Enrollment in the local system has dropped by 16 students since December 2009.

Melissa Williams, Jenkins County school superintendent, reported enrollment figures during the Monday, Feb. 22, meeting of the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) as follows: Jenkins County Elementary School, 775 students, a loss of three; Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS), 316 students, a loss of three; and Jenkins County High School (JCHS), 407 students, a loss of 10. Total enrollment was reported at 1,498 students. Total enrollment Dec. 9, 2009 was reported at 1,514 students.

Superintendent Williams noted that Transportation Coordinator Talmadge Fries was now certified to teach bus driver training. In the past, the school system paid someone to conduct the training, she said.

She also called attention to the fact that the JCMS Student Leadership Council had been successful in its efforts to secure two crosswalks at JCMS/JCHS. One is on Barney Avenue, and one is at the corner of Barney Avenue and Bay Street.

Transportation Coordinator Fries reported that delivery of a new school bus was scheduled to take place around May 1st.

The BOE officially approved tax abatement for Corrections Corporation of America in regard to the company constructing a prison in Jenkins County. Superintendent Williams explained that BOE members had been previously polled by telephone on the matter and that the action needed to be voted upon even though it now appeared that the abatement would not be needed.

A revision to a board policy regarding professional personnel lay-off was approved as suggested by the school attorney and placed on the table for review for 30 days. Superintendent Williams explained that the revision would give the BOE more leverage in its consideration of lay-offs.

Two groups of students were recognized by the BOE for their accomplishments – Spelling Bee and Rotary speech contest winners. Appreciation was express to Planters Electric Membership Corporation for sponsorship of the Spelling Bee.

In other action, several fundraisers were approved for JCMS and JCHS.