School Board Approves Budget; O.K.s Policies

The Jasper County School Board took care of business as usual at its August meeting considering it was the first meeting since the new school year began.

Board members discussed the finances with accountant Anne Harrison, and reviewed the financial reports and had a brief overview of the state audit where there was one finding that needed to be corrected due to the change to split billing which coordinated with the city and county. The finding was corrected and the monies accounted for in 2011 were projected into the budget for the 2012-2013 school year.

There was unanimous approval of the FY 2013 budget and the board also voted to move the bond monies in the amount of $256,654 from the bond that was not renewed by the board.

By moving the monies it can be held onto as undesignated funds that can be used once the board sees a need. These monies can later be used for operating costs, capital improvements or at the board’s discretion.

The board also voted to hire four paraprofessionals to replace two full time positions. Those hired and the schools include, Courtney Green, Jasper County Primary School; Zachary Norris, JCPS; Steven Hopper, Washington Park; and Eunice Blackmon, WP.

The board also accepted the resignations of Jennifer Jorns, JCHS teacher; Claudette Fore, paraprofessional, JCPS; and Kelly McMichael, paraprofessional, WP.

In other action the board heard from JCMS principal, Dianne Blizzard on the fundraiser requests for a trip to Washington D.C. There were several fundraiser requests for the trip and Mrs. Blizzard informed the board that the trip was scheduled for May 3, 2013, the last day of school, through May 7.

She said that the cost is $550 per student and is offered to seventh and eighth graders. There will be 293 kids offered the opportunity with two methods of payment offered. The trip is through a top notch company that came highly recommended, according to Mrs. Blizzard.

She also told the board that the travel will be on charter buses, with 45 students and chaperones accommodated. She also told the board that extra hall monitors are included with additional personnel for the two nights the students are in a hotel.

The board approved the fund raisers including those for the Washington trip. They also approved an overnight field trip for FFA and tentatively approved the Washington trip pending more information and documentation.

The board saw a powerpoint presentation by school nutrition director, Kelly Schlein, on the summer feeding program. She told the board the goal of the program was to meet the nutritional needs of students over the summer to prepare them for a healthy return to school.

The meals were offered at 10 sites around the county for lunch and at JCMS for breakfast June 4-July 26 Monday through Thursday.

She noted that the fiscally self sufficient program had a $17,000 salary, and that 1,624 breakfasts were served and 5,051 lunches were served. She said that her goal next year was to have more sites and volunteers.

Superintendent Mike Newton said that “This is a wonderful thing for our kids. It’s great to provide a little extra when we can.”

Dr. Newton then told the board that Jasper County schools were approved for a homeless grant that will be used to aid those students with fees and other incidental costs that may come up.

In other action at Tuesday’s regular meeting, board members:

•Approved the Agriculture Program budget.

•Approved the use of Rose Bowl Field to the Jasper County Recreation Department for football.

•Approved the new Pre-K calendar. This calendar will be the same as the K-12 calendar.

•Approved the milk and bread bids, presented by Ms. Shlein. The prices of these products rolled over and will be the same as last year.

•Approved the policies on student safety JGF, a revision, and the policy on medication, JGRD, also a revision.