By Jamie Gardner
At the last Appling County Board of Education meeting a retirement incentive of $10,000.00 was approved by board to be offered for teachers with at least 30 years experience. Whether it was the result of that incentive or not, eight teachers turned in their retirement letters to the board at its monthly meeting held on April 11. Those teachers include Mary Alice Landmon, Lonnie Sanders, Helen Lightsey, Mary Ann Ellis, Dealva Johnson, Michael Serrano, Jerrie Ann Bowen and Sarah Mobley. The board hopes that by replacing teachers with 30-plus years of experience with new teachers will save the system money.
Eight to retire, Rentz hired as Assistant Principal
Personnel
Before approving and opening a number of positions, board members voted to enter into a closed-door session to discuss personnel and litigation. Following the session the board proceeded with the meeting.
Denise Rentz was recommended and approved for the position of Assistant Principal of Appling County Primary. Superintendent Scarlett Copeland stated that the hiring procedure was followed and added that there were 15 applicants and six interviews conducted. Board member M.C. Barlow abstained from voting, citing that it would be a conflict of interest for him to vote on the matter.
Board members approved a recommendation to hire Leslie Newsome as a permanent bus driver.
A number of positions were opened by the board including the special education director’s position, a math teacher position at ACHS, an in school suspension instructor for ACHS, an assistant principal/vocational director position at ACHS, an English teacher position at ACHS, a special education reading specialist position at ACHS and a bus driver route position.
Public participation
Gerry Moore spoke to board members during public participation and asked since the hiring freeze was lifted has there been any African-Americans apply for positions within the system. Moore also questioned why no African-Americans were invited to attend school career days. He also expressed concern about the Stakeholders Committee in that there may not be enough African-American representation on the committee. Superintendent Scarlett Copeland stated that she would check the recent applications that had been submitted for positions within the system to see how many African-Americans have applied. She also told Moore that she felt that there was a good cross section of race on the Stakeholders Committee that is made up of school council members, PTO members, etc.
Other business
Under the superintendent’s report, Copeland stated that she had a wonderful time at the Appling County Elementary School’s PTO meeting held recently. She also reported that there was some good news coming from the Governor’s office and that news was that revenue for March was up in the state. Copeland reported that construction on the new Pre-K facility and Appling County Middle School project has started.
On a split vote, board members approved Appling County School System Policies A-G. Copeland reported that two new G policies have been added to the board’s work in progress. Voting in favor of approving the policies were board members Minnie Barnes (chairman), M.C. Barlow, Randy Sellers, and Randy Crawford. Board member Scottie Ammons opposed the motion citing that he was not able to get all the policies on the website. Copeland stated that Dr. Sandy Dominy had sent a link to all board members to the website.
Board members approved four field trip requests, as well as, one fundraiser request.
Concerning the Appling County Pre-K Program, on a split vote the board voted to work within a 160-day calendar for the program due to state cuts to the program. Copeland stated that the board had looked at three options including terminating the program, fully funding the program (this require the board to use local funding to offset state reductions), or the 160-day calendar option. Board member Ammons opposed the motion.
Maintenance and Operations Director Winton Herrin updated board members on Fourth District Elementary School improvements. Herrin stated that the system has spent very little on the school the last 20 years. Herrin stated that the architect had visited the school and made a number of recommendations to bring the school up to date. The estimate to bring the school up to standards is $1,564,622.00. Education Special Purpose Local Sales Tax funds would be used to fund the project. The board voted to move forward with the project and make the needed changes to the school facility. Ammons asked Herrin how many students could be housed at the facility once the improvements are made and Herrin reported that it has the potential to house 250 - 275 students. Principal Dr. Lynn Overstreet questioned who would be representing Fourth District to offer recommendations to the architect. Herrin stated that he assumed it would be the administrator at the school when the architect visits.
