BOE reviews preliminary budget for FY 2008

The Lincoln County Board of Education recognized the Girls Class A State Championship Trio at its regular meeting held Tuesday, May 1. During the meeting, the trio sang "The Mouse Madrigal," an a cappella folk song arranged by Stephen Porter. Pictured are: (l-r) Carolee Hobbins, choral music teacher at LCHS; Sarah Herring; Ashley Rivera; and Jaimie Turner.

The preliminary budget for FY 2008 was discussed by the Lincoln County Board of Education at its regular meeting held Tuesday, May 1.

During the discussion period, the board asked comptroller Kaye Bufford to review the proposed $12,812,432 budget for possible reductions and resubmit it to the group at its regular June meeting.

The preliminary budget reflects a $972,273 increase over last year's budget of $11,840,159 and a deficit of $387,231 in the revenue column.

"The problem we are facing is there is not enough state money to cover our yearly expenditures," said Lincoln County School Superintendent Randall Edmunds. "The state has mandated a three-percent raise for all certificated personnel, bus drivers, and school food service workers. This doesn't include the teachers whose positions are not funded by FTE earnings, paraprofessionals, maintenance and custodial workers, and secretaries."

According to the superintendent, local tax dollars are needed to bridge the gap between state monies and the actual cost of the mandated raises. The system likewise has to use local money to fund raises for personnel not covered by the mandate.

It will take about $400,000 in local tax dollars to fund all of the raises.

Other issues impacting the budget include:

.. The employer's share of the cost of employee health insurance has increased about two percent. "We are not receiving enough money from the state to cover the increase," said Dr. Edmunds.

.. The system will not receive any state funds to offset inflation in regard to the purchase of textbooks, teaching supplies, and custodial and maintenance supplies.

.. "The state is not giving us as much money this year for transportation," said the superintendent. "The maintenance and repair of buses as well as the cost of fuel have increased - these increases present us with yet another local expense."

Edmunds went on to say, "It's frustrating. We have to cover these extra expenses without much help from the state - in some cases, there is no help from the state."

+ Approximately $200,000 in local tax dollars was added to the budget to replace the roof at LCES.

.. The system lost equalization monies because the millage rate dropped last year. "Systems receive more state funding when they participate at a higher millage rate," said Dr. Edmunds.

The board hopes to adopt a tentative FY 2008 Budget when it meets on Tuesday, June 5.

In other business, the board recognized the Girls Class A State Championship Trio, comprised of Sarah Herring, Jaimie Turner, and Ashley Rivera, as well as Carolee Hobbins, choral music teacher at LCHS.

The girls captured the state title at the Class A State Literary Meet held March, 17, at Northside High School in Warner Robins.

During the meeting, the trio treated those present to a performance of "The Mouse Madrigal," an a cappella folk song arranged by Stephen Porter.

In further business, Dr. Edmunds informed the board that the average score for LCMS students on the Georgia Grade 5 Writing Assessment was higher than those posted by the 12-county area served by CSRA RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) and the state as a whole.

The average scores were as follows: LCMS, 213; CSRA RESA, 202; and the state, 209.

"We are very proud of the students, teachers, and staff at LCES for this achievement," said the superintendent. "All of their hard work has certainly paid off."

Also during the meeting, the board:

.. Voted to remove the designation on the graduation programs at LCHS that denote those students who received certificates instead of diplomas during commencement exercises.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that Benton Willis, a teacher at LCMS, has received Master Teacher certification. The Georgia Master Teachers Certification Program is designed to achieve Governor Sonny Perdue's goal of providing statewide recognition for certified public school teachers with at least three years of teaching experience in Georgia, who consistently demonstrate excellence in the classroom through gains in student achievement.

.. Reviewed financial reports for the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Fund through April 30, 2007, and the General Fund for the period from July 1, 2006, through April 30, 2007.

.. Voted to approve the Textbook Adoption Plan for the 2007-2008 school year. The system is currently purchasing mathematics text books for K-8, and next year, will be adopting mathematics textbooks for 9-12 and science books for K-12.

.. Voted to approve the FY 2008 Perkins IV Transition Local Plan for Improving Career and Technical Edu- cation. The vocational plan is approved annually by the board.

