The Board Brief
October 17, 2019
This edition of The Board Brief is a summary of the information presented and actions taken at the Board of Education’s meetings on October 17, 2019.
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Actions
Board Authorizes Funding to Continue Use of Munis
On Thursday, October 17, Board members authorized funding to continue use of Munis, the District’s financial software application from Tyler Technologies. Munis will be paid for with Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) funds. For more information, click here.
Board OKs Audio, Visual and Intercom Service for Appling and New Elementary
On Thursday, October 17, Board members approved the installation of audio amplification, video alert systems and intercom safe alert technology at the new Appling Middle School and the new elementary school being built in the place of Riley Elementary. All Bibb County School District classrooms include audio amplification with classroom video and safe alert systems. The project will be paid for with Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) funds. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Projects Initiated by Land Bank Authority
On Thursday, October 17, Board members approved projects initiated by the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority through July 23, 2019. On May 16, 2019, the Board voted to terminate the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Land Bank Authority. The Board was then required to provide the Land Bank Authority with a 60-day notice of intent to terminate the IGA. During that time, the Board agreed to honor all projects that were in the pipeline through July 23, 2019 with the Land Bank Authority. For more information, click here.
Board Adopts Local Board Training Plan for FY20
On Thursday, October 17, Board members adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Local Board Training Plan for submission to the Georgia Department of Education. The Georgia State Board of Education requires local boards of education to adopt a board training program for its members annually. The training programs must be conducted by training providers approved by the State Board of Education and meet the training hour requirements for veteran board members. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Policies
Board members reviewed various policies for first or second reading on October 17. Policies must be read twice before they may be voted on for final action. To review the policies, click here.
· Revision of Policy CJ – Administrative Consultants (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy DFLA – General Fund Investment (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy DFM – Equipment and Supplies Sales (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy DFN – Property Sales (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy JBCBA – Tuition (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy IDE(3) – Competitive Interscholastic Activities, Grades 6-12 (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy LA – Inter-Organizational Goals and Objectives (ACTION – Second Reading)
· Revision of Policy FDC – Naming Facilities (INFORMATION – First Reading)
· Revision of Policy FHCA – Names on Building Plaques (INFORMATION – First Reading)
· Revision of Policy IDFA – Gender Equity in Sports (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.
Personnel Items Approved
On Thursday, October 17, Board members approved various personnel items. To view all personnel items, click here.
Information
Board Confirms Name of Appling Middle School
On Thursday, October 17, Board members confirmed the naming of Peter G. Appling Middle School. In July 2017, the Board was given a recommendation regarding the renaming of Appling Middle School, as a part of the new construction associated with Northeast High School. The recommendation for the name was Appling Middle Academy of Health Sciences. It was important, per the naming committee, that the Appling name be retained for the new school location. The recommendation was tabled because more information was requested concerning programmatic focus for the school. No further action was taken concerning the naming of the school. At this time, there are no plans to add a health sciences program at the school. Students are scheduled to move to the new building in August 2021. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Update on 2020 Spring and Summer Graduation Schedule
On Thursday, October 17, Board members received an update on the 2020 Spring and Summer Graduation Schedule. The Bibb County School District’s graduation ceremonies will take place over a three-day period, beginning Wednesday, May 20, 2020, and culminating Friday, May 22, 2020. These ceremonies will take place at the Macon Coliseum.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
5 PM – Southwest High School
8 PM – Howard High School
Thursday, May 21, 2020
5 PM – Northeast High School
8 PM – Central High School
Friday, May 22, 2020
5 PM – Westside High School
8 PM – Rutland High School
The Bibb County School District’s Summer Opportunity Program graduation ceremony will be at Central High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at 6 p.m. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Details on Upcoming Partnership Announcement
This year the Bibb County and Houston County School Districts formed a regional partnership. This partnership will be used to leverage opportunities for our region in the following areas: enriching students’ post-secondary options; increasing community economic development; and enhancing the talent pipeline. This month, staff members from both school districts met to further discuss the date of the press release announcing this partnership. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Update on Bibb Foothills
On Thursday, October 17, Board members were presented with a timeline and an update of Bibb Foothills. The District is partnering with Foothills Education Center Inc. to expand education options for students who have dropped out of school or who may have fallen behind in credits. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Monthly Financial Report
On Thursday, October 17, Board members reviewed the District’s monthly financial report. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Presentation from the 2011 and 2016 Capital Improvement Program
On Thursday, October 17, Board members received a presentation in regards to the 2011 and 2016 Capital Improvement Program including information on expenditures and encumbrances. For more information, click here.
Board Informed of Policies for November 2019 Committee/Board Meeting
The Bibb County School District will be presenting the following policies for first reading at the November 21, 2019, regular board meeting. GAI - Solicitations; GAKA - Reduction in Force; GAMB - Staff Political Activities; and GBRL - Employee Dress Code. The Board of Education and District are working collaboratively to review and update policies. The above-referenced policies are being shared in advance of the first reading to allow comments and suggestions from all stakeholders related to the policies. The Board and District want to allow every stakeholder an opportunity to share comments and suggestions that will be considered in the revision of a policy. For more information, click here.
Highlights and Recognitions
School Nutrition Department Receives Golden Radish
For nutrition departments across the state, farm-to-school efforts have become a key focus. To honor those efforts, the State Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, Education and Georgia Organics, as well as the Department of Early Care and Learning and the Georgia Cooperative Extension, have come together to recognize districts with Golden Radish awards. The Bibb County School District’s Nutrition Department was recently honored with a silver level Golden Radish for initiatives throughout the school year in the District.
Retired Educators Honored with Resolution
The members of the Bibb Retired Educators Association represent a valuable asset to Bibb County. Not only are they formerly classroom educators, but their continued commitment to volunteer efforts in schools is crucial to the District’s “Victory in Progress.” As such, the Bibb County School District and Board of Education recognized the forthcoming Retired Educators Day on Sunday, November 3, 2019, in Bibb County and Retired Educators Month in Georgia.
Howard Middle Students Chosen for State Council
State School Superintendent Richard Woods selects students from across the state each year to serve on his Student Advisory Council. The members of this group serve as a liaison between their schools and state-level administrators, and they can help shape policy decisions. This year, the District had two students chosen for this honor – Heien Chang and Connor Martin, both seventh-graders at Howard Middle School.
Veterans Awarded Diplomas
State law allows the District to present high school diplomas to veterans of the United States Armed Forces whose education was interrupted by service in the Korean or Vietnam Conflicts. As such, Mr. Larry Salter and Dr. Zeddie Scott were awarded their diplomas Thursday.
Mr. Salter attended Lanier Senior High School before being called into service in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1967. During this time, he was a crash rescue specialist in Spain, handling the clean-up of a crashed B-52 that was carrying nuclear weapons. Dr. Scott, who also attended Lanier, served in the Marines from 1967 to 1973. During this time, he received a Combat Action Ribbon for service in Vietnam, as well as Navy Unit Commendation, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars and various other service medals.