Jones County Board of Education members took an opportunity at their March meeting to express their appreciation to one of their own who will not be running for re-election in May.
The March 12 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Ginger Bailey. She began her report speaking about the March 7 work session highlighting the Jones County College and Career Academy and a recent Jones County High School JROTC Ball held at Butler Hall.
“It was wonderful seeing the cadets. It’s been one of my dreams to have this program,” she said. “The Ball was a night of joy; I am very pleased.”
Board member Mike Gordon said he was also impressed by the JCCCA presentations.
“If you want a skill or trade or to go to college, you can do that here,” he said.
Gordon then thanked Board of Education member Alfred Pitts for his service on the board.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know you,” he said.
When Pitts’ term ends at the end of December, he will have represented District 2 for 16 years on the board. His education career includes being a teacher and principal, and he defeated 21-year Board of Education incumbent Willie Fluellen in the July 15, 2008, primary election for his seat on the board, two weeks after he retired as principal of Califf Middle School.
Board member Dr. Nancy Nash said she enjoyed the work session that included student presentations.
“My favorite thing is to hear from students. All of our students have something to brag about,” she said.
Nash said she appreciated Pitts’ patience.
“You put up with me asking you a lot of questions,” she said.
Bailey added her gratitude for Pitts’ service.
“I appreciate your dedication. I’m a better person because of you in my life,” she said.
Pitts thanked the board members for their comments and said he is not going anywhere.
“I’ll going to still be around. I’m not going to get in your way, but I’ll still be around,” he said.
The board member stated that education is not about learning everything.
“It’s about training your mind to think,” he said.
In his superintendent’s report, Charles Lundy said he and Laura Rackley represented Jones County at the Middle Georgia Regional Roundtable. He said they received a lot of good information. The superintendent also reported the Executive Cabinet has been working on the school system’s strategic plan.
“We need it for the strategic waiver due the end of the month,” he explained.
Lundy said the system may be changing HR vendors, but that decision would be made by the people who use it. He said board members would be continuing school visits the next morning. He said one of the schools would be Dames Ferry Elementary, and the visit would include a short tour and an overview of stages of construction for its renovation.
The superintendent announced the Teacher of the Year celebration March 28 at Butler Hall. He also joined in the appreciation for Pitts.
“I appreciate Mr. Pitts; I’ve worked with him for a long time,” he said.
Finance report
Lundy presented the finance report for the month ending Feb. 29, which he said is 66.67 percent of the school year.
He said the total revenue was $44,049,334 and total expenditures $39,629,182. The total cash in the bank was reported as $26,735,759.
Lundy reported that the Education Special Local Option Sales Tax collection in February was $268,234, bringing the monthly average ESPLOST collection $301,526.
Bailey thanked the community for supporting the school system by buying local.
The superintendent said the General Fund balance includes $484,119 in interest earned from a U.S. Treasury note. He said, however, Georgia Fund 1 has an interest rate of five percent and would not tie up the funds like the Treasury note.
Lundy said an investment of $12 million could net $60,000 in interest earned a month, and the funds could be withdrawn within a few days, if needed, without any penalty.
Action items
Lundy made the following recommendations that were unanimously approved by board members:
• ContractwithTrafera to purchase 105 HP Chromebooks and Google Chrome Management Perpetual EDU Licenses for Jones County High School under the State of Georgia contract for the estimated cost of $26,145, funded by Title 1 funds
• ContractwithDellTechnologies to purchase 75 Dell Chromebooks 3110 for Clifton Ridge Middle School under the State of Georgia contract for an estimated cost of $18,369 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• ContractwithFollettContent Solutions to purchase books for the Mattie Wells Elementary School Media Center for an estimated cost of $22,770 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• ContractwithABDO Publishing Company to purchase books for MWES media center for an estimated cost of $23,213 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• ContractwithAppleseed Publishers to purchase books for the MWES media center for an estimated cost of $11,748 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• ContractwithVivacity Tech PBC to purchase 480 Chromebooks and Google Licenses for Gray Station Middle School using the Interlocal Purchasing System contract for an estimated cost of $110,880 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• Contract with Ward’s Science to purchase compound microscopes, digital research microscopes with tablets, polyethylene dissecting pan sets, EISCO Bunsen burners and Bunsen burner neoprene tubing for JCHS for an estimated cost of $18,304 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• ContractwithMacon Communications to purchase 70 SL300 two-way radios and accessories for Gray Elementary School for an estimated cost of $29,750 utilizing funds from ESSER III
• ContractwithDellTechnologies to purchase Microsoft 363 Licenses for the JCSS under state contract for an estimated cost of $27,340 utilizing funds from the technology budget
• ContractwithHowardTechnology to purchase a threeyear Barracuda Message Archiver Appliance Subscription for JCSS using National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance Contract for an estimated cost of $20,602 utilizing funds from the technology budget
• ContractwithNisewonger Audio Visual Center to purchase furniture for the Dames Ferry Elementary School Cafeteria using the Interlocal Purchasing System Contract with the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance Contract for and estimated cost of $92,900 utilizing funds of $30,966 from the DFES budget, $30,966 from maintenance and operations and $30,966 from the nutrition budget
• Approvaltodeclarethe Chromebooks outlined in packet as surplus property Following the approval of the recommendations, the meeting was adjourned to enter into closed session.
The next meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled April 9.
