This will be a week that I will remember for a long time!
a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
 First, let me say thank you for supporting the Education SPLOST IV.
On Tuesday, March 6, the citizens of Griffin and Spalding County approved the Education SPLOST IV, which is a continuation of the
1-penny sales tax that would allow us to raise about $25 million to put 21st century technology into our classrooms and to do some essential repairs to our facilities over the next three years starting July 1.
This is the 4th time the citizens of Spalding County have approved an Education SPLOST, and I am very thankful for their confidence. We will do what we say and follow through with efficient use of the dollars they're giving to us.
Thank you to our employees who supported the Education SPLOST! I know for some it was a tough decision. I believe the passage of each school SPLOST is in the best interest of our school system as we continue to increase student achievement, become a leader in the state in student achievement, and find different ways to do better.
Cost reduction
On the same evening the E-SPLOST passed, the board of education approved a spending reduction of about $2.4 million for next school year. The 14 recommendations the board approved were not easy and involve significant changes in how we do business. It was courageous of our board. I remain convinced that in the long run we will be a better organization; we will be more efficient and effective.
Action plans are being developed to implement the 14 recommendations so we can assure alignment between the recommendations and the root cause problems we were attempting to address. These plans will also monitor the implementation of these recommendations. Once we have them in place we will be able to share our learning so we can continue to improve.
New Leadership
At that same board meeting, the board of education also approved my recommendation for two new principals for the next school year. Congratulations to Mrs. Laura Jordan, who will become the principal of Jackson Road Elementary and Dr. Gloria Brown, who will become the principal of Moore Elementary.
Open Communication
For me, the most significant development this week was my increased confidence in our open communication. Let me explain.
A couple of months ago a board member shared with me that some employees were concerned about sharing their thoughts because of fear of retaliation - maybe even losing their position if they spoke out. Over the last two and a half weeks evidence has demonstrated that while that might be the fear of some, that is not the fear of most.
- Two weeks ago I met with our bus drivers to discuss SPLOST and our cost reduction recommendations. They had no reservations about sharing their concerns about reductions and the impact they would have on the system. It was an open and honest conversation. In a few cases, we agreed to disagree. It was open communication that was respectful of one another. It was good!
- Last week I met with some members of the teacher advisory council. We talked specifically about this issue of fear and while there are pockets of concern, my impression is that we do have open communication between you and me.
- Finally, this week at the board meeting there were representatives from Moore Elementary School who shared their thoughts about my recommendation for the principal of their school. Yesterday I met with some Moore staff members and we had an open conversation about rumors they had heard, ranging from the school closing to a complete changeover in their leadership and other topics. I was with them for about an hour and it was a good, open conversation where I don't think anyone was fearful in any way. For me, that was refreshing.
We are in the business of schooling and education, so we're in a people-oriented profession. It is the relationships that we have with one another, especially as professionals, which is going to determine how successful we are as an organization. If we can't talk or be honest with one another, then we can't dare to do better.
So, I'm thankful for the bus drivers, teacher advisory council members, and the employees at Moore Elementary for honestly sharing their thoughts and concerns. It made me proud to be an employee of the Griffin-Spalding County School System and reaffirmed my faith in us.
I'm starting the see light at the end of the tunnel. Things are starting to get better, and as long as we remember our core values that we want to be competent, to have open communication, to be loyal to public education and each other, to accept defined autonomy and to be respectful, there is nothing that can stop us from reaching our goals and our vision!
Have a great weekend!
Curtis |
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Board Briefs
At its regular meetings on February 28, and March 6, the board of education...
- Approved 14 cost-reduction recommendations from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones (memo). The recommendations (PowerPoint) are the result of a multi-month cost-containment team process to study data and to identify ways to reduce a $7 million shortfall for FY13. These are the approved fourteen cost reduction measures totaling $2,400,615:
Cost Reduction Item & Estimated Savings
- Reduce the number of assistant principals. Elementary schools will remain unchanged. Middle schools will have one per school. Griffin High and Spalding High will have three each, and AZKA/TSAC will have one. $473,800
- Reduce number of counselors
Elementary schools will have eight counselors (full-time based on 462 or more students). Middle schools will remain unchanged at one per school and Griffin High and Spalding High will have three each. AZKA/TSAC will have one.
