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Apr 14th, 2021 - 19:12:42 |
It was another busy Tuesday night for the Board of Education with special recognition as well as a presentation regarding a literacy method. Presiding over the meeting was Vice Chair Amy Williams. Chair Mike Sasser attended via Zoom.
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| Dr. Steve Smith, Jennifer Edwards. Dr. Cindy Felkins. |
The first special recognition was GLRS (Georgia Learning Resources System) Special Education Teacher of the Year. That honor went to Jennifer Edwards. She was introduced by Director of Student Services Dr. Cindy Felkins, who read some of the positive comments made by fellow teachers.
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| Smith and Dr. Matt Godwin. |
Chelsea Maddox was recognized for not only her work in local Tri-County Special Olympics (including organizing a fun day for special needs students recently) but for receiving the Spirit of Special Olympics Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Matt Godwin was recognized for being named Georgia FBLA Administrator of the Year. Godwin accepted the FBLA New Advisor of the Year Award given to Emily Raley (unable to attend.)
Brett Diamon of JCI Contracts then led a discussion over the latest OAC (Owner, Architect, and Contractor) report regarding the new primary school and athletic renovation projects. Diamon went over things such as RFI (Requests For Information) and where different parts of the projects stood.
Diamon expressed a desire to have a GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) for the remaining athletic renovations because of market conditions regarding the price of steel. Following his presentation, on a suggestion from Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith, it was agreed to turn the May 4 work session into a called meeting so the GMP could be voted on as well as deal with any lingering personnel matters.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Lara Rowland then led a presentation on IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education) Orton-Gillingham training. It was described as more of a method of teaching phonics rather than a specific curriculum. She said it wouldn’t replace any current program but serve as aa supplement to current methods.
Approved was the purchase of a 72-passenger air conditioned Blue Bird bus from Yancey Bus Sales for the amount of $93,200. The state had approved the bus, they’ll reimburse the district for the cost minus air conditioning. Yancey was the only bidder as they’re the exclusive retailer of Blue Bird.
Bleckley Primary teachers Lesley Brown, Erin Loden, Jessica Holland, and Tammy Bivona (who had already undergone the training) gave demonstrations of how each used it in their classrooms and success stories. Principal Dr. Quent Floyd and assistant principal Emily Bryant also spoke of the program’s success.
On a recommendation from Smith, the board approved spending $75,710 from CARES funds for training. There was an understanding that the cost could vary depending upon the number of teachers who would be trained, but the variance wasn’t expected to exceed 10 percent of cost.
Approved was a cost-sharing agreement with the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office to pay $15,519.36 toward a new vehicle for lead School Resource Officer Chris Smith. It was noted during the discussion that the new resource officer had began and the Sheriff’s Office would be paying his salary for the remainder of the school year. The district will begin paying part of the salary when school resumes.
In presenting a preliminary FY22 budget, Smith noted a transfer of $2 million from the general fund to capital projects fund to help cover the expected remaining costs of the construction projects. He said they knew bond sales wouldn’t cover everything.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Trey Belflower provided an update on the roof repairs at Bleckley Elementary. He said work had been scheduled to begin at the end of last week but was delayed due to the chances of rain. Belflower said repairs should be completed by the end of this week.
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by BleckleyProgess.com
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