By Jamie Gardner
There seemed to be uncertainty among Appling County Board of Education members at their regular monthly meeting held on March 14. The uncertainty was a result of a question raised by Board Member Randy Crawford as to whether or not the school system still had a hiring freeze in place. Crawford stated he had a received a number of comments from citizens about that question and stated that it was his understanding that once the present budget was in place, the freeze ceased to exist. Board Member M.C. Barlow stated to Crawford that the freeze could still be in force. Crawford replied that if that was the case, the prior and existing board had opened and hired several positions.
Freeze removed, positions opened
Debra Brantley stated that while she was in the acting superintendent’s position with the system and during the budgeting process, the board agreed to a hiring freeze procedure. She added that it was not policy, but rather a procedure or guideline to be followed only during the budgeting process.
Superintendent Scarlett Copeland recommended that the board remove the hiring freeze. Board Member Scottie Ammons made a motion to accept the recommendation and Crawford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Following this action the board voted to open positions for hiring a teacher, bus driver and the assistant principal’s position at Appling County Primary School. The teacher position is for a chemistry position at Appling High School. This position and the assistant principal’s position will be for the 2011 - 2012 school year.
Other business
During public participation, Gary Solomon discussed several items with the board. Solomon stated that he was seeking information on ESPLOST, specifically information about a new track that was supposed to be constructed as part of the sales tax. Solomon stated that there are a number of local children/students that participate in track and field and added that it is unfortunate that the county has not been able to host an event in years due to a lack of facilities or poor facilities. He stated that he thought the new track facility was on the priority list for ESPLOST. Copeland stated that it was not included in the ESPLOST priority list. Ammons thanked Solomon for bringing attention to the matter and asked if he had an idea of what a new Georgia High School Association compliant track would cost. Solomon estimated a new facility would cost $100,000.00. Ammons also requested that board members be given a copy of the ESPLOST priority list.
Solomon also asked the board to consider looking into the United States Department of Agriculture’s Seamless Summer Lunch Program. He stated that this would be a good program to incorporate into the community during the summer months. The board stated they would look into the program.
Under the superintendent’s report, Copeland recognized a number of outstanding students including Caitlin Leigh Crosby, this year’s STAR Student. Crosby selected Genevieve Garnes as her STAR Teacher. Others recognized were Superior Attendance Award Winners and Special Education students, who led in the pledge and made presentations as part of Exceptional Children’s Week.
Minutes from the February 11, February 14 and February 28 meetings were presented and approved.
Two field trip requests were presented and approved by board members.
Board members accepted a recommendation from Copeland to hire Helen Davis as a fulltime bus driver.
Approval was given for board members to attend the Georgia School Board Association’s Summer Conference to be held in Savannah on June 17 and 18.
The board approved the Ombudsman Program renewal at 30 seats for Appling High School and Appling Middle School. Five of the 30 seats will be used for Appling County Middle students and the program will only be used for credit recovery this year. For disciplinary matters the board has opted to start a new evening alternative school. Ammons stated that by using the new alternative school setting, this should save the county approximately $100,000.00. It was also noted that the evening alternative school should be a more effective discipline tool than Ombudsman.
The board approved a recommendation from Copeland to hire the law office of Alex Johnson and Graham Floyd as the board’s local attorney. Board member Randy Sellers stated that a competitive bid process was used in hiring the new attorney.
Board members approved the Energy Education Policy.
Financials and accounts payable for General Fund and School Food Service were unanimously approved.
It was reported that only one bid was submitted, and then withdrawn at the last minute, to purchase the houses behind the Appling County Primary School where the new Pre-K Center will be built. Therefore the board will proceed with demolishing the structures.
Copeland stated that she has been in contact with Dr. Mike Bryans with SACS and reported that SACS seems to be pleased with what the system has been sending to them. She also added that the Special Review Team plans to return on June 20 and 21. The next stakeholder meeting will be held on March 24.
