MINUTES FOR
WORTH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
BOARD MEETING
HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012
AT WORTH COUNTY BOARD ROOM
AT 7:00 P.M.
The Worth County Board of Education met Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Worth County Board Room.
Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order.
Mr. J. T. Braun gave the invocation.
Chairman Jenkins led the pledge to the flag and welcomed visitors.
Board Members present were: William Jenkins, Melvin Jefferson, Jerry Jones, and Mike
Roberts. Board Member, Randy Bacon, was absent. Also in attendance was Barbara Thomas,
Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools. Chairman Jenkins reported that a quorum was present to
conduct business. Chairman Jenkins noted the absence of Board Member, Randy Bacon, and
Board Attorney, Clarence Miller.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Jerry Jones made the motion to approve the agenda for October 11, 2012. Mike Roberts
seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Tatina Tucker addressed the Board as a concerned parent, volunteer, and the Worth County
Elementary School PTO President with questions concerning the new requirements for
volunteers in the school system. Her concern was with the fingerprinting and background check
requiring a fee of $50.00 for all volunteers and the impact it would have on the number of
volunteers in the system. Also, she was concerned with how long it would take for requirements
to be met in order for volunteers to return to schools.
Chairman Jenkins reported the superintendent is presently reviewing the procedures for
volunteers. All volunteers are required to take the state mandated class on child abuse. Each
volunteer will be considered on a Tier basis which will determine their requirements to volunteer
in the schools.
Christie McGough addressed the Board concerning background checks for volunteers. She
stated upon being told she had to complete the fingerprinting/background check before being
allowed to volunteer at school again, she had come and paid the $50.00 fee and completed the
requirement. She stated she had checked with the Department of Education and was told the
WCBE – October 11, 2012 – Page 1
only state mandated requirement was attending the class on Child Abuse and Neglect. If this is
so, she asked she be refunded her $50.00 fee.
Chairman Jenkins told Mrs. McGough he did not see where there would be a problem with a
refund. However, he explained to her the procedure for volunteers would be reviewed by the
superintendent on a Tier basis and requirements for volunteers would be determined according to
which Tier applies to them.
Chairman Jenkins noted there is a difference between a procedure and a policy. At present, the
procedure is being reviewed by the superintendent and will be discussed with the Board.
SUPERINTENT’S REPORT
Recognitions
David Willis, Director of Transportation, recognized bus drivers in observance of National and
Georgia School Bus Drivers Safety Week October 22-26, 2012. Mr. Willis reported our bus
drivers are well trained and prepared. Those recognized were Eloise Billingsley, Debbie
Bozeman, P.T. Braun, Wanda Conger, Elaine Douglas, Betty Godwin, Ed Godwin, Nathaniel
Gordon, Bernard Johnson, Sara Johnson, Wayne Lister, Nell Rudd, Gregory Shipp, Henry
Slaughter, Delphine Thomas, Willa Williams, James Young, and Shirley Drayton.
Reports
Dr. Kathaleena Monds, Albany State University Co-director for the Center for Economic
Education, presented a power point presentation on Economic Education in Georgia. Free
training for teachers is available through this program in addition to payment for substitute
teachers during teacher training time. Dr. Monds stated that the mission of the program is to
help teachers teach Economics to K-12 students.
Dr. Thomas introduced Missy Culpepper, Health Occupations teacher at WCHS and WCMS.
Mrs. Culpepper displayed posters prepared by her 8th grade students. She reported this is the
first time Health Occupations has been offered to Middle School students. The students did an
exceptional job on preparing their posters about Health Care careers.
CONSENT AGENDA
MINUTES
Consent to approve September 13, 2012 Board Meeting Minutes
FINANCE
Consent to approve Expenditure Reports for September
Consent to approve Food Service Report for September
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FIELD TRIPS
Group
School Name
WCHS
Expenses
Date of Trip Paid By
Destination & Purpose
WCHS
JROTC
HOSA & Gen.
