Board Learns about Lottery Funding
The Jasper County School Board heard from the Middle School Governance Team (SGT) at its work session October 8, and learned that the high school graduation rate exceeded the state average, as well as how Georgia Lottery dollars work in Jasper County.
Jasper County Preschool Director Camilla Moss shared information she received from the lottery officials, showing that $20.8 billion had been spent on education in Georgia since the inception of the lottery. In 2018, Jasper County had nine retailers, and helped 173 students with the HOPE Scholarship for a total of $622,209; funded 119 Pre-kindergarten students at a rate of $458,476, and awarded some $2,345,162 in prizes in Jasper County.
Lottery proceeds are as follows: 64.5 percent in prizes to players, 26.2 percent in proceeds to education, 6.2 percent in commissions to retailers, 2.2 percent in vendor fees and gaming expenses, 1.1 percent in operating expenses and 0.8 percent in marketing expenses.
From 1994 to 2018, some $64,629,126 in lottery proceeds have been returned to the county, according to the information provided by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
The four year graduation rate in 2019 was 84.15 percent, compared to 84.94 percent in 2018, and 82 percent statewide. The five-year rate was 85.63 percent in 2019, compared to 78.41 percent in 2018.
Although the target of 85.64 percent was not met, the target for black students was 90 percent, and actually 95 percent graduated. In addition, the target for students with disabilities was also exceeded with a 72 percent four year graduation rate.
Several members of the middle school SGT spoke, including Becky Thompson who talked about the SGT conference she attended. She said that our teachers did an excellent job of presenting. Earl Favors told how much he had learned about the middle school and the options available, and Dionka Davis, principal, said they are getting creative in their schedules because of issues that have come to light. Yelberton Frazier, teacher and coach said being on the SGT gives the opportunity to see the bigger picture. Kelly DeGarmo, parent on the SGT, said that it’s the fourth or fifth time she has served on an SGT. She said Middle School is a horrible age, and this is the best she has felt and feels like it’s because of Mrs. Jackson. She said she is excited to be on the SGT, and it is informational and entertaining at all meetings.
In other action at the work session, the school board:
•Learned that two policies are up for review, and the board will act on them at the business meeting next Tuesday. One is the employee tobacco use policy and one is the promotion and retention guidelines. Interested persons can view the proposed policies at the Jasper County Charter Schools website.
•Reviewed the September financial reports and expenditure report.
•Reviewed several fund raiser, use of facilities, and field trip requests.
•Received the monthly student health services report and attendance report. Supt. Kenny Garland presented board members with a wrap-up of how many miles each school in Region 8AA is from Jasper County, and showed which other regions could be closer. The board plans to petition the GHSA to move regions. For example, Union County is 159.1 miles from Jasper County, and board members and staff commented that students didn’t get home from that game until roughly 3 a.m. They talked about how much instructional time is missed with the long trips as well as the toll on the students, bus drivers, coaches and other chaperones.
