Requests for allowing parents back into Jones County Schools were answered before they could be made at the April Board of Education meeting.
The April 12 meeting was called to order by Chairman Ginger Bailey. In her report, Bailey asked everyone to keep the end of school testing in mind.
Board member Alfred Pitts said it was exciting to see the new playground opened at pre-K. He noted that there were challenges from the General Assembly, but he looks at them as opportunities.
“A windshield is larger than a rearview mirror. We need to look toward the future,” Pitts said. “We are in good shape with computers in the schools to help with the testing.”
In his superintendent’s report, Charles Lundy said he received information from County Administrator Jason Rizner about a Georgia Department of Transportation project to replace the bridge over Walnut Creek.
He said fortunately only one bus rider would be negatively affected by the project.
“The parents of the student have agreed to get that student to and from school,” the superintendent said.
Lundy added Transportation Director Wendy Vaughn had worked out the issue.
He said a three-hour board member training session would take place in May during the previously scheduled work session.
The superintendent said the pre-K playground was open, and pictures of the new playground would be posted on social media soon.
“We still have a few tweaks to take care of, but the students have been waiting for this,” he said.
Lundy said middle school registration for 2022-23 would be face to face at JCHS Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“We plan to reopen our schools and let parents back in. We have had zero COVID cases reported for six to eight weeks. Starting Monday, parents will be allowed back in schools to have lunch,” he said.
The superintendent said schedules would be varied, depending on testing and end of school activities. He said the schedules would be posted on school websites and parents are asked to contact the schools a day before they plan to visit.
“I think parents will be eager to come back,” he said.
Lundy said pre-K through 12 th grades would have face-to-face honor days. He said the times would vary per school. The superintendent went on to say the Grad Walk would take place in each school May 12.
“We plan to open the 2022-23 school year at pre-pandemic levels with face-to-face open houses,” he said.
Lundy said volunteer training would begin again with the next school year. He added that Zoom options for meetings would still be available for anyone who preferred it.
“All information will be on the schools’ websites,” he said.
Bailey said she looks forward to having parents back in the school.
“Parents are important. It’s been a long process and has weighed heavy on this board,” she said.
Pitts said the safety of students was the top priority, and it would continue to be closely monitored.
Finance report
CFO Tonya Merritt presented the finance report for the month ending March 31, which marks the completion of 75 percent of the school year.
Total revenues were $40,835,726 and total expenditures $38,217,317. The total cash in the bank was $23,859,488. The Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax collections for March were $249,875, and the monthly average ESPLOST collection is $240,844.
Bailey thanked the community for their continued support of the school system by shopping locally.
Action Items
Lundy recommended the approval of a two-year contract with Image Learning to purchase a Concept Coach Site License add-on for grades 6-12. The estimated cost is $26,400, utilizing ESSER III (CARES ACT) funds.
The superintendent recommended the approval of the contract with Voyager Sports to purchase Acadience Reading K-6 Site License add-on for all grades K-6 at an estimated cost of $25,882, utilizing funds form ESSER III.
He recommended the approval of the contract with Dell Technologies to purchase 50 Dell Latitude 3520 BTX laptops for Turner Woods Elementary under the state contract at an estimated cost of $32,698, utilizing funds from ESSER III.
Lundy’s final recommendation was to approval of the BH Board Code of Ethics.
All the superintendent’s recommendations were approved unanimously by board members.
Public Comment
Donald Black spoke to the board on behalf of the Maggie Califf Alumni Association. Black serves as chairman of the association. He expressed his gratitude for the gift of the portion of the Maggie Califf Complex to the association and explained its mission.
Black said they wanted to remember the 30 elementary schools in Jones County, mostly housed in churches, that served the black children of the county.
“We want to recognize the impact of the three schools constructed to consolidate and accommodate the black students: Bradley Wayside and Idella Duncan Elementary and Maggie Califf High School,” he said.
Black said the changes to the complex post integration, being utilized as the middle school, Ninth Grade Academy and the site for the Alternative School emphasized the longevity of the building.
“Encapsulating these goals is the important legacy of Mrs. Maggie Callif for whom the school was named. The building housed and educated students of both races and pleasant memories are embedded in the minds of the students and staff who walked those halls,” he said.
Black said the site is to be utilized by all the citizens of Jones County.
“The space is dedicated to house memorabilia and other cherished icons of these now closed schools. Our association recognizes and welcomes all who either attended these schools during segregation and post segregation,” he said. “Join us in this noble mission of accomplishing our goals. Long live the Blue and Gold Califf Rattlers.”
Bailey responded to Black’s comments.
“It’s a pleasure to keep our promise to make this a historic site,” she said.
Brittany Calhoun and Leslie Gowan were the next two visitors. They both stated their purpose was to express their concerns about letting parents back in the schools.
Calhoun encouraged the board to keep moving forward with the plan of opening up the schools and seeking parent involvement. She also mentioned a TWES survey that indicated that parents wanted back in the schools.
Gowan noted the importance of activities like grandparents day, parents reading in the schools and field trips.
“I love being in this county. I went to school here,” she said.
Bailey said the best part of her job is visiting the schools.
“It’s a good day getting parents back in the schools,” the chairman added.
The meeting was adjourned to enter closed session. The next board meeting is scheduled May 10.
