Recognitions and Policies in BOE’s December

The Gilmer County Board of Education’s Monday, December 12, Meeting was majority overtaken with recognition for students in our Schools.

First, the Board recognized their High School Cheerleaders, two squads were represented at the meeting including the Sideline Squad, performing the cheers for Basketball and Football Games and encouraging School Spirit weekly in the halls of the High School.

The second squad recognized was the Competition Squad who practice daily to attend and compete against other squads around our region. They have achieved Region Runner Up this year as were able to move on to attend Stat Sectionals as well.

Many recognized our school systems Parliamentary Team at the meeting as well as they provided a presentation to the Board several months ago. That presentation was practice before the team moved on to compete against 43 other teams. Our Parliamentary Team not only achieved 1st in the State, but also moved on to compete in Nationals in Indiana recently, achieving 6th overall. However, the accolades do not stop as they also achieved the second highest test scores in Nationals and hosted the Outstanding Chairperson in the Nation, .

Still more achievements in our schools were presented as Gilmer’s Technology Student Association (TSA) appeared with four members who each gave speeches on the meaning of TSA in their High School careers as well as the influence of TSA’s teacher representative, Mr. Wyrick. With 130 chapters attending the Technology Day Competition that our students attended, each of the four students present brought home high honors as they received 2nd place in both competitions for a Mouse Trap powered Car and a CO2 Powered Car, 7th place for bridge construction, 3rd place for Graphic Design Competition in Pen Design, and 6th place for a TSA t-shirt design.

Their meeting wasn’t all awards and honors, however, as the Board also continued closing in on the end of their process to review ever Board Policy on its books. Though Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes lauded this as an achievement for the Board, she also alluded to the possibility of cycling back around and going through the policies again, following the same two-year plan for review. Stating there is always something needing updating and attention, Dr. Wilkes alluded that this process could become a consistently repeated process to constantly make sure the Board’s policies are updated.

This months policies under review are First Readings for Policy BBFB Governance Teams, Policy BCBI-R(1) Public Participation in Board Meetings. Policy EE Food Services Management, Policy EEE Wellness Program, Policy GBC Professional Personnel Recruitment, Policy IBB Charter Schools, Policy JCDAE Weapons, and Policy JGFGB Concussion Management, as well as Second Readings for Policy BCBI Public Participation in Board Meetings, Policy GAL Salary Deductions (Rescind), Policy GANA Infectious Diseases, Policy GBKA Professional Personnel Lay-Off, and Policy JGCC Infectious Diseases (Rescind).-

Financially, Dr. Wilkes reported items to the Board including some ESPLOST purchase she stated were not required for the Purchasing Policy(therefore not needing a vote on Thursday). However, she wanted the Board aware of the purchases for the Agriculture Education center. The other purchase included a fiscal service purchase for Softdocs for $12,330.

For more information on the Gilmer County Charter School System’s Board meeting, check out the financial reports and nutrition reports as well as the 2010 ESPLOST and 2015 ESPLOST Reports.