At its March 14 meeting, the Newton County School System (NCSS) Board of Education (BOE) recognized the Veterans Memorial Middle School mathematics team which won a recent Division I Griffin Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) middle school math contest.
According to Craig Lockhart, deputy superintendent, the team of Noerine Gray, Julia Kolt, Natalia Sanchez, and Brennen Reilly was the first NCSS math team to ever win the regional math contest.
The BOE also recognized three-time NCSS and two-time District 5 spelling bee champion, Jet Rawls, a student at Indian Creek Middle School. He will advance to the state spelling bee where he placed fifth last year.
The BOE gave recognition to a third set of middle and high school Griffin RESA Science & Engineering Fair winners. This year every single NCSS competitor won a first, second, or third place award; NCSS had so many award winners it took the BOE three meetings to recognize them all.
Finally, the BOE took the following actions:
A 10-cent increase in the cost of paid student lunches was approved. Students not eligible for free or reduced price lunches will pay the increase. Breakfast meal prices will not change. Samantha Fuhrey, superintendent, noted, “NCSS student meal prices remain below nearby school districts with similar menus.”
A salary schedule for occupational therapists, physical therapists, certified occupational therapist assistants, and physical therapist assistants was established. The district currently has no such salary schedule and these positions are filled via contracts with individual employees or with a third-party agency. The schedule will begin next year for “newly direct-contract” employees.
Impact Church Ministries had asked to rent the cafeteria at Clements Middle School for Sunday worship services starting April 2. A one-year contract was approved.
LeCroy Technology, Toccoa, Georgia was awarded a one-year contract for materials and installation of interactive panels. The value of the proposed contract is estimated at $396,618. Premier Agendas, Inc., Bellingham, Washington was awarded a contract for student agendas. The cost will be $1.79 per agenda for a total of about $43,933.76.
Surplus equipment was approved for disposal per BOE policy.
The BOE approved the hiring of one teacher, two paraprofessionals, and four staff members. It also approved four retirements, one transfer, and 25 resignations.
