JCCS To Introduce Digital Learning
Long time board member, Bobby Norris gave his last invocation in that capacity during the December meeting of the Jasper County Board of Education.
Mr. Norris who was voted onto the board in 1992 will go off the board in January, with Towander Dennis taking his seat in the new year.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton gave “Chief” Norris a special presentation and plaque in recognition of his years of service and commitment to the children of Jasper County for over 20 years.
During the presentation Dr. Newton said, “Chief, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and all that you’ve done for me personally over the years. Bobby has been here as long as I have served, the plaque states, that he started in 1992 and I started in 1991. We’ve each had some breaks in there, but I want him to know that I appreciate him allowing me the opportunity to be and serve as Superintendent, and for your love and support for all of these local children.”
“When I came on board a long time ago it was about the children…and it still is about the children” he said.
Mr. Norris replied, “I want our children to have the opportunities that every other child has in any other school system.”
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Each board member expressed their appreciation, with Dr. Shannon Barton saying that she appreciated the “spirited conversation” that they could have and the fact that they could “agree to disagree.” Lewis Rice said that he’d enjoyed their time serving together and that “Bobby, you’re going to be missed.” Board Chair, Bill Schilling said, “I’ve enjoyed serving with you over these last two years. I remember you saying that it is always about the children when I first came on the board and that’s become a model to me that always comes back into my mind. I plan to take that with me through my tenure and appreciate that.”
During the school improvement portion of the meeting the board heard from Ty Snyder, Executive Director of JCCS and Dr. Kristie Brooks, on a new program called Digital Learning Days for students. The use of this program would allow for students to do classwork from home for school days that may have to be missed for inclement weather or other emergencies. Staff surveyed parents to find out what type of internet access that they had and with over 1,000 surveys returned, there were 85 percent of parents that said they had access to some form of internet.
Mr. Snyder explained that there was a team created to build the framework, “Cloud Campus,” a website that students and parents can go to if school is called off. The website is formatted to cater to each school and includes student apps, FAQs, and staff requirements.
Each school would have different amounts of time that each student was to work on digital learning days. Currently, Pre-K – Second grade would spend 30-45 minutes a day on work. Third through fifth grades would be required to do 60 minutes worth of work. JCMS students would have two hours to work from home and JCHS students between two and two and a half hours to do on digital learning days.
Dr. Brooks explained that the link would go out on the JCCS website and an automated alert would be sent to the parents with the student working with the parent on how this works. Criteria for staff includes all assignments posted by 9 a.m. and that teachers have working hours by grade with accessibility via e-mail.
The board then heard presentations from each grade/school level about the website and their specific teacher pages. Some did actual demonstrations and others explained how online links that students were already familiar with would be used as well as items around the house for enrichment from home. Dr. Brooks stressed that there would be no new learning on Digital Learning Days, just enrichment on what had already been introduced.
The question was asked, “What if students don’t have internet access?”
The answer was that the student will either receive a paper packet when they return to school and or can access their online assignments upon return and then those students will have five school days to complete and return for credit.
Dr. Barton said, “I think that this is phenomenal, but we’re just going to have to be prepared to have a student that will have to make this up during the actual school day.”
After the recognition of Mr. Norris, the Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) School Governance Team (SGT) chair, Pat Matthews gave a report.
Ms. Matthews said, “I joined SGT about this time last year and it’s been eye opening. I have learned a lot and appreciate Ms. [Cheryl] Marrett and Ms. [Dionka] Jackson. Meetings are interactive; there are questions and answers. The members have a voice and there are suggestions and actions that are heard and acted upon.”
Ms. Matthews went through what the SGT has done in the previous months including, reviewing the Roberts Rules of Order, heard about the School Nutrition program and charging meals. “We also reviewed MAPS data, which is something that was important to me, and it was really enlightening and seeing what the students’ gains have been. We’ve also learned about PBIS doing a walk through data review. This is the first year in implementation and it assists in student discipline problems which have gone down significantly.
