Board informed of GHSA reclassification proposal

Routine business was the order of the day at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, December 4.

During the meeting, the board:

.. Reviewed the financial reports for the General Fund, the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Fund, and the Construction Fund.

According to Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of schools, collections on the "new" SPLOST began on July 1 of this year. "So far, revenues are looking better than they did this time last year," he said, adding, "We're off to a good start."

As for the General Fund, the superintendent said, "Everything is running close to what we expected with revenues and expenditures. The good news is our fund balance has increased about $20,000 due to the influx of tax monies."

.. Heard the superintendent announce that Monty Stephens will return as the ag-4-H agent for the Lincoln County UGA Cooperative Extension Office. He will assume his duties February 1, 2008.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds of the new re-classification proposal introduced by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).

"Lincoln County will be in Region 7 in football, along with schools such as Washington-Wilkes, Warren County, Wilkinson County, Hancock Central, and Aquinas," said the superintendent. "Twiggs County will move from our region to Region 2."

In other sports and activities, Lincoln County will be classified in Region 4, with two sub-regions. "The Georgia High School Association is doing this because there are so many private schools in the Atlanta area that do not play football but do play other sports."

The proposal has yet to be officially approved by the GHSA.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that exams at LCHS will take place December 14-19. Christmas vacation begins December 19, with students scheduled to return to school on Monday, January 7.

.. Was informed by Edmunds that he had received a letter from State School Superintendent Kathy Cox regarding her visit to LCHS this past fall.

An excerpt from the letter is as follows:

"Thank you for the warm welcome I received in Lincolnton. I enjoyed the chance to meet with your principals, teachers, and administration and truly appreciated their questions and comments. Their enthusiasm and dedication were apparent, and this initial impression was abundantly confirmed when I toured LCHS. It is clear that under your talented leadership, Lincoln County Schools are on the right track and headed for a bright future...

"Again, thank you very much for the opportunity to visit your schools and the lovely reception. I commend you on the excellent work happening in the Lincoln County School System and wish you continued success."

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that a proposal to do away with the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) and replace it with additional End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) is being discussed by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Board of Education.

.. Voted to allow the LCHS Girls Tennis Team to sell T-shirts as a fundraising project.

.. Voted to accept the low bid of $7,200 from Mattison & Associates for a site drainage system at LCES. The bid includes surveying, engineering, and construction review costs.

.. Was informed by Superintendent Edmunds that the system is implementing measures to conserve water.

.. Heard the first reading of the Risk Assessment Policy, which addresses backup and recovery plan procedures. "This policy is required by the auditors to ensure that our financial records can be replaced if they are somehow destroyed," Superintendent Edmunds said.

.. Heard the first reading of revisions to the Textbook Selection and Adoption Policy to include online textbooks, textbook software, and so forth.

.. Heard a second reading of revisions to the Inoculation Policy, which covers changes made at the state level to the vaccination requirements for middle school students and others. The policy was approved as read.

.. Reviewed the following policies: Board Member Development Opportunities, Consolidated Hearing Under IDEA and Section 504, and Food Service Management. No changes were made to the policies.

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

.. Voted to approve Donna Gambrell to serve as a substitute bus driver.

.. Voted to approve Jerome Davis to serve at the will of the board as a maintenance/custodial worker.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held Tuesday, January 8, at 7 p.m. at the board office on Metasville Road.