School Board Members Tour New School; Approve 2006-2007 Professional Personnel
Construction on the Jasper County School System’s newest educational facility is progressing quite well and last week the entire school board witnessed that progress firsthand with a tour from Parrish Construction personnel.
The 45-minute tour provided a skeletal glimpse of how the 135,126 square foot facility will be set up. Perhaps the most dramatic visual was previewing the new gymnasium and athletic facility featuring 25-foot walls that gives the viewer the feel of a gladiator’s arena.
Other components of the new school that are now clearly visible included the eastern situated classrooms, the six room laboratory area, the main entrance and exit corridors, and a stadium-styled theater with seating capacity of 477.
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Project manager Dallas Smith confirmed last week that the school was on track for a Summer 2007 anticipated completion.
Following the tour to begin the discussion portion of the work session school board members were expecting to receive a report on Jasper County from Commission Chairman Jack Bernard, who was not in attendance.
School board members went on to discuss the 2007 instructional calendar, revised resolutions for local boards standards, membership renewal in the Oconee RESA program and legislative updates. All were approved during Tuesday’s business meeting.
With regard to the instructional calendar, students can look forward to starting school later than recent years thanks to system educators. The first day of school will be August 14 with Christmas holidays occupying December 18-January 2 and graduation occurring June 2.
Approval was also given to the Local School Board Standards that a five-person committee had been reviewing since September. The revision was on seven policies related to school board activities.
Continued membership in Oconee RESA was approved for an annual cost of $9,171.
The main topic of business Tuesday was to recommend and approve personnel for the 2005-2006 school year.
Termination was given to Michelle Harris, an assistant food service manager; resignations included Washington Park educators Meggie Cockeram and Jan Evans, middle school educators Jerome Petterson, Emily Pettengill, and Eddie Bonds, and high school educator Penney Stettler, effective this school year.
Current new employees include Jessica Davis as the central office secretary and Stephanie Gibson as a paraprofessional. End of the year retirees include primary school principal Mike Mize, middle school educator Dianne Davis, and gifted teacher Karen Ferrell-White.
New employees for 2006-2007 included Patsy Boykin as primary school educator; Amanda Hudson and Harriet Solomon as WPS educators. A transfer from middle school to high school English was granted to Marcia Hopper.
With the exception of those professional personnel resigning and retiring after this year, Supt. Jay Brinson recommended employment for all current employees at each school. His recommendation was approved with board member Paul Kelly abstaining from votes on Debby Kelly and Lisa Kelly.
Two overnight field trips were approved—the State Future Business Leaders of America competition and the All State Choral event.
During the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Brinson reviewed the monthly financial reports noting that the system has more funds in the bank this year as compared to last year at the same time because of earlier property tax collections.
Enrollment, adequate yearly progress attendance, social work, and health services updates were provided.
Supt. Brinson announced that National School Breakfast Week will kick-off today, Feb. 23 with a local visit from Roberto Salazar, USDA Food & Nutrition Service Administrator; Leadership Jasper graduation will be held Monday, Feb. 27 featuring Dudley Horton; and 673 parent conferences were conducted during early release week.
