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THE ^SLANDER Published by Permar Publications May 17, 2010 www.theislanderonline.com • Established 1972 ssislander@bellsouth.net Vol 38 Issue 20 GA Girls Golf top in state Glynn Academy Athletic Coordinator Coach Steve Waters's (left) girls golf team con sists of (left to right) sophomore Casey Drum, freshmen Mary Margaret White, Katy Har ris and Elizabeth Burns, and junior Caitlin Cole. The team was recognized for winning the 2010 Georgia State Girls Golf Tournament during the May 11 Glynn County Board of Education meeting and is pictured with Glynn County Schools Superintendent How ard Mann. Photo by Jim Weidhaas, APR Public Relations Director, Glynn County Schools Harris scores lowest ever in state tourney Furloughs, textbooks and PLC move; big savers for BOE By Matthew J. Permar Facing a combined revenue shortfall and decrease in the fund balance of between $10.1 and $13.8 million, the Glynn County Board of Education (BOE) has its work cut out in preparing their budget for the 2010-2011 school year. The list of potential reduc tions is long and includes $1.4 million that won't be spent on new textbooks; $630,400 that will be saved by relocating the Performance Learning Cen ter to the Golden Isles Career Academy and $1.68 million that will be saved through six staff furlough days. Last week, during a BOE finance committee meeting, school system Chief Financial Officer Andrea Preston pre sented three possible budget scenarios based on 10%, 12% and 15% decreases in the County Tax Digest. According to Preston, a 15% tax digest decrease will result in a $13,892,000 revenue decrease. A 12% drop will result in an $11,631,200 decrease and a 10% reduction will result in a $10,123,800 decrease. The current list of poten tial budget cuts totals $11,352,100. If the BOE approves the budget with the $11,352,100 in budget cuts and the digest comes in 15% ($13,892,000) down, they will have to fund the $2,539,900 shortfall from the fund balance. Likewise, if the digest comes in at the 12% figure, they will only need $279,100 from the fund balance. But, if the digest comes in at the 10% decreased amount, they will have an excess of $1,228,300 over the budget cuts. This means the BOE can Turn to Page 5 BOE budget The Glynn Academy girls golf team captured the Class AAAA state championship on Monday, May 3 at the state tournament held at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. Coach Steve Waters' team consists of sophomore Casey Drum, freshmen Mary Mar garet White, Katy Harris and Elizabeth Bums, and junior Caitlin Cole. The team was recognized for its accomplish ment at the May 11 Glynn County Board of Education meeting and is pictured with Glynn County Schools Super intendent Howard Mann. During the state tourna ment, Katy Harris shot an even par 72 and Caitlin Cole played 18 holes at 82 on the Indian Mound course to give the team a combined score of 154, besting the nearest competitor, Thomas County Central, by 14 strokes. The champion is determined by the total of the team's two lowest scores. Harris turned in her low est round of the season and her second-best round ever, by one stroke. According to Coach Waters, Katy Harris' 72 was the low est score by a ninth grader in the history of the girls' state championship tournament. The championship marked the sixth state title for the Lady Terrors and was the first since 2007. The Lady Terrors finished second in the region and were ranked 7th in state heading into the tournament. "For us to win the state tournament was somewhat of a surprise," Coach Waters said. The team qualified for the state tournament by finish ing second at the Region 2- AAAA tournament April 19 in Jesup. In that round, Harris shot 79 and Cole a 95. The Lady Terrors came in six strokes behind region champion Eff ingham County. The Lady Terrors had not qualified for state play since the 2007 championship when the loss ended a string of four straight titles. "I'm certainly very proud of the girls. I think they played well when the pressure was on and rose to the occasion. It's good to peak at the right time," he said. "Both girls played a great round." Casey Drum, sophomore, and Elizabeth Bums, fresh man, also played for Glynn Academy. Freshman Mary Margaret. White was avail able as an alternate. □ BOE to cut 4-H funds almost in half • 4-H program to change drastically By Matthew J. Permar The Glynn County Board of Education (BOE) won't approve their budget until late next month, but as it stands right now the local 4-H pro gram will have its funding cut by almost 50% and will be a very different program next year. 4-H is one of many items included in the BOE’s $11 million budget reduction pro posal. According to the proposed budget, 4-H will lose the $45,100 they have received for the last two years. This money represents roughly two thirds of the 4-H operating budget. That money will be replaced with a $25,000 21st Century Turn to Page 6 4-H funds County in sound financial shape By Matthew J. Permar Almost no one is immune to the economy during these tough financial times - not the private sector and not the pub lic sector. In a effort to cut costs the State of Georgia began an employee furlough program last year to reduce salaries. Likewise the City of Bruns wick has had a two-day per month furlough for several months. Last week, during their regular meeting, the Glynn County Board of Education approved a calendar for the 2010-2011 school year that includes six potential furlough days for teachers. The number of school sys tem furlough days could be reduced from six depending on the reduction in the County Tax Digest. The prediction is Turn to Page 7 County finances Surfin’ the News CCGA breaks ground Community News - Pg 2 County-Wide News - Read County-Wide $20 on the 20th Feature Section - Pg 8 Iron Man 2 Movie Review -Pg 12 Back Talk Editorial Column -Pg 20