Insurance premium increases planned for non-certified school personnel

“I am unaware at this point of any move on the part of Gov. Deal to restore any of the funds that were formerly included in the state budget to mitigate the fiscal pain of providing this benefit to non-certificated employees,” wrote Herb Garrett, head of the Georgia School Superintendents’ Association, in an email that McCannon shared with the board.

“I am cognizant of the fact that unless major changes can be made, this will create fiscal obstacles for many systems that are literally insurmountable,” Garrett wrote. “It seems ludicrous that, in some cases, the cost of an employee benefit would exceed the salary of that very employee!”

McCannon said he does not feel it is an option for the school system to stop providing insurance benefits to non-certified employees due to the increases.

He told the board that the school system could see between five and ten amended calendar days next year to help offset this added expense.

The state budget went from providing $280 million in FY2008 to defray employers’ costs for health insurance to zero in the FY2012 budget, McCannon pointed out.

In other business, the board heard that Comer’s additions and renovation work is about to get underway and that the project should be finished by mid-July.

The board heard a presentation on agriculture in the county during their “teachable moment” and the Red Raider marching band was recognized for its national championship award.

The band learned that four D.O.T. road signs will be placed on four major highways in the county proclaiming the band’s achievement, according to county chairman Anthony Dove, who was on hand for the recognition. Dove also read a county proclamation in their honor.

McCannon recognized band leader Nicholas Golding and color guard instructor Cara Taylor. He also told them that a granite marker declaring their national championship has been placed at the entrance to the high school.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The BOE approved the following personnel recommendations Tuesday:

•Colbert Elementary – Maternity leave was approved for teacher Erica Golding, with Shirley Wooster to fill-in as her long-term substitute.

•Comer Elementary – A non-paid leave was approved for parapro Patricia Patterson.

•Danielsville Elementary – Maternity leave was approved for teacher Terri Thornton.

•Hull-Sanford Elementary – Maternity leave was approved for teacher Kellie Speir and parapro Kevin Southhall was approved as her long-term substitute. Morgan Roundtree was approved as Southhall’s substitute. Devin Burroughs was hired as a paraprofessional to replace Candace Crane.

•Ila Elementary – Maternity leave was approved for teacher Kristi Castro and Melanie Ernst was approved as her long-term substitute. An unpaid half-day leave was approved for teacher Marie Minish.

•MCMS – Jim Allen and Dianna Oxford were hired as paraprofessionals to replace Patrick Miles and Joan Fouche, respectively.

•Transportation – Bus driver Ray Smallwood’s resignation was accepted and George Lovely was hired as a bus driver to replace Tommy Patt