001The September board meeting for the Social Circle Board of Education on September 11th, 2025 is called to order. The first item on our agenda is prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance. >> Our Father in heaven, be thy name. Thom will be on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. forgive us our trespasses as we tres against us. The kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. >> At this time, I would like to introduce two members of our army JOTC unit cadet, captains Adrien Baines and Olivia Rowley. They are here to lead us in the pledge of allegiance and share a reflection of the events on September 11th. Please remove your hat and place your hand your right hand over your heart. >> I pledge allegiance to
002the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Good evening. My name is Olivia Riley. I am a junior here at Social Circle High School and a captain in the SCS JOTC. Today is the 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States. The September 11th attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airplanes by 19 terrorists associated with al Qaeda. The attacks targeted the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. At 5:45 a.m., Hijackers passed through security screening in Portland, Maine. At 8:19 a.m., flight attendants on American Airlines Flight 11 report a hijacking. At 9:57 a.m., passengers and crew members on United Airlines
003Flight 93 began fighting back. Several key events occurred throughout the morning of September 11th, starting with the departures of American Airlines Flight 11 at 7:59 a.m. and United Airlines Flight 175 at 8:14 a.m. Both from Boston. American Airlines Flight 77 at 8:20 a.m. from Dulles and United Airlines Flight 93 at 8:42 a.m. from Newark. American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked at at 9:28 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. And at 9:45 a.m., the United States Airspace was shut down. The Salt Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., followed by United Airlines Flight 93 crashing in a Pennsylvania field at 10:03 a.m. and the collapse of the North
004Tower at 10:28 a.m. Later in the day, the Southern World Trade Center building collapsed at 5:20 p.m. The September 11th attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people. This had a lasting impact leading to increased security measures, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the global war on terror. Annually, the week of 911, our JOTC cadets placed 2,977 flags in front of our campus in honor of the 2,977 flags lost on that day. Thank you. Thank you so much. Y'all did a great job. Next is the approval of the agenda. Mr. Excuse me, Mr. Rimlar. Do we have any changes? >> No, ma'am. No changes. >> All right. Do I have a motion to accept the agenda as presented? >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any discussion? With no
005discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Like sign. Motion carries unanimously. Presented are the minutes from the September 4th work session. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes as presented? >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any discussion? With no discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously. Now I will turn it over to Superintendent Ernard. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I will draw your attention to the screen for the superintendent's report for the month as we've started the process. We like doing it through this mechanism so we can post it for everybody to review. So at this time we'll give you a quick update of what's going on with
006social city schools. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] So, as you saw had a great start at the beginning of the school year. We have some big events coming up. Homecoming is coming up soon. Um we're very excited about what our teachers are doing with our students every day. Excited about what our students are learning. So excited about the way the school year is going. We'd like to go ahead and transition into our student recognition part. We'll start off with Dr. Harrove with the elementary school to recognize her student for this meeting. Hello. Good evening everyone. It is my privilege to have the honor of celebrating Mr. Coulter Jenkins who is a second grader at the elementary school in Miss Young's class. And these are some words that Miss Young has shared about culture. And when I
007finish sharing these words about your culture, we'll have you come up so everybody can see how spoofy your outfit is tonight. All right. Cultter Jenkins is our MVP because he demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship every single day by being an empathetic collaborator. He shows empathy by paying attention to how others are feeling and stepping into help whenever someone is in need. Whether it's encouraging a classmate, offering a helping hand, or simply sharing a kind word, culture always makes sure that people feel supported in the classroom. He is also a strong collaborator, working well with his classmates by listening carefully, respecting different opinions, and following the rules so that everyone has a chance to succeed. His positive attitude, good manners, and his willingness to try his best even in some of the most difficult situations make him inspire
