Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009
THE JACKSON HERALD
PAGE 3A
New JCCHS gym, fine arts building to cost $9 million
District will wait on sales tax funds
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
TWO MAJOR construc
tion projects at Jackson County
Comprehensive High School
could bring the school up to par
with its East Jackson rival.
The school system is consid
ering a proposal to build a new
gymnasium, and drama/chorus
building at the nearly 20-year-
old high school in Jefferson.
But funding the two projects
will cost the district a total of
$9 million — which the county
school system currently doesn’t
have for such construction
projects.
“Those two projects are expen
sive projects and we can’t afford
them right now,’’ said Keith
Everson, assistant superintendent
for human resources and support
services.
The district wants to construct
a 9,800 square-foot drama/cho
rus building across from the
existing auditorium at JCCHS.
An additional 1,000 square feet
for storage would also be added
to the auditorium.
JCCHS is also slated to get a
new 5,900 square-foot gym with
facilities almost identical to those
at East Jackson Comprehensive
High School’s gymnasium,
except for the practice gym.
When the Commerce school
opened in August 2007, JCCHS
parents said improvements were
needed at the older high school
on Winder Highway.
Since then, the school system
has been eyeing improvements
at JCCHS.
The proposed two-story gym
at JCCHS would be located on
the slope leading to the school’s
football field. The $7.6 million
facility would be located in the
school’s student parking lot, near
an existing ticket booth.
The proposed drama/chorus
building has a price tag of $1.4
million, which includes addition
al storage at the existing audito
rium.
“We feel like if we do the
drama and gym together at the
same time, it would save costs,’’
said Dennis Patrick, director of
administrative services.
But school system officials
estimate it will take 18 months
to collect the sales tax funds nec
essary to start the projects. The
most recent sales tax collection
available generated $353,000 for
the district — one of the lowest
months for the school system.
“We have to have the entire
amount before we can bid on it,’’
Everson said at Thursday’s board
of education meeting.
Meanwhile, the district plans
to work on JCCHS’ existing gym
to let the community know the
school system’s commitment to
enhancing the school, he added.
Those upgrades at the exist
ing gym include a new HVAC
system in the court area and
locker room, reconditioning the
bleachers, new interior paint, and
improvements in the locker room
and electric work.
The school system will use
Special Purpose Local Option
Sales Tax (SPLSOT) funds ear
marked for maintenance for
improvements at the existing
JCCHS gym.
And the district plans to apply
for state funds this summer that
could bring additional chang
es in the instructional areas at
JCCHS.
But one construction project
that the district is prepared to
move on is additional space
at North Jackson Elementary
School.
As part of a 2005 $70 mil
lion bond referendum and two
SPLOST votes approved by vot
ers, North Jackson is slated to
receive a new front facade and
additional cafeteria space.
The project would include a
new front entrance for the school
that would require visitors to
register at a desk before receiv
ing security clearance to enter
the facility.
It would also include new
offices for the principal, assist
ant principal, clinic and storage
space. The cafeteria would be
expanded by 977 square feet,
as well.
The total price tag of the
project is $813,700, but that
amount would be reduced by
$108,000 if the district delays
renovating office space until state
funding is possible.
The project could begin this
summer and can be done with
little disruption to classes, since
construction would include non-
instructional areas, Patrick said.
It will take about six months to
complete.
Costs up, revenue down for school food program
More families
seeking aid
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
LIKE A meteorologist predict
ing the weather, a school system
food service director is forecast
ing the “perfect storm’’ during
tough economic times.
“We have several factors
converging upon us all at one
time and when they collide, the
program could be in jeopardy,’’
Wanda Oliver told the Jackson
County Board of Education on
Monday.
As the economy has declined,
more families have less money
to spend on meals, Oliver said.
However, not all of those families
qualify for free or reduced meals
at school.
Since early January, 155 stu
dents in the county school system
have applied for free meals, she
added.
Meanwhile, operating costs for
the food service program are on
the rise. That includes the cost
of food, fuel, delivery and labor
costs of the program, Oliver said.
And revenue from additional
sources is declining, she added.
Federal assistance isn’t keeping
pace with food service costs and
“extra’’ food sales at schools are
plummeting.
