BOARD OF EDUCATION
Jones County Board of Education members had good news for property owners during the adoption of the millage rate for the 2022 school tax, with a second rate rollback in as many years.
Board Chairman Ginger Bailey brought the Aug. 23 called meeting to order, and the first report item was from School Superintendent Charles Lundy.
The superintendent said a meeting was held with the Jones County High School JROTC commander about the construction of the new obstacle course. He said the course would be much more than the typical obstacle course, and more information would be presented to the board at the next meeting.
Lundy said plans for greenhouses are underway for Clifton Ridge and Gray Station middle schools.
He said another classroom was planned at Jones County High School for Ag Mechanics.
The superintendent said he met with representatives of JCI Monday about the Dames Ferry Elementary School project to go over the timeline. He also went over dates for the state of the school tours for board members. He said the board would be visiting schools beginning Sept. 7-8 and would complete the visits Sept. 19-20.
Lundy said the theme of the presentations at the schools would be “Where are we, and where are we going?”
He said part of the presentation would also be how the federal COVID funds have been used and school highlights.
“Each school’s program will be different.”
Board member Alfred Pitts said he would like to meet with Clinton Burston, Executive Director of Accountability and School Improvement, about attendance information.
“I’d like the information about each school. That’s not to be critical but to think about what we can do to help,” he said. “I’m concerned about things like the cost of school supplies.”
Lundy said there would be a presentation at the Sept. 8 work session about school safety, an assessment report from Charlotte Foskey and a JROTC update.
The only action item on the agenda, and the reason for the called meeting was the adoption of the millage rate for the 2022 school tax. The superintendent said it was fortunate that the Board of Education could roll back the rate again this year.
He recommended approval of the rate of 17.965 for maintenance and operations and 1.788 for the bond debt. The rate is a roll back of 0.024 mills.
Pitts made the motion to approve the millage rate, and the motion was approved unanimously.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting is a work session Sept. 8 at 5 p.m,. and the next board meeting is scheduled Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.
Tax Commissioner Brian Jackson (l) with Board of Education members Aug. 23, following the adoption of the 2022 millage rate.