008others around him. Culture is the kind of teammate and classmate who lifts others up and we are truly thankful to have him as part of our team. At this time, will you give me a give Coulter a round of applause? You got to come up and see me, buddy. You got >> a slick sh Let's give them another announcement. >> Great job, Cter. At this time, Ivor, middle school, your student of the month. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh, this time I would like to present Social Circle Middle School star student of the month, uh, Mr. Taylor Mcright. Um so Taylor was selected as student of the month for demonstrating several competencies out outlined in the portrait of a graduate. Um specifically being an empathetic collaborator. Taylor uh demonstrates all these skills and serves as a
009posit positive role model for his peers on a daily basis. Taylor consistently shows leadership, integrity, and kindness in both the classroom and in the school community. As a leader on our student advisory team and on and off the football team football field, he exemplifies what it means to lead with responsibility and with respect. With a strong commitment to learning and a willingness to support others, Taylor demonstrates the qualities of a well-rounded graduate, responsible, respectful, and resilient. His positive attitude and dedication inspire those around him, making him a shining example of what it means to be a And unfortunately, I believe Taylor is still participating in a football game down at the athletic complex at this time. So, he's not able to be with us now, but know that I will follow up um and celebrate
010this accomplishment with him after the game. So, at this time, let's join together and celebrate Taylor McBride. Thank Armstrong from the high school for Surprise. Good evening. It's my privilege to introduce you to one of our outstanding seniors. I'll read a couple of comments from one of our teachers. She said, "I've had the opportunity to witness her intellectual curiosity for chemistry and physics, her dedication to learning, her enthusiasm for learning is contagious as she actively engages in classroom discussions and consistently seeks challenges to broaden her base. I've got a relationship with you personally over the last three years. Uh, and I will say often times this generation lacks some perseverance and grit. But not this young woman. You see, she interviewed for GHP during her sophomore year, but she fell short. And rather than give
011up, she asked lots of questions, learned, and grew. Over the last three years, she's not only excelled in the classroom, she's helped to start a science Olympiad team and our technology student association and takes a leadership role with the beta club. This summer she was able to participate in the governor's honors program. It's a a residential program that spends four weeks in the summer in Georgia Southern that's designed for students uh who are knowledgeable and talented in their programs. So I would like to introduce you to Miss Hannah Hume. [Applause] Well, good evening everyone. My name is Hannah Hun and I am a senior here at Central High School. And after I graduate here, I plan on going to Georgia Tech to to pursue a degree in chemistry. The thing I've enjoyed most about being
012here at Social Circle is the sense of community that surrounds not only the school, but the community as well. And one of my favorite experience that I've had from high school is going with friends to events like thing in things like Science Olympiad and GSA. The Georgia Science Olympiad is the state chapter of of the National Science Olympiad program in Georgia which provides K through2 students with a competitive hands-on STEM exper experience learning. And TSA stands for the technology student association and it is a statewide organization for middle and high school students interested in STEM or science, technology, engineering, and mathematic fields. Although these events were fun on their own, what made them especially memorable were the people that I got to spend the time with. From walking to and from the Classic Center to
013just hanging out with them, waiting for the next workshop or event, the people were what made everything so memorable. This is especially true for what I consider to be the best experience I've ever had the opportunity to get. This past summer, I was able to stay at the Georgia Southern campus and participate in the Governor's Honors program, majoring in chemistry. This c the course I took was the chemistry of color, and I was able to make both natural and synthetic dyes and inks while learning about the chemistry behind it all. After my major, I then went to my minor, spoiler alert, in which I learned all about the science behind fermentation and other types of food preservation. Not only did we get to learn about them, but we did also get to try preserving our
014foods and trying them afterward. But it wasn't just the content that made my experience so memorable. The people I met were an enormous part of what made the experience. They not only made the classes memorable, but also the time we had outside of the classroom. from walking to the science building and back and singing songs in the quad. They made every moment unforgettable. So for that, I'd like to say thank you to you all for allowing me the chance to be able to participate in the governor's honors program. And of course, thank you to my parents who drove to drove the three-hour drive to Georgia multiple times. What happened school system? We're very proud of of all three of you. Everything that you do, you bring to our schools every day. So, congratulations. Great job.
