The Board Brief
December 21, 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 December 12, 2019.
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Actions
Board Approves ESPLOST Budget Amendment
On Thursday, December 12, the Bibb County Board of Education approved an Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) budget amendment. The original 2016 ESPLOST budget estimates for proposed ESPLOST projects were developed in 2013. Once potential projects were identified, preliminary budgets were set and the ESPLOST referendum was developed during a series of meetings, which included input from the community and Board members. As the District enters the final year of the ESPLOST campaign, it is necessary to adjust original budgeted line items. Unforeseen circumstances, including weather delays and a need for the installation of new storm, domestic water and fire lines, contributed to the need for a budget amendment. For more information, click here.
New Gym HVAC to be Installed at Ingram-Pye
On Thursday, December 12, Board members authorized the District to issue a purchase order to Pruett Air Conditioning to install a new gym HVAC at Ingram-Pye Elementary School. For more information, click here.
Board Authorizes Sale of Surplus Property
On Thursday, December 12, Board members authorized the sale of surplus property located at 2165 Montpelier Avenue to Pio Nono Stabilization LLC. The property is currently a vacant corner lot. Pio Nono Stabilization LLC intends to purchase the property as part of their neighborhood revitalization in this area, with immediate plans to clear vegetation and upgrade the site for suitable use as a bus stop. For more information, click here.
Board OKs Northeast, Appling Construction Contract Amendment
On Thursday, December 12, Board members authorized the District to sign a contract amendment with Sheridan Construction for the Northeast High School and Appling Middle School project. This contract amendment will allow the District to provide independent football, baseball and softball fields for Northeast High School and the new Appling Middle School. The 2016 Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) included new construction for Northeast High School and Appling Middle School. At that time, property was not available to allow for independent athletic fields on the existing site. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Policies
Board members reviewed various policies for first or second reading on December 12. 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 GAHB – Staff Political Activities(ACTION – Second Reading)
· PR-2 Revision of Policy GAI – Solicitations (ACTION – Second Reading)
· PR-3 Revision of Policy GAKA – Reduction in Force (ACTION – Second Reading)
· PR-4 Revision of Policy GBRL – Employee Dress Code (ACTION – Second Reading)
· PR-5 Revision of Policy ED – Student Transportation Management (ACTION – Second Reading)
· PR-6 Revision of Policy BD – Policy Development (ACTION – Second Reading)
· PR-7 Revision of Policy IBB – Charter Schools (ACTION – Second 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, December 12, Board members approved various personnel items. To view all personnel items, click here.
Information
Board Receives Update on High School Schedules
On Thursday, December 12, Board members received an update regarding changes to high school daily class schedules. The 2020-21 high school schedule will change from seven periods to six periods. The District’s high schools currently schedule student courses on a seven-period day. In 2013-14, the District transitioned from a four-by-four block high school schedule to a seven-period high school schedule. The transition was intended to offset budget constraints due to decreased state funding. An unintentional consequence of this transition was the increase in the number of teacher course preparations and overall teacher load, with a decrease in teacher planning minutes daily. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Monthly Financial Report
On Thursday, December 12, 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, December 12, 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.
Highlights and Recognitions
MBCIA Presents District with Check
Representatives of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority visited the Board on Thursday, December 12, to present the District with a check for the 2019 PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Tax) Program.
Schools Recognized for PBIS Implementation
The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative has been key to improving school climate across the District. Each year, the Georgia Department of Education seeks to recognize schools across the state who have had success in their PBIS efforts based on several factors related to training and discipline data.
During the 2018-19 school year, eight Bibb County schools were deemed Distinguished, the highest level of PBIS recognition: Alexander II Magnet School, Porter Elementary School, Miller Magnet Middle School, Northeast High School, Rutland High School, Southwest High School, Elam Alexander Academy at Burke and Elam Alexander Academy at Southwest. These schools were recognized Thursday during PBIS Awareness Week.
Schools Honored for GOSA, GaDOE Achievements
Each year, Title I schools across the state are recognized for their College and Career Ready Performance Index efforts. To be named Distinguished, schools must rank among the top 5 percent of the state’s Title I schools.
For the 2018-19 school year, the District had two schools chosen for this honor. Carter Elementary School had a CCRPI score of 87.3, and Springdale Elementary School had a CCRPI score of 86.
The District also had two schools exit the Turnaround Eligibility list. This list, compiled by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, includes schools that have CCRPI trend scores in the bottom 5 percent in the state. The schools exiting the Turnaround Eligibility list are Bruce Elementary School and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. Both schools were also recognized Thursday for exiting the Georgia Department of Education’s Promise Schools list, which indicates schools that are between the bottom 5 and 10 percent in CCRPI among Title I Schools.
The Board also recognized Northeast High School for exiting the state’s Targeted Support and Improvement List. This list is for schools that rank in the bottom 5 percent among Title I schools in certain CCRPI components.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Crystal Smith, a first grade student at Carter Elementary School; Joleigh Harrelson, a second grade student at Springdale Elementary School; Maxwell Azodo, a first grade student at Alexander II Magnet School; and Jonathan Hurley, a fifth grade student at Porter Elementary School.
Check Presentation from the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority
The check, for $950,298.63, was for the 2019 PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Tax) Program.
PBIS Distinguished Schools
Alexander II Magnet School
Porter Elementary School
Miller Magnet Middle School
Northeast High School
Rutland High School
Southwest High School
Elam Alexander Academy @ Burke
Elam Alexander Academy @ Southwest
Congratulations to all of the PBIS Distinguished Schools!
Title I Distinguished Schools
Sonny Carter Elementary
Springdale Elementary School
Bruce Elementary School
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
Exited TSI Status 2019
Northeast High School