Board acts on routine items at regular meeting

Routine items of business were the order of the day at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, March 6.

During the meeting, each board member was recognized by Dr. Randall Edmunds, Lincoln County school superintendent, and thanked for his service on the board in observance of "School Board Member Appreciation Week" in Georgia.

Chairman Robert Williams and board members Robert Hearst, Becky Reed, Gail Remsen, and Wayne Williford were also presented with certificates of appreciation by the superintendent.

In other business, the board:

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that the system's annual Articulation Agreement with Augusta Tech was signed on February 22. The purpose of the agreement is to coordinate efforts to ensure a smooth transition of students from high school into area postsecondary institutions.

A sampling of the courses which a student can take at LCHS and receive credit through Augusta Tech is as follows: Introduction of Automotive Technology, Foundations of Automotive Service Technology, Principles of Accounting I, Computer Applications, Introduction to Drafting Technology, Early Childhood Education, Child Development and Parenting, General Horticulture, Soil Science Technology, and Agriculture Mechanics Technology.

.. Voted to commit an additional $61,789 in the FY 2008 Budget so that the full E-Rate funding of $373,473 can be obtained.

Basically, the system is allocating a total of $169,369 to receive $373,473 in federal E-Rate funds which will be used to upgrade or replace the system's computer infrastructure or internal connections (network, cable television, security, and media center cabling structures).

Prior to awarding the grant, the federal government has to receive assurance from the system that matching funds are available for the project. In order not to place too much of a strain on the budget, the board decided to stretch the project out over a period of two years. In fact, the $61,789 in the FY 2008 Budget represents the system's final installment.

.. Voted to elect Robert Hearst to serve as vice chairman of the group.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that LCHS students Abigail Minor and Nikolas Spens have qualified to compete in policy debate at two national tournaments to be held in Wichita, Kansas, and Houston, Texas, this summer. Also receiving an invitation to the Houston tournament was T.J. Carani.

.. Was informed by the superintendent that three Lincoln County students, Cindy Juhasz, Oliver Mongrue, and Jessica Tate, will be traveling to Australia and New Zealand this summer with the People to People Student Ambassador Program.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that the Emory University School of Medicine and School of Public Health will conduct a survey of LCMS parents concerning the influenza vaccine and school-based immunization programs.

.. Reviewed financial reports for the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Fund through February 28, 2007, and the General Fund for the period from July 1, 2006, through February 28.

.. Voted to approve a memorandum of understanding between the board and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia calling for the board to allocate $31,755 to help provide 4-H services to Lincoln County youth. The amount will be matched by Lincoln County Government.

.. Voted to authorize Superintendent Edmunds to file an application with the State of Georgia Student and Youth Coordinating Council to provide $50,000 in grant monies for outreach services for 65 at-risk students in grades 6-12.

.. Voted to approve a request made by the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce for use of the LCHS Auditorium for the annual Little Mr. and Miss Pageant set for June 9.

.. Voted to approve a request for selected band students to travel to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton for a festival and workshop March 30-31.

.. Voted to approve a resolution for local school system membership in the CSRA Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) for the 2007- 2008 school year. The cost is $5,252.

.. Heard the second reading of revisions to the Noncertificated Personnel and Evaluation of Secretary policies and of the proposed Supervision of Students Policy.

The policies were approved as read.

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

.. Voted accept the resignation of Lacey Land-Reed from her substitute teaching position, effective March 6, 2007.

.. Voted to accept the retirement of Larry Stewart from his paraprofessional position at LCMS/LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Jason Flanders from his teaching position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Nancy Jones from the assistant principal position at LCES, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Roxanna Blackwell from her teaching position at LCMS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation and retirement of Yvonne Morris from her teaching position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the retirement of Cherrie Campbell from her teaching position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Shawn Davis from his teaching position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Lee Chomskis from his teaching position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Candace Chomskis from her teaching position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to approve Shawn Davis to serve at the will of the board as the In-School Suspension paraprofessional starting with the 2007- 2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Felicia Millering to serve as a teacher at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Joseph Hogan to serve as a teacher at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Deborah Deason and Britt McKinney to serve as teachers at LCHS for the 2007- 2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Roderick Hilton for an extended-day contract to serve in middle school administration for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Pete Stokes to serve as the lead custodian for a portion of the work day at LCMS/ LCHS.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at the board office on Metasville Road.