015Keep up the good work. >> Perfect. All right. At this time, we will have a short break before we enter the business portion of our meeting. Uh, typically just a few minutes. Thank y'all. >> We'll start with our new elementary school construction update. And as you know, we're in the building, so most of what remains is running through our punch list. Our director of operations, Walt, is working closely with Carol Daniel to wrap up our remaining items. And so, most of the con construction, as you know, is complete. We have a remaining 1.8 8. We're waiting to get reimbursed from the state and that will happen after everything is wrapped up and you guys vote on a resolution to approve the new school opening. Are there any questions about the construction? >> I think I
016just have one question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> The total funds available, it's just the balance of that 1.3 figure. >> Yes. >> Does that include that 1.8 reimbursement we anticipate from the state? >> Yes, it will include the 1.8. The 1.3 basically is the remaining amount of the construction contract, but most of it is contingency and we have not used fortunately most of our contingency. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have an update on our Freshway change for schools. July collections totaled $1,6453 and this was allocated to each school for classroom supplies. This brings the total program to date collections to just under 180,000. And we'll move into the July financial report now. So we are just one month into our new fiscal year. We are so that's 8% into the fiscal
017year. Um in July, as you know in our general fund, most of our revenue starts happening near um the six-month mark. So in the first few months, we just received our allocation from the state for our QBE. So our taxes will start coming in mostly in December and January and our intergovernmental agreements come in March. So we do run in the negative throughout this period until we get to that point. And I know you know that. Just want to remind you of that. Um so with just one month into the fiscal year, we are at 1.6 million in revenue and 2.6 million in expenses. So we're um running out $1 million on excess. Next, we have our special revenue funds, and we won't see those. Those are our federal grants, and those will start October
0181st. We have wrapped up all of our prior year grants. So, again, we're working on those budgets and those allocations, and we'll have that report to you, but those begin October 1st. So, we have our school food service fund, and obviously without school open this first month in July, we don't have much to report. They are just some startup calls to get the school ready to open for the students. And so lastly, we have our SPLS fund. Splash collections received in July from Walt County 214,000. This is about a 4 and a half% decrease from the prior year. For Newton County, it was about 2,900 and this was actually an increase of about 2%. Incumbrances for the splice fund consist of about $3 million and most of that is for the construction and furniture and
019fixtures technology for the new school. Are there any questions about the July report? All right. Do I have a motion to approve the July financial report is presented? >> Do I have a second? >> Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously. Thanks, Miss Cross. Um next we will move on to our new business and action items for the board to consider. Um first we have an update to the board policy EDC transportation transportation safety has been shared for our review. The board will review the recommend recommended changes and be prepared to vote on this at our October meeting tonight or excuse me our October meeting. Um and next we have several items presented for board approval for this evening. The board
020has reviewed these items and will take action on them as one single consent agenda item. Presented for the board's consideration are the fiscical year 26 board training plan, the fisc year 26 CTA and PO Perkins local plan, the fisc year 26 NEGA reset shared services contract, the Newton County Intergovernmental Agreement, an overnight trip request for cross country to travel to Hazelhurst, Georgia, the surplus property resolution, items from our former primary and elementary school building, Do I have a motion to approve these items as presented? >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> Anyone opposed? Like sign. Motion carries unanimously. Next, we have several items, excuse me, several updated board policies presented for approval this evening. The board has reviewed the
021proposed changes and we will take action on them together as one consent agenda item. The policies presented with board's approval are policy of G A employee leave and absences policy IDFA equity and sports policy ifg internet acceptable use policy G excuse me JCEB student hearing procedure. Do I have a motion to approve the updated policies as presented to the board? >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously. Next, we have the following classified personnel recommendations from our superintendent. a recommendation of Martha Todd, part-time bus driver, and the resignation of Devonte Bankhead, afterare assistant, and Robert Farmer, bus driver. Additionally, we have the following recommendations for substitute teachers. recommendations are Jessica Brisco, Laquista Carr,
022Stacy Clemens, Jessica Dose, Annayia Ladson, Lucia Martinez, Kathleen Cudd, Kylie Sers, Sonia Terrell, and Crystal Wilkerson. Do I have a motion to approve these recommendations as presented from our superintendent? Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously. Do I have a motion to adjurnn our meeting? Do I have a second? >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously and meeting is adjourned. Thank you.