School Buys Land
The Jasper County School Board, at its regular meeting Tuesday evening, agreed to purchase 97.37 acres of land adjacent to and north of Jasper County High School which is located at 14477 Hwy. 11 north. Supt. Kenny Garland said the system became aware of the sale of the land, and after negotiations, the board agreed to purchase the property for $9,000 an acre.
It is the potential site for a new school, which would probably not be started until 2030. There are other projects in the works before then. But the school system is experiencing rapid growth, and three of Jasper’s four schools are filled beyond capacity. The state has a formula for how much land is needed for a school, and the 97 acres will slightly exceed anticipated needs, but was the tract available.
“The purchase of property joining the current Jasper County High School campus will allow for future construction of a new middle school. Over the next few years, the system will qualify for significant funding from the Department of Education which will assist with the cost of a new facility. Gaining ownership of the property at this time will allow the system to plan for a new facility on a known site,” said Supt. Kenny Garland.
To that end, the board will put a referendum before the voters next March to extend the current one percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). That money will be spent on an addition to the Jasper County High School and an addition to Washington Park Elementary School, as well as some work at Jasper County Primary School. It will not be a new tax, but a continuation.
“The system’s plan for additions at Jasper County High School and Washington Park Elementary School will provide much needed classroom space as our student population continues to grow. Also, the addition of a road connecting Washington Park’s campus with the Jasper County Primary school campus hopefully will create a solution for the traffic issues during drop off and pick up at these two campuses,” said Supt. Garland.
Jasper County High School’s current FTE count is 753 and the building capacity is 575. Likewise, Washington Park Elementary School’s current FTE count is 572 and the building capacity is 500.
“The vote supports a continuation of the current SPLOST scheduled to end in 2025. This is not an additional tax and approval from the citizens of Jasper County during the March election will allow the system to begin needed construction in January 2025 to meet the system’s growth in student population,” said Bill Schilling, chairman of the board.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, board members met the two Reach scholars for this year. This is a program that eighth graders enter that follows them through post-secondary education, whether it is college or technical school. It provides mentors of the students, and the students, teachers, administrators, parents, and mentors each have roles to be sure the students graduate and are prepared for further education.
Kurtis Robinson is one of the scholars. His dream school is Emory, and his favorite subject is science. He wants to be a chemist. Anna Nunez is the other Reach scholar this year, and her favorite subject is social studies. She wants to be a veterinarian. She hopes to attend Kennesaw State University where her brother currently attends.
Board members had their photo made with the Reach scholars. Those pictured include (left to right) Board Chair Bill Schilling, Board member Towonder Dennis, Jasper County Middle School Principal Dionka Davis Reach Scholars Curt Robinson and Ana Nunez, Board vice-chair Erin Lynch, Board member Larry Wilson, Jr. and Supt. Garland.
The director of alternative education, Terrance Phillips, gave a presentation on the Alternative Learning Opportunity Program which currently has 17 students, most of whom were referred for having THC vapes. The school system is working hard to reduce vape usage by students, and has set clear parameters. No vapes are allowed at school, and those caught with THC vapes are sent to ALO for a year.
Mr. Phillips talked about the success of his program, and was assisted by his lead classroom facilitator Brady McMichael. Also assisting in the program is Alejandro Sanchez, who is a paraprofessional and the middle school classroom facilitator. Mr. Phillips also talked about the “at-risk” population that he serves, and said it is not who you expect, and gave statistics on who is in the program.
Mr. Phillips said they give weekly progress reports, have weekly meetings with classroom facilitators, and communicate directly with the students a lot. Attendance is important, and those who attend are doing well. After his dynamic presentation, board member Ms. Dennis complimented him on the presentation and on the program. He received an ovation. The goal of the ALO is that the student returns to his home school.
In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, the school board:
Approved closing documents for completed projects at Jasper County Primary School and Washington Park Elementary School.
Approved the October financial reports
Approved numerous field trip, fund raiser and facility usage requests, while holding out a fund raiser and overnight field trip request for more information.
Reviewed the news that the graduation rate exceeded the state average, and were reminded that Jasper County High School was named an Honor Roll school for how well its students did on Advanced Placement classes.
After a closed session for personnel, during which the board evaluated the superintendent, the following personnel changes were made:
New Hire
Molly Johnson, Part Time PEC Pre-K Teacher, Headstart
Davey Elder, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools
Samantha Plymel, Substitute Custodian, Jasper County Schools
Selena Wilson, PEC Paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary
Lousie Sanchez, Food Assistant, Jasper County Primary
Jennifer Pledger, Food Assistant, Washington Park
Kristen Nicole Johnson, teacher, Jasper County Primary
Kimberly Dutton, teacher, Jasper County Middle
Lisa Ridley, custodian, Jasper County Middle
Railey Holloway, RN Nurse, Jasper County Middle
Jake Tingler, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary
Resignation
Davey Elder, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary
Weslynn Taylor, driver, transportation department
Bridget Rutledge, bus monitor, transportation department
Transfer
Crystal Hale, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary, transfer to Speech Paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary
Tiffany Barber, clerical, Jasper County School Nutrition, transfer to Cafeteria Manager, Jasper County Primary
Brandy Mason, Cafeteria Manager, Jasper County Primary, transfer to Food Assistant, Jasper County High
Sanqueninta Barron, Payroll Officer, Central Office, transfer to School Nutrition Purchasing Coordinator, Central Office
Megan Henderson, Full-Time Webmaster, Jasper County High, transfer to Part time Webmaster Jasper County High and part time Paraprofessional Jasper County Primary
LaToya Head, paraprofessional Jasper County Primary, transfer to teacher Washington Park Elementary
Termination
Cherie Pettigrew, Technology Assistant, Central Office
Release from Contract
Jennifer Trammell, teacher, Jasper County Middle
Torrie Martin, teacher, Washington Park Elementary
The next school board meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. at the board office on the middle school campus.
