BOE nears final work on Strategic Waivers

The Houston County Board of Education is putting the finishing touches on a year-long project for a strategic waivers school system application.

Eric Payne, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, told the board at Monday’s work session that while he is standing in front of them, Director of Federal Programs Jennifer Birdsong did the lion’s share of the work.

Under the waiver, the system receives flexibility in the form of waivers of certain state laws, rules and guidelines in exchange for greater accountability for increased student performance.

In other action, the board received some good financial news from Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Operations Stephen Thublin.

In his monthly financial report, Thublin said ESPLOST receipts of $1.197 million for the month of February were enough for the school system to pay the outstanding interest on bonds for this fiscal year. As a result, he said, ESPLOST funds coming now through the end of August could be used for construction and technology.

Looking ahead as far as textbook adoption, the board was presented an array of world languages textbooks, including American Sign Language, which is recognized as a world language.

Payne said the last time the school system went through the adoption process was in 2004.

“It’s been 13 years since we adopted new textbooks for world languages, and you can guess what shape they’re in,” he said.

The big difference between now and 2004 is that the textbooks now have technology components such as web sites, videos and accessories, he said.

The board also O.K.’d a summer school session for middle and high school students.

Middle school students will meet at Warner Robins Middle School from June 3-20. The cost will be $200 or less for in-county students and $400 for out-of-county students. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

For high school students, the summer session will be held June 6-30 at the Elberta Center in conjunction with the student services extended year program. The cost is $200 or less, and the session will serve as a credit recovery program. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Also, the board approved 17 new certified positions for the coming year. Thublin said the number gets approval every year, right before the annual Teacher Job Fair, and anticipates growth and projected growth.

“We can absorb the costs,” he said. “It’s hard to guess the number of kindergarten students who will show up, and we can add a class later on if need be.”

The board’s monthly work session will be at 6 p.m. on April 11 at the Houston County Career Academy.

HHJ News