Comer Elementary renovations to get rolling

Madison County voters approved a renewal of the E-SPLOST for school improvements this year, with a new media center and classrooms planned at Comer.

In other matters, Knight noted that school system enrollment on the 80th day of school was down by 38 from the 60th day of enrollment. She said this decrease was mainly at the high school and Hull-Sanford Elementary.

SPLOST revenues are up by $19,000 over the same period last year, Knight told the board, however, the system is still $54,000 under last year’s revenues as of Nov. 30.

In response to a cafeteria worker at Comer Elementary being burned on the job recently, Knight said the school system is going to work with their workman’s compensation insurance company and school safety committees to investigate each claim and see what can be done to prevent such incidents in the future. Knight said they also plan to become more transparent with the school and departments by providing them with quarterly reports of the worker comp claims.

The board heard a presentation from Joan Baird, Carol Barnes and Pam Moore on a new ASPIRE program, which helps special needs students and their parents prepare for life after high school.

The board approved a NI-5 contract with the state department of education for assistance in helping the high school achieve AYP status. The services will be provided at no additional cost to the system, school officials noted.

The board approved a detour route for buses that travel along Hwy. 191, which will be closed by the Georgia DOT beginning in January for the replacement of a bridge over Scull Shoal Creek. McCannon noted that the detour will result in 10 minutes added to the morning and afternoon routes.

The BOE approved the following personnel recommendations:

•Comer Elementary – They approved maternity leave for teacher Mary Ellen Baker and hired Lisa Brown as her long-term substitute.

•Danielsville Elementary – They accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Yvette Crumley.

•Hull-Sanford Elementary – They accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Candace Crane.

•Ila Elementary – They accepted a leave of absence for teacher Windy Dalton and hired Bobby Allen as a custodian, replacing Jonathan Goodman.

•MCMS – They hired Joan Fouche as a community coach and accepted her resignation as a parapro. They hired Jason Streetman as a teacher to replace Nathan Myers. They also accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Patrick Miles.

•Madison County High School – They hired Jonathan Goodman as a custodian (transferring from Ila Elementary) replacing Marie Sims. They hired Cheryl Holliman to replace receptionist Shelia Wofford. They approved maternity leave for teacher Kara Taylor and hired Scott Ellis as her substitute.

•System-wide - They accepted the resignation of Judy Childs as a custodian and increased custodian Jimmy Childs’ hours.

•In transportation – Mechanic Millard Fitzpatrick was “terminated for cause.” They hired Cedric Alexander as a substitute bus driver and accepted the resignation of long-time bus driver Tommy Patterson, who is retiring.

•School nutrition – Evelyn Adams was approved for leave without pay and Gaybritsha Goodman was hired as a school nutrition worker to replace Jennifer Dalton.
The board also approved a $2,500 annual supplement for bus driver Deborah Wells to serve as transportation dispatcher and trainer when not driving her regular bus ro