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PACE 2A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008 Erwin updates BOE on start of school BOC approves budget for new fiscal year BY CHRIS BRIDGES Banks County Superintendent Chris Erwin told Board of Education members the start of the 2008-09 school year continues to see growth for the system. Approximately 100 more students have enrolled in the local system this year Erwin told BOE members at their August work session last Thursday. “History shows us we will contin ue to grow through October," Erwin said. “Every day this week we have been enrolling new students at every school in the system.” The superintendent also said in his six years in the county this was the most prepared the system has been for the start of a new school year. “Many of our teachers are in the same classroom,” Erwin said. “That always helps make the start of the new school year go well.” In other business at last Thursday’s work session, the BOE was informed the most recent Educational Local Option Sales Tax check was for $307,186.85. Financial director Mike Beasley said the amount was the seventh highest among the 71 checks received on the current ELOST. The BOE also approved the fol lowing personnel items during a closed session: •Certified personnel, transfer: Stacey Morgan, teacher, Banks County Elementary School to 21st CCLC director. •Certified personnel, new hire: Kathryn Blake Purcell, teacher, 2008-09 school year. •Classified personnel, new hire: Connie Garrison, para-professional, 2008-09 school year. •Classified personnel, transfers: Melissa Hester, para-professional, Banks County High School to atten dance secretary and Nicole Blalock, para-professional, Banks County Middle School to 21st CCLC sec retary. •Certified personnel, family medi cal leave, Tondra Boswell, teacher, Banks County Elementary School. BY CHRIS BRIDGES The Banks County Board of Commissioners made it official last week concerning the budget for the new fiscal year. After holding the required pub lic hearings, the BOC approved a budget of $14,567,734 in a special called meeting Thursday afternoon. There was no discussion on the matter. The approval of the new budget was originally on the agenda for the Aug. 12 BOC meeting but chairman Gene Hart asked that it be delayed for two days. Hart wanted to meet with county school officials as well as officials from the cities of Maysville, Baldwin, Alto and Homer concerning a possible action from the Governor’s office. Hart said there is a chance Governor Sonny Perdue may cut a Homestead Exemption Act which would cut cost Banks County approximately half a million dollars. If this happens, Hart said the county would not be able to absorb the cost. “We are going to go ahead and send the tax bills out with that amount still figured in,” the chair man said. “If we have to, we will go back and re-bill.” Hart said he is unsure when the governor will make a decision on the matter but noted it would only affect those citizens with Homestead Exemptions. “It’s not just us, every county faces this possibility,” Hart said. Tax notices are scheduled to be sent out in middle to late October, Hart said. Banks' Erwin elected to leadership position in AASA Mauldin named assistant DA of the year *51 Allison Mauldin, assistant district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, has been selected as the 2008 Assistant District Attorney of the Year by the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia. The announcement was made on Sunday, July 27, at the 48th annual summer conference held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center and spon sored by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council. “I am honored and humbled to have been recognized statewide for my service this past year,” said Mauldin. “I accept this award on behalf of my former colleagues in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit who worked tirelessly alongside of me during a very difficult time.” Mauldin was nominated by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, the assistant district attorneys who formerly staffed the office of the district attorney of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit and the Georgia attorney general’s office. Mauldin served as the senior assis tant district attorney in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit from 1998 until December of 2006. She was the chief assistant district attorney there from January of 2007 through June 2007. She served as interim district attorney from June 2007 through September 6, 2007. Rick Currie, district attorney for MAULDIN the Waycross Judicial Circuit and 2008-2009 president of the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia, presented the award to Mrs. Mauldin. “This year’s recipient is a true leader,” said Currie. “She carries herself with grace and dignity. She is also calm, encouraging and takes great pride in her work.” Currie read from her nomination letters. “Alley was tasked with the tre mendous burden of maintaining ser vice from the Piedmont Judicial Circuit’s district attorney’s office when the previous district attorney was charged with several criminal acts,” said Major and Chief Deputy Murray Kogod of the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office. “Not only did service go unin terrupted, but the level of coop eration and communication between the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney’s office improved dramatically. We began to see a level of service from our DA’s office that we had never seen Dr. