Community News
If school, sports ban ends, extracurricular activities could resume before April 13.
By Dave Whitaker
Mar 18, 2020, 18:36

Though schools are closed due to COVID-19, Tuesday’s monthly Board of Education dealt with a myriad of topic including the impact of the virus shutdown on student athletes. Athletic director Von Lassiter was in attendance to speak on that.

Lassiter mentioned the GHSA had suspended all games and practices through March 31 following Governor Brian Kemp’s closing of all schools through the same date. He said he’d spoken with other athletic directors in the region and they all had a desire to finish the current seasons if possible. Should the GHSA allow sports to resume on April 1, he said they would work to ensure all seasons would be completed in some fashion.

That could include playing into the summer. Additionally, if practices and games were allowed to resume, board members indicated they would be willing to amend the current order which cancels everything until April 13, the day students return from spring break.

The desire would be to let teams resume practicing during spring break even if games couldn’t be played as well as letting clubs resume activities and students who will be competing in state literary competition (when it’s rescheduled) to practice.

Teachers of the Year were to be recognized but that was postponed due to space limitations in the meeting room. They will be recognized at the May 19 meeting which will be held in the high school auditorium.

In his Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Steve Smith referenced the school district’s FSER (Financial Efficiency Star Rating.) It’s based upon three-year CCRPI scores and three-year per-pupil expenditures. On a five-point scale, Bleckley has a 4.5 rating. He said only three districts in the state had a higher rating. School-wise, Bleckley Elementary had a 4.5 rating. BCMS went up from a 3.5 to 4.0. BCHS was again a 4.0.

On a recommendation from Smith, the board voted unanimously to approve the leasing of modular units by accepting the BuyBoard national bid price from Mobile Modular. The units will be used for Pre-K classrooms during construction of the new primary school from May 2020-22. The cost breakdown is as follows. Installation- $70,329. Monthly rent-$15,797. Removal- $50,944.

The board had planned pass a resolution to issue bonds which will be used to pay for the new primary school. However, following a conversation with the head trader at Raymond James (bond issuer) as well as current market volatility due to the coronavirus, Smith withdrew his recommendation to pass the resolution. It was tabled until the April 14 meeting unless a called meeting is held to act on them sooner.

From the executive session, the board accepted the resignation of, “with regret due to retirement,” Michelle Dyal, Success Academy principal, effective June 1. Also approved were coaching assignments and supplements for FY21. While the list is subject to change, one noticeable area currently marked “vacant” for FY21 are spots for One Act Play Coordinator and Royal Singers/Beta Club Show Choir director which for years has been Kelli Greer.

Greer has fostered the acting and musical talents of BCHS students into success in all areas including multiple region titles in both one act and literary, two state runners up in literary, and a national title for Beta Club Show Choir last year. Read the entire list by going to
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4014&AID=1139012&MID=84500


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