Newspaper Page Text
School News
The
Commerce News
FEBRUARY 25, 2009
PAGE 11A
Young Authors
These kindergarten students at East Jackson
Elementary School were named winners in the
Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. First through
third-place winners are Jazmine Huff, Camryn
Martin and Rylee Minish.
Third Grade Authors
These third grade students at East Jackson
Elementary School were named winners in the
Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. First through
third place winners are Mary Hollis, Ashtyn Dowdy
and Aubrey Green.
First Grade Winners
These first grade students at East Jackson
Elementary School were named winners in the
Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. First, second and
third place winners are Josephine Petras, Austin
Gibbons and Grace Palmer.
Fourth Grade Authors
These fourth grade students at East Jackson
Elementary School were named winners in the
Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. First through
third place winners are Conner Beauchamp, Bridget
McMillan, Marley Palmer and Lindsey Tolbert (hon
orable mention).
Second Grade Winners
These second grade students at East Jackson
Elementary School were named winners in the
Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. First through
third place winners are Colin Chandler, Rowdy
Jackson and Matthew Cheatham.
■ T w
Fifth Grade Authors
These fifth grade students at East Jackson
Elementary School were named winners in the
Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. First through
third place winners are Kelsey Edenfield, Oscar
Pena, Zac Waldrip and Mark Kelley (honorable
mention).
School Budget Picture Still Plenty Murky
By Mark Beardsley
The passage last week of
an economic stimulus pack
age did nothing to clear up
financial matters for local
school systems.
And the picture isn’t likely
to clear up anytime soon,
says Commerce superinten
dent of schools James E.
“Mac” McCoy.
“State funding is a moving
target,” said McCoy.
Since the state funds the
bulk of the cost of local
school systems, school
districts can’t finalize their
budgets until they know
how much the state will
allocate.
“We may not know any
thing until August, which
is crazy,” notes McCoy.
“They’re (the legislature)
changing our QBE money
now, the money they prom
ised us in the spring (of
2008) for this year.”
The legislature will meet
in a special session in late
spring. That’s a problem,
because teacher contracts
are supposed to be signed
in April.
“I don’t think the state
really has a good handle on
things now other than say
ing it’s bad, and it’s going to
get worse.”
It has been getting worse.
Gov. Sonny Perdue first esti
mated the budget shortfall at
$1.9 billion. He’s increased
that estimate to $3.1 billion.
The figure climbs every
month.
The $787 billion federal
stimulus package contains
$144 billion for state and
local governments, but
officials aren’t sure about
what’s in it for Georgia.
Makes Honor Roll
Alexander Odin Bates of
Commerce has been named
to the dean’s list at Valdosta
State University of fall
semester.
Dean’s list students main
tain a grade point average
of at least 3.0 and have a
semester grade point aver
age of at least 3.5.
“At first we had an idea
of what Commerce would
get over two years. This
year they would be giving
Commerce construction
money of something like
$260,000,” said McCoy. “I
think that was taken out of
the package, but I’m not
sure. Another thing was
federal Title I and Title II
money, $660,000 over two
years in the original plan. I
have not seen anything in
the new plan.”
Some governors, McCoy
points out, have already
said they will not accept
stimulus funds because of
“strings” attached.
Anticipating state funding
cuts, McCoy said the school
system “froze” its budget in
October, purchasing only
mandatory supplies and
materials and cutting back
wherever else possible.
“We felt like we’d done a
good job for this (school)
year, that no matter what
they threw at us, we would
be okay,” he commented.
“Next year is a different
story.”
Founder’s
Corner
by
Buhl Cummings
WOWLAcademics featuring
reading and math and patriotic
songs honoring the USA were
all part of the recent First Grade
program at ACS. This special
evening for parents,
grandparents, and friends also
featured history honoring
George Washington, the “Father
of our Country” and some
character lessons from “Honest
Ave.” The Bible part of the
program included songs and
memory passages on faith and
obedience, and concluded with
the touching song, “God Has a
Plan for my Life.”
Please call or write the school
for more information on grades
K-12, check our website, or
arrange to come by for a tour by
calling (706) 549-7586.
ATHENS
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
“Affordable Quality Education Since 1970”
K3-12TH CALL (706) 549-7586
www.athenschristian.com
So far in the current fis
cal year, the system has
absorbed $278,000 in fund
ing cuts from the state — a
three-percent reduction.
“If they add another three
percent, we’re looking at a
half million,” said McCoy.
“Everything from that point
is a guesstimate. Yesterday
(Feb. 18) $98 million was
cut from K-12 funding. No
one knows where. There
are rumors of the equal
ization grant being thrown
out. That’s $1.5 million (for
Commerce). There’s no way
to recover that.”
Fearing loss of funding for
staff and hoping to avoid
layoffs, the school system
is not moving to replace
staff members who retire or
leave for other reasons.
'The big fear is that as
the economy goes further in
the hole, how much are we
going to pick up locally?”
McCoy said. “Then they tie
our hands locally.”
Pre-K Programs Accepting
Applications Through Apr. 17
The Georgia Pre-K programs in Jackson County
Schools, Commerce City Schools and Jefferson City
Schools will take applications for the next school year
through April 17 until 3 p.m. Applications are available at
all elementary schools.
Each school is limited to a number of children in the
program. There will be a drawing to determine which
students will be enrolled. All parents will be notified by
mail.
Applicants for the Georgia Pre-K program must be 4
on or before Sept. 1, 2009, live in the attendance area
of the school they are applying for and have a certified
birth certificate.
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Average Competition’s
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Average
Savings/Week
Infants (6 Weeks - 9 Months)
$ 150
$ 180
$ 30
Young Crawlers (9 Months -16 Months)
. $ 130
$ 180
$ 50
Young Toddlers (17 Months - 24 Months)
. $ 123
$ 175
$ 52
Toddlers (2 Year Olds)
$ 115
$ 168
$ 53
Pre-School (3YearOlds)
$ 110
$ 165
$ 55
Pre-K (4 Year Olds)
$ 110
$ 165
$ 55
Before Or After School Only (School Age)...
$ 40
Not Offered
Not Offered
Before And After School (school Age)
$ 53
$ 58
$ 5
PRICES GUARANTEED FOR 1
401 Zion Church Road • Braselton
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