Superintendent’s Contract Is Extended and Millage Rate Is Set

The Jasper County Board of Education voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton’s contract for employment through 2017. They noted in discussion, after a short executive session, that he had been the superintendent for five years, and the longest seated in this region.

The board also voted Tuesday to adopt the 18.990 millage rate for FY2016, after opening the meeting with the third public hearing on the budget and millage rate. The millage rate is the same as FY2015’s rate, but citizens will see a 5.97% tax increase as there was an increase in the tax digest for Jasper County this year.

Board members voted to approve the FY2016 budget as well with revenues being budgeted at $18.1 million and expenditures at $18.9 million. The offset will be taken from the fund balance account in the amount of approximately $816,000.

Improvements at the schools were reported on and the board was updated by Perry Hyde, maintenance supervisor of Jasper County Schools. He informed the board that the roof work at Jasper County Primary School (JCPS) was almost complete, noting that gutters were still needed and one small space covered. He also said that the HVAC units were in place and that the school was cold. He said that the floor tiles had been put down on the classroom halls and that new ceiling tiles and fixtures were going up.

“We’re going to be ready by the start of school,” Mr. Hyde said.

He also told the board that Washington Park (WPES)was waiting on the logo for the new gym tile, and that the middle school classrooms were getting electrical work this week. He noted that all of the painting and “freshening up” of both Jasper County Middle (JCMS) and High School (JCHS) was coming along and that the bus shop restroom and meeting room were in progress as well and should be completed next week.

The board approved the DECAL Pre-kindergarten grant which is 100% lottery funded and will pay $230,546 for Pre-K education. Dr. Newton said that it aids in three classrooms as well as certified teachers for the preschool.

Important dates for the upcoming months regarding school include August 14, 2015, the first day of school for students. Teachers will begin pre-planning August 10-13 and host open house to meet students August 12. For specific times for each school’s open house see the ad on Page 10 in today’s paper or visit www.jasper.k12.ga.us.

Denise Burrell, assistant director of Teaching and Learning Technology, gave a presentation on beginning a ROTC program. She informed the board that there was a waiting list and that currently no new ROTC programs were being funded due to federal budget cuts. She said that there are specific requirements to have a program and that the BOE would need to get out a countywide interest survey to see if students and citizens would want to begin a program.

Ms. Burrell stated that JCHS would need about 60-62 kids to join ROTC based on current enrollment. She said that they offer a four year program where students enter in ninth grade and complete through twelfth grade. It was also noted that it could be conjoined as a pathway to aid in CTAE accreditation for students.

Ms. Burrell said the program is funded by the service agency (Army, Marines, etc.) and that the school is responsible for 33% funding. She also said that the space needed would be 4400 sq. ft. and that a minimum of two instructors would be needed for the numbers.

In conclusion, Ms. Burrell suggested getting out the survey and applying with all five branches now. She also encouraged looking into a leadership type program that would mirror ROTC in application for the time being.

The board also heard about reading scores from Pam Edge and Shawne Holder, principals of JCPS and WPES, respectively. They focused on STAR, one measure of reading scores that pertains to accelerated reader levels. The two told that by looking laterally, from kindergarten to fifth grade, they could see the gaps of where the biggest deficiency begins.

The principals spoke of how having open, fluid communication allowed for children to be evaluated from year to year for the best reading education possible, focusing on each student individually.