BOE Investigates Financial Issues for Future

Amid talks of facilities and future meeting dates, a few financial issues arose in the Board of Education’s meeting on Monday, December 14.

After the Finance Report, 2010 ESPLOST Report, and 2015 ESPLOST Report, the Board began discussion and consideration to increase funding for the School Resource Officers which was requested by the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners. Currently, the School Board reimburses the County for half of the officers salaries and 100% of any hours outside of the School day (i.e. a ball game, tournament, graduation events) according to Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes.

Dr. Wilkes mentioned research to study surrounding counties and an informal survey that places Gilmer somewhere in the middle of Officer Funding saying, “There are some counties that are paying the whole amount… most of the counties are actually split in a similar fashion.” The BOE will continue to consider the request as they move forward into developing the FY17 budget.

Along with the Nutrition Report, Dr. Wilkes also presented the Paid Lunch Equity agenda item. According to section 205 of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Dr. Wilkes stated the Act requires “the same level of support for lunches served to students who are not eligible for free and reduced lunch as they are for lunches served to students who are eligible for the free lunches.”

This means the Board has to charge for their paid lunches closer to the reimbursement for free lunches. What this boils down to for students and parents is the school will have to look at raising lunch prices. While 7-12 is at $2.00, Dr. Wilkes suggested increasing the K-6 lunches from $1.75 to $1.80 to make cover this state appointed increase.

Facilities were discussed deeper earlier in the day with the Board Retreat as discussion, questions, and conceptual plans were offered as the BOE begins its capital projects for the Athletics Facilities and Agricultural Facilities.

The Board will hear a recommendation on Thursday, December 17 from Dr. Wilkes for an Early Release package for the GHS and CCMS projects including the Parrish Contract Amendment I for Stadium Renovations and Improvements which is adding the CCMS project to the standing contract.

First, looking at the Athletics facility, you can see the scope and timeline showing an estimation to complete construction July 1st. However, even these documents are conceptual and subject to change as the Board tweeks and alters certain aspects such as a discussion held on the timeline that could cross over School events and cause further relocations.

With the Amendment to add CCMS to the contract, the scope, timeline and overview also shows a preview of plans pending for that project which could be keeping the displaced track and field equipment as the High School project is said to include new equipment.

Even more discussion came out of the retreat for the Agriculture Facility, which is awaiting the completion of the Survey and the Boards approval to use the site designated. Board Members discussed several issues including ring and room size, outside appearance, and parking areas.

Other items in the meeting discussion included the first reading of Policies (ABCB Board Member Qualification, AFC Emergency Closings, CMA Administrative Rules, DFK Gifts and Bequests, GAE Complaints and Grievances, and IEC Class Sizes), second reading of Policies (IDBA Sex Education, IDFA Gender Equity in Sports, IEDA Unstructured Break Time, IFBC Media Programs, KG Use of School Facilities, and a Rescinding of IDB Health Education), and proposed Meeting Dates.