Towns County BOE to advertise 2017 Tax Digest and 5-year history of Levy at roll-back rate, likely to allow half day August 21 for eclipse

Hiawassee, GA – Towns County Board of Education (TCBOE) convened on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 7 p.m. The Board agreed to roll the Workshop and the regular July Board Meeting into one session; therefore, there will be no need for a July Board Meeting the following Monday. Present were TCS Superintendent Dr. Darren Berrong, Secretary to the Superintendent Paula Whitehead, TCS Director of Finance Myra Underwood and all Members of the TCBOE.

Dr. Berrong recommended that the Board approve advertising of the 2017 Tax Digest and a 5-year history of Levy at the roll-back rate. His recommendation was unanimously approved.

In his Superintendents Comments, Dr. Berrong expressed his concerns about the effect in Hiawassee of the upcoming eclipse on Sept. 21, 2017 and the impact on TCS. He said, at first, he felt that all the speculation about the effects of the eclipse on Hiawassee and Towns County was just so much talk. However, he said, recently he has received several phone calls about it and has had, for several reasons, a change of heart. Dr. Berrong recommended that the Board approve a half day on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. This recommendation will be voted on at the August Board Meeting (see video at bottom of article).

Board also unanimously approved on Dr. Berrong’s recommendation:
• The CTAE Budget Report
• Construction Manager: Charles Black of Cleveland, GA
• Annual Service bids for:
o Sanitation – Advanced Disposal
o Pest Control – Duncan Exterminating
o Propane – Appalachian Propane
• Elementary, Middle and High School Student Handbooks
• School Nutrition Employee Handbook
• Request for a Clay County student to attend Towns County Schools
• Resignations of:
o Special Education Paraprofessional
o Physical Education Teacher
o 5th Grade Elementary School Teacher
• Hiring of (after discussion in Executive Session):
o Substitute Bus Driver
o Elementary Paraprofessional for 2nd Grade
o Elementary School Teacher
o High School Spanish Teacher

Underwood updated the Board on Sick Bank (for teachers) and gave a report on the Financial Statement.

The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda:
• Fund Raisers:
o ES PTSO/Membership Drive/Aug. 1, 2017
o MS & HS PTSO/”Pick-a-Dollar Amount”/Aug. 1,2017
o ES/Spirit Pride Tees/Aug. 1 – Sept. 21, 2017
o MS School Council/Secret Santa Shop/December 2017
o ES School Council/Rock Garden Rock Sale/Spring 2017-18
o MS School Council/Penny Wars/2017-18 School Year
o MS School Council/Gift Basket Raffle/2017-18 School Year
o MS School Council/Snack Machine/2017-18 School Year
o MS School Council/Tupperware Sale/2017-18 School Year
o MS/Hat Day Every Friday/2017-18 School Year
o ES/Locker Rental Grades 4 & 5/2017-18 School Year
• Field Trips:
o NONE
• Work Session Minutes/June 5, 2017
• Regular Board Meeting Minutes/June 12, 2017