A recommendation was made to Appling County Board of Education members on Monday, October 5 to adopt a resolution authorizing the board to borrow up to $5,300,000.00 until Dec. 31 at which time the tax anticipation notice will mature. The resolution states that it has been determined that there will be a need for the funding to be used for operational maintenance of the Appling County School System before sufficient funds are received from the 2009 tax levied.

The funding shall be borrowed at a floating interest rate equal to the 30-day LIBOR plus two percent adjusted monthly. The current rate is 2.29 percent from SunTrust Bank. All of the local banks were asked to present a quote and SunTrust was the only bank that responded.

Board member H.F. Johnson asked why the board needed to borrow so much. It was explained this would be a line of credit and the full amount may not be used. He asked how much is expected to be borrowed and $4,000,000.00 was the estimated amount that was reported. Johnson stated that it was a sad day when the board has to borrow money to pay bills and knew that this was coming. He blamed the board and the superintendent’s office citing poor leadership.

Board member M.C. Barlow made a motion, seconded by Johnson, to adopt the resolution. After some confusion as to how board member Minnie Barnes voted, it was determined that the vote was unanimous (board member Joyce Tillman was not present at the meeting).

Johnson also raised concern that board members had not received financial statements since May. “I think it is ridiculous that we have not received a financial report since May,” said Johnson.

Other business

Superintendent Sam Herndon reported that there was a called work session on Thursday, October 1. He and board members participated in a GSBA webinar on Open Meetings. Also Linda Zechmann, GA State Board of Education Representative, met with the board.

Under personnel, a recommended maternity leave for Katie Rountree, a teacher at ACMS, from approximately November 30 thru January 8, was approved.

Board members tabled any action on the Smoke Free Environment Policy.

The board approved a Spending Resolution for the month of September.

Information was presented to the board concerning a resolution for a class size waiver. The school system will be asking the Georgia Department of Education to allow Appling County Schools to increase the maximum size of classes in grades 6-12. It was explained that due to current economic hardships the system has had to downsize in staff. At Appling County Middle School there are approximately five classes that are over the limit on class size, and some classes at Appling County High School are at maximum class size. Therefore the system is asking the state to approve a waiver to increase the maximum class size amount from 26 to 29. To compound to this problem, Appling County Middle School enrollment is up by approximately 50 students. The board adopted the resolution unanimously.

Board members approved fundraisers for Appling County High School.

Under information items, Supt. Herndon stated that the board should look at the cost associated with field trips. Herndon stated he and Richard Riddle had talked about field trips. The cost per mile is $4.43 for buses to go on field trips.

The board voted to go in a closed-door session for personnel purposes. No action was taken following the session.