School Board Approves 165 Day Calendar

The Jasper County School Board voted to pass the 165 day student calendar at their regular business meeting Tuesday night at the recommendation of Supt. Dr. Mike Newton. This vote was a 3-2 approval with board members Phyllis Norwood, Bobby Norris, and Paul Kelly for and Dr. Shannon Barton and Lewis Rice against.

There was much discussion amongst the board about the calendar being front loaded, with the first day of school for students being August 10, 2012 and the last day for students being May 3, 2013.

This calendar would adhere to end of year testing, CRCT and EOCT taking place the week of April 22 and ending May 1, with make-up testing being held the last two days of school. This calendar also does not allow for the typical Spring Break holidays in April as the last day of school is the first week in May. The exception for this calendar would be the Pre-K and Head Start. As of now they have a 160 day student calendar pending Bright From the Start monies.

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Dr. Barton brought up the fact that the end of school being so early, conflicts with athletic schedules such as track meets. She was concerned about the choices that a senior would have to make, whether choosing to attend a track meet or take a scheduled retest on the same days to determine graduation. She also asked if cutting days effected retirement. The students that have to retest in order to advance will have to come back after school is over.

Dr. Newton noted that hours of the day and work days will remain the same. He also said that the system is looking into monies that can be used to aid in extra tutoring and transportation aid for those students needing to retake the tests.

Mr. Rice commented that he did not like the calendar. He said that kids on a bus, in August, in the country get hot. That the weather in August is hot. He said that the people that he had talked to had concerns with being out all of May.

Dianna Blizzard, Principal at Jasper County Middle School, said that her teachers like the front loaded version of the calendar. She said that school ending at the conclusion of CRCT was an exciting aspect for the teachers—“it’s a positive for us,” she said.

She noted that much of the feedback was that after the conclusion of the tests it is hard to convince the students that the year is not over. Academic instruction is more difficult, and the quality of instruction is not as it should be these last few weeks.

Board Chair Phyllis Norwood asked if any of the administration received feedback on the fact that there was no spring break, and the administration had none.

Mr. Rice noted that there was still testing going on this week. He said, “it’s hard enough to get them here (to school) during the year, and getting them after it’s over will be impossible.”

Dr. Newton reiterated that Advanced Placement (AP) exams are already presently voluntary, they are not a factor into the student’s final grade. He said that the kids that are going to take the test will come back to take the exam, and those that already made up their minds to not take it, won’t.

The board had several presentations of positive action beginning with the presentation of the AvancED accreditation flag and plaque. Jay Wansley with AdvancED was in attendance and spoke to the Jasper County school district’s accreditation. He began by addressing the board and explaining what a tremendous honor it was to be put on such a list of distinction.

He gave a brief background including that there were 181 districts in Georgia and that the initial one was in Fulton County, as a pilot system. The founders wanted their mark to be recognized as meaning something significant. There were school systems added gradually and AdvancED is currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. Wansley presented Ms. Norwood with a plaque of distinction, each school received a framed certificate to be put on display and Dr. Newton was presented a banner to be hung.

The board also heard from the JCMS ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) Team which recently competed at two different competitions. The ROV team placed third out of 14 schools recently in Savannah in their first ever competition. The team of students included students that had to construct a robotic vehicle from the control box to the actual robot, which could be manually operated via a television screen. The students each demonstrated to the board their part in the building and the competition and shared that they had the fastest time on the air bag trial in which they participated.

Each team member and their roles include Cole Usry, CEO; William Robinson, CFO; Morgan Blackwell handled the public relations; Alejandro Jaramillo was the ROV pilot and Noah Faubli was the ROV co-pilot; Josh Payne was the electrical technician, Ryan Nelson was mechanical engineer, and David Cussen was the assistant technician/engineer. The students raised approximately $530 which was used for the competition and the RV kit. When asked by Dr. Newton what they learned from the entire experience, Mr. Faubli responded, “everything works better with teamwork.”

The students also constructed a wind mill that uses simple manila folders and simple wiring. The windmill placed fourth during the competition. The team is coached by Alicia Parker, mathematics teacher at JCMS.

The board also presented the students that received first place in the Young Georgia Author’s Writing competition their awards during the meeting.

The award winners by grade include, Respress Martin, Kindergarten; Randy Jenkins, first grade; Kaitlyn Harvey second grade; Julia Aldridge, third grade; Amber Thornton, fourth grade; Drew Schilling, fifth grade; Savannah Fritz sixth grade; Jace DeGarmo, seventh grade; Katie Alewine, eighth grade; Emmi Wade, ninth grade; Danielle Smith, tenth grade; Olivia Aldridge, eleventh grade; and Steven Bradley, twelfth grade.

Mr. Bradley was also recognized By Dr. Newton and presented to the board and those in attendance that he was JCHS STAR Student and was named valedictorian.

The board met the new JCHS Principal, Robyn Mullis, during the meeting where she said, “I’m excited to be here. I attended the Bus Roadeo over the weekend and am taking the opportunity to gradually meet people.” Mrs. Mullis commented that she is currently finishing up as a principal and is “by the book.”

She has been a resident of Monticello for seven years, and she is “looking forward to being an integral part of the community.” She told the board that she is “here for the kids,” and this will be the smallest school that she has ever worked in. She said, “I’m here and approachable. I look forward to getting to know the workings better and I’m looking forward to carrying on the great things going on already.”

Mrs. Norwood welcomed Mrs. Mullis and said that it was wonderful that she lived in Jasper County.

The board also voted to accept the resignation of four positions which include Matt Allen, connection teacher at JCMS; Dawna Carter, Pre-K Teacher; Melissa Hadaway, third grade teacher; and Carol Love, JCHS teacher.

The board voted to approve fund raisers.

The board approved an overnight field-trip for FFA.

Voted to place the Code of Conduct and Progressive Discipline Plan on the table for 30 days for review.

Heard from Jolynn Aubrey on the new 504 federal regulations.