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Another great year for GSCS!
A message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
The week of post planning is a special week. It's an opportunity for teachers and administrators and paraprofessionals and other classified staff to come together in our work place without students and think about the year just completed. It's a time for closing out files, cleaning out rooms and also a time for planning for the future. I know many schools are having planning sessions for next year and looking at school calendars.
Post planning is also a time when we come together as a school system in a unique way. During the school year we stagger start times so it is hard for us to come together as adults and have extended conversations. This week we were able to function as a school system in a different way. We shared common work hours, common activities and the opportunity to engage in professional dialogue with one another.
Post planning is a different time. It is also a time for saying good-bye to some colleagues who are either retiring or departing. I know there were many schools that had an end of year recognition for these individuals. That celebration is another time for reflection.
It is my hope that you found this time of post planning one of productivity. And, that it started to rekindle your fire for the next school year. As you thought about your successes with students and continued your professional relationships with your colleagues, I hope that you realized the impact you have made this year. It has been huge!
I hope between now and pre-planning you will have an opportunity to engage in some professional learning and professional reading. I also hope you have time for some rest and relaxation and more reflection.
But most of all, I want to thank you for all you did this school year. To put it simply...you are AWESOME! I could not have asked for a better year or better support and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And with that, as a way of demonstrating how much we value you, we will have an early dismissal today and everyone may depart at 3 pm.
Thanks everybody and have a great summer.
COLDR
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2013-14 proposed budget presented to board of education
The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education received a proposed budget for FY2014 on Tuesday, May 28. Assistant Superintendent Jim Smith and Finance Director Ryan McLemore led the board through the details of the $76 million general fund budget. A budget must be adopted before July 1, 2013 for the coming school year.
Revenue will see local contributions down 2.4%, state up 2.5% and Federal up 1.9%.
Highlights of the proposed budget include:
- Millage rate remains the same at 19.47
- Students will attend a full 180 days
- Full year work calendar for all staff
- No salary increases
- Health insurance rising by $500,000
- Full-time counselors at each elementary school
- One school resource officer at each secondary school
- Increases in property and liability insurance, fuel and Teacher Retirement System contributions
School lunch prices for next year are already set at breakfast $1.25, elementary lunch $2.25, secondary lunch $2.50 and adult lunch $3.50. Estimates are that 74% of the student body will be eligible for free or reduced priced meals this fall.
Eighty-five percent of the district budget is payroll with 77.6% of the budget going directly to instruction. The proposed budget also includes funds for SAT/ACT preparation, Virtual Academy and College and Career Academy planning. The district will add an instructional technology trainer to assist teachers with using new technology.
Budget information will be posted on the district website www.spalding.k12.ga.us
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Back to School 2013-14
Pre-planning begins on Monday, August 5, 2013. Click here for the full pre-planning schedule.
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Crescent Wins SHAPE Grant
Congratulations, Crescent, for being selected as Georgia SHAPE Physical Activity and Nutrition School Grants Program Grantees! They will be honored in September at the Healthy Schools Summit.
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Carver Road Middle School's Flexible Learning Program
We need your input!
Under Georgia's new ESEA Flexibility Waiver, Carver Road Middle School has been identified as a Focus School due to having an achievement gap between subgroups.
In order to close this achievement gap, Focus Schools are required to develop a school turnaround plan. Carver Road's school turnaround plan consists of a Flexible Learning Program (FLP).
During the 2012-2013 school year, eligible students were offered after school tutoring provided by Club Z, Inc! two days per week. Looking forward to the 2013-2014 school year, Carver Road Middle School will continue to offer tutoring.
In order to get stakeholder feedback on the coming year's plan, we are asking that Carver Road Middle School parents join us for a FLP plan input meeting. The meeting will be held on June 3, 2013, in the Carver Road Middle School Commons Area and is being offered at 9:00am, 12:00pm, and 5:00pm. Feedback on the upcoming plan is welcome and valued. We hope to see you there! If you are unable to attend one of the meeting times, you may provide feedback in the following ways:
- Email questions or comments to Jessica.Layfield@gscs.org
- Fax questions or comments to (770) 229-3708 attention Federal Programs Office
- Mail questions or comments to Federal Programs Office 216 S. 6th Street, Griffin, GA, 30224
- Call Jessica Layfield at (770) 229-3710, ext. 363 with questions or comments or
- Drop by in person to the Federal Programs Office located on 216 S. 6th Street, Griffin, GA
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Employee of the Month
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Central Office and Support
Deborah Howard
Deborah will be retiring this month after 35 years of employment with GSCS. Jon Bon Jovi, Deborah's favorite artist, has a quote that sums up her career.
"You just stay the course and do what it is that you do, and grow while you're doing it. Eventually it will either come full circle, or at last you'll go to bed at night happy."
During her 35 years Deborah's focus has supported the children of Spalding County. Over the years without hesitation, Deborah has worn many hats and even a few costumes! Thank you for all that you have done for parents, students and staff.
Cabinet and Principals
Each works extremely hard in a tough position with little thanks. We appreciate each of them and proudly recognize them. Thank you for all that you do!
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Kids In Need
Estimated Product Distribution List
Follow this link to see a complete list of the expected products that you will receive at the Kids in Need store set for Wednesday, August 7, 2013.
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Did you know GSCS school buses transport 7,000 students per day!
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