BOE adopts new electronic devise policy
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Students attending Jenkins County High School (JCHS) who have electronic devices confiscated by school staff will have to pay a $25 fine to get them back immediately or wait until the end of the year to have them returned free of charge. The new policy was approved by the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE), pending review by the school attorney, during its Monday, July 16, meeting. Already established penalties for bringing electronic devices to school will continue to be enforced as well.

Tabled for further consideration and development was a code of conduct policy for athletic events. The policy will include not only the conduct of students but also that of spectators. The need for enforcement of the policy was discussed also.

Jenkins County School Superintendent Joan Blackwood reported that the school system's attendance incentive policy was "out of compliance" with the Teacher Retirement System. The BOE voted to review at the group's next meeting for possible amendment two board policies dealing with employee attendance.

Connie Fields of the Jenkins County Athletic Boosters Club presented a breakdown of the club's contributions to the school system's athletic programs and urged the BOE to become members of the booster club "as a show of support for the students and club."

Fields noted that the club has contributed $46,503.75 to the school athletic programs over the past year with an additional $13,250 allocated.

The Rev. P.M. Broomfield addressed the group concerning plans to incorporate a "back to school" rally with a youth rally planned for Sept. 26.

"The goal is to get more parents involved, and we are asking the BOE to be a part of it," Rev. Broomfield commented.

The following resignations were accepted: Dr. Diane McNeely, director of educational programs; Floyd Brinson, Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS) custodian; and Anna Johnson, JCHS family and consumer science teacher.

Approved for employment were: Tonjanika Jackson, JCHS special education teacher; Alan Putz, alternative school; Daniel Varner, band director; Quinton Sweet, JCHS math teacher; Emma Roundtree, JCHS science teacher; Summer Holloway, JCHS family and consumer science teacher; and Kathryn

Crosby, Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) teacher.

Also approved were the administrative transfers of Darlene Gay from JCHS paraprofessional to the JCES cafeteria and Stacy Matthews from the JCES cafeteria to JCHS paraprofessional.

Other actions taken by the BOE included:

• Approved several fund-raising projects for JCHS, JCES and JCMS;

• Approved RESA membership contract in the amount of $32,170;

• Approved contract for the Family Connection program; and

• Received as a matter of information procedures for heat related illness.