A number of citizens spoke to Appling County Board of Education members at the Sept. 8 scheduled meeting. In all, there were six speakers during the public participation portion of the meeting and with only a 30-minute period allowed for the participation, each speaker was given five minutes.

Leslie Belcher, a teacher and coach in the school system, was first to speak to board members. Belcher stated that when complaints are filed against teachers and taken directly to the superintendent’s office, there should be a complete investigation before anything is decided because it is a career not a job for the teacher/coach. He added that more consideration needed to be taken into account before a decision is made. Belcher also questioned, “When is the school system going to quit allowing parents to run sports programs? Parents should not have a say in the playing time of the children. The head coach should make that decision. That playing time should never go to the principal’s office or the superintendent’s office.”

Former Appling County School Superintendent H.F. Johnson addressed concerns about the board’s FY2009 Budget. Earlier in the meeting (before public participation) board members voted unanimously to approve the FY2009 Budget. Board Chairperson Joyce Tillman stated that this year’s budget looks much better than it did last year and added that it is much easier to understand. Tillman stated that she and board members Janie Carter and Minnie Barnes had attended a meeting in Waycross recently and they were happy to report that Appling County had not had to borrow money at this point, while other systems stated they were going to have to. “We do live in a very fortunate county and of course I think our county commissioners are wondering why we didn’t raise our millage (rate) and they had to raise their millage.” Tillman stated that the board had been working hard to maximize every penny. She also added that the children of Appling County are not being deprived of anything. Board member Barnes questioned if the final budget should say anticipated fund balance since the fiscal year for the system starts in July (it is now September). Tillman and Superintendent Sam Herndon stated that there were still a few outstanding items that needed to be cleared up on last year’s budget.

H.F. Johnson stated that the expenditures in the FY2009 Budget exceed the revenues by 2.6 million dollars. He added that the board had said earlier in the meeting that they were satisfied with the budget but stated that he had some great concerns. “This time next year you will probably be borrowing money to pay teachers in October, November and December because you are going to run out of funds. You are only leaving 2.8 million in the reserve and that is not enough money to take care of the payroll (next year) from July 1 until taxes are collected in December. We are headed for disaster. If you look at the 2011 budget, this county will be asked for a 5 mill tax increase (by the board),” said Johnson. He also pointed out that the board was now three months into the current budget and the board approved the budget during this meeting. He said this should have been done in June. Johnson also stated that the board should have known what the anticipated balance was at this point as well. He said that the board could correct this issue by cutting spending and by not hiring new positions. He added that the board of education had to do this in the past and also pointed out that student achievement was the highest it had ever been when a prior board had done this.

Tillman had recognized (earlier in the meeting) Scotty Ammons when board members were considering the approval of the agenda for the meeting. Ammons requested that the board consider moving public participation above executive session on the agenda in consideration of the public present at the meeting. Board member Barnes made a motion to grant the request and the motion died for a lack of second. The board then voted to approve the agenda as presented with board member M.C. Barlow, Janie Carter and Tillman voting in favor. Board member Minnie Barnes abstained. Later, during public participation, Ammons stated that he was disappointed in this decision since his children were present at the meeting and he needed to get them home and in bed. Ammons also said that he had been told that some of the board members were interested in knowing why he has been attending board meetings recently. He stated that he attends the meetings because he has three children in the school system and added that he is a taxpayer. “It’s good to have a lot of public participation, it makes a strong school system. It concerns me that on June 9 we (public) were told (by the board) that the public did not have to know how the board of education voted. That was when I was raising the question (June 9) about where we were on the policy for hiring the superintendent and any other position. I would like to request from the board, since we have hired a superintendent for two years and knowing that another school system could come and try to hire our current superintendent out from under us or any other unforeseen circumstance, that we put a policy in place that meets the O.C.G.A. and how we are going to going to conduct the search, selection and hiring process. I would also like to say that I was concerned after being told that the June 30 meeting was an executive work session only and would not be open to the public by different members of the board, that the board decided to vote on that position (superintedent) that night. There was some discussion at a recent board meeting when we finally approved the minutes from the June 30 meeting, almost two months later, and I guess one of my questions is what is the policy for reviewing and approving board of education minutes because that seemed a little out of normal to me. It appears that minutes are normally approved at the next meeting. There was a discrepancy from what was actually approved in the minutes (June 30) on the vote whether it was a 3-1-1 vote or a 5-0 vote. It bothered me, and this is a personal issue, that it was stated to two members of the board of education (one being Ammons’ father and board member Earl Ammons), that they can’t even remember how they voted. The interesting thing about that is, I knew as of July 2 what the vote was, but was told it was executive session only and would not be voted on in public form until the following Monday. I was told this by a member of the public where I work. It was second hand information and it was not directly from anyone related to the board at that time and when I was told that I was told that I was not to know this since it was not done in open forum. So it concerns me that we are told that we (public) don’t need to know how votes are made and then we do this when I specifically asked how we were going to be handling that position and we were told that it would not be dealt with until July 31 when the former superintendent retired.”

