The average scores for LCMS students on the Georgia Grade 8 Writing Assessment were higher than those in the 12-county area served by CSRA RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) and the state as a whole.

The announcement was made at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, April 10.

The average scores were as follows: LCMS, 215; CSRA RESA, 203; and the state, 207.

In his comments, School Superintendent Randall Edmunds stated, "It is evident that the teachers, staff, and students are working hard to improve in writing, and I'm proud to see these efforts reflected in the scores."

In other business, the board:

..Reviewed financial reports for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through March 31, 2007, and the General Fund for the period from July 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007.

Concerning the SPLOST Fund, Dr. Edmunds said, "March collections were a little bit lower than they were for March of 2006. This has happened twice this year."

He went on to add that the system will reach the maximum it can collect on the current SPLOST in about two months. However, a letter from the Georgia Department of Revenue states that collections will continue through the month of June even though the system will exceed the amount specified in the SPLOST referendum five years ago.

"The money has to be applied toward debt reduction," according to the superintendent.

In remarks on the General Fund, Dr. Edmunds pointed out that to date, the system has only collected 21 percent of the approximately $200,000 budgeted as revenues from Impact Aid, which is paid to the county by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in lieu of property taxes. "We expect to get another payment by July 1; if not, we have other revenues, so it won't be a problem."

.. Voted to approve middle school fund-raising requests.

.. Voted to adopt a resolution certifying the results of the Special Election held on March 20.

.. Voted to approve Robert Hearst to serve as the group's delegate to the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Delegate Assembly set for June 22 and 23 in Savannah. The board further approved Becky Reed to serve as the alternate delegate.

.. Voted to extend the system's contract with VHS, Inc., at a cost of $8,500, to provide virtual high school courses at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that according to the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia leads the nation in the use of technology in education.

In fact, Georgia is one of just four states that have technology standards for students and tests on those standards. Moreover, about 65 percent of Georgia's students have a computer in the classroom, which is much higher than the national average of 49.5 percent.

.. Reviewed bids for transforming a computer lab in the vocational building at LCHS into a health sciences classroom.

Once renovated, the classroom will feature three patient areas, each with a bed, counter and cabinet space, a sink, and privacy curtains. The beds, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, etc. will be purchased using grant funds from the state.

At the conclusion of the discussion, a bid of $25,420.40 from Harding Custom Cabinets of Lincolnton was approved.

.. Voted to accept a proposal from Goldman Construction for a concession and filming building at the baseball field, located in the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex. The board allocated $3,089.62 for the project, which is half of the projected cost, with the understanding that the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will be responsible for the balance.

.. Was informed that plans for the multi-purpose building, proposed by the parents and coaches of cheerleaders at LCHS, had not received state approval.

The board then voted to ask Superintendent Edmunds to obtain an architect's estimate on a multi- purpose facility that would meet all state requirements.

The facility, which will be located on the LCMS/LCHS campus, will be used to alleviate over-crowding in the gymnasium during inclement weather and give the cheerleaders a place to practice their competitive routines.

.. Reviewed bus bids with Ficklen Guin, transportation director for the system. The board then voted to purchase one 48-passenger, airconditioned bus from Nalley Bus Group at a cost of $67,214.

In his comments, Director Guin noted that the state is continuing to pass on transportation costs to local school systems.

.. Voted to approve a request from the LCHS Debate Team to compete in the Richard B. Russell All-State Debate Tournament April 20 and 21 in Atlanta.

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

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Ashley Walker from her teaching position at LCES, effective at the end of the 2006-2007 school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Edie Murray from her teaching position at LCES, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Lee Chomskis from his teaching position at LCHS, effective March 15, 2007.

.. Voted to accept the disability retirement of Barbara Smith from her teaching position at LCES, effective March 13, 2007.

.. Voted to approve Brian Campbell to serve as assistant superintendent for instruction for the 2007-2008 school year. Campbell is currently serving as the associate principal for curriculum and instruction at Lakeside High School in Columbia County.

.. Voted to approve Christie Mattison to serve as assistant principal at LCES for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Sheila Wilkes for a teaching position at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve George Roberts for a teaching position at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Kathryn Harper for a teaching position at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Nancy Pund for a teaching position at LCMS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve coaching supplement adjustments.