$407,138
- Eliminate the position of media center paraprofessional at all schools.
$322,190
- Middle school athletics
Eliminate the position of academic coordinator and the general fund allocation for middle school athletic supplies. Increase student assessment fee to $50. $8,000
Eliminate general fund expenses for non-competition athletic travel and limit middle school track to in-county competition only. $13,273
- Establish pattern of centralized neighborhood bus stops while continuing to transport students within 1� miles.
$ undetermined
- Adjust local supplement line on teacher salary schedule to neutralize the effect of step increases.
$500,000
- Reduce one specials offering at one elementary school due to enrollment
$60,000
- Eliminate funding for 20 day instructional extension program
$148,000
- Expand use of cluster model to serve gifted students at elementary level while continuing to operate Program Challenge at the Elementary Enrichment Center.
This will result in an increased FTE count. $80,000
- Reduce number of software licenses purchased for Odysseyware and NovaNet $70,625
- Consolidate A.Z. Kelsey Academy and Taylor Street Achievement Center into one location while serving the populations separately $255,089
- Reduce number of school resources officers.
Griffin High and Spalding High, and AZKA/TSAC will have one each. Two officers will be shared among the four middle schools. $112,500
- Implement centralized registration service to ease the burden placed on schools with reduced staff.
(cost) $(50,000)
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The Board of Education also...
- Proclaimed Celebration of Title I Distinguished 2011 Large School System of the Year for Friday, March 30. (Proclamation) (memo)
- Approved Laura Jordan as principal of Jackson Road Elementary and Dr. Gloria Brown as principal of Moore Elementary for the 2012-2013 school year.
- Approved administrators for the 2012-2013 school year.
- Declined to participate in the Tax Allocation District as requested by the City of Griffin given the current budget issues facing the school system and because the project involves a business currently in Griffin rather than attracting a new industry to the community.
- Placed Policy GARH- Leave & Absences on first reading. (memo)
- Approved the field trip request of Program Challenge students to travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, March 15 - 16, 2012, to investigate the relationship of art, science, and geology.
- Approved the field trip request of the Spalding High School baseball team to travel to Jacksonville, Alabama, March 23 - 24 for competition.
- Approved the field trip request of Griffin High School Chorus students to travel to San Francisco, California, April 12 - 15 to participate in the National Chorus Festival.
- Approved the field trip request of Griffin High School students to travel to Athens, Greece, and Istanbul, Turkey, April 17 - 27, 2013, to expose students to different cultures.
- Approved federal grant budgets.
- Approved School Improvement Grant purchase requests from Griffin High School.
Heard presentations on:
Received points of information on:
In other business the board recognized. . .
- The 2012 STAR Students:
- Jacquelynn Harmon, Griffin High School
Miss Harmon chose Barbara White as her STAR teacher. Ms. White works for a school system Miss Harmon previously attended. - Ashlyn Coffee, Spalding High School
Miss Coffee chose Claudia Dennis as her STAR teacher. Mrs. Dennis teaches science at Spalding High School.
- 25 students from Griffin High School, Spalding High School, Carver Road Middle, and Cowan Road Middle for winning awards at the Griffin RESA Regional Science Fair.
- Seven GHS & SHS SkillsUSA regional winners.
- Three GHS Debate team members for qualifying for a national tournament in Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Rehoboth Road Middle School Math Team for winning 3rd Place - Small School Division at the Griffin RESA Math Contest.
- 24 elementary students for being Griffin-Spalding Math Madness winners.
