The Ware County Board of Education held a work session and monthly meetings on October 7-8 with Chairman Denton Dial presiding. All board members were present, Vice-Chairman Barry Deas, Karen Ethridge, Rusty Ganas, Alisa “Toni” Nelson, Edward Tyre, Brandi Waters, and Supt. Bert Smith. Following is the business conducted at the sessions:
• Tax evaluations: Ware County Tax Commissioner Roger Collins reported on the progress of the property valuations and when the property tax bills should be ready to mail. He also explained the three amendments on the ballot in the current election.
Collins explained if the board chooses to go with the estimated rollback millage rate of approximately 12.8 mils, that would drop it below the mandatory by law minimum millage rate of 14 and the board would need approximately $12 million of equalization funds from the state.
The Director of Finance and the Director of Information were asked to prepare an ad to be put in the newspaper explaining the proposed property tax changes, including the last five years of tax collections and expenditures as prescribed by law.
The board approved three public hearings to be held at noon and 6 p.m. Thursday, October 24, and noon Thursday, October 31. The hearings will be at the Board of Education Office, 1301 Bailey Street.
• Payroll, disbursements: The board approved payroll and disbursements for September 30 in the amount of $6,624,335.
• Enrollment: As of October 1, 2024, the report reflects 5,970 students compared to 5,985 last year at this time.
• Calendar dates: School has been out since Hurricane Helene struck Ware County September 26-27. Students were due back in school on Monday, October 21.
• Decrease grade percentage: The board approved the request from the Testing Coordinator to decrease the EOC grade percentage from 20 percent to the state minimum of 10 percent. Since students have missed so much instructional time this semester, the superintendent suggested the move would relieve some burden on students.
• Roof repair: The board approved the request from the Director of Facilities to repair the roof at Memorial Drive with an upgrade to EPDM (rubber) roofing mechanically fastened system installation. The upgrade cost is for a total additional amount not to exceed $15,000. The general budget is the funding source.
• Use of buses: The board approved the request for Georgia Power to use two buses with drivers to transport linemen from the recreation complex to South Georgia State College daily to assist with storm damage.
• Field trips: The board approved requests from Wacona Elementary and Ware County Middle School.
• Fundraising: The board approved the requests from Center Elementary, Waresboro Elementary, Ware County Middle, Waycross Middle, and Ware County High.
Personnel Report Classified
• Employment: Kristy Smart, FT Bus Driver, Transportation, pending fingerprints;
• Transfer: Blake Spradley, from Parapro to Kindergarten Teacher, Ruskin;
• Resignation corrections: Robert Hunter Thomas, Transportation (Eff. 8/26/24), Lauren Saunders, SpEd Parapro, Waresboro (Eff. 9/11/24);
• Resignations: Kyndle Macy, SpEd Parapro, Waycross Middle (Eff. 9/19/24), Cheryl Tatum, Human Resources Specialist, Central Office (Eff. 9/27/24);
• Rescind employment: Ahalana Taylor, Parapro, Wacona.
Certified
• Employment: Jennifer King, SpEd Co-Teacher, Waycross Middle School;
• Resignations: Kristie Jarrard, SpEd Coordinator, Ware High (Eff. 10/15/24), Debra Thomas, Social Worker, Central Office (Eff. 9/9/24);
• Contracted service: Brenda Miles, Test Proctoring Services, Special Ed/Student Services — FY2024-25.
