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WashCo BOE members disagree with state mandate The Washington County Board of Education met Sept. 14 and with board member Vera Dean absent, voted 2-2 against approving changes to school bus mileage charges. The state has mandated that beginning Oct. 1 buses used for athletic trips or any extra curricular trips must be assessed at $1 per mile instead of the usual 50- cents. Board member Nollie Dees inquired as to the possibility of using local funds to shore up those athletic programs who may not have funds to travel. Larry Moss, chief financial officer stated that until the system has the state-mandated one month of operating reserve, it would be unwise to dip into local funds. "It was stressed to us at the Tuscalosa meeting Monday and Tuesday, that if the one month operating reserves mandate is not met, the chief financial officer will be guilty of a class-3 misdemeanor. I don't know what that is, but I don't want any of it," Moss emphasized. Board member Clatis Becton said, "I would like to see a printout on what each school pays on its field trips." ( The schools are supposed to reimburse the system for fuel used for extra-cirricular field trips.) "This is going to affect every child in school before this is through. I don't know how much more children can sell and how much more communities can absorb. I don't want to vote to raise the price on these kids when we've not voted beforehand to help them." Superintendent Savage: "We'll have to make sure the sponsors hold the fund-raising before the trips." Dees interjected, "We've got problems here. The board needs a work session to go over all of this. Our principal at Fruitdale wants 10 percent of all fundraising proceeds. We're fixing to shut fund-raising down. The board needs some kind of fundraising policy." Sharon Beech, board president, expressed a concern that the board does not have a consistent fund-raising plan across the county. "I don't agree with this," she said, "I understand the state's mandate, but I certainly do disagree with $1 a mile each way." When Beech called for the vote, there was a tie with Becton and Beech against, Dees and Weaver for. In other business: +After considerable discussion, the board hired a substitute bus driver. This person will work four hours per day at the bus shop and be on call to drive a school bus, especially in an emergency situation. +Larry Moss stressed to the board the urgency of the School Accountability Act in which each school must have a month's operating funds in reserve. Washington County had created a plan, but unforeseen changes have developed which leaves the system's financial reserves not as adequate as had been anticipated. The capital outlay and fleet renewal portions of the School Account-ability plan have been extricated and that leaves the system with a need for $400,000 to $600,000 more to reach the one month's reserve. +The board members each signed a 10-year loan with First Community Bank at 4.6 percent interest. Burke Williams of First Community Bank stated that he was glad to be a part of the project. The loan will be used to construct new gymnasiums at Millry High School and Washington County High School. Hirings, Resignations and Transfers John Collins - resignation - Fruitdale High School Jacob Snow - hired - Fruitdale High School Kimberly Dixon - hired - McIntosh High School Belinda Crouch - transferred ARI Reading - Chatom Elem. Gail Ganus - transferred to Millry High School Tiffany Coaker - medical leave approved Four nurses - approved as substitute pool The system capital plan was approved. The next board meeting was scheduled for Sept. 26. Sept. 26 meeting The Washington County Board of Education hired several people as well as approved several contract-employee contracts during its Sept. 26 meeting. Four psychometrist contracts were approved for: Betty Gaston, Howard Gaston, Janice Figures and Carolyn Morton at a salary not to exceed $250 for any battery of tests. Professional development contract for Felicia Johnson was passed with Board members Becton and Dees voting for and Dean voting against. (Weaver and Beech were absent). Johnson will work with teacher training in the Corrective Reading Program. Summer Bediford was hired at Chatom Elementary; Debra Baxter was hired as media specialist at Fruitdale High School; Amy Anderson was hired at McIntosh Elementary. The board voted to change Larry Moss's title to chief financial officer to come into compliance with the School Accountability Act. The August, 2006 Financial Statement was approved. Job coach position discussed The agenda item which evoked the most discussion was the "Mobile Association for the Blind Contract." The contract provides for a jointly-funded contract for a "job coach" position. Betty Moorer, Special Education coordinator for Washington County School System and Harold Crouch, Vocational/Technical School director explained that Vocational Rehabilitation and the Washington County Board of Education will share the cost of this person's salary. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the Mobile Association for the Blind will consult with Moorer and Crouch in hiring the person for this position. Crouch explained that unless someone is hired, the agri-business teachers in the individual schools will have to devote two class periods strictly to the students who choose the AOD, Alabama Occupational Diploma. The AOD is offered in the ninth grade year for students to follow through 12th grade. The job coach will help handicapped students find employment and will actually assist them in their work area. The job coach will also work indirectly during the summer to seek job opportunities for these students. At present Washington County has 10 students in the AOD program. The contract was not approved because the enitre board was not present for the vote as required by State of Alabama Code 16-8-4.
The board's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 10 a.m.
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