Supt. Newton To Resign, Receives Pay Increase
After a brief executive session during the regular board meeting of the Jasper County Charter System (JCCS) Tuesday night, the board voted 3-1 to give Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton a three percent increase in his salary for the current contract year.
Bill Schilling, Chairman of the Board, made the recommendation and said, “I’d like to recommend a three percent increase in Dr. Newton’s salary for the contract year in recognition of his service to this system and the district.”
“In recognition for his nine years of service, I’d like to acknowledge where he’s taken this system. From transitioning into a Charter system, to the outstanding graduation numbers. He’s been influential in the inclusion of career and technical programs, and bio tech and other programs that are receiving awards and recognition around the state,” said Mr. Schilling.
The increase passed 3-1 with Mr. Schilling, Shannon Barton, and Erin Lynch for and Lewis Rice opposing. Bobby Norris was not present for the meeting.
Dr. Newton thanked the board for their generosity before speaking to the board sharing his appreciation of his tenure at JCCS. Dr. Newton said, “I appreciate the board’s vote of confidence in me and for recognizing the work that’s gone on here. I’d like to read something if you’d allow me.”
“Dear BOE members, in June of 2010 I was granted the greatest opportunity of my career…I was given the opportunity to work for the Jasper County Board of Education.
I shared with the board that hired me back then that if they allowd, this would be absolute through Evan’s graduation, which is right around the corner. I’ve chosen to remain committed to Jasper County even when other opportunities arose. After careful thought and prayer. The 2018-2019 school year will be the last as the JCCS Superintendent. I have faith in the next journey in my professional opportunity.”
“I’m dedicated to filing contractual obligations to you and to work with my predecessor throughout the transition. I thank you, each of your on this board, and previous boards, for allowing me to serve you and the children of this county. It’s been a privilege to serve. I will continue to serve and it has been a wonderful opportunity and will continue to be a wonderful opportunity.”
Board members offered their appreciation of Dr. Newton and his service. Mr. Schilling said, “With that we will begin advertising in search of a 2019-2020 for new school superintendent. I’d like to propose that we form an agreement with Dr. Newton to serve through the month of July and to work with the newly hired superintendent, at his same rate of pay to work in consultation in transition.”
The board made that a formal motion and it passed unanimously, 4-0.
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The board opened its work session last Thursday with a presentation from Anna Durham with the Georgia Dept. of Audits Education Division. Ms. Durham recognized Anne Harrison, Director of Finance with a Certificate of Excellence. “This award is for Anne Harrison and the entire financial department for Jasper County Charter Schools. It’s an award that shows the outstanding job that she and the dept. does. The criteria are based on no audit findings, and consistent financial reporting. This award is only given to 20% of school districts in the state,” said to Ms. Durham.
The board voted to approve the following new hires: Madison Smith, PEC Paraprofessional (part-time), Jasper County Primary School (JCPS); Meridy Long, Gifted Resource Teacher-49%, JCPS; Vickie Vickers, Lindsay Hallman, and Barbara Whidby substitute teachers; Tiffany Anderson, substitute School Nutrition Assistant; Erica Johnson, Bus Monitor; and Brenda Jackson, Paraprofessional, Jasper County High School (JCHS).
The board also approved two resignations including, Gary Anglin, Paraprofessional at JCHS and Kerri Norris, Clerical for JCHS.
Jennifer Dunn, transferred from School Nutrition Assistant Manager at WPES to Interim School Nutrition Manager at WPES, and Ana Arizmendi, transferred to full time receptionist for JCHS.
Tory Nash’s termination was approved. She was a custodian at WPES.
Next work session – Oct. 11 and board business meeting on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m.
Dr. Newton told the board that as far as the Stanton Springs revenue sharing was concerned, there was nothing really to update them on. “The board [of commissioners] did receive your letter,” said Dr. Newton. “The BOC had a meeting Monday and nothing on Stanton Springs was on the agenda.”
Dr. Newton reiterated that the agreement that was signed between the county and school board concerning the Jasper Development Authority (JDA) called for a meeting to discuss distribution of funds. “My preference would be to make that a public forum with representatives from the county, this board, parents, community members and others could be present,” said Dr. Newton.
Lewis Rice, board member asked, “Did we put money in?” “I know that Jasper County did. I also know that the county doesn’t own any of the land.”
Dr. Newton explained that the preliminary discussion in spring of 2015 with Mr. [Gene] Trammel, chairman of the BOC, and Mr. Carl Pennamon, vice chair, Mr. Mike Benton had a joint agreement that was brought to the BOE by the attorney. The agreement is to have further future discussion about distribution of revenues. All we’re asking for is for the county to have that discussion.
