School Board Holds Public Hearings
By KATHY MUDD
The Jasper County School Board held two public hearings on its budget Tuesday, and no one attended the evening meeting to comment. However, Fransis Wayne Bales attended the 11 a.m. meeting and spoke to those present.
Mr. Bales read his remarks, and shared them with The News:
“If our budget don’t have a surplus after four years of large increases and the taxes on new home built here in 2020 and so far in 2021 and the fact we received windfalls of federal monies for the federal relief funds it is a sure sign there is something wrong with the way this system of ours is being operated.
“If an increase is really the answer, why was the public made aware of it before the notice of your decision ran in the paper? I think the board has missed the opportunity to roll back the millage by 1 1/2 to 3 mills and give property owner a break from the pass four years.”
“I think we are very much over taxed as it is. The big picture to me is ‘Power over People’ and this is ‘No input equals No Voice’ and that is why Americans rights are being eroded by big government.” .”
“I asked several question that were discussed, but missed two of the ones I wanted answers to. [1] have you looked at hiring an outside firm to evaluated cost savings and [2] Has the county considered exempting seniors from school tax as some other Georgia counties have and one is near us.”
No one else attended either of those public hearings. Another public hearing is set for next Thursday, July 29 at 5 p.m. at the Board Office.
At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Supt Kenny Garland read aloud the system’s vision and mission statements, to remind the board, as always, of what they are striving to achieve.
The mission statement says: The Jasper County Charter System will provide superior and innovative learning experiences to prepare every student for life beyond school.
And the vision statement is: The vision of the Jasper County Charter System is to provide dedicated staff and supportive learning environments to inspire and motivate every student to achieve individual success.
Board members heard a presentation from David Thompson and Michele Celani about the Watson-Brown grant. The duo was telling of the plan to map the old Methodist Church cemetery on Short Street, and they want the school to provide students to help. They told of the project, and how it would benefit the city and the students involved.
The board heard from Athletic Director Eddie Roberts about a crowd funding plan. He explained the company offers this to the schools, where each team members gives the contact info of 20 people, and those people are contacted, and shown a video that the team produces, and asked for donations. He said the company’s experience says 65 percent of the donations come from outside the school’s zip code. The average donation through the company’s platform is $78, and the time commitment from the athletes and coaches is minimal.
Mr. Roberts went on to talked about ticket prices, and ways to purchase them. He used varsity football as an example. A fan can buy a ticket through the website, www.gofan.com, for $8, and a $1 service fee, and entrance at the gate would cost $10.
Board members and staff discussed that some locations have gone completely away from cash, and reducing the amount of cash having to be handled will relieve a burden on some employees, and the school will still get the same funds.
He said they plan to offer a season pass for students for just $50, and for adults for $200. He said no longer will students athletes be allowed to enter sporting events other than their own at no cost, but the season pass is good for all sports at all schools all year.
He said there are six home varsity football games, and you add basketball, baseball, softball, and others, the season pass is the way to go.
Peyton Proctor gave an update on the summer custodial work at the schools, and said the custodians have worked hard (see related story, page 6), the floors look good, and the schools will be ready.
Mr. Garland announced that the system is not seekign new school nutrition vendor contracts this year, but instead is rolling over last year’s hopefully to prevent increased prices.
Board members reviewed and approved teh financial reports, inckuding the expenditure report. They approved the purchase of surplus automotive equipment by Jon Parrish, the only bidder for the materials.
Board members also approved numerous fund raisers and field trip requests.
They put two policies on the table to study for a month before taking action. They are Policy GARH involving employee leaves and absences, with the change concerning paid parental leave, and Policy IDE(3), competitive interscholastic activities, grades 6-12.
Board members iapproved the school improvment policies developed by staff.
After an executive session, board members approved the following personnel:
New Hire
• Amber Jones, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary School (JCPS)
•Madison Taylor, paraprofessional, JCPS
•Meagan Haddock, paraprofessional, JCPS
•Rosalie Harris, bookkeeper, JCPS
•Frank Altschul, substitute teacher, Jasper County Board of Education (JCBOE)
• Rebekah Miller, receptionist, Jasper County High School (JCHS)
•Kelly Burke, teacher, Jasper County Middle School (JCMS)
•Frank Mitchell, custodian, JCHS
•Brian Edwards, Technology Specialist, JCBOE
•Ambriel Wyatt, substitute custodian, JCBOE
•Amanda Vance, paraprofessional, Washington Park Elementary School (WPES)
•Valerie Johnson, paraprofessional, WPES
•Kyle Koho, teacher, WPES
•Dodie Chupp, bus driver, Jasper County Transportation Department
•Brittany Farnsworth, bus driver
•Ashley Boyd, athletic trainer, JCHS.
Resignation
•Brynisha Clements-Perez, paraprofessional, WPES.
•Sam Hadaway, Athletic Trainer, JCHS
•Patricia Holierhoek, paraprofessional, WPES.
•Lindsay Schultz, secretary, Jasper County Preschool
•Brittany Hamlin, custodian, JCPS.
Transfer
•Joshua Crouse, teacher, Jasper County Middle School, transfer from teacher at JCMS to counselor at JCMS.
•Elvira Waddell, School Nutrition Assistant, JCMS, transfer from SN Assistant at JCMS to School Nutrition Assistant Manager at JCHS.
•Jessica Ravenel, Instructional Coach, JCPS, transfer from Instructional Coach at JCPS to Interim Assistant Principal at JCPS.
Mr. Garland said all teaching positions are full at this time.
