MINUTES FOR

WORTH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

BOARD MEETING

HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

AT WORTH COUNTY BOARD ROOM

AT 7:00 P.M.

The Worth County Board of Education met Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Worth County Board Room.

Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order.

Dr. Russ Chesser, Principal, Worth County High School, gave the invocation.

Chairman Jenkins led the pledge to the flag and welcomed visitors.

Board Members present were: William Jenkins, Melvin Jefferson, Mike Roberts, and Randy Bacon. Board Member, Jerry Jones, was absent. Also in attendance were Barbara Thomas, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools, and Clarence Miller, Board Attorney. Chairman Jenkins noted those members present and that a quorum was present to conduct business.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Randy Bacon made the motion to approve the agenda for August 9, 2012. Melvin Jefferson seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Rhonda Jones addressed the Board concerning her son, Jeremy Jones. Her concern was Jeremy not being promoted to the ninth grade even though he passed his CRCT tests. Dr. Thomas explained that Jeremy did not meet the criteria for being promoted. Even though he passed the CRCT, he failed two main academic courses. He was placed in the 8.5 program where Dr. Thomas stated she feels he can be successful.

Chairman Jenkins explained the 8.5 program is set up to help students so they can succeed in the ninth grade.

RECOGNITION(S), SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Reports

Lisa Deariso, Director of Finance, reported on the new insurance rate increase. The State Health insurance for classified personnel has been increasing. In the past, if classified personnel participated, the Board paid a portion but if they did not participate, the Board paid nothing. The rates for Worth County increased $154,000.00 from FY11 to FY12. The proposed increase from FY12 going forward is $150.00 per month per participant which equals $1,800.00 per year for roughly 140 participants, which equals approximately $250,000.00. This increase is for FY13, FY14, and FY15. We do not know what will happen after FY15. The increase for FY13 was built into the budget. In the past, certified participants rates were based on a percentage of their state base. For FY13, certified insurance is billed like classified. If the employee participates, the Board pays a portion and if not, the Board doesn’t pay. The annual cost for a certified T4, zero experience employee was $6,100.00 and now it will be $10,948.00. For a T5 employee with 21 years of experience the rate went from $10,717.00 to $10,948.00.

Recognitions

Mr. Josh Miller from Worth County High School reported on the Advanced Placement program and recognized students in the program earning a qualifying score of 3 or better on any AP exam in the Spring of 2012.

The Advanced Placement program affords students the opportunity to earn college credit while attending high school. Research shows that students who are successful in AP typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to graduate from college in four years.

Students recognized for earning a qualifying score of 3 or better on any AP exam in the spring of 2012 were:

English Literature and Composition, taught by Sharon Dupree Davis, - Madison Giddens, Jonathan Hamilton, Meri Houston, and Mary McDonald

Statistics, taught by Melissa Souter – Bysa Lawrence

United States History, taught by Josh Miller – Allan Black, Lance Botdorf, John Buchanan, Candace Cook, Deidra Green, Robert Greene, Matthew Marshall, Kelsey Powell, Brittany Ray, Heather Shemery, Cissy Siniard, Bristal Thompson, Dylan Walters, Tanner Watkins, Kari Webb, Emily Williams, and Amber Woodall

Reports Continued

SGM Russ Beard, Athletic Director, reported the athletic department has been working all summer on a heat program that mirrors the GHSA. Our goal is to have 0 heat injuries. Some of the preparations were:

(1)  High School coaches, Middle School coaches, Elementary School P.E. teachers and Primary School P.E. teachers attended the Phoebe Clinic this summer for training on heat related illnesses.

(2)  Having a five day acclimation period for all sports.

(3)  Purchase of lightning detectors.

(4)  Purchase of Wet Bulbs, an indicator to measure temperature, humidity in the air, and temperature rising through the day. Coaches measure the temperature every 15 minutes and record it.

(5)  Tubs were purchased for ice water.

(6)  Building a “cooling zone” building at the practice field.

