School improvement projects were under discussion at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, September 5.

During the meeting, the board approved a Capital Outlay Project application for state funding in the amount of $567,692 for renovations and modifications at LCES.

The majority of the funds will be used to replace the roof at the school. Other projects include painting, replacing eight HVAC units, replacing the floor covering in designated areas, modernizing the restrooms, and replacing the lighting in hallways with more energy efficient fixtures.

The work at LCES should begin at some point next year, provided the funds are approved by the General Assembly.

In other business, the board authorized School Superintendent Randall Edmunds to proceed with plans for the construction of a softball field, a baseball field, and a multi-purpose soccer field surrounded by a track on land adjacent to the board of education office on Metasville Road. The project also includes the construction of an access road to the property which is the site of the new school currently on the drawing board.

The athletic venues and access road will be funded in part using $550,000 in SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) monies earmarked for these items.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Superintendent Edmunds said he will contact One Source Development, a land development consulting service in Martinez, and ask the company to draw up a proposal for the project.

The plans will be brought to the board for final approval.

In further business, Dr. Edmunds informed the board that the Georgia Accrediting Commission has certified that LCES, LCMS, LCHS, and the system as a whole have all received the designation of "Accredited with Quality" for the 2006-2007 school year.

Also during the meeting, the board:

Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that Larry Campbell, head football coach and athletic director at LCHS, is currently the third winningest football coach in the United States.

"I think he will be able to reach the milestone of 400 wins this year," stated the superintendent.

+ Was presented with individual certificates of recognition by Dr. Edmunds from the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) for successfully completing board member training requirements for the 20052006 school year. The board members receiving certificates were Chairman Robert Williams, Becky Reed, Robert Hearst, and Wayne Williford.

Was informed by the superintendent that the Lincoln County School System was recognized for the success it has achieved in implementing SchoolMAX, an electronic student information system.

Was informed by Edmunds that the system will receive a state grant to help equip a health occupations lab for LCHS in preparation for the 20072008 school year.

Heard the superintendent report that 1,385 students were enrolled in Lincoln County Schools at the end of August. The total was 1,401 last year.

Agreed that Dr. Williams will continue to serve as the legislative liaison for the board.

Agreed that Becky Reed will represent the board on the Attendance Protocol Committee.

Reviewed financial reports for the SPLOST Fund through August 31, 2006, the final General Fund for FY 2006, and the General Fund for the period from July 1, 2006, through August 31, 2006.

The board also looked at quarterly school reports for the period from April 1, 2006, through June 30, 2006.

Voted to grant approval for the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce to use the LCHS Auditorium on October 21 for the annual Junior Miss and Miss Lincoln County Pageant.

Voted to approve a request made by Whole Life Ministries for use of the LCHS Auditorium for a prayer and praise rally. The date for this function has yet to be determined.

Voted to allow the Help a Child Smile Mobile Dental Program serve Lincoln County Schools. The motion was approved on a 4-1 vote with Reed voting against the motion.

Voted to approve requests for fund-raising activities at LCES, LCMS, and LCHS.

Voted to approve requests for overnight field trips for students at LCES, LCMS, and LCHS.

Voted to approve the sale of old buses at an auction set for Friday, September 22.

Reviewed the following policies: School Law Tribunals and Appeals, Personnel (Special Education Coordinator), Personnel Evaluation, and High School Graduation Requirements. The policies were accepted without any changes.

Voted to grant a request made by a parent, who works in Lincoln County but has recently made a temporary move to an adjoining county, that her child be allowed to continue to attend school in Lincoln County.

Voted to enter into executive session to deliberate upon the employment of personnel. Upon returning to regular session, the board: Voted to approve the following

as substitute teachers: Maurice Andrews, Beth Ashmore, Kathy Bentley, Kimberly Belangia, Joshua Blohm, Lynn Brantley, Faye Butler, Lynn Collins, Caroline Glaspie, Nakita Hearst, Amanda Hill, Latisha Jenkins, William Kirby, Lacey Land, Dorothy Leverett, Gwendolyn Neal, Theresa Norman, Bill Partridge, Paulette Randall, Regina Reid, Tiffani Robinson, Janice Rosser, Emma Smith, Navadrick Stokes, Gloria Tutt, and Natale Wojciechowski.

Voted to approve Tina Brand to serve at the will of the board as an interpreter for a deaf student, effective August 21, 2006.

Voted to approve Regina Reid to serve at the will of the board as the graduation coach for LCHS.

Voted to approve Inez Hall to serve at the will of the board in a parttime school food service position at LCES.

Voted to approve Franklin Freeman and Billy Ray Parham to serve as substitute bus drivers contingent upon their meeting all local, state, and federal requirements.

Voted to approve Sherry Beeland, Tykyesha Holloway, and Theresa Norman to serve as substitute school food service workers.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held Tuesday, October 3, at 7 p.m. at the board office on Metasville Road.