Dr. Newton gave a facilities update which could be summed up in one word – rain. “The rain has caused significant delays in our project,” said Dr. Newton. “We’re four to six weeks behind. We’re doing what we can when we can and it’s just the weather. We hope and pray that the weather cooperates. But it’s going to rain again.”
Dr. Newton expressed to the board that what work could be done was getting done. Mr. Schilling spoke for the board stating, “we want it done, but I think that I speak for the board in saying that getting it done fast, is not as important as getting it done right.”
The board then heard from Teena Carr with an overview of the school nutrition program. She stated that when she started in July there were some main goals which they had been focusing on and that there had been improvements made.
Those goals included participation in menus. In July the participation percentage was at 61 percent. Currently, the participation rate is now at 72.6 percent. “It’s up some,” said Teena, “but I have a high goal so that percentage needs to increase.”
Ms. Carr informed the board that the prices of the plates have gone up due to purchasing better food including Grade A chicken and good beef. She also said that previously the nutrition program was unable to use USDA commodities that they are now able to use which allows the plate cost to decrease at all of the schools except Jasper County High School (JCHS).
In another update, Ms. Carr explained that when she joined in July there was $4,200 in the bank and that was not enough to pay the bills and payroll. She boasted that to date there was $76,000 in the account with all of the bills paid for the month including the next payroll.
Ms. Carr expressed her appreciation for her team saying, “I appreciate all of the staff. Everyone has been a team. At each school we’ve had supportive principals and office staff that have all worked hard and together for this success.” She said that each of the managers attended a training last summer to get Sixth Sense certified. The certification was to aid children to get more fruits and vegetables.
Ms. Carr said that USDA gave the program $106,000 as an allotment each year. Of that total $26,000 is for fruits and vegetables. Ms. Carr was sure that this would increase.
Dr. Newton brought some surplus items from the old automotive areas to the board for approval, but those items were tabled until January due to the board wanting to revisit the likelihood of bringing that program back before surplusing items that could be used.
Mr. Rice asked who was in charge of the listing of items and he was informed that the items were from the automotive program and had not been used in recent years. Buddy Cain, JCHS Principal, said that he talked to some people at Southern Crescent and they said that most of the technology was outdated for the automotive industry.
“We’re using Southern Crescent and a program at Jones County,” said Mr. Rice. “The only option to use them is to take time from the kids. We’ve got to get the students to and from each of these programs and we’re selling this stuff for pennies on the dollar that could be used.”
Board Chair Bill Schilling said, “This has never come up since I’ve been on the board for two years. I think that we can have some discussion on the program before voting.”
The board heard from Jerry Williams, Transportation Director, and approved the purchase of two replacement engines for buses 11-03 and 11-04. The approval added $100,404 to the transportation budget from fund balance allowing the buses to be back in operation. The new engines are Kenwood brand and the entire quote includes the engine, computer and a new exhaust system.
Dr. Newton also informed the board that Mr. Williams submitted a purchase order to purchase two bond buses with his bond funds and the additional local match. Bond funds received for the purchase of two buses for $154,440, local budgeted funds, $28,000. The total cost to purchase is $182,440 with the difference of $1,418 coming from local funds.
The board did not go into executive session during their business meeting. They did approve the below personnel:
New Hires: James Dover, school nutrition assistant, Cindy Standifer, substitute school nutrition assistant; Nanette Manning, Brittany Farnsworth, and Jessica Abercrombie, substitute teachers; Angela Haney, Alex Smith and Ellis Ammons, substitute custodians.
The board also approved the resignation of JCHS teacher Wayne Jones.
There were several transfers within the School Nutrition Dept. including: Theresa Wright being named Assistant School Nutrition Manager at WPES; Kari Trawick named as School Nutrition Manger at JCMS; Steve Dukes went from full-time to part-time School Nutrition Assistant at JCHS; Kristen West was appointed School Nutrition Assistant Manager at JCPS; and Tiffany Barber, named School Nutrition Assistant Manager for JCHS.
Tiffany Carnes, Custodian for WPES, was approved for termination.
When asked about the update on a new school superintendent, Mr. Schilling replied that all applications are due this Friday, Dec. 14 and that the work session in January would be primarily used to review those.
