School Board Adopts District Map

Members of the Jasper County Board of Education voted to pass a District Lines map after seeing several variations over the last few weeks. They voted Tuesday night to adopt the map which is pictured on Page 2 of this week’s paper.

The County Commissioners have not reached a final version of their map which would ideally coincide with the school board for less confusion in elections.

State Representative Susan Holmes has said she will not carry two maps through for the state’s approval, therefore it would have been in the best interest for the Commissioners and for the School Board members to agree.

Superintendent Mike Newton gave an overall good report on the first day of school, saying “it was a great first day!” And, he said, Tuesday, day 2 was more normal for what would be expected throughout the school year.
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He said that he had no bad reviews and that the most disconcerting topic was the traffic on Hwy. 212 at both the HeadStart and Primary School to Washington Park. He encourages parents that the first week of school is always a bit more congested as parents want to bring kids the first week, and simply asks for patience this week.

Monticello Police Chief Bobby Norris, board member, said that the police department was adjusting to traffic patterns and thought that the second day went much more orderly than the first.

There was a report that overall there was a great car rider line at Jasper County Middle School that went smoothly and the transition seemed to be positive with community feedback.

Dr. Newton also addressed enrollment. He and Asst. Supt. Eric Arena said that there were a total of 2,228 kids enrolled system-wide as of Monday, up about four percent from the 2,142 that were enrolled at this same time last year. The centralized registration was reportedly working very well.

The board also voted on several new hires for the 2011-2012 school year which include Julie Cline, paraprofessional at Jasper County High School (JCHS); John Graybill, science teacher at JCHS; Johnny Williams, assistant boys basketball coach; Perry Matt Hyde, Pre-Kindergarten paraprofessional at Jasper County Primary School (JCPS) and assistant football coach at JCHS; Stephanie Valdivia, teachers assistant at JCPS; Melissa McMillen, eighth grade ELA teacher, Jasper County Middle School (JCMS); Lynn McWaters, paraprofessional at JCPS; and Ricky Rawlins, Special Ed teacher, JCHS.

The board had two resignations, those of Angela Savage, paraprofessional at JCHS; and Kelle Ashley, teacher at JCPS (which will not go into effect until December 16, 2011).
They also had one transfer of Carol Shell from eighth grade teacher to a clerical position at JCMS.
In other news:

• All of the schools brought forth a list of fund raisers that are scheduled for the upcoming year.

•The board gave final approval to four policies that had been on the table for a 30 day review. Those policies include
Medication (JGCD)
Compensation Guide (GBA)
Fund Balance (DCL)
School Year (AE)

•Voted to send the state a Five Year Facilities Plan.