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) N. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) is now associated with Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia and will do all Invasive Cardiology Procedures at this facility. Commerce Cardiology Clinic Call 335-2000 for appointment f satBh^Hme-CMkeJ jM§ WUde wdk Only All-You-Coti-Ed Catfish on Friday & Saturday Nights! Sun. 11am -3pm Dine with friends in a warm environment at Sa T. Lun^t!'^m-ilnoon Sarah’s, a family-operated restaurant featuring Fri. & sat. e - 9 P m delicious home-cooked meals & daily specials! 6 Homer St. 706-652-0070 On the Jackson/Banks County line in Maysville I-85N exit 147, Commerce/Maysville exit, left onto 98, 4 miles into Maysville, right over railroad tracks. GA STARS FAST PITCH TRAVELING SOFTBALL TRYOUTS COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 Tryouts are being held for the Ga. Stars 10 and under fast pitch softball team. The Ga. Stars will be holding tryouts on Saturday, August 23, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at West Jackson Park. For more information, contact Terri at 770-714-5977 or Marie 706-614-8824. in the past. I truly believe that this occurred as a result of Alley’s lead ership and management.” “Under tremendous stress, Alley maintained a calm presence while keeping the office functioning in order to prosecute cases and protect victims,” said the recommendation letter from former assistant district attorneys of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit..” Mauldin was also nominated by David S. McLaughlin, senior assis tant attorney general in the Georgia attorney general’s office. Chris Erwin, superintendent of Banks County School System, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the Governing Board of the American Association of School Administrators. AASA is the professional orga nization for school superintendents and other school system leaders nationwide. As a member of the AASA Governing Board, Erwin will help to set the policy agenda. AASA’s Governing Board is com prised almost entirely of active school superintendents drawn from seven U.S. geographic regions. The board meets twice each year and works closely with AASA’s Executive Committee, which approves the association’s strategic plan and bud get and conducts the ongoing busi ness of the organization. “I am honored by this opportunity to serve the leading association for K-12 educators,” said Erwin. “As a member of the AASA Governing Board, I look forward to contribut ing to AASA’s efforts to advance high-quality education for all chil dren.” “The AASA governance structure relies on the participation of practic ing school leaders, who establish and oversee AASA’s goals,” said AASA President Randall Collins, super intendent of schools in Waterford, Connecticut. “We value the work of our elected leaders, who are inte grally involved in decisions about the critical issues facing school admin istrators and public education.” “AASA appreciates our mem bers’ willingness to lend their time and energy to advance AASA’s educational mission,” said AASA Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech. Erwin’s commitment to improving public education and advancing student learning benefits public education on a local and a national level.” The American Association of School Administrators, founded in 1865, is the professional organiza tion for more than 13,000 educa tional leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. AASA’s major focus is standing up for public education. •NO BEER OR WINE SOLD •NO LIMITS • NO GIMMICKS CLOSED ON SUNDAYS SALES TO DEALERS COMMERCE VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER COMMERCE, GA. REGISTER TO WIN ONE OF 9 John Deere RIDING LAWN MOWERS! PRICES GOOD AUGUST 18,2008 - AUGUST 23,2008 • i 1 \ WE HONOR WIC COUPONS AND ACCEPT FOOD STAMPS Black Canyon Angus, Boneless, Beef Bottom Round Roast Black Canyon Angus, Family Pack, Boneless jfk I BlackCa to X One to be given away at each Quality Foods Store! Sponsored by: • Dr. Pepper • Pepsi Cola • Pet Dairies • Armour Dial • Clorox ■ Lipton • McCormick • Hormel • Fresh Frozen Foods • Kingsford Charcoal Drawings to be held August 30 at local store. Bottom Round steak Black Canyon Angus, Family Pack, Boneless New York strip steak Family Pack, Bone-ln, Sliced Fan to Half klpt pork Loin Ip $479 Family Pack, Bone-In, Mixed Family Pack, Bone-In, Center-Cut Pork Loin Pork Loin Family Pack, Fresh Ground $ 1 79 Lb. Family Pack, Bone-In Country-Style All Flavors Chops Chops fptPork Ribs Lance Homepack Crackers & Cookies 3/$ E 2/$ C Oz. j| Flunt's Spaghetti Sauce < Hunt's Ketchup spaghetti's Campbell’s (with meatballs, Chili Beans, Pintos, Kidney, Blackeye meat or franks) Peas or Great Northern Hanover Beans 2/$e 15.5 Oz. Family Pack Sweet Potatoes GET OUR SAVINGS WITHOUT A CARD! “See our specials online at shopqualitySoods.com”