The Board Brief
February 20, 2020
This edition of The Board Brief is a summary of the information presented and actions taken at the Board of Education’s meetings on February 20, 2020.
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Actions
Principals, Assistant Principals Approved for 2020-2021
On Thursday, February 20, Board members approved the appointments and renewals of principals, assistant principals and certified administrators for the 2020-2021 school year. To view all personnel items approved, click here.
Board Approves Resolution of Support for Chamber, MEDC
On Thursday, February 20, Board members approved a resolution supporting a memorandum of agreement between the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and the Macon Economic Development Commission. During the November Board meeting, a presentation was made by Stewart Rodeheaver of Vizitech USA outlining the intent to build a virtual reality platform for the Bibb community. This platform will be utilized by the Chamber of Commerce to attract high-tech employers.
The Resolution of Support will be used by the Chamber of Commerce to assist in seeking state, grant and public funding for the technology platform being housed at the Chamber of Commerce. The Bibb County School District will agree to the continued use of current virtual reality technology and technology career pathways to support the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission’s ability to attract high-tech employers. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Audit for FY2019
On Thursday, February 20, Board members accepted the audit of the financial statements for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2019. A copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) will be posted on the District’s website, www.bcsdk12.net. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Furniture Purchase for Rileydale, Appling
On Thursday, February 20, Board members approved the purchase of furniture for Rileydale Elementary School and Appling Middle School. School administrators and staff members participated in the furniture selection process, and the items were approved by the Capital Programs Department as a need for the new school facility. The construction of Rileydale, which combined Riley and Brookdale Elementary Schools, and the construction of Appling Middle School were a part of the 2016 Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) projects. Both schools will open in August 2020. For more information, click here.
Board Approves AT&T Telecommunications Service Agreement
On Thursday, February 20, Board members approved a three-year service agreement with AT&T Telecommunications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 through FY2023. The District is currently utilizing AT&T for local and long-distance telecommunication services. In order to continue state contract pricing, the District must sign a new contract agreement. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Various Technology E-Rate Projects
On Thursday, February 20, Board members approved the awards for various Technology E-Rate projects. Those projects include the Rileydale Elementary Network Install, Managed Internal Broadband Services (MIBS), Network Cabling and Switch Upgrades for Fiscal Year 2020. The E-Rate program provides the District with an opportunity to obtain affordable broadband services. For more information, click here.
Board Votes to Support Macon-Bibb Resolution to Fight Blight
On Thursday, February 20, Board members voted in support of a resolution to fight blight. Bibb County Tax Commissioner Samuel Wade McCord requested the District’s support of a resolution of the Macon-Bibb County Commission designed to fight blight by utilizing a judicial in rem sale process (“STS-JIR”) as an alternative to the existing subsequent tax sale process (“STS”) with regard to real property that fails to sell when originally presented at tax sales. A purchaser may prefer the more costly STS-JIR process because the purchaser does not have to wait a year to extinguish the owner’s rights of redemption. The resolution allows taxpayers who wish to purchase real property that failed to sell at an initial foreclosure an option to purchase the property using the STS-JIR procedure. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Letter of Engagement
On Thursday, February 20, Board members approved the letter of engagement with Jones Cork LLP for the firm’s legal services. This new agreement will allow the District’s Chief Legal Counsel to give greater priority to school disciplinary matters.
Board Reviews Policies
Board members reviewed various policies for first or second reading on February 20. 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 GAN – Employee Tobacco Use (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-2 Revision of Policy JCDAA – Student Tobacco Use (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-3 Revision of Policy KBB – School-Sponsored Information Media (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-4 Revision of Policy MDA – Shared Services/RESAs(ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-5 Revision of Policy BBA – Board Officers (PRESENTATION – First Reading)
- PR-6 Revision of Policy BBAA – Board Officer Method of Election (PRESENTATION – First Reading)
- PR-7 Revision of Policy BE – School Board Records (PRESENTATION – First Reading)
- PR-8 Rescission of Policy BBABD – Duties of the Clerk (PRESENTATION – 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 Hosting State Board of Education Public Hearing
The State Board of Education will hold a public hearing for citizens in the Eighth Congressional District on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The Eighth Congressional District is represented by Jason Downey, Vice Chairman of the State Board of Education. The meeting will be held from 7-8 p.m. in the Auditorium at Howard High School, 6400 Forsyth Road, Macon, Georgia 31210. The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments from interested citizens and educators within the congressional district regarding the performance and problems of public education. Anyone wishing to speak should sign in upon arrival. For more information, click here.
