The Board Brief
June 18, 2020
This edition of The Board Brief is a summary of the information presented and actions taken at the Board of Education’s meeting on June 18, 2020. The monthly Committee and Board meeting took place via teleconference due to COVID-19.
=======================
Actions
2020-2021 Academic Calendar to Include eLearning Days
On Thursday, June 18, Board members voted to approve the designation of 10 eLearning Days in the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar. This approval changes 10 traditional instructional days to 10 eLearning days in the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar.
The addition of eLearning Days to the calendar demonstrates the District’s commitment to ensuring all students and teachers/staff are utilizing and benefiting from the one-to-one technology supported by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). Doing so will expand the blocks of time students and staff are out of the building from a half-week to a full week, which could be beneficial in decreasing community spread of COVID-19. These eLearning Days would be Oct. 12-14 and Dec. 21-22, 2020, and Jan. 6-8 and Feb. 18-19, 2021. This means students would not participate in traditional instruction that is in-person on these 10 days. Instead, all students – no matter which level of community spread and instructional model the District is following at the time – will participate in these 10 eLearning Days from home, and they will be taught virtually by their teacher.
The designation of eLearning Days does not change the number of instructional days for the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar. The Academic Calendar remains at 178 student days and 190 teacher work days for 2020-2021.
The District is currently working to identify various models of instruction based on levels of community spread as designated by the Department of Public Health. The models will allow for designations of high community spread, moderate community spread, and low community spread. Additionally, the District is developing a Remote Learning Option for parents who do not wish for their child to return to the physical school setting for 2020-2021. More information on these models is forthcoming.
To read the action memo on eLearning Days to better understand the rationale and points to consider, click here. To view the calendar, click here.
Principal Named for Elementary School
On Thursday, June 18, Board members approved the appointment of Tawanya Wilson as the Principal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School. To view additional personnel items approved by the Board, click here.
Board Approves CARES Act Budget
On Thursday, June 18, Board members approved the CARES Act Budget for FY 2020 and FY 2021. The CARES Act: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Funds was passed to provide federal dollars to assist with COVID-19 related expenditures for the nation’s elementary and secondary schools. The state of Georgia was allocated $457,169,852 and the Bibb County School District will receive $10,636,395. These funds are to be shared on a pro rata basis for equitable services to non-public schools within the boundaries of Bibb County.
Funds may be used for expenditures from March 13, 2020 to September 30, 2022. Funds may be used for expenditures including distance learning, food preparation, hazard pay, learning opportunities, at-risk students, mental and physical health, facilities and equipment related to deep cleaning, personal protection equipment, professional development, equitable services for non-public school students, and for the continuity of core staff and services including restoring budget reductions and offsetting the need to furlough staff.
To view the presentation, click here.
Board Approves Spending Resolution, Preliminary FY 2021 Budget
On Thursday, June 18, Board members approved a spending resolution authorizing the District to spend an amount not to exceed 1/12th ($35,059,946) of the final FY 2020 budget for all funds ($420,719,356) in the month of July 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia Legislature has not passed a budget for FY 2021. Thus, the Department of Education QBE revenue numbers have not been given to school districts. Without these revenue numbers, it is not feasible for the FY 2021 budget to be presented to and adopted by the Bibb County Board of Education prior to July 1, 2020. In order to spend funds in July 2020, a spending resolution was required. For more information on the spending resolution, click here.
Additionally, Board members approved the preliminary FY 2021 budget with the reductions to be effective July 1, 2020. The reductions will be included in the FY 2021 tentative budget as presented in July. These reductions would need to be in place by July 1, 2020, as they will affect the July 15, 2020, payroll. For more information, click here.
The District intends to present the FY 2021 tentative budget to the Board during a Called Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 7. Two public hearings will follow approval of the FY 2021 tentative budget. After the public hearings, Board members will be presented with a recommendation to approve the FY 2021 final budget.
Various Contracts and Vendors Approved for 2020-2021
On Thursday, June 14, Board members approved various contracts and vendors for the 2020-2021 school year.
- Truist Bank Contract – Click here to read.
- 2020-2021 Navicent Health Agreement – Click here to read.
- Advanced Disposal Contract Renewal – Click here to read.
- Commodity Processing with Multiple Vendors – Click here to read.
