School Board Honors Students; Proposes Senior Tax Exemption
The Jasper County Board of Education at its regular business meeting Tuesday, Feb. 18, voted to opt out of House Bill 581, while also proposing a tax exemption of $40,000 for all senior citizens, age 65 and up who claim homestead exemption.
House Bill 581 freezes property values to the rate of inflation until property changes hands. Jasper County and the cities of Monticello and Shady Dale are opting in, and property owners will have their values frozen. However, the county and cities may propose a one percent sales tax to recoup any monies lost through the frozen values. The school does not have that option.
Supt. Kenny Garland explained that the school’s funding formulas from the state can be impacted by the local millage rate charged, and it would affect the school’s equalization funding. He said the short term effect would not be bad, but the long term implications could cause real problems.
Five people spoke during the public hearing held before the business meeting, all encouraging the board to opt-in to HB581, and lamenting the fact that their property taxes are increasing each year. Jane Alexander criticized the school board for buying 97 acres, when it only needed 20 acres more or less to build a new middle school adjacent to the current high school. She said 5,000+ people voted for the legislation of HB581, and that they shouldn’t opt out. She went on to complain about the amount of waste in the school system, and said they should look at cutting some of the waste.
Mary Patrick asked if the school board used zero-based budgeting, seeing as each year the budget goes up. Supt. Garland explained the school system has to return the equivalent of five mills to the state, and how HB 581 will affect the school. Ms. Patrick told board members she knew someone told them what to do about HB581. She questioned why all school systems which are opting out had the same wording in the ad which ran in the newspaper. Supt. Garland explained the wording for the ad and the size of the ad was determined by the legislation.
John Henderson said he was hesitant to speak because he felt like the decision was already made. He said the citizens voted for the bill, and he didn’t think the citizens knew the school had the option to opt out. He said how hard it is on a fixed income, property owners are struggling at tax time, with values going up outrageously. He said he wants to pay his fair share, and the house bill allows that.
Greg Currie said the voters had the opportunity to speak, and they did. He said he is a retired educator, and he knows they need money. He said as a retiree, he knew what the tax rate looks like before moving here, and determined he could handle it. He said the education tax is almost three times the cost of the property tax. Right now he plans to move because of the tax rate. He said the tax assessors shows no mercy on values on Jackson Lake.
Cathy Benson said she moved here at 24 years old, and her taxes were $700, and now they are $4,311. She said she never had a kid in public school, and wanted to know why 100 percent school tax. We voted on HB581 because we wanted relief, she said.
After everyone who wanted to speak spoke, Supt. Garland told of his proposal to increase the homestead exemption for seniors to $40,000 for all over 65. Currently the basic exemption is $8,000, and some people qualify for a $16,000 exemption. Under the proposal all seniors with homestead exemption would qualify for the $40,000 exemption.
The school had allowed 30 minutes for the public hearing, and after about 40 minutes it ended, and the board went into the regular meeting. After hurriedly going through the pledge and prayer, and reading of vision and mission statements, the group recognized two REACH scholarship recipients. These are eighth grade students are Jimena Chamorro and Keilynd Porter. The REACH Georgia scholarship program is a needs-based initiative to support promising students. Each REACH scholar is paired with a mentor who provides invaluable guidance and support, helping them navigate their educational journey and beyond. Academic coaches ensure scholars stay on track by monitoring their progress, developing personalized education and career plans, and connecting them with necessary academic and social resources. Qualifying scholars receive a financial scholarship upon high school graduation, empowering them to pursue their dreams of higher education.
The Board recognized four Jasper County Charter System students for achieving national recognition by the College Board for their performance on the PSAT exam. Mary Tumlin, Director of Career Technical Agricultural Education and District Testing Coordinator presented the students for recognition. The students are Hunter Cleveland, senior, National Rural and First Generation Award; Autumn George, senior, National Rural Award; Leigha Perkins, junior, National Rural Award, and Thomas Sanders, junior, National Rural and First Generation Award.
Mr. Cleveland was then recognized also for being the county’s STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) student.
Members of the Jasper County Preschool Policy Council presented their work to the board, saying that the behavior of Jasper County Preschool overall is exceptional. They reported they have the services of a shared mental health counselor but need a little more time with her. They expressed the need for a different type entrance to the preschool, as now when someone enters to be identified, they have access to the whole building. They addressed attendance, school readiness, community partnerships, and family engagement.
Misty Garvin, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, presented the new evaluation model for teachers to be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year, Georgia Leads. She explained the differences that teachers and administrators will see.
Anne Harrison, Director of Finance, presented the findings from the FY 24 Financial Audit. The system received an “unqualified” opinion (highest rating) as the financial statements are accurate and comply with financial reporting standards. The auditor concluded that the financial statement gave a true and fair view of the systems financial standing.
Matt Tumlin, safety director for the schools, reviewed purchases made with safety funds.
The Board approved the purchase of two 72 passenger buses through the bonding program established by the Department of Education. The total cost of the buses is $292,000 with $176,200 to be reimbursed by the bonding program.
The board held a “first reading” of PolicyDJED: Bids and Quotations.
The board approved the consent agenda which included meeting minutes as well as facilities use requests and fund raisers.
After a closed session, the board approved the following personnel changes:
New Hire
Madison King, WPES Paraprofessional; Jayka Jackson, Becky Wilson, Adriyah Cobbs, Jaylyn Wyatt, Berta Bell, Hanna Allred, substitute teachers; Joyce Williams, Long Term Sub Bus Driver; Lindsay James and Chelsea Odom, teachers,WPES; Jessica Hamby, Jordan Owens, Carly Johnson, teachers JCHS; Nicole Dennis, Heather Johnson, teachers JCMS, and Maricel Wood, teacher JCPS
Resignation
Hannah Tinney, paraprofessional, WPES; Aubrey Wyatt, teacher, JCHS; Tiffany Davis-Donnell, teacher, WPES; Issac Clayton, teacher, JCMS.
Retirement
Lisa Batchelor, JCPS Paraprofessional; Keely Sikes, WPES Teacher, and Kathy Dukes, food assistant WPES
Transfer
Amanda Billings, transfer 49% JCVA tutor to full-time JCVA tutor
Sara Hicks, transfer from PEC Clerical to Student Information Systems
