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Mar 20th, 2021 - 19:09:20 |
Tuesday’s monthly Board of Education meeting was a very busy one. The meeting room had many visitors to begin as Teachers of the Year for each school were recognized. The teachers were chosen by colleagues.
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| L-R: BCPS Assistant Principal Emily Bryant, Jessica R. Holland, BCPS Principal Quint Floyd, Dr. Steve Smith, Jackie Bowen. |
Each teacher received a check presented by State Bank of Cochran president Jackie Bowen as well as two Subway Gift Cards. Honored were: Bleckley Primary, Jessica R. Holland. Bleckley Elementary, Holly R. Garnto.
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| L-R BCES Assistant Principal Hillary Barker, Holly Garnto, BCES Principal Jenny Brooks, Smith and Bowen. |
Bleckley County Middle School, Megan Pittman. Bleckley County High School, Megan Pittman. Bleckley County Success Academy, Jessica Holland (unable to attend.)
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| L-R: Megan Pittman, BCMS Principal Carla Thrower, Smith and Bowen. |
Following the presentation, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith then noted it was National School Board Member Appreciation Week. He thanked the BOE members for their willingness to serve and “put children first.” Following the presentation, a majority of the guests departed as the regular business of the board began.
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| L-R: Wes Young, BCHS Principal Matt Gibbs, Smith and Bowen. |
Per a request from Smith, the board voted to move the June meeting from the 15th to the 8th in order to avoid a conflict with a recently scheduled superintendents conference. In an update regarding the new primary school, he said work remained ahead of schedule. Smith presented the OAC (owner, architect, contractor) report regarding the school and athletic renovations. You can view it by going to https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4014&MID=91298 and clicking on “D.”
Representatives from JCI Contractors will review the latest OAC at the April 13 meeting either in person or via Zoom. Continuing with the facilities report, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Trey Belflower provided an update on roof repairs at Bleckley Elementary saying materials needed for the work should be in within the next 2-3 weeks.
Several contracts were approved with funding to come from CARES funds. One was with Glimpse K-12 at a cost of $22,700 to provide a return on investment review of of program effectiveness and alignment with MAP Assessments for FY21 and Milestones for FY22.
Also approved was a district-wide contract with Edgenuity/Odysseyware at a cost of $105,982. The board approved the implementation of the FAST (Families and Students Together) program at a total cost of $112,919 for one year. The amount will include salary and benefits for two part-time staffers as well as operating costs. It was described as a support group for parents and guardians of students.
More info can be found via the graphic below or by going to the link above and clicking on “Contracts and Grants.” Smith noted that a grant for the program had been approved but no funding made available. Because his wife Regina was set to be coordinator, he made no attempt to explain the program or lobby board members to avoid any conflict of interests.
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| Information regarding the FAST Program. |
Per a recommendation from Smith who said the district’s attorney had reviewed and approved the language, the board approved the contract for certified employees.
There were numerous personnel moves made during the executive session. As previously mentioned, Regina Smith was transferred from Communities in Schools/Family Connection Grant Project Manager to FAST Coordinator. Vonda Bryant was also transferred from Elementary School counselor to FAST Employee. Both positions will be CARES Funded at 50 percent.
Another employee of note who will be paid with CARES Funding will be Tamiko Owens, going from CIS/FC Mental Health Counselor to District Mental Health Counselor.
The board approved the resignation “with regrets due to retirement” of BCHS teacher Brad Sanders. But they approved an agreement that will allow him to continue as head high school boys and girls tennis coach. An agreement was also passed allowing Shelly Cranford to continue as District Distance Coach. Those duties include being the head cross country coach for both BCMS and BCHS.
New hires include Will Connor who will be a BCHS teacher as well as the new defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach for Royals Football Hunter Spivey was hired as a high school SPED teacher and will coach tight ends and inside receivers for the Royals as well be an assistant track coach.
The hiring of another School Resource Officer to be paid with CARES Funds was approved with the understanding half the cost would be paid by the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Chris Smith would determine the placement of the officers, giving each main campus one SRO with the Sherriff’s Office coving half the cost for three of the four. They also approved the rules for the special supplement from the governor and state superintendent once approved by the state board of education.
Approved was the Certified Staffing Plan and Athletic Supplement and Staffing Plan for FY22 (excluding Jimmy Williams.) Williams was approved as BCHS teacher and boys varsity and JV soccer coach in a separate vote. Members Shanna Evans, Mike Sasser, Diane Lester, and Melissa Stewart voted yes. Member Amy Williams (wife of Jimmy Williams) abstained.
The athletic staffing plan listed a new position. BCHS Football and Competition Cheerleading head coach was named District Athletic Operations Assistant.
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by BleckleyProgess.com
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