Calvin Morris spoke to board members and expressed concerns about the perception of the board in the community at this time. “My concern is for the board, and I have talked to Tillman and my board member as well about this, is the perception that the public has that the board doesn’t want our input and tonight is a prime example of that and whether that is true or not. The fact that a man was sitting here tonight with his children (Ammons) and asked something very simple by asking the board if you could move the public participation on the agenda is a good example. You guys are here to represent the public and couldn’t even do something as simple as that. That is a concern for me. At the August 11 meeting, we as the public were advised that there would be no public participation that night and it was struck from the agenda. We were also told that night that the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 25 could not take place because you (board) had to attend the 4-H Banquet. However, you had a called meeting that night and you did it by the law by posting a notice 24 hours in advance, but no one was looking for that meeting because the public was told that you could not have a meeting that night. Another concern with that meeting was that, according to Tillman, this meeting was called specifically and all that was on that agenda was the approval of the millage rate and the budget. However added to that meeting was something that Mr. Ammons just brought up, that seemed to be a very interesting topic and that was the approval of the minutes from the June 30 meeting. Ms. Tillman told me that this was added under advisement from the board’s lawyer. Ms. Tillman I have a question, at what point did your lawyer advice that, was that a last minute advisement?”

“I didn’t say that sir,” responded Tillman.

“I’m sorry,” said Morris.

“I didn’t say that about that,” said Tillman.

“Yes ma’am, yes ma’am you did, you told me that ya’ll did this at the advisement of your lawyer. That is what you told me,” said Morris.

“I don’t remember that sir,” said Tillman.

“I promise you told me that,” said Morris.

“Well continue on,” said Tillman.

“So you are saying that is inaccurate information,” asked Morris.

“I don’t remember us contacting a lawyer at that time and do any of you,” asked Tillman to other board members.

“The perception of the public is that you guys are being deceptive on some things. I can only speak for me, but I have spoken to some other people who feel the same way and you as representatives of the public need to take a look at the way you are doing some things,” concluded Morris.

Al Graham followed Morris. Graham talked to the board about prayer at the home football games at Appling County High School. Graham explained that there was no prayer at the first home football game and the reason there was no prayer was because the person to give the prayer was late in arriving. He explained that the Fellowship of Christian Athletes did not have an alternate at this game and this has been corrected. Graham added that this was not due to a letter in The Baxley News-Banner. “A question was raised in a letter to the editor in The Baxley News-Banner about the fear of losing funds. I know in my own mind that this board is not doing anything to jeopardize any educational funds for Appling County,” said Graham.

Gerry Moore was next to express concerns to board members. Moore stated that since he only had five minutes he would get right to the point. Moore showed board members a copy of a letter that has been circulated around the community that was written by Jack C. Daniel and dated Aug. 3. He asked board members if they were aware of this letter and noted that the final page is marked “cc. Board members of the Appling County Board of Education”. Moore presented a copy to the board members and then asked them to turn to page four of the letter. He said as an African-American he is offended by statements made in the letter and stated that it was addressed to Superintendent Sam Herndon. He also added that he did not know how true the letter is, but said that after reading this letter a lot of things coincide with what has been happening with the board. Moore began to read from Daniel’s letter, “After our discussion yesterday and another near sleepless night, you leave me no option, but to stand my ground and I guess really just sit here and hope that the black candidate for the Appling County Elementary School principal position receives the nomination and votes he/she needs at which point, this person (name withheld by Moore) will quit and her resignation which has already been viewed by select white members of the board...”

At this point Tillman stated that Moore would have to quit reading the letter because he was referring to a person that is/was personnel in the school system.

Moore stated that he had not called no names and continued reading, “...will be presented and she (name withheld by Moore) will leave and another person (name withheld by Moore) can have the room.”

Tillman questioned if it was still personnel.

Moore told Tillman that the board’s attorney, Paul Cook, was sitting right beside her. “I’m just reading from the letter and wanted to make you aware of it. I’m not blaming anybody, I just want to make you aware that it is out there (community),” said Moore.

At this point Tillman asked, “Is the sheriff (Benny Deloach) in the room?”