Following a review by Copeland and Herrin, a recommendation was made to approve All Green Services for the system’s solid waste collection at a price of $4,423.00 per month. Herrin explained that Sullivan Environmental had submitted a lower bid, but after he and Copeland reviewed the bids, Sullivan did not meet requested bid requirements. The board approved the recommendation.
Before approving and opening a number of positions, board members voted to enter into a closed-door session to discuss personnel and litigation. Following the session the board proceeded with the meeting.
Denise Rentz was recommended and approved for the position of Assistant Principal of Appling County Primary. Superintendent Scarlett Copeland stated that the hiring procedure was followed and added that there were 15 applicants and six interviews conducted. Board member M.C. Barlow abstained from voting, citing that it would be a conflict of interest for him to vote on the matter.
Board members approved a recommendation to hire Leslie Newsome as a permanent bus driver.
A number of positions were opened by the board including the special education director’s position, a math teacher position at ACHS, an in school suspension instructor for ACHS, an assistant principal/vocational director position at ACHS, an English teacher position at ACHS, a special education reading specialist position at ACHS and a bus driver route position.
Public participation
Gerry Moore spoke to board members during public participation and asked since the hiring freeze was lifted has there been any African-Americans apply for positions within the system. Moore also questioned why no African-Americans were invited to attend school career days. He also expressed concern about the Stakeholders Committee in that there may not be enough African-American representation on the committee. Superintendent Scarlett Copeland stated that she would check the recent applications that had been submitted for positions within the system to see how many African-Americans have applied. She also told Moore that she felt that there was a good cross section of race on the Stakeholders Committee that is made up of school council members, PTO members, etc.
Other business
Under the superintendent’s report, Copeland stated that she had a wonderful time at the Appling County Elementary School’s PTO meeting held recently. She also reported that there was some good news coming from the Governor’s office and that news was that revenue for March was up in the state. Copeland reported that construction on the new Pre-K facility and Appling County Middle School project has started.
On a split vote, board members approved Appling County School System Policies A-G. Copeland reported that two new G policies have been added to the board’s work in progress. Voting in favor of approving the policies were board members Minnie Barnes (chairman), M.C. Barlow, Randy Sellers, and Randy Crawford. Board member Scottie Ammons opposed the motion citing that he was not able to get all the policies on the website. Copeland stated that Dr. Sandy Dominy had sent a link to all board members to the website.
Board members approved four field trip requests, as well as, one fundraiser request.
Concerning the Appling County Pre-K Program, on a split vote the board voted to work within a 160-day calendar for the program due to state cuts to the program. Copeland stated that the board had looked at three options including terminating the program, fully funding the program (this require the board to use local funding to offset state reductions), or the 160-day calendar option. Board member Ammons opposed the motion.
Maintenance and Operations Director Winton Herrin updated board members on Fourth District Elementary School improvements. Herrin stated that the system has spent very little on the school the last 20 years. Herrin stated that the architect had visited the school and made a number of recommendations to bring the school up to date. The estimate to bring the school up to standards is $1,564,622.00. Education Special Purpose Local Sales Tax funds would be used to fund the project. The board voted to move forward with the project and make the needed changes to the school facility. Ammons asked Herrin how many students could be housed at the facility once the improvements are made and Herrin reported that it has the potential to house 250 - 275 students. Principal Dr. Lynn Overstreet questioned who would be representing Fourth District to offer recommendations to the architect. Herrin stated that he assumed it would be the administrator at the school when the architect visits.
Following a review by Copeland and Herrin, a recommendation was made to approve All Green Services for the system’s solid waste collection at a price of $4,423.00 per month. Herrin explained that Sullivan Environmental had submitted a lower bid, but after he and Copeland reviewed the bids, Sullivan did not meet requested bid requirements. The board approved the recommendation.
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#1
Former Appling Countian
on
04/22/11 at 08:45 AM
[Reply]
I understand that cost-savings weigh heavily in these financia times but what I don't understand is how we justify removing seasoned educators out of our school for the sole purpose of cost-savings....our kids and new educators need the seasoned educators!