School Board Sets Millage Rate

The Jasper County School Board voted to pass the FY2015 budget and the 18.99 millage rate at its business meeting Tuesday.

The 18.99 millage rate has not increased since the 2011 school year and continues to generate about $6.5 million through taxes.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton said, “we’re collecting less money than in 2009 with a one mill increase. This is a reflection on our digest here locally.”

During their regular meeting the board got to see that there was a 95 percent attendance rate for the previous school year, about the same as the previous year.

In the current financials it was reported that 92 percent of the year had been completed and 99 percent of the budged revenues were in. The expenditures that were reported to date were at 88.56 percent. The ending fund balance was projected to be just over $4.2 million.

The board also approved two new hires, Rebecca Bell, Art Teacher for Jasper County Middle School and Jannifer Fowler, teacher at Jasper County High School. They approved the resignation of Aubry Fortson, paraprofessional, JCHS; and Armanda Sands, teacher at Jasper County Primary School. The following bus drivers were promoted to full time bus drivers from their substitute positions: Sharon Byrd, Reginald Stewart, and Terri Butts.

The board also voted to approve the Georgia School Board Association’s workman’s comp and risk management coverage.

They voted to sign an ELOST resolution stating that it passed and was approved.

Dr. Newton informed the board of upcoming summer focus groups and community meetings tentatively set for July 29 and August 12 at 6 p.m. at Jasper County High School. The July meeting is for parents and teachers and the August meeting will be open to the public to obtain likes and dislikes and suggestions to school faculty for the future.