The push to offer students more
healthy dietary options — such
as fresh fruits, whole grains and
lower fat foods — is also costing
the school system.
“As in the grocery store, those
items are the more expensive
ones,’’ Oliver said.
The Jackson County School
System is now spending about 54
percent of its food service revenue
on food, when it should be around
Nicholson town
hall meeting set
COMMISSIONER Dwain
Smith has planned a town hall
meeting for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb.
12, at the Nicholson community
center.
Smith said it will be an “open
agenda.’’
40 percent, Oliver said.
The district is trying to trim
expenses, such as sharing food
costs with neighboring school
systems, she added.
And the county school system
is reaching out to more families
that may need meal assistance
during the economic downturn.
“We’re working hard to make it
work,’’ Oliver said.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the Jackson
County Board of Education:
•heard a report about chang
ing requirements for high school
seniors to “walk’’ at graduation
ceremonies. A proposal being
considered by the district would
require students to pass all cours
es and graduation tests in order
to walk at ceremonies. Currently,
some students who pass all cours
es but fail to pass one gradu
ation test are allowed to walk
at ceremonies. The proposal, if
adopted, would affect the senior
class of 2011.
•approved the expenditure
of up to $114,000 in Special
Purpose Local Option Sales Tax
(SPLOST) funds for instructional
technology upgrades at Benton
Elementary School.
•discussed instructional
upgrades at the district’s elemen
tary schools. To equalize technol
ogy at all elementary schools, the
district plans to upgrade technol
ogy as SPLOST funds are avail
able. The district will upgrade the
next school based on the high
est percentage of students who
receive free and reduced meals.
BES is the first school to benefit
from the move. The school sys
tem has about $440,000 available
in SPLOST funds for technol
ogy upgrades. The BOE recently
approved $140,000 in upgrades
at West Jackson Middle School.
The BOE will review sales tax
revenue before approving the
next school to receive technology
upgrades.
•learned that the BOE has can
celed its plans to hold its annual
retreat at Glen Ella Resort to save
money. The board later proposed
holding the two-day retreat at the
University of Georgia’s Center for
Continuing Education. Instead,
the board will hold its retreat at
the school system’s central office
on Thursday and Friday, March
19-20. The BOE has also decided
to not attend a training session in
Savannah. The Georgia School
Boards Association will offer an
on-site training session for the
BOE. The cost is $750 and may
be shared, if the district invites
other school systems to partici
pate.
•approved the job description
for the human resources clerk.
•learned that the AdvancED
Accreditation Committee has
officially granted the school sys
tem its accreditation for an addi
tional five years.
•learned that the school system
has been given a “clean report”
for its annual SPLOST audit.
•recognized student David Lyle
for winning an oratorical con
test sponsored by the American
Legion. Lyle will compete in
another competition.
EJCHS named l AP Honor School’
EAST JACKSON Com
prehensive High School is one
of 80 schools in Georgia named
an Advanced Placement (AP)
Honor School, state superin
tendent of schools Kathy Cox
announced.
“Georgia is making tremen
dous strides with Advanced
Placement — not only in the
number of students taking the
courses, but in the number of stu
dents having success,” she said in
a statement. “Much of that prog
ress comes from the dedication
to rigor and excellence at each of
our AP Honor Schools.”
Advanced Placement (AP)
classes and exams are admin
istered by the College Board,
which also administers the SAT.
AP classes offer rigorous college-
level learning options to students
in high school. Students who
receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams
may receive college credit.
EJCHS was named an “AP
Challenge School” for having
fewer than 900 students and
offering AP classes in all core
areas — English, mathematics,
social studies and science.
Akin named Georgia TOTY finalist
SANDY AKIN, a math
instructor and department
head at East Jackson
County Comprehensive
High School, has been
named one of the top
10 finalists for the 2010
Georgia Teacher of the
Year. Ten teachers from
across the state were cho
sen from 147 applicants.
Akin was named
Teacher of the Year at EJCHS and
the overall Teacher of the Year
for the Jackson County School
System.
