A Tift County parent was concerned about not being able to get the money left in her children’s PAMS (Parent Account Management System) accounts since all Tift County students now do not have to pay for meals because of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Stacey Beckham, director of communications for Tift County Schools, provided the following statement: “We are thrilled to be able to offer free breakfast and lunch to each Tift County student. In years past, students had meal plan accounts where any unused balance could be carried over to the next year. Since they do not have to pay this year, those balances can be cashed out. All it takes is filling out a simple, one-page form.”

Parents can visit the following link, which is from the Tift County Schools website, to file the refund form: http://www.tiftschools.com/content_page2.aspx?cid=3156.

Also, when asked about the seven students who recently vandalized Tift County High School, Beckham said, “The students who vandalized the high school last month were caught and punished.”

She said they were identified through an investigation, security camera footage and ultimately, confessions. They were all punished in accordance with the Tift County Schools Code of Student Conduct, which all students are held to.

“If any of the students were involved in any extracurricular activities, athletic or otherwise, they are also punished based on the team’s or organization’s rule book,” she added, when asked if any of the offenders were athletes.

Beckham provided information from the Student Handbook that outlines the punishments for vandalism. She noted disciplinary actions are progressive based on the student’s past behavior.

The handbook states that vandalism is: “The willful and/or malicious destruction, damage or defacement of public or private property, real or personal, without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it. Examples include graffiti, carving initials or words in desktops or spray-painting on the walls.

The following options of disciplinary action plans can be taken:

• Plan C – Administrator Action

– Administrator-student conference

– Teacher-student-parent-administrator conference

– Suspension or other alternatives (school chores, detention hall, corporal punishment, student contract, ISS for 1-5 days, home suspension)

– Referral to student services – counselor, social worker, etc.

– Restitution

• Plan D – Administrator Action

– Parent/guardian contact and 5-10 days ISS or home suspension

– Possible development of behavior correction plan (all grades)

– Possible recommendation for alternative program (grades 6-12)

– Possible referral to law enforcement

– Restitution

– Recommendation for expulsion

• Plan E – Administrator Action

– Parent/guardian-administrator conference and 5-10 days home suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion

– Referral to law enforcement

– Alternative school

– Enrollment in and completion of anger management/drug and alcohol intervention class

Beckham also shared the text from the Employee Handbook about what can and can’t be said if they’re questioned about a student.

“Standard 7: Confidential Information: An educator shall comply with state and federal laws and state/local school board/governing board policies relating to the confidentiality of student and personnel records, standardized test material and other information (Link to FERPA: JR). Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to: sharing of confidential information concerning student academic and disciplinary records, health and medical information, family status and/or income and assessment/testing results unless disclosure is required or permitted by law; sharing of confidential information restricted by state or federal law; violation of confidentiality agreements related to standardized testing including copying or teaching identified test items, publishing or distributing test items or answers, discussing test items, violating local school system or state directions for the use of tests or test items, etc.; and violation of other confidentiality agreements required by state or local policy.”

To contact reporter Latasha Ford, call 382-4321.