The Pickens County Board of Education met on Thursday, February 14, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. at the Board Conference Center on D. B. Carroll Street for the regular monthly board meeting. The following board members were present and received per diem compensation: Mark Mitton, Shane Neighbors, Ervin Easterwood, and Jerry Chastain. Board Attorney Phil Landrum III was present.

Vice-Chairman Chastain called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

Neighbors led the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chastain read aloud the Pickens County Schools mission statement.

A motion was made by Neighbors, seconded by Easterwood, which passed unanimously to approve the agenda as submitted.

Jasper Middle School Principal Bruce Godfrey and Jasper Elementary School Principal Nonnie Weeks presented a certificate to Ali Lawson. Ali drew a picture which was chosen by the American Printing House for the Blind to be placed in a 2008 calendar for the blind.

School Improvement Specialist Susan Reeves presented total enrollment as 4340 students and 130 students with 15 or more absences and drop-outs as 51.

Supervisor of Operations Lloyd Shaddix presented a maintenance update to the board including an update on the renovations and additions to Pickens High School. Superintendent Ballew, Shaddix, and Architect Steve Hill did a walk through of the new classroom addition for inspection.

Chief Financial Officer Amy Burgess presented the financial report. Burgess reported FY08 general fund expenditures at 46.92% and revenue collected at 60.45. The Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) interest paid was $18, 550.41 and the balance was $18,550.41. The January SPLOST II balance was $674,623.33 and interest paid was $2,122.90. The January SPLOST III balance was $5,980,081.19, interest paid was $10,240.06, and revenue collected was $316,966.83.

There was a motion by Easterwood, seconded by Neighbors, which passed unanimously to approve the minutes for January 10, 2008 as presented.

There was a motion by Mitton, seconded by Easterwood, which passed unanimously to continue as fiscal agent for Pickens County Family Connections.

A motion was made by Mitton, seconded by Neighbors, which passed unanimously to approve the 2008-2009 school calendar as proposed.

A motion was made by Easterwood, seconded by Neighbors, which passed unanimously to tentatively approve revisions to Policy AD School Attendance.

A motion was made by Mitton, seconded by Easterwood, which passed unanimously to tentatively approve revisions to Policy IFCB Field Trips.

A motion was made by Neighbors, seconded by Mitton, which passed unanimously to tentatively approve Policy IHF (6) an addition to Policy IHF (5) Graduation Requirements.

A motion was made by Easterwood, seconded by Neighbors, which passed unanimously to approve the superintendent’s personnel recommendations as presented. (See attachments.)

Board Comments:

• Neighbors said to Chastain that he ran a good meeting.
• Mitton said Happy Valentines Day to those attending. Also, reminded those attending of the STAR BANQUET on March 4.
• Chastain said that the school websites look great.

Mitton made a motion, seconded by Neighbors, to adjourn at 5:39 p.m. The vote to adjourn was unanimous.