Dr. Shannon Barton Is Re-Elected School Board Chair
Members of the Jasper County School Board re-elected Dr. Shannon Barton as their chairperson for 2015 and Paul Kelly vice chair during their business meeting Tuesday.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton informed the board that the governor has announced money coming in from the midterm adjustment in the governor’s budget. He said that the prediction for Jasper County schools would be about $329,272. This was provided after the preliminary look at the budget, but still has to pass legislation.
“This is a healthy midterm,” said Dr. Newton. He continued, “This helps fund enrollment and provides more services to students. It’s a huge benefit.”
After much discussion, the board voted to pass a policy on weapons (JCDAE), 4-1 with board member Bobby Norris against during Tuesday’s meeting. The primary change to an already existing policy allows the superintendent to reduce punishment and notify the board members, when it comes to weapons outlined within the policy. There was much discussion as board member Bobby Norris stated “I am not for giving the superintendent or just one person the authority to lessen or waive punishment. I don’t want any weapons on campus, it scares me.”
The board also passed a policy on promotion and retention (IHE) that was needed due to changes with Georgia milestones. The policy plays to more rigorous promotion and retention rules at the school level. Both of the policies above can be found on the school’s eboard website at www.jasper.k12.ga.us.
Jolynn Aubry, Director of Special Education informed the board that Claire Cavender received a grant for $1500 from the Walmart Foundation, for high school special education students. Ms. Cavender worked on the grant through her master’s program which focuses on community improvement. The grant more specifically catered to literacy amongst special education students where they can learn money management and real life skills before leaving high school.
During regular personnel business, the board approved the following: new hires include, Rebecca Ammons-Warren, PEC Teacher at Jasper County Primary School and Brian Walls, maintenance helper for the Jasper County Board of Education. Resignations include Tiffany Cleveland, custodian; and Sandra James, bookkeeper at JCPS. Moving into Ms. James’ position is Sanqueninta Barron, who was previously Student Information Clerk for JCPS.
As far as upcoming meetings, the board will have a work session, Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. and their regular business meeting Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. Both of these meetings are held at the Board of Education office at 1411 College St.
During a work session last Thursday, each principal from their respective school presented board members with end of course data. This data included benchmark data, as well as end of course tests that were given to students at the end of last semester. The low scores presented to the board were “eye-opening,” according to Dr. Barton.
Each principal informed the board of the scores and what they were doing to begin working on this as soon as the students first day back in January. The data is specific to each student so that areas of improvement are individualized.