“The school board doesn’t have an investment in Stanton Springs,” said Dr. Newton. “We also don’t have an investment with Norton, but we have pathways and an agreement with them to support that industry and we have kids that will go to work there.”
Agreement to buy the land. Jasper bought a 10% share of the revenue
Dr. Shannon Barton clarified, “the perception is that the county has been made whole, and that’s just not true.”
Board Chair, Bill Schilling commented, “the other three counties have all given their share to the school boards.”
“No school board invested a dime in any of that – yet they’re getting their share,” said Dr. Newton.
Dr. Newton gave the board a listing of the School Governance Team (SGT) meetings and updated meeting list. Board members reviewed and were to report which meetings each member were to attend throughout the year.
Perry Hyde updated the board on facilities renovations and updates saying that the JCMS project was almost at the end, but the expenditures were over for that project. He gave a rundown of the costs including the roof ($473,539), HVAC ($1,088,563), Renovations and modifications ($2,798,605) and updates on the BOE Annex ($49,708).
Dr. Newton gave the board a listing of the School Governance Team (SGT) meetings and updated meeting list. Board members reviewed and were to report which meetings each member were to attend throughout the year.
Perry Hyde updated the board on facilities renovations and updates saying that the JCMS project was almost at the end, but the expenditures were over for that project. He gave a rundown of the costs including the roof ($473,539), HVAC ($1,088,563), Renovations and modifications ($2,798,605) and updates on the BOE Annex ($49,708).
“We’ve gone over in terms of our expenditures on this project,” said Dr. Newton. “I’m open. We have got to make sure that we’ve put a system in place in moving forward with the athletic complex to monitor our expenses more closely.”
Mr. Hyde said, “Toward the end of the project, there were some things that needed it to be done. When you’re redoing an old building you don’t know what you’re going to run into. When we were in the gym putting windows in we found that we had to redo welding for frames. There was some facial board metal rotted out, and some duct work that was suspended needed to be welded.”
For the athletic complex was that the bottom line number did go up by $79,000, according to Dr. Newton. There was some discussion on concrete labor and the increase in square footage to be covered. The actual bid awards and project breakdown can be found on the school’s eboard website at www.jasper.k12.ga.us.
There were also some deductions from other areas that offset the overages some. It was noted that in the bids voted on, $6.5 million worth of projects, that the electrical was one of the largest expenses coming in at $1.6 million. The board voted on the current bids that they’d received and approved the recommendations unanimously.
There was discussion on the concerns moving forward with other projects.
When the board looked at the JCMS project, there was overlap. Planning started in January before the May referendum. “Everything crossing over affords opportunity for mistakes to happen,” said Dr. Newton. “We were tight on this budget. I suggest that because of the overlap, let’s get this athletic complex finished and then move on to the JCPS.”
JCPS is a project that can be finished up in the 2019-2020 school year. For WPES – is was suggested to do HVAC one year and roof another year, in two phases. “We want to pay as we go on these projects.”
Mr. Rice said, “that makes a lot of sense. We bit off something here when we’re talking $10 million. And I think as far as JCPS and WPES goes, we do what we can and what we have to do. Not just go make them pretty to be pretty. Let’s get in there and hang air conditioners and do maintenance as we can. We can let them slide and work on this project. We’re talking a lot of money right here.”
“I completely agree with you. I don’t want to compromise one project to do several.”
There was also some negative discussion in regards to the architect that was being used currently. Dr. Newton advised that the board could revisit that after this project and before they move on with any other WPES or another project. “The board needs to have a discussion,” he said.
The board voted to approve the CTAE budget.
Spring 2018 AP scores were discussed and AP percentages were shown to be going up 19% to 38%. Some of the areas that still need work that the data showed were English and Literature.
There was discussion on AP numbers as they had dropped off a little bit and they looked at the data it showed that dual enrollment numbers have significantly increased. There were discussions about how to move forward with that. AP is a more rigorous class and some of these colleges are requiring students to take the AP classes in the school.
During the regular meeting the board heard from Kasey Hall with Jasper County 4-H and recognition of 4-Hers that placed in the top five in state competitions over the last year. According to Ms. Hall there were nine eligible students to be recognized. Those present at the board meeting and that were introduced to the board include Caleb Light, 7th grade, first in 4-H recycling project – division winner $50. Lauren Hicks, 9th grade, second in the public speaking contest on archery, member of 4-H challenge bowl team. Won $40. Savannah Mosley, Jordan Reed, Keri Roach, Carlie Hall – Split the $1,000 prize. Getting ready for this year’s contest and looking forward to fourth consecutive win for this category.
Morgan Patterson and Trent Maddox were recognized for their work in dairy competitions with commercial dairy heifers by Ms. Hall.
