BOE reviews changes in HOPE
The HOPE scholarship was under discussion at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, January 8.

According to Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of schools, "Starting this year, it will be harder for students to qualify for the scholarship. For instance, students will not receive extra credit for honors courses; extra credit for HOPE will only be given through AP (Advanced Placement) courses."

He cited a lack of funding as one of the reasons behind the policy change.

It has been proposed, however, that students be awarded extra quality points for HOPE if they make a "4" on an End-of-Course Test (EOCT).

In other business, the board:

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that the faculty and staff at LCHS collected a love offering for the family of Dana O'Neill, who passed away recently at the age of 56. O'Neill, a wise and caring person, who was loved by all, worked in the counselor's office at the high school.

.. Was informed by the superintendent that the school system was recently recognized as a leader in the State of Georgia for its outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities, receiving two certificates from the Georgia Department of Education.

.. Discussed the first edition of "Lincoln Learning," a new systemwide newsletter published under the direction of Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for instruction.

As a way of recognizing local teachers, the newsletter named the following educators as "Teachers of the Quarter:" Monica Thurmond, media specialist at LCES; Tonya Burt, math teacher at LCMS; and Helene Rhodes, Spanish teacher at LCHS.

.. Voted to schedule the group's annual planning session for Wednesday, February 6, beginning at 9 a.m. at the board office.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) does not support House Resolution 900 also known as "The Great Plan," which is designed to provide tax relief by doing away with ad valorem taxes for education and replacing them with sales tax monies.

"The GSBA feels the bill will take away the power of local school boards to govern and have good schools," according to the superintendent.

If the bill passes the General Assembly, a statewide referendum will be held.

In related comments, Dr. Edmunds discussed the state's efforts to raise the homestead exemption and freeze property values, saying, "It sounds good to elderly residents who have a lot of property and are not involved in buying and selling. Nevertheless, it will only shift the tax burden - somebody will have to take up the slack. hope we can have a good school system when we get through all of this."

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

Concerning SPLOST monies, Superintendent Edmunds indicated that average collections during the last 12 months of the "old" SPLOST (2003- 2007) amounted to $70,726; whereas, average collections during the first four months of the "new" SPLOST came to $79,748.

.. Was informed by the superintendent that the Lincoln County Recreation Department will be using the LCES Gymnasium for league basketball play from February 11 through the week of March 10.

.. Discussed dismissing students at lunch on the last day of each semester due to the fact that testing at LCMS and LCHS occurs in the morning and most students check out when they have completed their exams.

.. Heard the second reading of the Risk Assessment Policy, which addresses the backup and recovery plan procedures to be implemented in the event that financial records are somehow destroyed. The policy was adopted as read.

.. Heard the second reading of revisions to the Textbook Selection and Adoption Policy to include online textbooks, software, and so forth. The policy was adopted as read.

.. Heard the first reading of revisions to the Personnel - School Psychologist/ Psychometrist Policy. The revisions include minor changes in the job description for this position.

.. Reviewed the following policies: Board Member Status, Number of Board Members, Emergency Closings, Board/ Superintendent Relations, Board Meeting Quorum, Policy Development System, Policy Adoption, Administration in Policy Absence, Noncertificated Personnel, Noncertificated Personnel Evaluation, and Early Intervention Program. No changes were made.

.. Voted to approve a request from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Committee for use of the LCHS Auditorium on Sunday, January 20, for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance.

.. Voted to approve the dates and times of the regular 2008 board meetings. As it stands, the meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., with the exception of July and January. The July meeting is set for the third Tuesday of the month, and the January of 2009 meeting will take place on the second Tuesday.

.. Voted to enter into executive session to perform the superintendent's annual evaluation. Upon returning to regular session, Dr. Robert Williams, board chairman, reported that Superintendent Edmunds had received a satisfactory evaluation.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held Tuesday, February 5, at 7 p.m. at the board of education office on Metasville Road.