BOE discusses new school at annual planning session

The new school, salaries, and technology were a few of the items on the agenda at the Lincoln County Board of Education's annual planning session held Wednesday, February 6, at the board office on Metasville Road.

During the planning session, the principals of LCES, LCMS, and LCHS presented their plans and goals for the upcoming school year. Several long-term goals were also discussed.

The plans, goals, needs, and dreams outlined by the administrators included:

.. LCES Principal Marilyn Bell - Possibly use Title I funds to implement an after-school program for students; designate space for a science lab (an estimated $2,000); develop a research-based homework policy; revise the grading system to better correlate with Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).

Continue holding Parent Conference Days in the fall to give parents and teachers the opportunity to discuss the first nine weeks of school, review the student's report card, and set goals for the year; train a reading instruction coach and a mathematics instruction coach to assist teachers in implementing the GPS at no cost to the system.

Update the media center with the purchase of a Smart Board/Projector, six tables, and six media shelves (a total of approximately $12,478); install an automated telephone system to improve efficiency; purchase a new metal storage building (an estimated $3,300); and replace the drainage system in the lunchroom (approximately $5,000).

.. LCMS Principal Pam Carmichael - Re-roof the building ($275,000); expand the present security system ($20,000); upgrade the school's telephone system; install a biometric thumbprint sign-in device for noncertificated employees; paint the outside of the school ($10,000).

Install down spout drains between the first and second wings to prevent further erosion ($2,500); replace the carpeting in five classrooms ($6,000); renovate six restrooms ($15,000); install bathroom facilities on the first wing (an estimated $20,000).

Cover the inside hallway windows with sheet metal to prevent glass from blowing into classrooms in the event of a storm ($12,800); re-tile the entire school; cement the courtyard that LCMS shares with LCHS and replace the benches; and renovate the kitchen which is also shared by the two schools.

According to Principal Carmichael, "Basically, the middle school building needs a complete renovation to bring it up to the standards of the new high school and the elementary school."

Commenting on instructional matters, the principal said, "In 2007, we continued to implement the new Georgia Performance Standards in all academic areas. Every academic area in the middle school will be following the new performance standards next year. This has been a major undertaking for the teachers, students, and administrators. The results of the 2008 CRCT (Criterion Referenced Competency Tests) will give us an indication as to how well we are progressing."

She went on to say that LCMS will continue to focus on meeting AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) requirements and bringing those students performing below grade level up to par.

Last October, the school was recognized for making AYP five years in a row.

"This year, the state will raise the bar for AYP to a higher level in both math and reading," said Carmichael. "We will continue to strive to help our students meet the new standards."

Other plans and goals for LCMS in the area of instruction include: reapply for grant funds to enable the school to continue employing an academic coach to promote professional practices, impact student achievement, and improve the school; purchase additional attendance, Accelerated Reader, and Student of the Week supplies ($1,500); add Spanish to the middle school curriculum; and purchase a Study Island, a software program used for targeted CRCT practice and remediation in the four academic areas ($3,537).

Concerning personnel, Principal Carmichael asked the board to hire an additional part-time assistant principal. "Discipline, safety issues, and after-school activities are increasing. Furthermore, the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act, the implementation of the new state curriculum, Title I requirements, and increased accountability regulations make it essential that we hire another administrator."

.. LCHS Principal Becky Barden - Re-key the high school and middle school buildings ($3,000); pour a concrete sidewalk from the agriculture portable around the high school building to the front south entrance ($4,000); install a biometric thumbprint sign-in device for non-certificated employees (a total of $2,000 for both LCMS and LCHS).

Extend the retaining wall in front of the high school building to the end of the existing sidewalk and incorporate a handicap ramp into the wall in front of the high school building (approximately $70,000); replace the carpet in the main building ($8,000); purchase Smart Boards and projectors for the career/tech classrooms and the health classroom ($16,000); purchase five lap-top computers for teacher check-out ($10,000).

