The Appling County Board of Education (BOE) met for a work session meeting on Monday, July 27. Board member H.F. Johnson, who had been absent from a number of meetings due to a medical condition, was welcomed back by board members and attendees to the meeting.

The main topic of discussion for the board was continuing budget constraints. School systems across the state received news from Governor Sonny Perdue of a three percent reduction in Quality Basic Education. Perdue recommended that schools across the state consider implementing a three-day furlough and likewise Appling County School Superintendent Sam Herndon also recommended to board members that they approve a three-day furlough system wide and approve a revised school calendar to include the furlough days. Johnson asked Herndon how the salaries would be taken from salaries and Herndon explained that it would be pro-rated out over the next few months and completed by December of this year.

Herndon stated that it has been amazing to see the types of cuts that have been made in other parts of the state and added that what he fears is that after Christmas systems may see more of these type cuts from the state.

Two of the three suggested furlough days are during pre-planning, Aug. 3 and 4. Board member Joyce Tillman questioned if teachers would be able to go to their rooms during these two days. Tillman stated that she had received a complaint from a teacher that one school would be locked down during these two days. “We need to make sure that schools are open for teachers if they would like to work on their rooms during these days,” said Tillman.

Board member Tillman made a motion to approve the revised 2009-2010 School Calendar with the included furlough days, Aug. 3 and 4 and Oct. 12, and Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

25 percent local supplement cut

Following a two-hour closed-door session for real estate and personnel purposes, Supt. Herndon stated that in dealing with all the budget cuts he recommended a 25 percent cut on all local supplements. H.F. Johnson made a motion to approve the recommendation and M.C. Barlow seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Included in the closed-door meeting were BOE staff members Winton Herrin and Adrienne Taylor.

Other business

The minutes from July 6 and July 10 were approved.

A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Barlow, to rescind Policy GBA. The motion passed unanimously.

Chief Operations Officer (COO) Winton Herrin reported on several projects to board members. Herrin stated that bleachers are needed for the new girl’s softball field and the new tennis courts. He stated the courts and field should be completed in the next few weeks and the cost for each set would be approximately $3,000.00. COO Herrin added that three sets are needed for the softball field and eight at the tennis facility. Assistant Superintendent Rick Townsend mentioned that the board might want to consider looking at smaller size-type bleacher for the tennis facility. Tillman made a motion to allow Herrin to proceed with purchasing bleachers for the facilities. H.F. Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Other items discussed by Herrin included lighting for access roads, parking areas and the band practice field, sand for school playgrounds, policies for usage of the new tennis courts, and fencing.

Herrin also reported that he had met with Supt. Herndon and board member Barlow about purchasing a new commercial lawnmower. After the meeting it was decided to hold off on making the purchase.

Herrin stated that he needed to meet with board members in the closed session to discuss a real estate/EPA matter. This reporter questioned if this was related to the discussion of future real estate. Herrin stated that it was a possibility. (According to Georgia Sunshine Law, a governing body may close a meeting to only discuss future acquisition of real estate. However, notice that such a meeting is taking place must be given and minutes taken. When the deal is either completed or abandoned, those minutes must be disclosed.)

Personnel

The following personnel decisions were made following a closed-door meeting:

-Board members accepted the resignation of Amber Swain, a paraprofessional at Appling County Primary/Cedarwood.

-A resignation from Myra Swain, a nurse at Appling County Middle School, was approved.

-The board approved a resignation from Amy Spell Carter, a paraprofessional at Appling County Primary.

-A recommendation to hire a central office school psychologist, Patrice Nelson, was approved by the board.