J.T. Pollock and Jimmy Graham made a presentation to the board on the possibility of starting a tennis club/league. As explained, citizens would have the opportunity to pay a yearly membership fee and then be able to use the high school tennis courts. It was noted that Graham would be responsible to make certain the facility is not abused during usage and that the lights would be turned off. Jada Miles asked that if a person were not a member of the tennis club, would it be available for renting for events such as tournaments by someone else. Pollock stated that the facilities would not be available to anyone else. Graham stated that this would be a way for the public to use the facilities and he also noted that the public recreation facilities are not in very good condition. He added that he understands there should be some accountability for using the tennis facility. The estimated cost of the annual membership is $100.00.
Superintendent Scarlett Copeland recommended that the board remove the hiring freeze. Board Member Scottie Ammons made a motion to accept the recommendation and Crawford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Following this action the board voted to open positions for hiring a teacher, bus driver and the assistant principal’s position at Appling County Primary School. The teacher position is for a chemistry position at Appling High School. This position and the assistant principal’s position will be for the 2011 - 2012 school year.
Other business
During public participation, Gary Solomon discussed several items with the board. Solomon stated that he was seeking information on ESPLOST, specifically information about a new track that was supposed to be constructed as part of the sales tax. Solomon stated that there are a number of local children/students that participate in track and field and added that it is unfortunate that the county has not been able to host an event in years due to a lack of facilities or poor facilities. He stated that he thought the new track facility was on the priority list for ESPLOST. Copeland stated that it was not included in the ESPLOST priority list. Ammons thanked Solomon for bringing attention to the matter and asked if he had an idea of what a new Georgia High School Association compliant track would cost. Solomon estimated a new facility would cost $100,000.00. Ammons also requested that board members be given a copy of the ESPLOST priority list.
Solomon also asked the board to consider looking into the United States Department of Agriculture’s Seamless Summer Lunch Program. He stated that this would be a good program to incorporate into the community during the summer months. The board stated they would look into the program.
Under the superintendent’s report, Copeland recognized a number of outstanding students including Caitlin Leigh Crosby, this year’s STAR Student. Crosby selected Genevieve Garnes as her STAR Teacher. Others recognized were Superior Attendance Award Winners and Special Education students, who led in the pledge and made presentations as part of Exceptional Children’s Week.
Minutes from the February 11, February 14 and February 28 meetings were presented and approved.
Two field trip requests were presented and approved by board members.
Board members accepted a recommendation from Copeland to hire Helen Davis as a fulltime bus driver.
Approval was given for board members to attend the Georgia School Board Association’s Summer Conference to be held in Savannah on June 17 and 18.
The board approved the Ombudsman Program renewal at 30 seats for Appling High School and Appling Middle School. Five of the 30 seats will be used for Appling County Middle students and the program will only be used for credit recovery this year. For disciplinary matters the board has opted to start a new evening alternative school. Ammons stated that by using the new alternative school setting, this should save the county approximately $100,000.00. It was also noted that the evening alternative school should be a more effective discipline tool than Ombudsman.
The board approved a recommendation from Copeland to hire the law office of Alex Johnson and Graham Floyd as the board’s local attorney. Board member Randy Sellers stated that a competitive bid process was used in hiring the new attorney.
Board members approved the Energy Education Policy.
Financials and accounts payable for General Fund and School Food Service were unanimously approved.
It was reported that only one bid was submitted, and then withdrawn at the last minute, to purchase the houses behind the Appling County Primary School where the new Pre-K Center will be built. Therefore the board will proceed with demolishing the structures.
Copeland stated that she has been in contact with Dr. Mike Bryans with SACS and reported that SACS seems to be pleased with what the system has been sending to them. She also added that the Special Review Team plans to return on June 20 and 21. The next stakeholder meeting will be held on March 24.
J.T. Pollock and Jimmy Graham made a presentation to the board on the possibility of starting a tennis club/league. As explained, citizens would have the opportunity to pay a yearly membership fee and then be able to use the high school tennis courts. It was noted that Graham would be responsible to make certain the facility is not abused during usage and that the lights would be turned off. Jada Miles asked that if a person were not a member of the tennis club, would it be available for renting for events such as tournaments by someone else. Pollock stated that the facilities would not be available to anyone else. Graham stated that this would be a way for the public to use the facilities and he also noted that the public recreation facilities are not in very good condition. He added that he understands there should be some accountability for using the tennis facility. The estimated cost of the annual membership is $100.00.
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