Nutrition

 a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones

• Passed a resolution calling for a vote in March 2012 to renew a 1-penny Education SPLOST(Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax).
  (PowerPoint)

• Passed a resolution calling for a vote in March 2012 to take the Board of Education Election District modifications to voters so the Griffin-Spalding County School System can be in federal compliance.
   
• Adopted the following budgets:
• School Improvement 1003g - ARRA
• Race to the Top
• CTAE-Ag-Extended Day
• CTAE-Ag-Extended Year
• CTAE-Apprenticeship
• CTAE-Extended Day
• CTAE-Perkins-Program Improvement
• CTAE-Supervision
   
• Respectfully declined participation in the proposed tax allocation district as requested by the City of Griffin on November 1, 2011.
   
• Approved the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2011. The audit reporthad no findings or questioned costs. No weaknesses were reported concerning internal control systems or with federal program requirements. The audit and report were completed by Robinson, Grimes and Company of Columbus, Georgia.
   
• Approved the purchase of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems for the high schools as part of Education SPLOST III. 
   
• Appointed members of the Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education board of directors.
• Lynn Akin, teacher Rehoboth Rd. Middle School, term January 2012-June 2013
• Lottie Harris, teacher Jackson Rd. Elementary School, term January 2012-June 2014
• Lou Baldwin, retired teacher and community volunteer, term January 2012-June 2015
   
• Approved school nutrition program kitchen equipment bids.  (Memo 1) (Memo 2)

Heard reports or presentations on:

• The board of education's participation in the Georgia School Boards Association conference and training in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 1 and 2, 2011.

Received points of information on:
 

• Common Core Training Schedule (Memo)
   
• A draft of the 2012 Board of Education meeting dates.

• Construction and Renovation
   
• Facilities and Maintenance
   
• The Most Valuable Parent (volunteer recognition) for November.
   
• October Finance.

Recognized:

• Both Griffin and Spalding High School Drama Departments for awards received at their respective Region 1-Act Play Competitions.

• The GSCS Finance Department for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and the International Association of School Business Officials.

• Reduce number of assistant principals through size ratios and sharing
• Reduce number of school counselors through size ratios and sharing
• Eliminate position of media center paraprofessional

Chair: Shelia Mincey

Members: Ellen Lee, Debby Stikes, Joe Kelly, Lynn Akin, Aveory Allen, Rachelle Holloway, Anne Clark, Evelyn Jones, Theresa Lubin, Tamara Hill, Edna Aikens

Meeting held Dec. 6; more are planned. 

• Consolidation of smaller schools
• Salary schedule adjustment to local supplements
• Reduce number of specials at elementary level 

Chair: Bruce Ballard

Members: Stephanie Dobbins, Lamar Smith, Dexter Martin, Stan Mangham, Sara Jones, Bobby Atchison, Dana Jett, Jimmy Hodo, Ryan McLemore, Stephanie Evans, Terry Stratton.  

Meetings held:  Nov. 30 and Dec. 8; more are planned.  

• Eliminate 20 day instructional extension program
• Return elementary gifted program to schools
• Increase use of virtual school environment
• Delivery model for alternative school 

Chair: Ashley Crawford 

Members: Laura Youmans, Ashley McLemore, Martha Taylor, Janet Ware, Derrell Jeffcoat, Valerie Gladney, Todd Benz, Ashley Crawford, Eddie James, Adrian Tyner

Meetings held Nov. 30 and Dec. 5; more are planned.

Spalding High School student Chris Ware was elected Governor at Georgia Boys State this past summer. In that role, he will meet with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and members of the Georgia the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Principal Derrell Jeffcoat said, "We are exceptionally proud of Chris and how he represents Spalding High."

Georgia Boys State is a comprehensive one week course in state and local government . It is a "leadership action program" where qualified male high school rising seniors take part in a practical government course. It is designed to develop a working knowledge of the structure of government and to impress upon the citizen the fact that our government is just what we make it. Along the way delegates have the opportunity to learn the political process by organizing a mythical 51st state. Each level of government is run by those delegates who are elected to serve. Instruction is presented on the law and court system, parliamentary procedure and Georgia political history.

The Griffin-Spalding County is proud to announce the Most Valuable Parents for November 2011. These individuals were nominated by their school for notable volunteer service at the school throughout November.

Thank you and congratulations to these volunteers:

Griffin Daily News reporter Thomas Hoefer was honored during the Georgia School Boards Association / Georgia School Superintendents Association 2011 Annual Conference on Friday, December 2, in Atlanta.

Mr. Hoefer received the Beacon Award for his professional reporting on public education in Spalding County which has over time created public understanding of local issues. He was one of five print media reporters across the state to receive the award.

Mr. Hoefer was nominated by the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education at their September 27, 2011, meeting.

The nomination stated that Mr. Hoefer's coverage of our school system over the last five years has been fair and honest, even if not favorable at times. "The public is aware of our achievements because of the commitment of Griffin Daily News to cover the school system. There was an average of 70 mentions per month . . . last year."

Mr. James A. Graham, chairman of the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education, said, "We value the objective coverage the Griffin Daily News and reporter Thomas Hoefer have given the school system. Because our goal is to make as many stakeholders as possible aware of information they need to know and on which to act, the paper is a valuable partner in meeting our communication plans and goals."

The Griffin-Spalding pre-kindergarten program will transition from a 4-day per week program to 5-days per week with its first Friday on December 9. State budget cuts slashed the prekindergarten budget for the 2011-2012 school year changing it from a 190-day school year to a 169-day school year.