BOE adds new high school to facilities plan
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

From left, Matt Brinson of Planters Electric Membership Corporation accepts Georgia School Board Association "Partnership Award" from Jenkins County Board of Education Chairman Carroll Gay. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

After previously approving the removal of a new high school from its five-year Facilities Plan, the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) revisited the issue during its Monday, Dec. 17, meeting and voted to add it back.

School Superintendent Joan Blackwood explained, "The school system earns entitlement funds based on what is in its five-year Facilities Plan. Entitlement is a school system's annual share of the state entitlement authorized by the Georgia General Assembly for regular capital outlay purposes. This is computed by multiplying the annual statewide entitlement by the ratio of the local need to the total state need as determined by the local facilities plans."

Removing the new high school from the Facilities Plan would mean that the local school system would get less state entitlement funds.

A grand opening for the Jenkins County High School (JCHS) new gymnasium was set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, with it being noted that the facility would not be used until after the event. It was also announced that a 93" bronze "Eagle" statue would be donated for display in the lobby of the gymnasium by Jim and Karen Pannell of Savannah. The statue is to be donated in memory of Mrs. Pannell's brother, Bob Bedingfield, a graduate of JCHS.

It was announced that Planters Electric Membership Corporation was the recipient of the Georgia School Board Association's "Partnership Award." Chairman Carroll Gay presented the award to Matt Brinson of Planters, congratulating him on the recognition and noting that this was the first year the award had been given.

Nicole Moulton, Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS) principal and the school's Design Team, gave a presentation on the facility's School Improvement Plan. The four goals discussed were: improving students' math skills; increasing the percentage of students exceeding CRCT requirements; improving students' knowledge of science and social studies; and reducing the number of students failing two or more subjects from progress report issuance to first nine weeks and from first nine weeks to the end of the semester.

Superintendent Blackwood reported student enrollment as follows: JCHS, 457; JCMS, 335; and Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES), 839. The overall change in enrollment over the previous month was an increase of three students.

Business Manager Janet Field reported a general fund balance of -$587,459. She also called attention to the fact that any short-term loans should be repaid by the end of the year or there would be an "audit finding" on the matter.

Other actions taken by the BOE included the following:

• Approved changes to board policy pertaining to corporal punishment;

• Discussed lease agreement with Catholic Church for parking area near new gymnasium;

• Approved outdoor lighting for new gymnasium;

• Approved Yearbook Club Advisors for 2007-2008;

• Approved several JCHS fundraiser events; and

• Accepted the resignations of Lynne Scruggs, JCHS English teacher and Betty Roberts and Tallulah McNeely, JCES paraprofessionals.