- Food Bid Pricing Extension – Click here to read.
- Dairy Pricing Extension – Click here to read.
- Auto Liability, Property, General Liability and Inland Marine Insurance Renewal – Click here to read.
Board Reviews Policies
Board members reviewed various policies for first or second reading on Thursday, June 18. Policies must be read twice before they may be voted on for final action. To review the policies, click here.
- PR-1 Revision of Policy IED – Scheduling for Instruction (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-2 Revision of Policy IFAA – Instructional Materials Selection and Adoption (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-3 Revision of Policy IFCB – Field Trips and Excursions (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-4 Revision of Policy GANA – Infectious Diseases (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-5 Revision of Policy GARHA – Employee Sick Leave Bank (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-6 Revision of Policy GBT – Professional Publishing (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-7 Revision of Policy GCN – Classified Personnel Separation (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-8 Revision of Policy JCEB – Student Hearing Procedure (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-9 Revision of Policy JGC – Student Health Services (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-10 Revision of Policy JGCC – Infectious Diseases (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-11 Rescission of Policy JGD – Student Psychological Services (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-12 Revision of Policy JS – Student Fees, Fines and Charges (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-13 Revision of Policy EEE – Wellness Program (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-14 Revision of Policy GCRD – Classified Personnel Overtime Pay (INFORMATION – First Reading)
Stakeholders are encouraged to review policies posted after first reading and make public comment via Simbli before the proposed policies are brought back before the Board for action the following month. Simbli may be accessed through the District’s website, www.bcsdk12.net, under “About Us” and “Simbli.” On Simbli, “Pending Policies” will appear on the right side of the screen.
Information
District Moving Forward with One-to-One Technology
On Thursday, June 18, Board members received an update on a plan to request bond options related to the 2021 Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST), a one percent sales tax approved by voters to begin January 1, 2021. This will be presented to the Board as an action item at a future meeting, likely in July.
A One-to-One Technology Initiative, to provide virtual learning devices for each student, was originally planned in the 2021 ESPLOST project list. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology equipment for this project will need to be instituted immediately for the following purposes: The proceeds of the bonds will be used for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the cost of the following projects: purchasing and providing system-wide technology improvements, including acquiring personal electronic learning devices, cases, headsets, charging devices, and other accessories for use by all K-12 students; purchasing software licenses, updates and service contracts for these devices; and paying expenses incidental to accomplishing the foregoing.
To view the presentation, click here.
Board Receives Update on Graduation Plans
On Thursday, June 18, Board members received an update on plans for Class of 2020 graduation ceremonies, which have been delayed until July 29-30. Due to COVID-19, the Bibb County School District is reviewing two options for the 2020 graduation ceremonies. The first option includes modified face-to-face ceremonies, and the second option includes virtual ceremonies. A final decision on which option the District will implement will be made in early July, and the decision will be based on data and recommendations from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health.
Options for consideration are posted below.
Should the District opt for virtual ceremonies, each high school will conduct its own virtual ceremony. They will follow District guidelines regarding logistics and format to ensure consistency among all high schools. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Preview of Items Planned for July Meeting
On Thursday, June 18, Board members reviewed various informational items in preparation for the July 16 meeting. In July, the District intends to submit recommendation for the Board to approve the items listed below.
- Renewal of School City – Click here to read.
- Purchase of Voyager Passport Intervention Curriculum – Click here to read.
- Renewal of Edgenuity – Click here to read.
- Renewal of Max Scholar – Click here to read.
- Purchase of REWARDS Intervention Curriculum – Click here to read.
- Policies – Click here to read.
Board Receives Overview of End of Year Professional Learning Plan
On Thursday, June 14, Board members received an overview of the District’s End of Year Professional Learning Plan, which was implemented in May 2020. During the last three weeks of school, the District instructional support staff (teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, counselors, Media Specialists, Media Clerks, instructional coaches and Central Office staff) participated in nine days of virtual professional learning to learn more about Response to Intervention (RtI), technology and Renaissance Learning. To view the presentation and feedback, click here.
Board Reviews Monthly Financial, Capital Program Reports
On Thursday, June 18, Board members reviewed the District’s Monthly Financial Report, as well as the monthly Investments and Investments Income Report. Additionally, Board members reviewed updates from the 2016 Capital Improvement Program. For more information, click here.