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Board of Education reduces an additional $2.4 million from the 2012-13 projected budget shortfall
After a four-month long process of employee and community members weighing in with ideas and recommendations, the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education reduced the FY13 projected general operating budget deficit by $2.4 million at its board meeting Tuesday night. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Jim Smith said, "The board of education made some hard decisions tonight in cutting costs for next school year. I want to thank them for approving the superintendent's recommendations along with the 55 stakeholders who participated on our cost-reduction teams. The team members did the research that ultimately led to the recommendations presented to the board of education the first of February." After board members reviewed the 15 recommendations for the second time at their February 11 retreat session, they informally indicated they did not support the recommendation of consolidating schools until at least the outcome of the school SPLOST vote is known March 6. Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones therefore recommended only 14 cost reduction measures move forward. The 14th recommendation on the list the board approved was centralized school registration. It was included in the list of recommendations because its intent is to reduce the work load of 18 schools while cost-cutting recommendations were reducing staff who might be involved in those tasks. Dr. Jones told board members that beginning with school year 2013-14 there should be a plan to do away with the 10 work schedule adjustment days for employees in place to help meet the budget deficit for 2012-13. Here's how the shortfall for 2012-13 will be met at this time: $7,077,884 - 2012-13 projected general operating fund shortfall Less results of earlier approved actions: (3,100,000) - 10 work schedule adjustment days (347,000) - Property tax adjustment (644,398) - Use of fund balance from FY11 final report $2,986,486*- Known adjusted shortfall to be covered (*Unknown is the effect of potential tax digest valuation decline) Less: (2,400,615) - Cost reduction recommendations approved 3-6-12 $585,871 -Balance to be cut through 2012-13 budget process |
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Technology and facilities maintenance will continue with passage of school SPLOST
At the polls on Tuesday, Spalding County voters approved the fourth school SPLOST in 15 years by a vote of 4,929 to 3,744 or 56.8%.
Grateful for the confidence voters showed, Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said, "We are very excited and thankful that the citizens of Griffin and Spalding County approved the eSPLOST. We take seriously the responsibility to spend the taxpayers' money as we promised."
SPLOST IV is projected to raise $25.2 million to provide for heavy maintenance and renovation of various facilities and technology improvements/ upgrades to infrastructure, equipment, and support used in the instructional program.
There is no debt issuance and nor bond package associated with this three-year SPLOST. It is pay-as-you-go to fund projects and follows the basic outline of the school system's five year facilities plan approved a few months ago by the Georgia Department of Education.
The facility projects include:
- Additional classroom space at three schools
- Reroofing at seven school facilities
- Kitchen improvements at eight schools
- Flooring and interior improvements at eight schools
- Parking and paving improvements at eight schools
- Electronic monitoring of HVAC systems, coolers and freezers at nine facilities
- Four improved fire alarm systems
- One new HVAC system
Dr. Jones continued, "The technology projects in all schools will continue or raise the quality of environment for employees and students such as infrastructure that makes high-density wireless systems work in schools and cloud technology. This is the behind-the-scenes, in-the-walls equipment that supports teaching and learning for our students and employees."
Bruce Ballard, Director of Maintenance and Facilities, said, "From the time of the first SPLOST, we promised our community that we would never let our facilities get in the state of disrepair we found ourselves in 1996. It's hard to believe that schools built in the late 1990s need renovation. One of the scheduled projects is renovation of the current Enrichment Center, a facility that has never been renovated with School SPLOST dollars."
The current school SPLOST III is on target to complete the projects underway and meet debt service requirements. The average monthly sales tax collection for the school SPLOST is $711,539.01.
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March 30 will be the day to celebrate Title I Distinguished Large School System of the Year
What could be more fitting to kick off testing season for 2012 than a celebration of test results from 2011?  Just prior to the administration of the CRCTs in April and high school tests following, school system employees and students will celebrate test scores from 2011 that led to the school system's being named Title I Distinguished Large School System of the Year.
Thanks to a monetary gift from PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators) and the cooperation of our Nutrition Department, everyone will be served cake for dessert at lunch that day in celebration of the honor.
Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said, "What's a birthday party or a special observance without cake? I wanted a way for over 12,000 of us to be able to celebrate together because the achievement was one we earned together. Between our own Nutrition Department's menu choice for dessert and the funding PAGE offered, we could actually serve cake to over 12,000 during scheduled lunch periods.
"I can't express my appreciation often enough to all of our employees and students who earned this honor for our system. Enjoy cake on Friday, March 30, in honor of our achievement!"
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Nutrition Director Mary Ramsaier (L) receives the PAGE donation from School & Community Services Director Anna Burns (R). |
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What options does my child with disabilities have after high school?