Upgrade the telephone system; create a full-time language arts position; increase the consumer science position to full time; hire an additional special education teacher because the school will be gaining eight new special education students next year; and study the feasibility of allowing employees the option of enrolling in the Social Security System.

In the area of instruction, Dr. Barden recommended that the board: allocate staff development funds to enable AP (Advanced Placement) teachers to gain gifted endorsement; offer SAT prep classes; purchase math manipulatives (graphing calculators, etc.) needed to meet state standards ($11,901.01); and add AP sta- tistics, music theory, and psychology classes.

All three principals asked the board to raise the base pay for secretaries and increase local supplements for all personnel.

After discussing the proposals made by the principals, the board heard from the system-level administrators.

The first to speak was Kaye Bufford, system comptroller.

After touching on SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) collections, Social Security issues, QBE (Quality Basic Education) earnings, and taxes, Bufford moved on to the topic of salary increases. "Salaries and benefits are estimated to increase $103,000 due to experience levels, without any percentage increase in base salaries.

"As for raises, the governor has proposed a 2.5-percent salary increase for teachers, bus drivers, and lunchroom employees. Although he says he is providing an increase for all of our educators, the funding is not sufficient to cover all salaries and benefits, and he fails to provide funding for increases for secretaries, maintenance and custodial workers, paraprofessionals, and so forth."

The comptroller further indicated that a 2.5-percent pay raise for all employees will add $260,000 to the system's budget. "With a reduction in federal monies, the bulk of this increase will have to be covered by the General Fund. In addition, health insurance premiums are expected to increase. Nevertheless, even without any increase in health insurance, we will have to increase our budget around $363,000 to cover the higher salaries and benefits."

Following Bufford's comments, the board heard from Ficklen Guin, assistant superintendent in charge of transportation, school food services, and social work.

Reporting on the transportation system, Guin noted that the transportation staff consists of 21 bus drivers and seven substitute drivers. "The shop is run by a part-time mechanic and a parttime helper. The administration of the program is handled by a part-time administrator and a part-time secretary," he said.

Concerning school food services, Guin indicated that the nutrition program currently employs two part-time people in the central office and 19 fulltime staff members at the two school campuses.

The next administrator to address the board was Judy Kirkland, assistant superintendent for special services (prekindergarten, special education, and other federal and state programs).

In her presentation, she pointed out some of the highlights of the year for the special education program. These included a transition fair, an expanded community-based education program, improved CRCT test scores, a math fair, and recognition of program achievements by the Georgia Department of Education.

Kirkland likewise reviewed staffing plans for the 2008-2009 school year, stating that the system needs to hire a parttime special education administrator.

As for the prekindergarten program, the assistant superintendent informed the board that 60 students are currently enrolled in prekindergarten at LCES, with a waiting list of about five children. Seventeen of the 60 students come from the HeadStart program.

Prekindergarten registration for next year begins March 12, 2008.

In his report, Guy McDeavitt, director of the system's technology department, recommended that the board continue the system's technology plan for LCMS by entering into a third lease for computers and related equipment.

Among McDeavitt's other requests were: purchase Smart Boards for all remaining classrooms; acquire a classroom response system for every classroom; replace the central office's audio screen, with the addition of a video recording system and touch screen stations or lap top computers for each board member.

Replace the audio system in the LCHS Auditorium, with the addition of a video recording system; purchase iPod systems for the agriculture classes; purchase Adobe Master Suite software for the system; purchase graphics tablets for art classes at LCMS and LCHS.

Install a district-wide security system, composed of security cameras and related equipment; construct a new technology department building in conjunction with the new high school; possibly hire a fourth technician; and continue staffing a night shift, when necessary, to complete large projects.

McDeavitt further stated that his department has been notified that it will receive federal E-Rate funding in the amount of $11,941.44 for cell phone expenses, $23,940.77 for local and longdistance telephone expenses, and $12,956.16 for e-Chalk services.

In other remarks, he said the system's Internal Connections Application for 2007 in the amount of $932,012.34 was approved but that the program is at yet unfunded. The money will be used to help upgrade telephone systems and install the cable infrastructure at the new school.

