School Sets Millage Rate

The Jasper County Board of Education approved their (2018-2019) FY19 budget and the millage rate at 17.990 which represents a partial rollback during a called meeting on Wednesday, July 11. The vote was unanimous (4-0) with Dr. Shannon Barton absent from the meeting.

During this meeting the board voted to approve the following new hires, Wayne Jones, physical education teacher, Jasper County High School (JCHS); Joshua Crouse, PEC teacher and Tamatha Lee, sixth grade Teacher at Jasper County Middle School (JCMS); and Tracy Bagwell 49 percent art teacher and Lisa Kelly, 49 percent music teacher for Washington Park Elementary School (WPES).

Charles “Buddy” Cain was in attendance at the called meeting and had this to say about Mr. Jones, “Wayne is a 20 year veteran coach that worked in Gainesville City Schools. He’s had much success in both football and state track and was named All Region coach in 2017. Mr. Jones is also going to teach a leadership class at the high school. We’re excited to have him and what all he brings to the table.”

During the board’s regular business meeting Tuesday the board heard from Cheryl Marrett, Principal of JCMS, talking about the $25,000 Middle School Coding Grant that was received through the Dept. of Education (DOE). Ms. Marrett explained that the middle school was one of 17 schools that were recipients of a portion of a $500,000 grant for middle-school computer coding programs.

According to Ms. Marrett, Coach “Mo” Maureen Ryan was the spearhead of the project and commended her on a job well done for the time and effort put into writing the grant. “She was self-directed and self-motivated during this project and I just can’t say enough about the passion that she brings to the middle school and coding.”

The monies given will be used to encompass equipment, training, curriculum and teacher professional development. Broken down, 85% – $20,000 in funds will go toward equipment for the classroom lab. Equipment will include a class set of Spark (Sphero) ipads with protective cases, a mini-Sphero, Ozobot and Evo class sets among other items.

Coach Moe will have $3,500 for teacher certification in Computer Science. Ms. Marrett said, “this is a great opportunity of our kids. She [Coach Mo] has had kids writing apps and has aided in adding something else to add to the CTAE program at the Middle School. The coding will coincide with the high school program as well.”

During the meeting Tuesday, the board approved the ELOST Bond Resolution and to execute a Purchase Agreement for the sale of bonds from the Jasper County Charter System (JCCS) to Raymond James which will manage the sale of those bonds to other vendors.

Tom Owens and Frank King, representatives with Raymond James were in attendance for the meeting and Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton said, “I appreciate you both so much on what you’ve done on behalf of the Board of Education.

Personnel new hires approved Tuesday include:

Joan Thornton, Interim School Nutrition Director (49%), Jasper County Board of Education; Teena Carr, Co/Assistant School Nutrition Director, ; Jannifer Fowler, Meridy Long, and Rosa Gantt, substitute teacher, Jasper County Board of Education; Stone Workman, paraprofessional, Jasper County High School, and Jeanne Howell, art teacher, Jasper County Primary School.

They also accepted the resignation of Alisha Freeman, school nutrition assistant, Jasper County Middle School