The applications for the state
finalists were read by a panel
of judges that included teachers,
past GTOY winners and finalists,
administrators, community lead
ers and others. The finalists were
chosen based on the strength of
AKIN
their essay responses.
Over the next several
weeks, a panel of judges
will observe and inter
view each of the finalists
at their schools. The final
ists will also give a speech
at a luncheon sponsored
by Georgia Power on
March 23. The winner
will be announced at the
Georgia Teacher of the
Year Banquet on May 15.
The 2010 Georgia Teacher of
the Year will spend next school
year traveling around the state and
the nation, serving as an ambas
sador for the teaching profession.
The winner will also be entered
in the National Teacher of the
Year competition. All finalists will
serve on Superintendent Cox’s
Teacher Advisory Council.
r
City of Nicholson
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The City of Nicholson will hold a General Election
on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. The offices to be
filled are:
Mayor
Councilmember 1, 2, 3 and 4
The qualifying fee for each elected position will be
$10.00 for Mayor and $5.00 for councilmember.
To be eligible to vote in the November General
Election you must be registered to vote by October
5, 2009.
Wonder what the new
uninsured
motorist
coverage means for you?
STATE FARM® IS THERE with answers. Talk to a State Farm agent near you today
about how the new uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Georgia affects
your car insurance. Call today!
STATI FARM
INSURANCI
State Farm
P080336GA 12/08
statefarm.com*
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company - Bloomington, II
Health Coverage Made Easy. I
We offer Health Coverage for:
•Individuals without Group Coverage
•Independent Contractors
•Dependents and Students
•COBRA/Alternative
•Self-Employed
•Small Businesses
Solutions with choices are easy, just call
Lisa Lyle at 706-355-3877
or Toll-Free: 866-477-5952
Apply online: www.lisalyleinsurance.com
Authorized Agent
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and
symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Jackson County Board of Adjustment
PUBLIC HEARING
The Jackson County Board of Adjustment will hold a Public Hearing on
Thursday, March 5, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at the Jackson County
Administrative Auditorium, 67 Athens Street, Jefferson, Georgia, on the
following matters:
BOA-09-01 - Steve Matthews, representing St. Catherine Laboure
Catholic Church, requests a parking variance at 80 Elrod Road to
increase parking spaces per Section 603(a) of the Jackson County
Unified Development Code (Map 051 Parcel 015A)
BOA-09-02 - David Archer requests a variance at 129 Harrison
Johnson Way to exclude buffer and landscaping requirements per
Sections 804 and 810 of the Jackson County Unified Development
Code (Map 041 Parcel 02IB)
Complete applications, plats, texts, maps, and public hearing procedures
are available for review in the Planning Division Office, of the
Department of Public Development during regular office hours. All
interested persons are invited to attend.
Anyone desiring to speak in opposition to one of the above cases shall file
a campaign Contribution Disclosure form at least 2 business days prior to
the March 5, 2009 Public Hearing.
Crusader
RENT TO OWN
Experience the Difference.
1-888-707-5523
*Ist Payment = $10 + processing fee. tax & Advantage Plus!
*Nevv Name Brand Furniture, Appliances,
Computers, TVs & Much More!
■"Flexible Payment Plans!
*No Credit Checks! ’"Lowest Price Guarantee!
*Free Same Day Delivery & Set-up!
*Rent for a Week or Own for a Lifetime!
"Take Advantage of Our Super Low Monthly
Payment Plan! If You Are Making Monthly
Payments at the competition, you are paying too much!
*90 Days Same As Cash! Better Than Layaway! Enjoy while making payments!
•This is a Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement. You will not own this merchandise until you have paid the total of all required payments according to the Con
sumer Rental-Purchase Agreement. The total number of weekly payments for NEW merchandise may be any combination of the following weekly installments:
39/52/78/91/104/130/156 weekly payments as determined by the Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement you execute. Initial payment will include periodic payment,
if applicable processing fees & taxes. I.ost/damagc waiver & taxes extra. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Pictures shown arc for illustration purposes only.
Models and styles may vary by location. Merchandise may be new or previously rented. 90 days samc-as-cash available. **S10 pays the first rental rate payment.
Processing fee. tax and Advantage Plus arc extra.