SGM Beard reported each sport has an Emergency Action Plan instructing them where to go and how to control the crowd should an emergency occur. He stated, “Our goal is to protect our athletes and we are working toward getting a good system in place”.

Jim McMickin, Director of Technology, gave an update on E-Rate. He reported we learned on August 1st we would not be funded for funding year 2011. Hopefully, we will be funded 90% this year. We will not know until we get the numbers in October from Food Service on how many students are eating free.

Dr. Thomas reported we have a student teacher, Felecia Baisden, from Albany State University. She will be student teaching at Worth County Middle School in the 6th grade.

Dr. Thomas gave an update on our Partners in Education. She reported Worth County Primary School has 11, Worth County Elementary has 12, Worth County Middle School has 8, Worth County High School has 7, and we have 20 Partners at Large. These partners’ help throughout the year plays a very important part in our school system.

Dr. Thomas presented information to the Board on surrounding counties with Nonresident Students. She reported our current enrollment is 3,412 (no-shows have not been removed from this number). It would not put a strain on tax payers if the Board chose to accept these students. The maximum amount we could charge a student would be $1,662.66. The parent(s) would have the understanding there would be no transportation provided and we would look closely at discipline and attendance of the student. Chairman Jenkins stated we would have to develop specific guidelines to follow before accepting a nonresident student.

Chairman Jenkins suggested the Board look at and discuss accepting nonresident students and determine if they want to introduce this policy change for next year.

Dr. Thomas presented the GSBA Membership Information concerning the $300.00 Legal Defense Fund contribution the board requested at last month’s meeting. She reported school districts sometimes ask GSBA to provide amicus briefs in court cases. The legal defense fund was begun in order to meet those requests that have statewide implications for school boards.

OPEN AND AWARD BIDS

Opened bid to construct Steel Building for BOE Maintenance.

After opening the only bid received, Chairman Jenkins made the motion to rebid the steel building for a fully enclosed building for security purposes and also to rebid for the same specs as sent out previously.

Randy Bacon made the motion to approve as presented. Mike Roberts seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA

MINUTES

Consent to approve July 12, 2012 Board Meeting Minutes

Consent to approve July 23, 2012 Called Board Meeting Minutes

FINANCE

Consent to approve Expenditure Reports for July

Consent to approve Revision of Salary Schedules 2 and 13

Consent to approve Food Service (100% Complete) Report for June

Consent to approve Food Service Report for July

FIELD TRIPS

School / Group Name / Destination & Purpose / Date of Trip / Expenses Paid By
WCPS / Pre-K / Dawson - Mark's Melon Patch - Pre-K Instructional Field Trip / 10/26/2012 / Pre-K
WCPS / Pre-K / Sylvester - Fire Station - Instructional Field Trip / 9/14, 9/21/2012 / Pre-K
WCPS / TAG-3 / Albany - Flint RiverQuarium / 12/13/2012 / Group
WCPS / Wee Deliver / Sylvester - Post Office - Wee Delivery Program Training / 10/2,10/30, 11/27/2012, 1/2/2013 / School
WCES / Gifted - 4th gr. / Tifton - To participate in a Living History Workshop / 10/10/2012 / Gifted
WCES / Gifted - 5th gr. / Andersonville - To visit the Andersonville prison site / 10/23/2012 / Gifted
WCMS / Gifted / Kolomoki Mounds - Reinforcement of Woodland Era from GA Studies / 9/21/2012 / Gifted
WCMS / Y-Club / Ashburn - District Rally / 9/15/2012 / Club
WCMS / Girls of Promise / Albany - Albany State - GA College 411 campus visit to spark interest in college. History / 10/2/2012 / Group
WCMS / Yearbook / Albany - Albany Herald - Generate an interest in Journalism / 10/24/2012 / Yearbook
WCMS / Yearbook / Albany - WALB - Students may see news process in action / 10/24/2012 / Yearbook
WCMS / Junior Beta Club / Macon - Junior BETA Convention / 12/6-7/2012 / Club
WCMS / FFA / Moultrie - Spence Field - To attend Sunbelt Ag Expo / 10/17/2012 / FFA Members
WCMS / Chorus / Cordele - Regional All-Sate Aud. / 10/13/2012 / Parents
WCMS / Chorus / Albany - District Honor Choir / 11/3/2012 / Parents
WCMS / Chorus / WCPS - Veteran's Day Performance / Week of Nov. 5 / Chorus
WCMS / Chorus / Local TBA - Public Veteran's Day Performance / 11/11/2012 / Chorus
WCMS / Chorus / Sylvester - Jeffords Park - Night Out Against Crime Performance / 8/30/2012 / Chorus
WCMS / 6th gr. / Albany - Planetarium & Thronateeska / 9/21/2012 / Students
WCMS / Football / Wilcox - Football Game / 9/5/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Football / Fitzgerald - Football Game / 9/19/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Football / Crisp Co. - Football Game / 10/3/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Sp. Ed. / Albany - Okefenokee Swamp Exhibit - CBI / 8/31/2012 / Sp. Ed.
WCMS / Sp. Ed. / Tifton - Bowling - CBI / 9/28/2012 / Sp. Ed.
WCMS / Sp. Ed. / Albany - Chehaw Park - CBI / 10/26/2012 / Sp. Ed.
WCMS / Sp. Ed. / Albany - Olive Garden - Thanksgiving - CBI / 11/20/2012 / Sp. Ed.
WCMS / Sp. Ed. / Albany - Albany Mall - Christmas Shop - CBI / 12/12/2012 / Sp. Ed.
WCMS / Sp. Ed. / Tifton - Agrirama - CBI / 1/25/2013 / Sp. Ed.
WCMS / 7th Grade / Doerun - Tyson Steel Museum - Student Enrichmnet / 11/13,15/2012 / Students
WCMS / 7th Grade / Albany - Flint RiverQuarium - Student Enrichment / 1/18/2013 / Students
WCMS / 7th Grade / Albany - Thronateeska - Student Enrichment / 3/15/2013 / Students
WCMS / 8th Gr. Gifted / Albany - Albany Municipal Auditorium - To supplement Language Arts Gifted Curriculum / 10/1/2012 / Students
WCMS / Basketball / Crisp Co. - Basketball Game / 11/15/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Basketball / Turner Co. - Basketball Game / 11/29/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Basketball / Americus - Basketball Game / 12/6/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Basketball / Wilcox - Basketball Game / 12/12/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Basketball / Fitzgerald - Basketball Game / 12/13/2012 / Ath.
WCMS / Basketball / Hawkinsville - Basketball Game / 1/10/2013 / Ath.
WCMS / Basketball / Sumter - Basketball Game / 1/17/2013 / Ath.
WCMS / Cheerleaders / Fitzgerald - Cheer Competition / 9/22/2012 / CL
WCMS / Cheerleaders / Valdosta - Cheer Competition / 9/29/2012 / CL
WCMS / Cheerleaders / Tifton - Cheer Competition / 10/6/2012 / CL
WCMS / Cheerleaders / Moultrie - Cheer Competition / 10/13/2012 / CL
WCMS / Cheerleaders / WCHS - Cheer Competition / 10/27/2012 / N/A
WCMS / 8th Grade / Andersonville - Civil War Prison Camp & Museum - To visit the Civil War site & develop an understanding of the impact that the war and this facility had on Georgia / 11/9/2012 / WCMS
WCHS / Drama Club / Albany - Darton College - One-Act Play Competition / 10/15/2012 / Drama
WCHS / Drama Club / Atlanta - Shakesperean Tavern Performance / 1/18/2013 / Drama
