Board hears baseball matter

Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette CNHI

TIFTON — Tift County Board of Education members heard from the Rev. Samuel L. Pridgon at Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting in regards to a community meeting that was held in February.

Pridgon was reminded that due to the issue being a personnel matter, he could not mention any names of staff or students during the public forum.

He began by saying, “We come always in peace...”

He discussed a meeting that was held in February with some community members and a few members of the board of education and those employed by the board to discuss some issues concerning the Tift County High School baseball team.

Pridgon said he and other local citizens had some concerns about certain players who didn’t make the team this year.

“We ask that you place these seniors back on the team,” he told the board. “We’re asking this board to take this under consideration.”

Pridgon thanked the board for their time and said he looked forward to their response in his recommendation.

“Do know, we love you and appreciate you,” he said.

Superintendent Patrick Atwater, who couldn’t discuss the matter in details, told The Tifton Gazette that the new coach has new procedures and goals. He said Pridgon is speaking on behalf of a small group of players who didn’t make the team.

Atwater said he and the athletic director, Rusty Smith, are planning to work with Darrien Teals to assist the athletic program with upcoming baseball skill camps for the summer. This will help with getting all local students interested in baseball. Atwater said all of the details have not been worked out yet. However, they have already begun working on plans.

Also, board members discussed the three options for the 2013-2014 school calendar. Atwater told The Gazette that all three calendars have 176 days of instruction for students with at least three furlough days built in for staff (the options include three, six or 10 furlough days). He noted this is the second year that the local school system has not had 180 days of instruction. They will not decrease instructional days any further, he assured. He said the board plans to choose one of the calendar options after budgetary concerns are finalized. Based on finances, the options could change for teachers’ work days.

Atwater said the state will not be funding $5 million plus at their formula level to the local school system. He said Tift County will have been cut $35 million or more from funding since 2003.

He added that the board will be having a public finance forum from 4 to 7 p.m. March 25 at the Performing Arts Center. He said this will be a three-hour training for the board members on the school’s finances. He said the community is invited to sit in on the training.

Clinton Guess, who was hired to assist with finances, gave an update on Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds. Before giving the update, he thanked the board for their service. He said all bills are current. He said with the new law in effect concerning the “birthday tax,” they’ll get a chance to see what it will do. The financial report was approved by the board.

Guess also discussed the upcoming increase in insurance for employees. He said the board is looking at having to pay possibly over $900 to $1,016 per employee. He noted there are 480 employees (only general funded positions). Guess said they are required to use an insurance company from the state’s selections. He said the increase amount is up in the air; however, the board should anticipate paying $1,016 per employee. The local board can no longer opt out of paying Social Security.

Atwater said they could be looking at another decrease in staffing. Vice Chairman John Smith said the increase in insurance seems unfair. Board member Melanie Roberson also said it’s unfair that there could be a decrease in staffing. She said the students will suffer.

Atwater said there are some schools who attend school less than 176 days. He mentioned one school that only has 140 days of instruction.

“Days is the most alarming thing,” Guess said.

According to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), Georgia school districts report that classrooms are more crowded than ever, and students are spending fewer days in school due to substantial cuts in state funding. GBPI surveyed Georgia’s 180 school districts on the impact of state funding cuts. The 150 districts that responded educate more than 1.53 million students and represent 92 percent of the students in Georgia public schools. Key findings from the survey include fewer school days for students, larger classroom sizes, fewer classroom teachers and pay cuts for teachers.

School Nutrition Director Vanessa Hayes gave the board some good news. She said based on FY11 until now, the food nutrition budget has been cut by 60 percent, and it was up for a $1.6 million cut statewide. However, the cut has been eliminated altogether, Hayes said, smiling.

She also said she’s excited about the local school system receiving “The Golden Radish Award.” The local system, among 25 school districts, was recently honored for supporting their local economies and increasing the amount of local food they serve to their students through Farm to School programs.

Hayes said, “School nutrition is the fuel for the educational vehicle. We are a huge part of the educational process.”

She also addressed the pressure being placed on them to raise meal prices.

“We’re the lowest in our area,” she said.

Hayes said she has volunteered the local school district to be a part of a pilot that will help with ensuring that every child gets the same food to eat. She said high school students need more choices. She said they would like for all students to eat free. She noted 75 percent of local students are on free or reduced lunch.

Hayes said, “Contrary to what people think, children are hungry.”

She said, “We have to feed our children at all cost. We are dealing with our future.”

She said students who are hungry are signed up for certain programs.

Also, she said they have applied for a fresh fruit and vegetable grant to provide extra snacks in the primary schools. She said it’s one more thing that the teachers will have to do, but she hopes they will understand the importance of it and will embrace it.

Hayes thanked the board for what they do.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included:

• The board discussed the recommendation to not make up the February 26 foul weather day. They decided that this will be added as a furlough day. Also, the state board of education FY14 class size resolution was approved by the board.

• Kevin Dobard, the school system’s human resources director, discussed the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) Program. This program will be effective July 1, he said. All employees will be required to fill out the affidavit to ensure they are legal permanent residents of the United States. At the beginning of open enrollment in November, everyone will have to fill out the affidavit.

• Atwater gave an update on the strategic plan for the local school system. He said the plan will be presented March 20. This is the next step of the strategic planning process, which was first introduced last March with a Community Engagement Session. Chairwoman Kim Rutland said, “I commend Atwater and staff, as well as this board, for trying to provide a direction for this system. I’m glad to be a part of this system.”

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

Homepage

Search Results

Board hears baseball matter

2013-14 school calendar also discussed at meeting

Site Map

Contact Us