Community News
Board of Education adds schools for new security services. ***Revised July 19***
By Dave Whitaker
Jul 18, 2018, 22:56

Bleckley County Middle School and Bleckley County Success Academy will be getting the same security services provided by Seilox originally planned for BCHS. The Board of Education voted to add them at last night’s monthly meeting.

According to the minutes, an email from the Georgia Department of Education said the $41,118 grant for school safety that will be used to pay for the service did not require matching funds. Both schools were already part of future plans to add Seilox if it works well at BCHS. The total money used from the grant to install at all three schools is $28,336.76.

Breakfast and lunch for students at Bleckley Pre-K, Bleckley Primary, and BCES will again be free as the board approved the Community Eligibility Provision of the 2010 Healthy Hungry Kids Act. Eligibility is based upon identification of students in the school as of April 1 of this year.

BCSA already participates in the program and will continue. Renewal of the provision allows for the continuation of free breakfast to be served at all schools including BCMS and BCHS.

A revised BCMS student handbook, changes to the BCES handbook, the FY19 Student Code of Conduct, and a new attendance policy for BCHS were all approved. Highlights of the policy include forfeiture of driving and parking privileges, not being allowed to attend prom, and seniors being banned from participation in senior week activities upon the 17th absence, excused or unexcised.

Conversely, any student with four or fewer absences will receive a “gold card” allowing for entry into any regular season sporting event or extracurricular activity. Students will still be allowed to exempt finals with an 85 above average, ten or fewer absences (excused or unexcused) in a year-long class, five or fewer in a semester-long class, and no ISS or OSS referrals during the school year. All the documents are available by going to simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/ViewMeetingOrder.aspx?S=4014&MID=70804 The items are at letter "E."

Also approved were a revised employee handbook, professional learning manual, and athletic handbook. View them by going to
simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/ViewMeetingOrder.aspx?S=4014&MID=70804 The handbooks are at letter "G."

From the executive session, the board accepted the resignation of John Stanley, who was a BCHS parapro and ISS coordinator. Stanley, who’s been a part of the athletic coaching staff for years, was listed as returning to his duties as assistant girls basketball coach, JV girls basketball coach, and assistant track coach, on the FY19 Athletic Staffing Plan approved June 19.

When asked via email if Stanley's resignation meant the athletic staffing plan would change, Superintendent Steve Smith said it did. Speaking of Smith, the board approved a new contract for him during the executive session.


© Copyright 2015 by BleckleyProgress.com