District Reviewing Materials for ELA Textbook Adoption
On Thursday, February 20, Board members received an update of District’s process of reviewing instructional materials for the ELA Textbook Adoption. During the 2016 legislative session, laws related to textbook adoption were revised to allow the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to leave adoption decisions up to local school districts. The District has continued to follow the suggested guidelines from the state outlined in Georgia Education Rules 160-4-4.10 for the K-12 ELA Adoption. The last ELA textbook adoption occurred during spring 2013 for implementation for the 2013-2014 school term. ELA teachers, administrators, parents and community stakeholders will now review textbook materials and complete textbook feedback forms to determine if the materials would meet the academic needs of students. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Property Acquisition Information
On Thursday, February 20, Board members received information pertinent to potential acquisition of properties located at 2765, 2793 and 2805 Heath Road and 2757 Pineworth Road to maintain buffer for protection and safety of operations and facilities. The Ed DeFore Sports Complex property was originally portioned from a 92-acre parcel owned by the Welsh Family. Historically, the property has been surrounded by an undeveloped buffer, providing safety and security aspects for the Sports Complex as well as Westside High School. Acquisition of this property will allow the District to protect from future risks. Additionally, due to recent upgrades at the Ed DeFore Sports Complex, there is a need for additional parking at the soccer fields and football stadium. This acquisition will allow for such additions, as well as an emergency exit for the complex, to mitigate traffic congestion on Heath Road. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Monthly Financial Report
On Thursday, February 20, Board members reviewed the District’s monthly financial report. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Presentation from 2011, 2016 Capital Improvement Program
On Thursday, February 20, 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 March 2019 Committee/Board Meeting
The Bibb County School District will be presenting the following policies for first reading at the March 19, 2020, Board meeting: BBFA – Local School Councils; JC – Student Rights and Responsibilities; and JCAC – Harassment. 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. For more information, click here.Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Janell Stephens, 3rd grade student at Skyview Elementary School.
Highlights and Recognitions
Lester Miller Recognized for Service as Board President
On Thursday, February 20, outgoing Board of Education President Lester Miller was recognized for his service as Board President for 2019. Service on the Board of Education requires a great deal of commitment and dedication on its own. Adding the responsibility of Board President reflects even more positively on the heart for students that all Board members have shown.
Robotics Teams Advancing to Super Regional Lego Event
On Thursday, February 20, robotics teams were recognized for advancing to the Super Regional LEGO League level. Initiatives that focus on science, technology, engineering and math help prepare students for career fields that are in high demand. Robotics competitions are one of these initiatives, and many of Bibb’s schools have teams that compete in these endeavors. This year, three of those teams were successful enough in local events to qualify for the Super Regional LEGO League event.
The Alexander II Magnet School RoboSTEiNS team is led by coaches Leslie Lowe Brown and Jennifer McMahan, with students Henry Bridges, Davaya Butts, Zachary Germann, Charity Harper, Patrick Henry, Samuel Howard, Jakori Johnson, Aiden Roberson, Jacob Rodgers and Ramaj Weathersbe.
The Skyview Elementary School Skybots team is led by coaches Michele Collins, Mikaela Pavin and Ashley Mathews, with students Ja'Nya Bailey, Leila Bates, Mya Burnette, Haylee Cumbie, Hannah Hanselman, Julian Helguson, Jha'karliah Hodge, Ayden Kinsey-Jones, Cameron McKinney, Lily Mathews, Jerzey Miller, Alexis Santiago, Addie Simmons, Braeden Stephens, Franky Trejos-Gonzalez and Gracelyn West.
Appling Middle School’s Rise of the Raiders team is led by coach Shavetta Thomas and sponsors Dr. Wesley Fondal Jr., Tim Pendleton and Ann Nnorom, with students Jhamairy Battle, Zacole Blount, Brittany Hill, Madison Mizell, Chloe Vicks, Laila Vicks, Javier Von Dyke, Jamiah Waller, Kiya Williams, Zoria Williams and Zyla Williams.
Alexander II Magnet School RoboSTEiNS
Skyview Elementary School Skybots
Appling Middle School’s Rise of the Raiders
Top Bibb County Spelling Bee Winners Recognized
The Bibb County Spelling Bee is hosted by the Bibb Association of Educators each year and sponsored by the Masab Temple No. 11. The winner and runner-up of this competition go on to compete at the Region 6 Spelling Bee. Desiree Loveless of Miller Magnet Middle School earned first place, Sydney Hogan of Vineville Academy of the Arts earned second place, and Kiya Williams of Appling Middle School earned third place. Desiree and Sydney will represent Bibb at the Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday in Fort Valley.