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Schools

Consulting Firm: Oconee Schools 'Very Efficient'

Three furlough days are recommended for Aug. 3, April 6 and May 22. The board will also consider calling for a fall referendum on a bond issue and continuing the 1-cent education sales tax.

Even in a time of economic cutbacks, an outside review of the efficiency of Oconee County Schools reported the district to be in “very efficient” shape at Monday’s School Board work session.

James Wilson of Education Planners, a consulting firm, gave a presentation on the efficiency of the district, which Wilson reported was among of the best of 10 districts he’s worked with in the last six months.

Wilson recommended the district cut clerical positions at both high schools by one or two positions, maximize its use of finance software to communicate throughout the district and increase assistance for special education services.

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For the first time in three years, the cost of school lunch was recommended to increase. Susan Elsner, director for school nutrition, recommended the cost of breakfast increase by 20 cents, and lunch by 25 cents. Elsner said federal government reimbursements are not intended to support meals for paying students.

Randy Morrison, the assistant superintendant for finance, reported that the fiscal year 2012 budget would be about $1.9 million less than fiscal year 2011. The district would make up that shortfall, he said, through , staff reductions through attrition and retirement and tapping the fund balance.

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The furlough days are recommended for Aug. 3, April 6 and May 22, designed to be before or after scheduled breaks. The board will vote on approval of those days on June 13.

Morrison also presented the board a draft of a resolution to call a special election on Nov. 8 to issue general obligation bonds and to continue a one-cent sales tax for educational purposes, namely capital projects. If passed, the money would be in hand by February.  

Other items heard at the meeting:

  • Superintendent John A. Jackson said a survey of graduating seniors at the two high schools found that 93 percent said they planned to pursue a two-year or four-year college degree.  
  • Mark Channell, the assistant superintendent for operations and student services, said among the items of priority on the project list are technology upgrades, a scheduled 20-year remodeling of and an athletics field house at North Oconee High school.
  • The board has to approve revisions to its bullying policy by Aug. 1, Channell said, and will vote on approval of the recommendations on June 13.
  • The district will train all staff to use an EpiPen as part of its pre-school year training schedule, Channell said. But the revisions to the current policy don’t require each school to have EpiPens on hand.
  • The OCHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America requested permission to travel to Anaheim, Calif. on July 9-14 to attend the organization’s national leadership conference.
  • The OCHS cross country team also requested permission to attend the All-American Cross Country Camp in Asheville, N.C. on July 10-15. 
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