Also addressing the board was Joe Willis, assistant superintendent for the alternative school, Title I, curriculum, and staff development.

In his presentation, Willis indicated that each of the system's three schools made AYP last year. "This year, the state is upping the bar, so it's going to be harder for us to make AYP," he said.

As for the alternative school, 13 students were served during the fall semester. There are now five students assigned to the alternative program.

Willis likewise reported on test scores and summer school. This past summer, 35 students attended summer school at LCHS and 53 at LCMS. In addition, 28 students were enrolled in summer camp at LCES.

Following Willis on the agenda was Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for policies, school improvement, curriculum, and staff development.

In his comments, Campbell related the progress of the System Instructional Team (SIT), which is charged with preparing the schools for a visit from the Georgia Department of Education this fall. At that time, the state will perform a GAPSS (Georgia Assessment of Performance on School Standards) analysis.

In further items of information, he discussed system-wide curriculum changes and accountability, various collaborative initiatives, remediation programs, communication issues, and staff development opportunities.

In response to a salary study of different school systems in the area, Campbell proposed that beginning teachers receive a local supplement of $1,500 per year, an increase of $363. The supplement would increase $20 each year and $150 per degree. The supplements (with benefits) would amount to an overall budget increase of $69,749.

The last administrator to speak was School Superintendent Randall Edmunds, who addressed future projects for the system, including proposed renovations at LCES and the construction of the new high school.

At this point in the meeting, site engineer George McDavid and architect David O'Neal reviewed and discussed plans for the new building. Groundbreaking at the site will hopefully take place in April.

In other informational items, Dr. Edmunds reminded the board that the terms of Robert Hearst (District 1) and Gail Remsen (District 2) are set to expire on December 31, 2008. The General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15.

Also during the planning session, the board heard concerns expressed by Cooper Cliatt of Augusta Telephone regarding the E-Rate bidding process.

The E-Rate funds are earmarked for the purchase and installation of the cable infrastructure and computer servers at the new school.

In a handout distributed to the board, Cliatt wrote, "No notice (that bids were being sought) was provided to local vendors. The request for a proposal (RFP) was posted silently on the board's website."

He went on to note that the timing and the RFP process were suspect. "ERate guidelines and policies state that RFPs 'must be available to all interested bidders for at least 28 days.' Prospective bidders were given exactly 28 days and only 28 days. This would leave the system less than one day to evaluate the RFP responses and submit the name of the winning bidder to E-Rate, hardly enough time to accurately evaluate a complex, multiple system and multiplesite proposals; obtain any clarification needed; or check references."

The RFP was posted on the system's website on January 10, with proposals due at 9 a.m. on February 7.

"The short time frame is in direct contrast with E-Rate guidelines and certification requirements, which require careful consideration of all bids," Cliatt continued. "Most districts will typically allow 60-90 days for the RFP and give themselves at least 30 days to evaluate the proposals."

Cliatt then expressed his concern about "board oversight and the approval of spending commitments." "Based on the due date and the tight schedule (same day) to submit E-Rate paperwork, it appears as if the board will not vote on or discuss the bid award. This doesn't seem consistent with the board's policies and past practices."

Following a discussion of these issues and comments by Guy McDeavitt, technology director, the E-Rate Fraud Office was contacted for clarification.

"The individual I spoke with indicated that he didn't think we had a problem with proceeding with the bids," said Superintendent Edmunds.

In further business, the board reviewed the system's accomplishments for 2007 by scanning the "Year in Review" articles in The Lincoln Journal.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the board voted to enter into executive session to deliberate upon the employment of personnel. Upon returning to regular session, the board:

.. Voted to approve Brian Campbell to serve as the assistant superintendent of instruction for the 2008-2009 school year.

.. Voted to approve Judy Kirkland to serve as the part-time director of special education for the 2008-2009 school year.

.. Voted to approve Joe Willis to serve as the part-time director of federal programs for the 2008-2009 school year.

.. Voted to approve Ficklen Guin to serve as the part-time assistant superintendent for support services for the 2008-2009 school year.