“I’m sure he is,” said Moore.

The attorney said, “Mr. Moore I think the board’s concern is this, you have already made the statement that you don’t know if this is true or not. So if you don’t know if anything is true in this letter, I don’t know Jack C. Daniel, I don’t know him or anything about him, but I think the concern is that the purpose for you bringing this up is not to help anything but try to stir up more trouble is the impression I get.”

“The impression you get is not what is happening. What is happening in this letter is that it offends me as an African-American,” said Moore.

“Why is that something that needs to be addressed to the board,” questioned the lawyer.

“First thing I asked the board is are they aware of the letter and I just wanted them (Board) to know that this is floating around in this community. What the letter says coincides with what has been happening with this board lately and the same things Calvin Morris said and the same things Scotty Ammons said,” said Moore as time expired.

A member of the audience, Larry NeSmith, asked Tillman, “What was the purpose for asking if the sheriff was in the room?”

Tillman moved on to the board comment portion of the meeting.

Another member of the audience, Randy Collins, asked if he was still included on the list for public participation. Tillman said they had struck his name and added that he came for/during executive session.

Other business

Superintendent Sam Herndon presented plaques recognizing that each school in the system has been accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. Principals recognized were Altamaha Elementary School Principal Beth Boone, Appling County Primary School Principal Scarlett Copeland, Appling County Elementary Principal Dr. Areatha Virgil, Appling County Middle School Principal Dr. Keith Johnson and Fourth District Elementary Principal Dr. Lynn Overstreet. Herndon also reported that the board received a plaque as the system has been accredited as well.

Tillman opened the meeting by welcoming all the members of the audience and expressed hope that each person was there to see that the children get a better education and not at the meeting to “nit-pick” at the board. Tillman then introduced the new attorney for the system, Paul Cook, of Vidalia, and asked him to explain a few things about public participation. Cook stated that the board has the authority to set the agenda as they see fit. He added that this is not to say that members of the public will not have the opportunity to be heard as long as the public abides by the board guidelines/policy in reference to public participation.

Tillman also reported that board member Earl Ammons had a medical emergency prior to the meeting and had to be taken to Appling Emergency Room and asked the audience to remember him.

The board approved an out-of-state field trip for the Appling County Show Choir to travel to Orlando and perform at Walt Disney World.

Board members adopted a revised version of Policy JBC(1). This policy applies to students that are homeless and would provide transportation to and from school for such students.

The board approved a recommendation to purchase Infinite Campus Software for the system. The startup cost for the new software will be $68,000.00 and then the board will pay an annual fee of $33,611.00 for the software.

The board received a request from Appling County Elementary School Principal Dr. Areatha Virgil to purchase new office equipment for the principal’s office at the school at a cost of 4,775.00. Supt. Herndon stated that the board had not budgeted for this expense. Board member Barnes made a motion to approve the request. Tillman stated that the board had not budgeted for this expense. Barnes stated that if a person is in an office five days week, eight hours per day, a person should have furniture. Tillman responded by saying, “by all means.” Barnes added that the current furniture had been used for more than forty years. Herndon stated that if there was not a motion, he would recommend that Tillman look into the matter. Dr. Virgil stated that she currently has a lunchroom table and some chairs. Tillman stated that when she started teaching, her first desk did not have all four legs and also stated that the chair Dr. Virgil had requested is $480.00. Dr. Virgil stated that it was comparable to other office chairs in the school. (Editor’s note: There was a motion made to make the purchase but no second was ever received, we assume that the motion died for a lack of second.)

Personnel

The board approved the following personnel recommendations following a closed door session.

-Valdene Griffis - maintenance - Motion was made to hire by Barlow and second by Carter. Motion carried 4-0.

-Helen Carter - bus driver - Motion was made to hire by Barlow and second by Barnes. Motion carried 4-0.

-Molly Teutsch - Rescind request to move to the School Food Service Bookkeeper position- Motion was made by Barlow and second by Carter to rescind the request and open the School Nutrition Bookkeeper position. Motion carried 4-0.

-Gina Lewis - resignation as paraprofessional at ACPS. Motion was made by Barlow and second by Barnes to accept resignation and open the position. Motion carried 4-0.

-Pat Heath - School Food Service Worker - ACMS - Motion was made to hire by Barlow and second by Barnes. Motion carried 4-0.

-Karen Wheeler - Assistant Special Ed. Director.

Motion was made by Barlow and second by Carter to hire Wheeler and open the assistant principal position at ACES. Motion carried 3-1. Barnes opposed the motion.