Board Delays Action on Finance Director
The Jasper County School Board agreed Friday to accept the resignation of Finance Director Kathy Thomason, and to consider hiring an interim finance director since the system is operating with an interim superintendent.
Board Chair Phyllis Norwood suggested that rather than advertising for a finance director, why not get an interim director, then the new superintendent would employ his or her own finance director.
Interim Superintendent Gene Trammell told the board members that he had found retired directors from Butts County and Crawford County who could share the duties. He was also aware of one from Henry County who was also a former state auditor that could possibly “run the whole show.”
The position was advertised in last week’s Monticello News and Mr. Trammell reported that he had a number of good applications, and that some who had applied for the bookkeeping job may be qualified to do the finance director’s job.
He planned to meet with Jack Thomas on Wednesday.
Mrs. Norwood said, “we’re this close to knowing who our superintendent will be…we’ll get our list from the state in January,” suggesting waiting would be best.
Bobby Norris asked if the person from Henry County could do it all, and Mr. Trammell said he had not personally talked to him but that he thought he would be qualified.
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Board members expressed reservations about having two or three people sharing the duties. They were in agreement that whoever is hired would be paid as an independent contractor, not be an employee.
Mr. Norris questioned how important it is to have someone immediately, and Mr. Trammell said every day we lose is a day we get further behind.
Mr. Norris said he was not comfortable with someone working on our system who he hasn’t seen the credential on.
Mr. Trammell gave board members a memo on how the situation was being handled since Finance Director Kathy Thomason resigned last week. She gave a two week notice, but is using leave time to fulfill that. In addition, Becky McMicheal, the bookkeeper, had previously given her notice, and last Thursday was her last day.
Mr. Trammell reported that Technology Director Morad El-Jourbagy is working as the system’s security office with the Department of Education.
Mr. Trammell also reported that there is a problem at the high school with class sizes being over the maximum allowable number. His suggested was to hire a paraprofessional to work with In School Suspension, and moving the individual currently doing that job back into a certified teaching position, opening up room in several classes. The board asked how it is determined which students would have to be moved. The board also expressed concern about hiring another individual, even a parapro, since it would cost the board some $19,000+.
Mr. Trammell said it is a problem, but that those upperclassmen who need the class for graduation would be given priority. He assured them that some of the students would be happy to be moved to a physical education class. Many of the overages are in the classes of Mrs. Amy Scroggs, who teaches business. She is over class size every period.
Mr. Trammell said this week that 18 of the vocational education classes are over class size. Generally the overage is slight, such as 28 are allowed, and there are 30 in the class. He said the actual classrooms are equipped for that many students, so that is not a problem.
Board members asked Mr. Trammell to seek waivers from the state Department of Education, allowing the classes to remain over. He was not optimistic that they would be granted., but he reported this week that the waivers had been granted, so the classes could remain as they are.
Mr. Trammell also informed board members that there are some 50 sixth graders who have not received required vaccinations. He said the school is making every effort to contact parents by phone, mail, or whatever means available. However, 30 days into the school year, the waiver expires and those students who have not shown proof of vaccination will be sent home, and will not be allowed to return until they are vaccinated. He pointed out this is state law.
Mr. Trammell also reported he had received verification from the state that the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST) collections would not lag if a renewal is approved next July.
Lastly, Mr. Trammell said the health department is asking schools to keep up with the number of students who are absent with flu-like symptoms. Last Wednesday, the last day available to report at Friday’s meeting, 112 students were absent, and 27 had flu-like symptoms.
(See articles on the seasonal flu and H1N1 virus elsewhere in today’s paper.)
