BOE scraps plans for new high school
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

From left, Jenkins County Board of Education Chairman Carroll Gay presents "Teacher of the Year" ring to systemwide and JCHS Teacher of the Year, Marsha Madray. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Faced with the prospect of having to raise between $9.5- $10.5 million in local revenue, the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) elected to remove construction of a new high school from its 5-Year Facilities Plan during the group's Monday, Oct. 15, meeting.

The present high school was added back to the plan with it being noted that the $2.4 million the school system has accrued in state funds toward the construction of a new high school would be released back to the state. It was also noted that should the school system's financial situation improve at a later date, it might be possible to amend the plan.

In other action, Jenkins County High School's (JCHS) and system-wide "Teacher of the Year" Marsha Madray was recognized. Chairman Gay presented her with a ring commemorating her accomplishment.

Student enrollment was re- ported at 1,598 students, an increase of 22 students over the August enrollment, but a decrease of 11 students over the September enrollment.

Several bids for items needed at the new JCHS gymnasium were approved with it being noted that funding for these would be provided by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue.

Other actions taken by the BOE included the following:

• Approved a motion authorizing the school superintendent to purchase three cellular phones for Jenkins County School Food Service personnel, if needed, with the BOE to be reimbursed by the school food service;

• Approved the salary for a temporary part time school food service bookkeeping assistant at $22 per hour;

• Approved several fundraising activities; and

• Approved the employment of a bus driver, two substitute bus drivers, one addition to substitute teacher list and several substitutes for school food service.