.. Voted to declare selected computer equipment as surplus and donate it to the Lincolnton Police Department.

.. Voted to approve amendments to the FY 2007 Budget which basically serve to shift monies around to accommodate a larger ending fund balance for FY 2006 than what was projected and differences in grant amounts from the state, compared to what was expected.

.. Voted to revise the LCES Promotion and Retention Policy. Currently, students must pass reading and math to be promoted to the next grade. The revised policy states they must also pass at least two additional subjects, such as science and social studies, in order to progress to the next grade level.

In a related item of business, the board heard the first reading of revisions to the Promotion and Retention of Students in Grades K-12 Policy which serve to incorporate the changes made at LCES into the system's overall policy.

.. Voted to accept the low bid of $11,140 from Melton Painting Company to paint 43 classrooms at LCES.

.. Voted to grant approval for the LCHS Band to visit Six Flags and White Water in Atlanta May 28-29.

.. Voted to grant approval for two LCHS students to attend the NFL(National Forensic League) National Tournament June 15-23 in Wichita, Kansas, and for one high school student to compete in the NCFL(National Catholic Forensic League) Grand National Tournament set for May 25-28 in Houston, Texas.

.. Voted to approve a request made by Beth Ashmore to hold a baton class recital in the LCHS Auditorium on May 25, with practices scheduled for May 22 and May 24.

.. Voted to approve the following summer school programs for LCES, LCMS, and LCHS:

(1) Those LCHS students who have failed a course and must retake it for credit may do so from 8 a.m. until 3:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday, May 31 through June 28, with the exception of June 1. Language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies will be offered.

Tuition is $150 for in-county students and $350 for out-of-county students. Breakfast and lunch will be served each day.

Registration is set for Tuesday, May 29. Each class will be limited to 18 students.

(2) Remediation classes for those Lincoln County junior and seniors who failed one or more sections of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) will be held from 8 until 11:40 a.m. and from 12:10 until 3:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday, May 31 through June 28, with the exception of June 1. Students may attend both morning and afternoon sessions if necessary.

There is no tuition fee.

Registration is scheduled for May 29.

(3) Summer school will be held at LCMS for those students who have failed a course and must retake it to meet promotion requirements. The sessions will take place from 8 until 11:40 a.m. and from 12:10 until 3:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday, May 31 through June 28, with the exception of June 1. Students may sign up for one or both sessions. Language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies courses will be offered. There is no tuition fee for Lincoln County students. Transportation and meals will be provided.

Registration will take place May 29. Each class will be limited to 18 students.

(4) LCMS will offer a summer remediation program for those eighthgrade students who failed to meet state standards on the reading and/or math section of the CRCT (Criterion Referenced Competency Test), administered this spring. Parents of the students selected to take part in the program will be notified individually in accordance with the state's promotion policy.

(5) LCES will offer a third and fifthgrade remediation program for students who did not pass the CRCT during the spring administration of the test. Parents of the students selected to participate will be contacted individually.

(6) LCES will offer a summer reading/ math camp for designated early intervention students in grades K-4. Parents of the students selected to take part in the camp will be notified individually.

Superintendent Edmunds said he expects tuition, along with state and federal funding, to cover all of the expenses associated with the various summer school programs.

.. Was informed by the superintendent that the system received the "2006 Award for Excellence" from the Georgia Education Workers Compensation Trust for "outstanding accomplishments with employee safety."

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) has announced its reclassification requirements for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Preliminary reports indicate that Washington- Wilkes will return to Class A.

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

.. Voted to release Felicia Millering from her 2007-2008 teaching contract.

.. Voted to release Rachel Kiernan from her 2007-2008 teaching contract.

.. Voted to accept the resignation of Yolanda Jackson from her paraprofessional position at LCHS, effective at the end of the current school year.

.. Voted to approve Al Dawkins and Angel Kamara to serve as summer school teachers.

.. Voted to approve Mallory Shadrick for a teaching contract at LCHS for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Vivian Jennings for a teaching position at LCES for the 2007-2008 school year.

.. Voted to approve Kelli Robertson for a teaching position at LCES for the 2007-2008 school year.