QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
GEORGETOWN, GEORGIA
MINUTES OF AUGUST 2, 2016
The Quitman County Board of Education met in a regular session on August 2, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Administrative Office, 215 Kaigler Road. Mr. Willie J. Anderson, Chairman, presided.
PRESENT: Mr. Willie J. Anderson, Chairman; Dr. Bobby D. Willis, Vice Chairman; Mr. Jimmy Eleby, Mr. Billy Shirah, Sr. and Mr. Larry Wilborn; Board members; and Mrs. Victoria Harris, School Superintendent.
ABSENT: None.
CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING CEREMONY
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Anderson with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge.
AGENDA APPROVAL
On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Shirah, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the agenda as printed. The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Superintendent recommended the approval of July 14, 2016 regular Board minutes. On a motion by Mr. Shirah and a second by Mr. Wilborn, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0) to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
The Superintendent recommended the approval of July 27, 2016 Called Board minutes. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Shirah, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0) to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS & UPDATES
The Superintendent recommended the approval to amend the agenda to allow Mr. King and Mr. Owens to present before the Superintendent’s Reports. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Wilborn, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
Attorney Maurice King gave a presentation on OSD (Opportunity School District). This is a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would provide for state intervention for failing schools. If approved, this would take away the local control of School Boards and decrease jobs and resources.
Mr. Tom Owens was present on behalf of Mr. Frank King who presented the Board with cost savings options on refinancing the 2008 Bonds. The Superintendent will inform Mr. King of the Board’s decision.
Principal Jones introduced the SIG new hires from the last Board meeting. The Board welcomed them.
Principal Jones stated that School has gotten off to a great start. Preplanning went well, custodial training was held in Chattahoochee County, on-line registration has taken place, student/parent orientation was held and also a Teacher of the Year Ceremony. The teachers selected were: Mrs. Renee Shelley – Elementary School, Mrs. Wanda Cotton – Middle School, and Mrs. Karen Espy – High School. Mrs. Renee Shelley was selected as the District’s Teacher of the Year. Student enrollment on the first day of school was 302 and the second day was 303, the goal is to enroll 340.
The Superintendent shared with the Board information from AdvancED. The letter received stated that Quitman County is accredited under review. The team will return in May to check on the progress of some requested items. AdvancED awarded the system with accreditation certificates, a flag, and decals.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL)
The Superintendent recommended entering executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. On a motion by Mr. Wilborn and a second by Mr. Eleby, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
On a motion by Mr. Wilborn and a second by Mr. Eleby, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to resume regular session. The motion passed.
Chairman Anderson stated that the Board had met in executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. No decisions were made and no votes were taken; only discussion took place. However, the Superintendent may have some recommendations resulting from the Executive Session.
The Superintendent recommended the approval to accept the rescission of Mr. Kelvin Pless’ job offer for the employment of the Fine Arts Coordinator. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Shirah, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
The Superintendent recommended the approval to employ Mr. Ian Johnson as the Fine Arts Coordinator. On a motion by Mr. Wilborn and a second by Mr. Shirah, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed. Mr. Johnson was welcomed by the Principal, Superintendent, and Board. Mr. Johnson said he was eager to get started and was excited about the opportunity.
NEW & UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Superintendent presented the Board with the Tax Digest and the 5 year history. She recommended to publish it and to meet on August 19th at 10:00 a.m. to set the Millage Rate. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Shirah, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0) to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
The Superintendent recommended the approval of the Parent/Student Handbooks for the 2016-2017 School Year with the modification of adding the numbering of the pages. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Eleby, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
The Superintendent recommended the approval to rescind the Board Policy DJE, (Purchasing/Credit Card) that was put on the table for first reading. On a motion by Mr. Shirah, and a second by Dr. Willis, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
The Superintendent recommended the approval to place the Board Policy IHE, (Promotion /Retention), on first reading. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Wilborn, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed.
Dr. Willis stated that he would like for the Board to consider the idea of establishing a committee to begin to the review the athletic project.
FINANCIAL REPORT/TAX COLLECTIONS
The Superintendent recommended the financial report and approval of expenditures for July 2016. On a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Shirah, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed
The Superintendent reported the tax collections for June 2016.
ADJOURNMENT
With there being no other business to discuss, on a motion by Dr. Willis and a second by Mr. Wilborn, the Board voted unanimously (5, 0), to adjourn.
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Chairman Secretary
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