Event to be held March 29
Middle and high school students with disabilities and their families are invited to the Griffin Spalding County School System's Interagency Transition Council Transition Fair in the Spalding High School Commons March 29, 2012, from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm.
This fair gives information to students with disabilities and their families about post secondary options. Local colleges, job training providers, and other state and community groups will be attending.
"Every year at this event I see parents connect with people and resources that will make a meaningful difference in planning for their child's future," said Melanie Stansell, Special Education Coordinator. "Flyers for parents are being sent home with special education students. Parents who wish to attend need to return the notice to their child's case manager. Since a light meal will be served, it's important for everyone attending to RSVP."
Shelia Mincey, Special Education Director stated, "The Transition Fair fills an important need for our students and their families. This will be a great evening. Even door prizes will be given away."
For additional information, please contact Transition Specialist Greg DeLuzio, at (678) 967-9857.
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Griffin-Spalding STAR Students and Teachers Announced
The 2012 STAR Students and teachers for the Griffin-Spalding County School System have been announced:
- Jacquelynn Harmon - Griffin High School
- Barbara White - STAR Teacher
(Mrs. White works for a school system that Miss Harmon previously attended.)
- Ashlyn Coffey - Spalding High School
- Claudia Dennis - STAR Teacher, Spalding High School
To be named STAR student, a high school senior must have the highest score on one test date on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10 percent or one of the top 10 students of their graduating class based on grade point average.
The STAR student selects the teacher who had the most influence on their academic success to be the student's STAR teacher.
The PAGE Foundation serves as the state coordinator of the PAGE STAR Program, which has honored more than 21,500 students and their teachers.
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is now in its 52nd year. The program is sponsored by the:
- PAGE Foundation, the
- Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the
- Georgia Department of Education.
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Griffin High School debate team members win national competition bids
Overall, GHS had the highest percentage of students placing at the tournament!
Griffin High School debate team members Sarah Brown, Davis Callaway, and Kay Cavender have brought home national debate competition invitations from the Catholic Forensics League Qualifying Tournament at Marist High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sarah Brown competed in the Dramatic Performance category, and Davis Callaway and Kay Cavender competed in Duo Interpretation category. Due to the number of competitors at this competition, only the top five in each event advanced to the national tournament.
Coach Leslie Fagin said, "It has been our goal since the beginning of the year to qualify for a national tournament. In Atlanta, we competed against 20 other schools, so we are very excited about the opportunity our students earned. They were competing against some students who spend thousands of dollars each summer for debate training."
She continued, "Now we are looking forward to raising the funds and practicing our skills for the national tournament. The national competition will be in Baltimore, Maryland, on Memorial Day weekend. "
The Griffin High School team pays membership fees to the Georgia Forensics Coaches Association, the National Catholic Forensics League, and the National Forensics League, which allows them to compete in those competitions. The team, consisting of nine students, participates in two tournaments each month.
For further information, please email leslie.fagin@gscs.org. |
Local high school students win at regional SkillsUSA Competition
Article Subtitle Students from Griffin and Spalding High School won awards at the regional SkillsUSA Competition. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. Winning students were:
Griffin High School
- Stanley Laster, Gold medal & 1st place Masonry & advances to state competition
- Tyler Hendrix, Gold medal & 1st place Carpentry & advances to state competition
- Gregory Boyd, Bronze medal & 3rd place Residential Plumbing
- Cody Pyle, Bronze medal & 3rd place Extemporaneous Speaking
Spalding High School - Devin Sanders, Silver medal & 2nd place Electrical & advances to state competition
- Austin Ramsey, Silver medal & 2nd place Plumbing & advances to state competition
- Joseph Johnson, Bronze medal & 3rd place Masonry
Spalding High School teacher and coach Chad Pruitt said, "We excited about the CareerEXPO
Competition at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. Personally, I think SkillsUSA provides the infrastructure in which students can enhance their professional development by encouraging community involvement, preparing students for employment and providing a platform that allows students to demonstrate their skills and professionalism on a regional, state and national competition level. He continued, "The student that succeeds in a SkillsUSA chapter is the mold that every CEO looks for in a member of their organization's team." |
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"HOBY" winners announced
Each year, one student from Griffin High School and Spalding High School receives Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership award. These students have been invited to attend the regional seminar in June at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, where they will participate in leadership training, service-learning, and motivation-building experiences. Commonly known as HOBY, the program is one of the oldest and most prominent youth leadership organizations in the world. Founded in 1958, its programs are conducted annually throughout the United States serving local and international high school students.  | |
Emilee Poole, 10th Grade,
Spalding High School |
 | | Sarah Brown, 10th Grade, Griffin High School |
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Dual Enrollment Meeting to be held
A special information session for Griffin-Spalding School System students and parents interested in participating in the Dual Enrollment program for the 2012-2013 school year will be held at Griffin Spalding County Central Office on Monday March 26.
