BOE sells old primary school property
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) approved during its Monday, March 17, meeting the sale of the old primary school property located across from the Millen United Methodist Church. The property will be sold to Turning Leaf, Inc. for $28,750. The purchase price reflects the appraised value of the property, minus costs associated with environmental matters, property maintenance and security.

The financial status of the school system as of Feb. 28 was reported as follows: General Fund, $717,794.11; Capital Projects, 357,205.77; Debt Service, $308,161.71; and Jenkins County School Food Services net worth, $324,179.27.

Total student enrollment was reported at 1,618. Enrollment at Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) was listed at 839; Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS), 331; and Jenkins County High School (JCHS), 448.

Dr. Joseph Kirkland, JCHS principal, was presented with a plaque recognizing JCHS as one of the best high schools in the United States per UN News.

Emma Whiters was presented a certificate of recognition for the efforts of the schools in improving the performance of students with disabilities.

Other actions taken by the BOE included the following:

• Approved Board Policy IHF (6) as it related to high school graduation requirements for students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time the 2008-2009 school year and subsequent years;

• Appointed Co-Chairman Roderick Campbell as a delegate to the Georgia School Boards Association Summer Conference with BOE member Irene Drummer to serve as alternate;

• Approved a motion authorizing the school superintendent to make an offer of $100 per unit to Head Start officials for the vacated mobile units located on the old primary school property;

• Approved the resignation of Sandy Johnson, JCHS teacher and Melissa Cobb, assistant competition cheerleading coach;

• Approved the resignation of Linda Sanders, JCMS teacher and head softball coach;

• Approved the employment of Sherry Renee Jones as a substitute teacher on an as needed basis;

• Approved Robert Reeves Jr. as a substitute bus driver;

• Approved a Site Access Agreement with the City of Millen to allow city employees to enter the old primary school property to perform a project involving assessment activities;

• Approved a Reduction in Force plan as developed by the school superintendent; and

• Approved school personnel for the 2008-2009 school year.