ATLANTA— The Georgia House of Representatives passed a series of education-related measures Tuesday to give local boards of education the tools they need to make the best decisions for students, teachers and schools.
“We believe that it is important to give those at the local level the opportunity to make the best decisions for our schools and the students that attend those schools,” said Representative Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth), chairman of the House Education Committee. “The legislation that passed is part of an education package that allows greater flexibility for our school systems and more local control while making the best use of our limited taxpayer dollars.”
House Bill 905, sponsored by Representative Tom Dickson (R-Cohutta), extends the sunset provision for the school construction capital outlay program from June 15, 2010 to June 30, 2015. It will enable school systems to continue to earn and use advance funding, exceptional growth, and low wealth school capital outlay grants.
House Bill 906, legislation sponsored by Representative Jay Neal (R-Lafayette), allows local school systems to extend contracts for certified personnel in elementary and secondary education by 30 days, from April 15 to May 15, for the next 3 years. This will help school systems better plan for each school year under these uncertain economic times.
House Bill 907, carried by Representative David Casas (R-Lilburn), permits local schools to receive appropriate state funding for 6th, 7th and 8th grades by organizing in a way that best suits their needs as long as they meet conditions established by the State Board of Education. For example, one scenario under current law would dictate that a 6th grade class would require its own principal for that school leading to additional costs if it is housed in a separate building from other middle school grades.
“These measures take a common sense approach that puts the decision making powers in the hands of those closest to our students-our local school boards,” said Representative Jay Neal, a sponsor of HB 907. “For instance, House Bill 907 gives them the option to lift unnecessary mandates and save precious taxpayer dollars.”
House Bill 923, also sponsored by Representative Jay Neal, grandfathers-in educators that are currently enrolled in leadership training courses, but have not yet finished their courses. Upon completion of their training and coursework, they will receive the prescribed salary structure under this legislation. This bill allows educators to complete their leadership training by July 1, 2013 as long as they were enrolled in this type of course on or before April 1, 2009. Current law states that anyone enrolled in a leadership training course must complete it by July 1, 2010
The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Education
State House passes legislation to help local school boards
House Bills 905, 906, 907 and 923 emphasize local control
- Education
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Northwest students place high, take tech to next level
Several Northwest Whitfield High School students placed high in the Sequoyah Regional Georgia Educational Technology Fair. Pictured from left are Josh Rountree, Audrey Edds, Bryan Cooper and Eli McMahon.
Several Northwest Whitfield High School students placed high in the Sequoyah Regional Georgia Educational Technology Fair.
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Dalton student on GPS May Court
Christian Bryant of Dalton has been elected to the May Court at Girls Preparatory School and will serve as crown bearer to the May Queen during the May Day festivities in April.
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Northwest Whitfield High School Sweetheart Court
Northwest Whitfield High School's Tip Off Club hosted the 2012 Sweetheart Dance at the school recently.
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Art student’s work on exhibition
Gary Sanchez Soto will represent Murray County High School in “An Artistic Discovery: The Congressional Art Competition” at the Derrell C. Roberts Library on the campus of Dalton State College.
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Professor to speak on the Oscars during 'Lunch & Learn' program
Jonathan Lampley, assistant professor of English at Dalton State, will present “The Oscars: Winners, Losers, and Weird Moments” in the College’s James E. Brown Center, room 105, on Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m.
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Local high schools recognized for AP classes, exams
State School Superintendent John Barge named several local high schools as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools.
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The Perfect Polish
Cosmetology and Skills U.S.A. at North Murray High School recently sponsored a community service project in which Donna Blankenship’s students gave manicures to the residents of the Murray County Senior Center.
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MCHS accepts letterman's jacket
James “William” Butler’s family presented his letterman’s jacket to Murray County High School Principal Gina Linder during halftime of a varsity boys’ basketball game recently. The jacket, which has a “1962 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP” patch on it, will be displayed in the school’s trophy case. Presenting the jacket to Linder were Butler’s nieces, Chloe Brown and Ashley Strong; his wife, Patsy Butler; his daughter, Robin Baggett; and his grandchildren, Jaden and Janna Baggett.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December teacher of the month
English teacher Jennifer Weninger (center) was selected by her peers as December’s Teacher of the Month at Mountain Creek Academy. Principal Paula Martin (right) and Curriculum Instructor Facilitator/Counselor Jennifer Lents presented her with the award.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December staff of the month
Mountain Creek Academy Lisa Sanford, center, accepts a certificate from Principal Paula Martin and Counselor Jennifer Lents (left) as she is recognized with a December Staff of the Month award. Sanford has worked at Mountain Creek for 12 years.
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Med students visit Murray High
In December, students from Murray County High School and North Murray High School were invited to meet with fourth-year medical students Allen Ligon of Augusta and Heath Petty, an MCHS graduate.
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Gladden honors December student of the month
Joey Ecklebarger is the December 2011 Gladden Middle School Student of the Month. Joey is motivated and puts forth great effort in all classes. His behavior and attitude towards school, other students and teachers is also outstanding. Sean Hammond, Joey’s social studies teacher says of Joey, “He is great to have on our team.”
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Coker honors students for Week 14 good behavior
As part of Coker Elementary School’s PBIS or Positive Behavioral and Interventions Support system, students that follow the school expectations are recognized each week for their Great Behavior.
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Gladden students use Facebook in lessons
Gladden Middle School eighth-grader Shaley Stafford shows her Facebook page model on the book “Alice in Wonderland.” Eighth grade reading teacher Keith Rollins had his students choose a book from the library to do a book report on. However, this was not an ordinary book report. After the students read their book, they were to do their report by making a Facebook page about their book.
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Gladden assigns January Dreamcatcher award
Every month, one of the faculty members at Gladden Middle School is recognized for having the most clean and organized room. The award given is called the Dream Catcher Award. Seventh grade social studies teacher Jennifer Bennett was awarded the Dream Catcher Classroom of the Month for January and will hang the Dream Catcher model in her room until the next month.
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