Board O.K.s Schools Expansions
Members of the Jasper County Board of Education Tuesday voted to approve a $20 million project to expand the Primary and Washington Park buildings, as well as make improvements to what is there.
The Pre-K building will have additional classroom space and will connect to Jasper County Primary School. (See photos on page 9.)
The project includes a new road at Washington Park to help get the traffic off Hwy. 212, and a new sewer system also at Washington Park.
It will be paid for with bonds, which are funded by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) that was approved by voters in March of this year.
Supt. Kenny Garland mentioned that the SPLOST proceeds have doubled in the last five years.
Representatives of Raymond James explained the bond process to the board, which then approved the financing.
Representatives of Jasper County Middle School Governance Team (SGT) gave an extensive report on what the school is doing for school improvement. They talked about new curriculum that has been implemented, and said there is a need for textbooks.
They talked about the hands on work being done with teachers, and how the administrators are helping in classrooms. They are looking to get families more involved. They talked about preparing the students to be good employees and good citizens.
Chairman Shelia Pounds said there is a big emphasis on safety.
Next they heard from the high school SGT. They talked about hosting college and military representatives, the extension of the work based learning program, additional students doing joint enrollment, and other initiatives.
They discussed school rules and how changes to them affect the students. They also talked about family and community engagement, as well as needing textbooks.
The board voted to replace the current phone system with a new one by MTC, and said it will save almost $5,000 a month with the new price being $1504 monthly. It replaces service by AT&T, Verizon and another system.
At the beginning of the meeting, the board recognized the region winning cross country teams, with each receiving a certificate. They will get medals but the Fedex package is currently stuck in Macon apparently.
They had their photo made with board members. The meeting took place in the high school auditorium because of an event at Jasper County Middle School which would have made parking at the board office nearly impossible.
They also recognized the Georgia School Boards Association video contest winners and the TSA Electrathon Electric Vehicle Team, although few representatives were present.
Board members got an update on the College and Career-Ready Index (CCRPI) (see related story, next week).
Supt. Garland and the other board members honored Chairman Bill Schilling and Vice Chair Erin Lynch for their years of service as this was their last meeting. Neither sought re-election, and in January Matt Kelly and Michele Celani will come on board.
Mr. Schilling has served eight years, and Mrs. Lynch served 12. Mrs. Lynch was not at Tuesday’s meeting, citing a work conflict.
The board approved an overnight field trip, and went into closed session to discuss personnel. After that they approved the following personnel.
New Hire
Patricia Armour, substitute teacher
Marcia Jones, substitute teacher
Jade Massey, substitute teacher/nurse
Brittney Cook, Food Assistant, Jasper County High
Peyton Proctor, Part-Time Attendance, Central Services
Toshia Wingo, PEC Teacher, Jasper County High
Resignation
Kayla Moses, Paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary
Angela Gordon, Director, Jasper County Virtual Academy
Retirement
Rebecca Guyton, Teacher, Jasper County Virtual Academy
Pam Edge, Principal, Jasper County Primary
Transfer
Anthony Barbera, PEC Teacher, Jasper County High, Transfer to PEC Teacher Jasper County Middle
Megan Henderson, Paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary, Transfer to Central Services Communications
