The Appling County Board of Education (BOE) held its regular meeting on Monday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the board office. Attending the meeting were Chairperson Janie Carter and board members Minnie Barnes and Joyce Tillman, Superintendent Sam Herndon and BOE attorney Mackie Bryant. BOE members M.C. Barlow and H.F. Johnson were not in attendance. Many Appling County citizens were in attendance at the meeting to voice their concerns of the recent cut of two programs in Appling County Schools, art and ROTC programs. The first citizen that signed up prior to the meeting to use their five minutes in addressing the BOE was Tonya Willoughby, a student at Appling County High School (ACHS). Willoughby came before the board to discuss the importance of the ROTC program to her. She stated that the ROTC program has helped to instill discipline to many students, including herself, and asked the BOE to rethink its recent action of cutting the program. Willoughby also questioned who would be doing the Color Guard at sporting events.

The next citizen to address the BOE was Dr. Tonya Fordham, who also spoke in support of the ROTC program. Dr. Fordham stated that she was not aware that any programs were being cut and that she believed that the BOE needed to rethink their decision on the program. Dr. Fordham stated, “These programs are important to kids to further their education and to keep going.” Fordham also warned that if the BOE cut ROTC it could be years before the system could get it back.

Judy Johnson was the next to speak to board members in support of the art program. Johnson told board members that she had been an art teacher for 30 years and it would not only hurt the school system to lose the art program but also the whole community through the lack of help in local art events such as plays and art exhibits that have been held throughout the years.

The next concerned citizen to come before the BOE with concern over art was Janisse Ray who asked if the BOE would introduce a resolution to cut other programs and to not, “take away our children’s ability to imagine a different world” and “if it fails this time it will be a failure of imagination.”

The final citizen to address the BOE was Raven Waters who also wanted to voice his concern over the recent loss of the art program. Waters stated, “If you Google the question ‘Why is art important?’ then you will receive 284 million responses. I don’t believe there is a lack of resources to prove why we need art in our schools.”

Carter thanked everyone for their concerns and added that the BOE would take the comments into consideration.

At a later point in the meeting discussion about the programs initiated between members of the audience and the board. It was during this time a local citizen, Jack Daniel, tried to make a motion from the floor. Board Attorney Bryant informed Daniel that if he was not on the agenda to speak before the BOE during public participation then he could not disrupt the meeting or he would be disobeying the law and the BOE could call the police and have him arrested.

Other business

Timothy Gardner was recognized by the BOE as being named as one of only 112 Master Teachers in the State of Georgia.

Herndon shared a plaque that was given to the BOE by the Ombudsman Program and also announced that thirteen local students graduated at the recent Ombudsman graduation ceremony held on May 30 at the Appling County Fine Arts Building.

The following personnel decisions were approved: Diana Britt request for maternity leave from August 7 through September 7; Megan Haygood resignation effective June 3 from the central office; Sandra Hukill to hire as Pre-K paraprofessional for the 2009-2010 school year; Brenda Gail Youmans to hire as a Special Education paraprofessional for 2009-2010 school year; Kelly Lester to resign from Appling County Primary School (ACPS) effective June 30; Lacey Youmans to resign from ACPS effective June 30; Lee Lamb to resign from Appling County Middle School (ACMS) effective August 1 and to open the following positions for hire: math, science and language arts teacher positions at ACMS, school psychologist position at central office, speech therapist position and special education position at Altamaha Elementary School.

The BOE approved the release of stabilization funds. This action allows the BOE to receive the funds from the State of Georgia.

A field trip, which is totally funded by the migrant program, for summer school students to visit the Jacksonville Zoo was approved.

The minutes from the prior meetings of a work session held on May 11, called executive session on May 20 and a called executive session on May 25 were approved as presented.

The accounts payable and financial reports, general and school nutrition programs, for April were approved.

A resolution to sign checks for the canning plant at ACHS was approved.

The sick leave bank policy for classified and certified personnel was discussed and the option to allow for immediate family to be included in the policy was approved.

The professional personnel retirement policy, which would allow the BOE to negotiate salary of returning retirees, was approved. Assistant Superintendent Townsend explained that the policy needed to be approved to stay current with the law.

Information on the FY2010 Budget was presented to the BOE members.

Joyce Tillman stated at the close of the meeting that the BOE has worked since January and will continue to work to cut the budget. Tillman also stated that at this time a tax increase is also very possible. Minnie Barnes stated that she attended the Ombudsman Graduation ceremony and it was great to see all the students’ excitement in being able to graduate.

The next planned meeting for the BOE is a work session on June 22 at 1:00 p.m.