School to Propose New ELOST

The Jasper County School Board members spent considerable time at their work session Thursday evening discussing facility needs and a possible Education Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST) to fund renovations and additions to the school facilities.

Perry Hyde and Anne Harrison presented a timeline for renovations to each school as well as the development of the sports fields, tracks, tennis courts and such around Jasper County High School. The estimated cost of the sports complex is $8 million.

Under the scenario presented, the school will ask voters to approve a one-cent ELOST next year, and some improvements will begin immediately, while others will wait until state matching funds come in. When all is complete, each school will have a facelift, with carpet replaced, painting done where needed, and other improvements. They looked at when each area was previously painted or had other work done to help determine what needs to be funded by the ELOST.

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ELOST will be a continuation of the current ELOST, so sales tax will not increase. It will take up to three cycles to pay for all the improvements. At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the board voted to move forward with the facilities plan.

School board members also reviewed school improvement information showing much improvement at all levels at the completion of last school year. Following the agreement in the JCCS charter to focus on literacy, mathematics, and attendance, all of the schools made significant gains in achievement according to the Milestones state assessments in ELA and Mathematics.

The Milestones scores classifies students’ achievement as a Beginning Learner (Level 1), Developing Learner (Level 2), Proficient Learner (Level 3), and Distinguished Learner (Level 4). The end of year 2017 data was recently released by the Georgia Department of Education, and the progress of the students in JCCS is impressive. Combining Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 scores, JCMS students scored higher in ELA and math than the state average and the RESA average.

The RESA includes Monroe, Jones, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Twiggs, and Peach School systems. Also, the third grade ELA and mathematics scores at WPES were higher than the state and RESA. The same trend was evident in ninth and 10th grade literature, analytic geometry, physical science, and U.S. history.

As JCCS begins the 2017-2018 school year, teachers have worked together to design lessons that engage students and require critical thinking. This type of preparation allows teachers to challenge students even more. Because effective teachers have the greatest impact on student learning, JCCS expects more students to master learning standards which result in even more Proficient learner scores.

To be considered a proficient learner on the Milestones, a student must score higher than the 67th percentile. This means that out of 100 students, a child would perform better than 67 other students. The test scores are only one indicator of the work being done in JCCS.

teachers will continue to focus on the fundamentals of literacy and mathematics in all content areas. With their targeted instruction and commitment to supporting all students, the positive outcomes represent the hard work of effective teachers, engaged parents and a community that sets high expectations for success.

Board members and school principals gathered Tuesday evening, discussing what is working and what is not working in the areas of attendance, literacy, flexibility and innovation. Earlier in the meeting, Cheryl Marrett, principal at Jasper County Middle School, talked about how the accelerated classes are working as the middle school teachers work with the high school teachers to be sure the flow from middle school to high school is seamless.

Board members also heard a report from each school principal about the start of school, and all remarks were overwhelmingly positive. The teachers in the younger levels said the children were excited the first day, but by the second or third day, some of the new learners weren’t sure they wanted to be in school, but it is something they handle at the preschool and primary school.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board heard from Liz Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service, and the partnership with the schools. She introduced Dylan Bledsoe and Glendon Graybill who worked this summer as part of the Youth Conservation Corps. The young men shared how much they learned, and Mrs. Caldwell talked about possibly expanding the program.

Board members received a list of School Governance Team members who serve as a liaison between the individual schools and the board. Those members include:

Jasper County Primary School—Stephanie Babb, Melanie Cagle, Jehan El-Jourbagy, Shawn Epps, Ross Hays, Kasey Jordan, Regina Nance and Nina Stone. They meet the last Tuesday of each month in the media center at 6 p.m.

Washington Park Elementary School—Mary Camp, Jena Fowler, Roger Harrison, Linda McClain, Ashley Pulliam, Linda Simmons, Angie Steele, and Diltra Stewart. They meet the third Thursday of each month in the media center at 8 a.m.

Jasper County Middle School—Yelberton Frazier, Jerome McClain, Amantae Sands, Meredith Strength, Bob Taylor, Barbara Wells, and Angie Lee Willis. They meet the last Tuesday of the month in the main conference room at 5:30 p.m.

Jasper County High School—Liz Caldwell, Towonder Dennis, Jannifer Fowler, Johnnie Sue Moore, Shannon Usry and Natarcia Williams. They meet the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the media center.

School board members learned about the system’s plans for the solar eclipse. Glasses have been ordered for all students and staff members, and buses will pick up a little bit later at all schools.

In addition, board members approved the following personnel changes:

New Hires–Vera Taylor, substitute bus driver; Brian Greene, paraprofessional, Washington Park Elementary School; Breanne Jones, teacher, Jasper County High School; Cythnia Jackson, teacher, Jasper County Pre-K/HeadStart; Allison Claborn, paraprofessional, Jasper County Pre-K/HeadStart, and Shawn Dean, paraprofessional, Washington Park Elementary School.

Resignations–Lisa Perry, PEC teacher, Washington Park Elementary School; Sheri Guli, PEC paraprofessional, Washington Park Elementary School and Mary Williams, bus monitor.

Transfer–Joshua Stone, paraprofessional, Washington Park Elementary School, transfer from paraprofessional at WPES to PEC Teacher at WPES.

Retirement–Dell Massey, bus driver, Jasper County Transportation Department.

In other action, board members:

•Reviewed the promotion/retention/placement guidance policy

•Approved several fund raiser requests, an overnight field trip, and a use of facilities request.