The meeting will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the GSCS Learning Center.
Representatives from Gordon College, Southern Crescent Technical College, Advanced Academy of West Georgia, UGA-Griffin, A.Z. Kelsey, Spalding High and Griffin High will be presenting information on dual enrollment programs.
These programs allow students to receive dual credits for core high school and college courses. For more information, contact your school's counseling department. |
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Employee of the Month
~Elementary Schools~
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Anne Street
Barbara McDowell Jalisa King
Pearla Hodo
for the impact that their training on Thinking Maps has had on our students and teachers. The evidence of student and teacher use of the maps can be seen all over our building from PreK to 5th grade. Thanks ladies for a job well done!
Atkinson
Fourth grade team
Lori Taylor
Yvette Grant
Linda Roberts
Pamela Graydon
Faced with the challenge of preparing students for the end of the year assessments, these teachers worked together to develop a plan to ensure all students instructional needs were met. Beaverbrook
Samantha Bowlden & Glenda Gattereau
They worked together, organized and opened a Pre-K class the week most of us were out on Winter Break! Due to their efforts, we have a new group of students that are energetic and excited about learning.
Cowan Road
Andrea Bonner
For guiding the health and wellness committee and for her faithful implementation of RTI tier 3 interventions.
Crescent
Darlene Jones
Kathy Pearl
Secretary and Clerk
They have done an outstanding job managing our front office. They both have had a lot to learn over the last few weeks and both have done a phenominal job. Thanks to both of these ladies for being so professional when our parents, teachers and students enter our main office. Their smiles are contagious!!!! Futral Road
Julie Mallory
We welcome her to Futral Road and appreciate the excellent job she is doing with organizing the media center and working with students and teachers. She has also been a tremendous help with technology needs and distribution.
Jackson Road
Jill Granade
Interrelated Special Education
Jill is an integral part of the success of our students at Jackson Road. Her rapport with students, parents and staff is exemplary. She demonstrates a tenacious work ethic and brings a wealth of expertise to the special education field. We are blessed to have an employee of Jill's caliber working with children every day! Thanks for all you do Jill! We appreciate you!
Jordan Hill
Marla Heggie
Instructional Para-Professional
Mrs. Heggie is an invaluable asset to the Jordan Hill staff. She works well with all of her peers and takes ownership of the students entrusted to her care. She approaches every assignment with a positive attitude.
Moore Jo Covington &
Angela Foster Front office dynamic duo! Quiet, organized, courteous, confident, timely and caring are words to describe these two women as they effectively perform their many duties. Thanks Jo and Angie for a great job of servant hood at Moore Elementary. Moreland Road Denise Waits
2nd Grade
She's done a wonderful job with Relay for Life as well as chipping in and helping out the Media Specialist decorate the display boxes in the hall.
Orrs
Mrs. Marsha Clark, Assistant Principal
"What would we do without you?
Mrs. Clark: In case you haven't noticed, you are the person that keeps this school functioning, keep our children learning, and marks Orrs Elementary School as an outstanding place where education flourishes.
Your contributions of time and energy have helped make our school a vital, harmonious, and happy place to be, and you must take a huge share of the credit for this. I greatly cherish your acts of pure kindness on my behalf. I just want you to know how deeply you are appreciated."
Employees are nominated by school principals.
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Special Recognition |
Congratulations to Dottie Huckaby of Moreland Road Elementary School
Named Best of the Best Teacher by Griffin Daily News! ... |
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Useful Resources
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It's SPRING FORWARD Weekend!
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