WCHS / Basketball / Dooly Co. - Basketball Game / 11/20/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Nashville - Basketball Game / 11/27/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Americus - Basketball Game / 12/7/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Fitzgerald - Basketball Game / 12/8/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Albany - Basketball Game / 12/11/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Edison - Basketball Game / 12/18/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Warner Robins - Basketball Game - Christmas Tournament / 12/27,28,29/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Albany - Monroe - Basketball Game / 1/11/2013 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Newton - Basketball Game / 1/12/2013 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Cordele - Basketball Game / 1/18/2013 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Cairo - Basketball Game / 1/22/2013 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Albany - Dougherty - Basketball Game / 2/1/2013 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Albany - Westover - Basketball Game / 2/5/2013 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Cordele - Basketball Game / 12/1/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Basketball / Albany - Basketball Game / 12/10/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Spirit Cheerleaders / Adel - Football Game / 8/31/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Spirit Cheerleaders / Tifton - Football Game / 9/14/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Spirit Cheerleaders / Cairo - Football Game / 10/12/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Spirit Cheerleaders / Albany - Football Game / 10/26/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Spirit Cheerleaders / Albany - Football Game / 11/9/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Cheerleaders (Spirit & Comp.) / Columbus - COTY Tryouts / 8/11/2012 / Club
WCHS / JROTC / Dooly Co. - Competition / 9/20/2012 / CTAE
WCHS / JROTC / Crisp Co. - Competition / 9/27/2012 / CTAE
WCHS / JROTC / Wilcox Co. - Competition / 10/4/2012 / CTAE
WCHS / JROTC / Turner Co. - Competition / 10/11/2012 / CTAE
WCHS / JROTC / Crisp Co. - Competition / 10/27/2012 / CTAE
WCHS / FBLA / Perry - GA Nat'l. Fairgounds - Fall Motivational Rally / 10/11/2012 / Club/Students
WCHS / FBLA / Athens - Classic Center - Fall Leadership Conference / 11/14-15/2012 / Club/Students
WCHS / FFA / Thomasville - Region FFA Competitions / 9/25/2012 / FFA
WCHS / FFA / Moultrie - Sunbelt Ag Expo / 10/16/2012 / FFA
WCHS / FFA / Indianapolis, IN - National FFA Convention / 10/22-27/2012 / FFA
WCHS / FFA / Albany - Albany Fair - FFA Region Competitions / 11/9/2012 / FFA
WCHS / FFA / Ocilla - Region FFA Competitions / 11/15/2012 / FFA
WCHS / FFA / Tifton - ABAC - Region FFA Competitions / 12/6/2012 / FFA
WCHS / FFA / Tifton - ABAC - Region FFA Competitions / 1/17/2013 / FFA
WCHS / Skills USA / St. Simons Island - Fall Leadership Conference / 9/13-15/2012 / Skills USA
WCHS / Skills USA / Perry - Champions Rally Oct. Nationals / 10/5/2012 / Skills USA
WCHS / Yearbook / Sylvester - Downtown - Senior Superlative Pictures for Yearbook / 10/26/2012 / Yearbook
WCHS / Chorus / Tifton - ABAC - To attend Choral Day / 11/2/2012 / Students
WCHS / Cross Country / Perry - Cross Country Meet / 8/25/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Lee Co. - Cross Country Meet / 9/8/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Bainbridge - Cross Country Meet / 9/22/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Albany - Free Invitational / 9/27/2012 / Free
WCHS / Cross Country / Thomasville - Cross Country Meet / 9/29/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Albany - Cross Country Meet / 10/6/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Albany - Free Invitational / 10/10/2012 / Free
WCHS / Cross Country / Albany - Free Invitational / 10/17/2012 / Free
WCHS / Cross Country / Tifton - Cross Country Meet / 10/13/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Thomasville - Cross Country Meet / 10/20/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Carrollton - Cross Country Meet / 10/27/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Cross Country / Albany - Region Cross Country Meet / 11/3/2012 / Ath.
WCHS / Band / Away Football Games - Team Spirit / 8/31,9/14,10/12,10/26, 11/9/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Band / Sylvester - Local Parades / 10/20,Dec./2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Band / Albany - District Jamboree - Festival / 9/15/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Band / Blackshear - Sound of Silver - Competition / 10/13/2012 / Boosters
WCHS / Band / Troy, AL - Southeastern US Band Clinic / 1/13-2/2/2013 / Boosters
WCHS / Band / Atlanta - Chick-Fil-A Bowl Performance / Dec. 2013 / Boosters

FUND RAISERS