By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Area schools prepare for new year
Placeholder Image
Although the official 2011-12 school year doesn’t begin for teachers until Monday, about a dozen cars could be seen in the Screven County High School parking lot Thursday.Teachers and administrators alike have been gearing up for a new year as summer break is drawing to a close.Screven, Candler, and Evans County school teachers are all scheduled to return for pre-planning on Monday, August 1.Evans County staff will reunite with their annual system-wide welcome-back breakfast meeting Monday morning.Former Claxton High School assistant principal, Justin Russell will be starting the new school year as interim principal of the high school, since principal Dr. Daryl Fineran has moved into the position of director of student services.Someone needed to take over the position during the summer to help with the transition, said Russell, but he said he is unsure of the board’s intention for the future of the position.“There are some changes underway [for the high school],” said Russell, among them being the switch to uniforms system-wide.“Personally, I think most students will show up and do the right thing,” he said, referring to the new dress code.Any change can cause a knee-jerk reaction,” he said, “but I believe people will quickly jump on board.Since the development of the new dress code, specifying no denim and polo-type shirts, most Evans County parents have been in favor of the change, he said, which many have said will be a lot cheaper than their usual purchases.“We are anticipating a great new year,” said Metter Elementary School Principal Lesa Brown.With 840 enrolled in the elementary school this year, Brown said this was a slight increase from last year’s enrollment.In Screven County Schools, teachers will expect to see a little increase in their pay checks this year.As a result of the staff cuts made over the last three years and frugal spending, Dr. Whit Myers announced earlier this year that the money saved will allow for the reinstatement of five of their ten furlough days.The staff work day will be increased by 15 minutes for the 170 school days. Instructional time will also increase in each school by 15 to 20 minutes.This means teachers will get paid for 185 days this year, while working a total of 180.All other staff classifications will work that extra 15 minutes during the school year and receive the same five days of pay, he said.Screven and Evans County Schools also boast new, updated websites to start the school year, with user-friendly improvements and an abundance of information for students and parents.Students will begin classes in Evans on Aug. 4, while Candler and Screven students begin on Aug. 8.
Sign up for the Herald's free e-newsletter