School Hears from Facility Committee

The Jasper County School Board members heard from the facilities committee at Tuesday’s business meeting and learned what repairs were at the top of the priority list made up by the committee.

The facilities committee was formed so that the board members would have an opinion from the community as to what was wanted and best for improving Jasper County school’s existing structures and what if any new ones would be most beneficial for the students.

Committee member Lynne Jordan addressed the board stating that the goal of the committee was to see what funds were available from ESPLOST (Educational Special Purpose Lost Option Sales Tax), which funds construction and improvement projects; and what dollars budgeted for repairs and/or new construction are available. She said that state grants should be sought and if needed, short-term borrowing would help with finances.

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After about six meetings and visiting all of the schools the committee decided to go with a conservative approach and made a list of priorities that were most prominent to them, according to Mrs. Jordan.

The agriculture teaching facility and program topped the committee’s list. This project consists of the new ag barn facility and program that are already under construction and will be implemented when finished, with the completion date being April 2014 tentatively, according to Perry Hyde, maintenance supervisor of schools.

The second priority from the committee was renovations at Jasper County Primary School. This included new carpet in classrooms as well as roofing and HVAC work.

The board already has some monies set aside for the HVAC and roof work at the primary school, according to Dr. Mike Newton, superintendent of schools.

Replacing carpet in classrooms at Washington Park and the gym floor being tiled was listed third by the committee, and new playground equipment for the school ranked along with that.

The multi-use facility at Jasper County High school, which has been on a goals list from the board members came in as a fourth priority. There has been some discussions on this building during previous board meetings.

This facility would include a weight room, a building for wrestling and competition cheerleading, storage and other sports and activities. Mrs. Jordan noted that this facility would benefit all students, and would move in the direction of further expansion in the future.

Upon conclusion, Mrs. Jordan said that the committee recommending extending the ESPLOST program with current payment terms until 2021. Other members of the committee included Shawn Dean, Adrian Stewart, Toni Reese, Russell Bennett, David Aldridge, Jannel Wild, Wesley Sports, Cornell Williams, and Kim McMichael.

The committee was guided by James Wilson, a consultant, who was instrumental in helping with time management and explanations of which monies could be used on what projects.

Dr. Newton said, “thank you all, it’s you’re own time, and volunteer time is often thankless. I know that there have been obstacles with the weather and we appreciate your time. I also want to thank the board and the confidence that it has in the community.”

Dr. Shannon Barton, board chair said “we all have our individual ideas, and we do thank you. We appreciate the community’s input. This report is very good. Thank you.”

Dr. Newton told the board that students had now been out six days for inclement weather and discussed make-up days. The board decided to wait to make a decision until after the governor decided what days were missed would be included in the “state of emergency” declaration. Dr. Newton said that five of the six days would possibly comply with this and not have to be made up for students.

The one day would more than likely be tacked on at the end of the school year, which ends on a Thursday currently.

As far as personnel there were five retirements approved for the end of this school year including, Morad El-Jourbagy, Executive Directive of IT, IT Department; Jan Stephens, Office Staff, JCPS; Suzette Gude, PEC Paraprofessional, JCHS; Jerri James, teacher, Washington Park Elementary School, and Melissa Durrett, teacher, Washington Park Elementary School.

There was one new hire, Sharon Byrd as substitute bus monitor for the transportation department and three resignations including Joycelyn Richard, bus monitor, transportation department; Bobby Gordon, custodian, JCHS; and Hung Cole, paraprofessional, JCPS.

The board began discussing budget for the FY2015 school year and will have a called meeting Friday, March 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the board meeting room to further discuss the budget and discuss ESPLOST verbiage for the upcoming ballot.