"Being green" and building student/teacher relationships and community and parent involvement were some of the topics reviewed at the Rockdale County School Board work session on Thursday.

At a time when saving energy is a must, the head of the Financial Services Office, Lee Davis, discussed the school’s focus on the "green theme."

"We are focusing on saving money by using less energy, water and gas," Davis said.

Special recognition was also given to Ms. Betty Jean Brown who has been in the custodial department of J.H. House Elementary for 40 years. She graduated from a Rockdale County high school and went straight to J.H. House.

New topics brought to the Board included new textbooks. Depending on the budget, the final discussion will be made during the June board meeting. Money was set aside in 2008 for the 2009 textbooks, totaling 1.6 million. Parents offered feedback on the books during meetings held June of 2008.

The regular session of the school board meeting will be held on May 21 at 7 p.m. in the theater of Salem High School.