The October meeting of the Jones County Board of Education was preceded by a 5 p.m. reception to welcome the two most recently appointed to district leadership positions. LaMisha Clark is the new Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Director, and Ross Couch is the new JCSS Athletic Director.
Board Chairman Ginger Bailey called the Oct. 19 board meeting to order at 6 p.m.
The meeting began with reports, and in her superintendent’s report, Dr.
Jessica Graves started with challenges the district is facing. She said green was being worn that day in memory of Jermaine Togeg, a student at Mattie Wells Elementary.
“It’s important for us to stay beside each other,” she said.
The superintendent talked about the results of the first nine week’s attendance competition that was won by Turner Woods Elementary. The school is now flying the Enrolled, Enlisted and Employed banner. She said the next nine-weeks competition began that day.
Graves said the 2027 calendar was being tabled for more feedback, and she will be ready to make a recommendation to the board at the next meeting. The change to the semester format has made a difference in that each semester must consist of 90 days.
The new CTAE Director was given an opportunity to address the board. Clark said she appreciated the opportunity and has worked in the CTAE program for 18 years. She is dedicated to give her absolute best and is a believer in the CTAE program. Clark added that she intends to continue the great work that has been started.
Couch spoke next and thanked the board for the opportunity. He said he will be transparent and plans to do what is right for the students. The director brings 20 years of experience in education and athletics.
“We want to make sure we give the best opportunities to everybody,” Couch said.
JCSS Communications Director Adam Gillhouse led the recognition of the achievement of Board of Education members in once again achieving the designation of an Exemplary Governess Team from the Georgia School Board Association. Graves added Dr. Stacey Carr and Dr. Nancy Nash assisted in the process.
Information session
Graves gave a brief overview of FTE (Full Time Equivalent) funding trends. She said it had been predicted JCSS would lose 15 students this year, but enrollment is only down six students. She also noted that the funding per student amount increased by $356 per segment, which translates to increased funding.
The superintendent pointed out the importance of the work of data clerks in keeping track and reporting of all the components of FTE information.
Next the results of the community survey concerning the facilities recommendations that were presented in the Sept. 14 work session were reported by Graves. She said 571 responses were received with the majority of those from parents and community members.
Among the results, 69 percent were in favor of relocating pre-K classes to elementary school campuses. Relocating the high school to Howard Roberts Road was not favored by the community by almost 70 percent.
The survey showed over 90 percent approval of the renovations of Mattie Wells Elementary and Clifton Ridge Middle School and the sale of educational facilities not in use.
As a result of that information, Graves said the revised recommendation for pre-K students was to have at least one pre-K class at each elementary school and a total of 10 classrooms to be ready for a 2027 fall start.
Another recommendation is to demolish the current pre-K building for a future baseball/ softball complex that would include a wrestling facility and track.
Bailey thanked the superintendent for the surveys and acting on the information received in the surveys.
“We have families that are struggling, and we need to be conscious of that,” the chairman said. “We owe the community a thank you for their trust.”
Board members then listened to a lengthy presentation from representatives of Altman and Barrett and Raymond James with plans for achieving the goals and recommendations presented.
Report items
JCSS Chief Financial Officer Tonya Merritt presented the finance report. She said as of Sept. 30, which marks 25 percent of the school year, the total revenues are $13,590,449. The total expenditures are $17,073,058 and the ending cash balance is $21,212,364.
The September collection of the Education Special Local Option Sales Tax was $341,510, bringing the average monthly collection to $341,815.
Action Items
Graves recommended approval of the following items and each was approved unanimously.
• ContractwithIXLLearning to purchase the personalized learning platform for Dames Ferry Elementary for an estimated cost of $13,375 utilizing funds from Title I
• ContractwithIXLLearningto purchase the IXL Site License for English, Math, Science and Social Studies for Clifton Ridge Middle School and Mattie Wells and Gray elementary schools for a combined estimated total of $35,837 utilizing funds from Title I
• ContractwithDiscovery Education to purchase DreamBoxMath Advanced for Dames Ferry Elementary School for estimated cost of $18,694 utilizing funds from Title 1
• Approvalofrevisedpolicieson Purchasing Authority (DJEA), Salary Deductions (GAl), Fraud Prevention (DIE) and Federal Funds (DFC)
• ContractwithHUDLIncto purchase one HUDL software package (level 4) for Jones County athletics for estimated cost of $25,000 utilizing funds from the athletic budget
• ContractwithImpactSport Surfaces to purchase services for repairs on CRMS gym floor for estimated cost of $12,100 utilizing funds from the facilities and maintenance budget
• ContractwithLaneback& Co. Inc to purchase appraisal services for Maggie Califf School, Turner Woods Football complex and the Jones County Board of Education Facility for an estimated cost $12,000 utilizing funds from the facilities and maintenance budget
• ContractwithAreyJones Educational Solutions to purchase 10 Microsoft Surface Pro 12 inch Snapdragon Plus laptops for Gray Station Middle School for estimated cost of $11,855 utilizing funds from Title I
• ContractwithTheSignStation to purchase signs and decals for JCHS stadium facility for estimated cost of $22,053 utilizing funds from the athletic budget The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to enter closed session. The meeting was reopened at 8:30 p.m. to approve personnel items discussed in closed session and again adjourned.
