Facilities updates were the main focus at last week’s Bulloch County Board of Education meeting. Charles Wilson, assistant superintendent of Business and Finance, presented a brief overview of the progress at school construction projects around the county.
Wilson said Southeast Bulloch High School and Nevils Elementary are coming along nicely. “It looks like students are about to arrive there soon,” he said.
Craig Buckley, architect with James W. Buckley and Associates, continued the update with a brief slide show of SEB, Nevils and the Statesboro High building projects.
SEB: The regular classrooms are 90 percent complete, lockers have just arrived and kitchen equipment will be arriving in about four weeks. The design for safety and security allows administrators to view a greater number of students at one time from a single location.
Nevils: Rains during the months of December, January and February affected the completion schedule, but the project will come in on time regardless. Electricity will be turned on this week with the whole building under the roof will have power by May 10. Paving and sidewalks will be completed around July 1.
Statesboro: Storm drainage and underground portion is near completion. It is expected that concrete pouring will begin for the fieldhouse and classrooms in about two weeks.
The Board tabled the Facilities Recommendation, which includes project recommendations for Brooklet Elementary, Langston Chapel Middle, SEB Middle, William James Middle and new construction for Portal.
Vice Chairman Dr. Charles W. Bonds said that he would like to wait to vote on this when everyone is perfectly clear on the recommendations. Kenny Stone also wanted more time to look over the recommendations.
In an earlier work session, board members asked Wilson to compile the recommendations in light of the construction of the new school at Portal. This was the first time the board had seen the new recommendations. Their concern is to make sure that the new construction meets the needs of the Portal students, while also allowing funds for the necessary projects at the other schools in the system.
Superintendent search
Chairman David Ball shared with the Board that all applications for the position were required to be postmarked by April 19. So far 18 applications were received. Ball said the applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds. Once the Georgia School Boards Association receives all the applications, they will send all of them to Bulloch County with their recommendations.
New business
Superintendent Dr. Jessie Strickland brought before the board a school facility revision, concerning requests for facility’s usage by private groups and commercial organizations designed to make a profit. The revision included charges for usage and custodial services. The first reading of the revision was approved.
Since many of these requests are for usage on weekends, Strickland expressed concern for sanitation issues and overtime required for employees to prepare the cafeteria and other facilities in time for student use during regular school hours.
New principals
Several personnel changes were approved during the Executive Session of the meeting.
At least three schools will have new principals when the 2007-08 school year begins.
Donna Clifton, former assistant principal at SEB High, was assigned to take over as principal at SEB Middle.
Julie Blackmar, former assistant principal at SEB Middle, will take over as principal at Nevils Elementary.
Eileen Bayens, former assistant principal at Stilson Elementary, will move into the role of principal at Stilson Elementary.
Also, John Page will be the new assistant principal at SEB High. Page is a former PE teacher and boy’s basketball coach at SEB. He has also served in the role of substitute assistant principal, as needed.
Milton Williams will make the move from teacher and girl’s basketball coach to assistant principal at SEB Middle. Williams has also served as needed as substitute assistant principal there.
Wilson said Southeast Bulloch High School and Nevils Elementary are coming along nicely. “It looks like students are about to arrive there soon,” he said.
Craig Buckley, architect with James W. Buckley and Associates, continued the update with a brief slide show of SEB, Nevils and the Statesboro High building projects.
SEB: The regular classrooms are 90 percent complete, lockers have just arrived and kitchen equipment will be arriving in about four weeks. The design for safety and security allows administrators to view a greater number of students at one time from a single location.
Nevils: Rains during the months of December, January and February affected the completion schedule, but the project will come in on time regardless. Electricity will be turned on this week with the whole building under the roof will have power by May 10. Paving and sidewalks will be completed around July 1.
Statesboro: Storm drainage and underground portion is near completion. It is expected that concrete pouring will begin for the fieldhouse and classrooms in about two weeks.
The Board tabled the Facilities Recommendation, which includes project recommendations for Brooklet Elementary, Langston Chapel Middle, SEB Middle, William James Middle and new construction for Portal.
Vice Chairman Dr. Charles W. Bonds said that he would like to wait to vote on this when everyone is perfectly clear on the recommendations. Kenny Stone also wanted more time to look over the recommendations.
In an earlier work session, board members asked Wilson to compile the recommendations in light of the construction of the new school at Portal. This was the first time the board had seen the new recommendations. Their concern is to make sure that the new construction meets the needs of the Portal students, while also allowing funds for the necessary projects at the other schools in the system.
Superintendent search
Chairman David Ball shared with the Board that all applications for the position were required to be postmarked by April 19. So far 18 applications were received. Ball said the applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds. Once the Georgia School Boards Association receives all the applications, they will send all of them to Bulloch County with their recommendations.
New business
Superintendent Dr. Jessie Strickland brought before the board a school facility revision, concerning requests for facility’s usage by private groups and commercial organizations designed to make a profit. The revision included charges for usage and custodial services. The first reading of the revision was approved.
Since many of these requests are for usage on weekends, Strickland expressed concern for sanitation issues and overtime required for employees to prepare the cafeteria and other facilities in time for student use during regular school hours.
New principals
Several personnel changes were approved during the Executive Session of the meeting.
At least three schools will have new principals when the 2007-08 school year begins.
Donna Clifton, former assistant principal at SEB High, was assigned to take over as principal at SEB Middle.
Julie Blackmar, former assistant principal at SEB Middle, will take over as principal at Nevils Elementary.
Eileen Bayens, former assistant principal at Stilson Elementary, will move into the role of principal at Stilson Elementary.
Also, John Page will be the new assistant principal at SEB High. Page is a former PE teacher and boy’s basketball coach at SEB. He has also served in the role of substitute assistant principal, as needed.
Milton Williams will make the move from teacher and girl’s basketball coach to assistant principal at SEB Middle. Williams has also served as needed as substitute assistant principal there.