Med.
San Juan Puerto Rico - Summer Camp
Tifton - Moultrie Tech Campus - Surgical
Simulation
WCHS
12th Graders
Albany - Darton College Probe Fair
WCMS
Y-Club
Decatur - Junior Youth Assembly
6/23-29/2013 JROTC
11/14/2012
11/15/2012 HOSA
10/26/2012 WCHS
11/04-06/2012 Club
FUND RAISERS
School
Type of Project
Date(s)
WCHS
Group
Name
FBLA
BBQ Plate Fundraiser
Dec.
WCHS
JROTC
Sell cases of Coke
products
WCMS Team 7A
Sale of drinks & snacks
Funds Used For
To take students to Region &
State competitions
Jan. - Feb. To pay for air travel to and from
2013
summer camp
Oct. 2012
- May
2013
Educational Field Trips
Mike Roberts made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Melvin Jefferson
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
ADMINISTRATION
Approval of the revised quote from B & S Concrete Services, Inc. to construct concrete pad
(20 x 40) for the “cooling zone” building at the practice field in the amount of $3,680.00.
This replaces the original quote of $2,100.00 for a 10 x 20 pad.
Jerry Jones made the motion to approve as presented. Mike Roberts seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Approval of the first reading of Board policy DIE (Fraud Prevention).
Melvin Jefferson made the motion to approve as presented. Mike Roberts seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously.
WCBE – October 11, 2012 – Page 3
Approval to rescind the bid award to Adel Steel, Inc. for the construction of the Steel
Building for BOE Maintenance due to failure to meet bid specs and to award the bid to
Tyson Steel Building Products in the amount of $21,618.71 (the lowest responsible bidder
meeting bid specs). Intrepid Building Co. also submitted a bid but it also did not meet bid
specs.
Jerry Jones made the motion to rescind the awarding of the bid to Adel Steel, Inc. and to award
the bid to Tyson Steel Building Products. Melvin Jefferson seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Valdosta State University
concerning affiliation of students for Social Work Practicum.
Mike Roberts made the motion to approve as presented. Jerry Jones seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Jerry Jones made the motion to enter into executive session at 8:00 p.m. to consider personnel,
student discipline and/or property acquisition. Melvin Jefferson seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Returned to open session at 8:42 p.m.
PERSONNEL ITEMS
A. RESIGNATION
Classified
1. Kathi Hartsfield, Bus Driver, Effective October 05, 2012.
2. Felicia McGee, System Bookkeeper, Effective September 14, 2012.
3. Mary Ann Tompkins, Bus Driver, Effective September 14, 2012.
B. RECOMMENDATION
Certified
1. Melissa Holt, English Teacher, WCHS, Effective October 15, 2012.
Classified
1. Tina Brown, Paraprofessional, WCMS, Effective October 15, 2012.
2. Sandra DeVane, Benefits Specialist, WCBE, Effective October 12, 2012.
3. Kim Oliver, System Bookkeeper, WCBE, Effective October 9, 2012.
4. James Young, Bus Driver, Transportation Department, Effective October 1, 2012.
NOTE: As per Georgia State Code Section 20-2-211 all employees hired after July 1, 2000, shall be
fingerprinted and have a criminal record check. Employees listed above are recommended for employment
subject to verification of a clean record.
WCBE – October 11, 2012 – Page 4
C. FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
1. Kelly Diaz, Medical Leave, Effective September 4, 2012 through September 10, 2012.
2. Kenneth Holland, Medical Leave, Effective August 20, 2012 through August 31, 2012.
Jerry Jones made the motion to approve the superintendent’s recommendations A-C. Melvin Jefferson seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
Melvin Jefferson made the motion to adjourn. Mike Roberts seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
SIGNED:
APPROVED:
___________________________________
Barbara Thomas, Ed. D.
Superintendent
_____________________________________
William R. Jenkins
Board Chairman
WCBE – October 11, 2012 – Page 5