Board Approves new turf for football field
Community, Education November 2, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Education voted to approve the new turf for the football field and the timeline for work to begin at their meeting on Oct. 28.
The Board also approved the ESPLOST request for October, the dispositions for all schools and the August and September financial reports.
Rod Nix from Charles Black construction gave the board two possible timelines for the new turf for the football field at their work session on Tuesday, Oct. 26. To view what both plans were as well as the other construction plans to come in the future visit https://white.fetchyournews.com/2021/10/26/board-of-education-reviews-construction-plans/
The board went with option 1 for the project. The demolition of the current field will begin on Feb. 28. The new turf will begin to go in on April 25, with projected completion on May 13. The price for the new turf field is $950,000.
It will last about 10 to 12 years before it needs replacement. When that time comes, the system will not have to pay the full cost due to the infrastructure already being in place. There are also possible revenues options that can be pursued at that time for the used turf. It will also save on the cost of yearly maintenance of the field.
“Everyone coming to the county is paying for the bill instead of the property owners, basically we are saving the property tax owners money by putting this in,” explained Boardmember John Solmon.
The board also approved the ESPLOST request for October. The request was for $295,890.00. This is broken down between the WCHS Theater Department, the Athletics Department, the Technology Department and Student Services.
Another item that the board approved was the dispositions from each school. Jack P. Nix Elementary school is getting rid of IPads from 2012, Apple Computers from 2008 and Printers from 2013. Mossy Creek Elementary is losing some MACs they’ve had since 2008.
Mt. Yonah Elementary is also disposing of old IPads. Tesentee Gap Elementary has some computers they’ve had since 2011 that need to be disposed of.
The High school and Middle school are both disposing of Chromebooks. All items have been replaced or are currently being replaced in the schools.
Julie Dorsey, the Finance Director, presented the August and September financial reports. The board then approved both reports unanimously.
The August General Fund Report.
The revenue for August is $895,989.16 and the expenditures are $1,805,334.93. The September revenue is $3,086,747,18 and the expenditures are $5,521,837.83. These are the year-to-date numbers.
The September General Fund Report.
” The chart is a little skewed in August and as we get to September you’ll see it start to rotate a little more to the norm, it’s because of the payroll accruals for salary and benefits were still in play in the month of August,” Dorsey elaborated.
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett also recognized Stephanie Hill of White County News for her work with the board. Hill is departing from White County News and there will be a new representative that covers the news at the Board of Education.
Stephanie Hill (left) and Dr. Laurie Burkett (right) when Hill was being recognized.
Board of Education addresses Warriors for Social Justice Group
Community, Indian's Corner, News October 5, 2021
WHITE, GA.- The Board of Education addressed the community and the concerns about the Warriors for Social Justice group at their board meeting on Thursday, September 30.
On July 27, former substitute teacher James King brought to the notice of the board of education a group operating on google classrooms. The group was called Warriors for Social Justice. This was the first of many times King and his growing group brought the matter to the Board’s attention.
On July 27 according to Chairwoman Missy Jarrard, the board began investigating the claims King made about the group. However, the board never released an official statement to the public on the investigation or the findings. Due to this, King and his group believed that nothing was being done with the information they provided.
Former substitute teacher James King speaking during the meeting.
King and four others spoke again about their concerns dealing with the Warriors for Social Justice group at the meeting on Thursday. It was then that the board made a formal statement to the public about the matter.
” Tonight I would like to make a formal response on behalf of the board. The White County Board of Education has thoroughly investigated the allegations brought forth regarding the social justice teacher discussion group that took place after hours, we have found nothing to support the claims that critical race theory has been brought into any curriculum or has impacted instruction in any way. Through our investigation, it was found White County School System has followed the state board standards, curriculum, and policies. The members of the board of education supports the White County Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett and the teachers and staff of the White County School System. At this point and at this level the White County Board of Education considers this matter closed,” stated Chairwoman Missy Jarrard.
Jarrard’s statement was met with applause from the majority of the people in attendance. King and his group made no further comments at the meeting.
Board Business
Chairwoman Missy Jarrard delivering her formal statement for the board.
The ESPLOST request is $59,174.00. It is broken down to $7,174.00 for two pottery wheels and one Olympic oval kiln for the high school. $12,000.00 for new band equipment also for the high school. $36,500.00 for renovations of the main public restrooms at the central office which was built in 1972. Finally, $3,500.00 for a large format printer, ink, laminator and laminate rolls to be used by all the schools.
For the June and July reports, Finance Director Julie Dorsey presented the Board with the numbers. The June revenue in the general fund is $41,033,546.04 and the expenditures are $3,160,107.13. The July revenue is $305,238.38 and the expenditures are $771,502.61.
The July financial report for the general fund.
Board Reviews Tentative June and July Financial Reports
Board of Education, Community August 30, 2021
White, Ga.- Finance Director Julie Dorsey presented the board with the tentative June and July financial reports at their meeting on August 26.
Also at the meeting, the board voted to accept Capital Outlay Program Funds. They approved the current field trip request and the ESPLOST request.
Finance Director Julie Dorsey presented the board with a draft of the June and July Financial reports. These will be finalized and then voted on in the September meeting.
The June General Fund Report
The June revenues are $6,185,398. The expenditures for June are $7,709,051.91. These are still rough numbers there are more invoices coming in that need to be organized into the numbers.
The July revenues are 292,922.83. The expenditures for the same month thus far are $794,210.53. These numbers could change as well once all the invoices are received and organized into the financial reports.
Capital outlay funds are $270,000 being given back to the school system. These funds will go towards the construction of the Performing Arts Center and the two classrooms that will be housed there.
“Anyone against it,” joked board member Charlie Thomas.
The next item the board approved was the current field trips. Due to COVID-19, only teams competing are allowed to take field trips. The current field tips that have been approved are in large part FFA competitions.
Assistant Superintendent Scott Justus presented the board with his request for the August ESPLOST at the work session on August 24. The request was for projector screens and installation at White County High School Auxillary Gym, Gym 68′, Teseneet Gap Lunchroom, and Mossy Creek Elementary. This project cost $52,300.96.
Another item in the request is for a new van for the technology department. The current van is 26 years old and has 225,000 miles on it. This item will cost $24,800.00. For a grand total of $77,100.96 for the ESPLOST request. The board did vote to approve the request.
The Director of Student Services MaryKay Berry and the Family Connections have also come together on a project for the students. They have bought a display for high traffic areas in the Middle School and High School filled with school supplies.
The display to hang in the schools.
This is for when students forget something they need, it’s right there for them to use. The supplies came from the Stuff the Bus program the school system does every school year in front of Wal-Mart or the school drive.
“MaryKay Student Services and Lindsey has a great idea to locate those in every school so when a kid forgets a pencil or needs whatever it is they need they are able to just grab it instead of having to go ask,” explained Burkett.