grovetown (view progress);  the New Middle School #3 on Blackstone Camp Road (view progress); and the New High School #1 on Chamblin Road.
Evans Middle School.  Mr. Price presented to the Board the architectural certification for the final close out of Evans Middle School Project.  We can complete final payment and receive funds from state.
New High School.  The Board approved the contract with Hughes Beattie O’Neal Law for site improvements for the new high school scheduled 2009-2010.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Conversion Proposal for General Salary Schedule.  Mr. Price presented the conversion proposal of the General Services Salary Schedule for 2007-2008. Only 507 employees out of 930 auxiliary employees (does not include bus drivers) would convert to the new scale. Adjustments will be made if the schedule affects any employees in a negative way. The Board authorized Mr. Price to move forward with recommendations.
Proposed Space Allocations.  Mr. Price  presented to the Board the space allocations for the 2007-2008 School year.  Nineteen portables would need to be moved this summer for additional classroom space to accommodate growth and lower classroom sizes. The Board authorized Mr. Price to move forward with recommendations.
Special Olympics.  Mr. Price reminded the Board of the Special Olympics held this year at GHS, March 23 at 10:00am.

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

New Assistant Principals Named for 2007-2008.  The Board approved the following new assistant principals for 2007-2008 School Year: Leeann Fleishauer, a teacher at Euchee Creek Elementary, was named assistant principal at the new elementary school;  Michelle Beasley, a teacher at South Columbia Elementary, was named assistant principal at South Columbia Elementary and will replace Lisa Reeder.

This newsletter is produced by the Superintendent's Office.  Any questions can be directed to
Karen Ribble at karen.ribble@ccboe.net