School O.K.s Architect, Calender
The Jasper County School Board heard from four architectural firms for the school system at a special called meeting on June 7, and at its regular meeting on June 15, selected LS3P to perform architectural/engineering services for the local system.
The board was impressed with the information presented, where the Project Manager and Architect talked about pricing improvements through their life. For example, one roof might cost less and be expected to last 15 years, while another might cost a little more but last longer. They provide that service for their clients. The board was also impressed with other parts of the presentation, as that is the firm they selected out of four that presented and others who were not chosen to present.
The board Tuesday authorized Supt. Kenny Garland to negotiate a fee with them, and he will let the other firms know they were not selected. Most architects charge six percent of the project fee as their cost.
The action on the architect came at the regular board meeting after the board held a public hearing on the budget, which no one attended. A public hearing held midday Tuesday garnered attraction from three members of the public who attended to learn about the school’s budget.
The school chose the partial rollback rate for taxes, but said it could not take the full rollback, or it would lose money. The state basically penalizes the school system because the Joint Development Authority (JDA) revenues which go to the county are on the tax digest, so the state assumes the school gets a portion. It does not at this time. So the state sends less funds, based on that assumption, and the school must make up the difference.
After selecting an architect, the board reviewed the May financial reports and expenditure report. They voted to move approximately $1.7 million from the 2005 SPLOST proceeds to the capital projects budget line item, as the high school has been paid off.
They also approved renewals of the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) workers compensation and property/casualty insurance.
After a brief discussion, board members declared surplus much automotive equipment that came out of the automotive shop at the high school. The school has not offered automotive repair in several years, and has other needs for the space.
The board received a school nutrition update from Mary Richardson, school food services director. She reviewed the finances for the nutrition department which struggled at the beginning of last school year, but is coming back strong. She reported the USDA is allowing school districts to continue feeding all children at no cost until June 30, 2022.
She said her goal for FY 2022 was to attain three plus months of operating funds in the bank as recommended by the GDOE.
The board also approved the school calendar which has students returning on Wednesday , August 11, and continuing through Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The board discussed moving graduation to the weekend before Memorial Day rather than having it on the holiday weekend. That would make graduation by Friday, May 20.
School board members discussed fund raising activities, and approved some, but held off on others until they got more information or approval from the school principal.
Supt. Garland discussed testing schedules with the board, saying the system, like others across the state, are changing to GMAP testing rather than regular MAP testing. That will take place next school year. Supt. Garland discussed dropping the spring MAP test rather than taking it and GMAP, as the students should only be subjected to so much testing. He indicated more time should be spent teaching than testing.
Lastly the board went into closed session to discuss personnel, then came out and approved the following changes:
New Hire:
•Justin Hamby, teacher, Jasper County High School (JCHS)
•Dekendra Collins, teacher, Washington Park Elementary School (WPES)
•Lisa Bell, teacher Jasper County Primary School (JCPS)
•Christina Kuckuck, counselor, WPES
•Chelsea Davis, Substitute Bus Monitor, Jasper County Transportation Department
Resignation
•Patti Hobby, Assistant Principal, JCPS
•Joan Frix, teacher, Jasper County Middle School (JCMS)
Transfer
•Ethan Huff, teacher, JCHS, transfer to teacher at JCPS
•Karen Hays, paraprofessional, JCPS, transfer to paraprofessional at WPES
•James McMichael, teacher, WPES, transfer to teacher at JCMS
•Sanquininta Barron, bookkeeper, Jasper County Primary School, transfer to bookkeeper at Jasper County Middle School
•Tiffany Barber, School Nutrition Assistant Manager, JCHS, transfer to School Nutrition Administrative Assistant at Jasper County Board of Education.
