School Board Handles Business

The Jasper County School Board heard from Jenny Lowe, director of the preschool, about its policy council during its regular meeting Tuesday evening at the board office on College Street.

Ms. Lowe reviewed who was on the policy council and the topics it discusses. The Policy Council is the equivalent of the other schools School Governance Teams. She said that the current enrollment is 151 in pre-k and Head Start, and that the projected enrollment for next year is 145. However, she said with the growth in the county she foresees a waiting list by the time school starts.

She told of the safety enhancements that have been made at the school, and of the family engagement activities that the school does. She told of the community connections, such as someone from Jasper County Library visits monthly, and they have made a walking field trip to the fire station. Senior citizens read to the children during Read Across America week, and a career day is held. She talked about how the students’ progress is gauged, and shared test results.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting the system’s Young Georgia Authors were recognized. Jasper County had seven people place in the district competition which includes a large area. Jasper County Primary School h ad three winners, and Principal Pam Edge bragged on the children and how good it was for them to place in the district competition.

The board approved the five-year facilities plan which includes building an addition at Washington Park and building a road connecting Washington Park with Jasper County Primary School in an effort to get traffic off of Hwy. 212 when parents drop off and pick-up their students. There is also a plan down the road to build a new transportation facility. The current one has been used for some 60 years. There is also a plan for an eight classroom addition at the high school for the CTAE/JROTC and technical college programs.

The system recently purchased land north of Jasper County High School for expansion. The system is looking to hire a construction manager for the upcoming projects.

The board accepted the low bid plus the alternates from Elite Flooring contractors for new flooring at Washington Park Elementary School. Elite Flooring will also replace the floor in the multi-purpose room at Jasper County Primary School. All the other floors in the school have been replaced.

Board members approved the purchase of a building to house the lawn equipment, and awarded the bid to ACS for air conditioner placement at Jasper County High School.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, school board members:

Approved the financial report.

Agreed to increase the pay to the local Extension office, as part of a restructuring through the University of Georgia.

Approved the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that voters approved March 12.

Approved several fund raisers, use of facilities, and field trips.

Agreed to a resurfacing project at Jasper County Primary School.

Welcomed Michele Celani to the meeting, and invited her to join them for all business, including the closed session.