By: Eddy Gifford, Publisher

The Dade County Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Monday night and this was the first meeting in some time that the Board did not have a work session the week before.

The Davis Choir who had performed at Dollywood recently entertained the Board. The choir, under the direction of Assistant Principal Dottie Abercrombie, has become a regular at the December board meetings.       

Special recognition was given to Outstanding Teachers Ms. Martha Plumlee, Ms. Jane Foster and student John Paul Sneed. Also recognized at the meeting was Dade Middle School teacher Natalie Birchett. All were commended for their hard work and dedication.

Dennis Kelley reported on the completion of freshman CPR classes that were taught by Puckett EMS. Kelley reported that of the 258 students who went through the class and completed the written test that 250 (97 percent) passed. Kelley also reported that another class was planned for later in the year and that all cafeteria personnel had completed the course as well.

Each principal gave the Board an update on activities at their school including attendance for the month of November.

James Fahrney, Davis Elementary Principal, reported that the Davis Choir took 110 to Dollywood for its annual performance and received many compliments on not only their performance but the behavior of the students as well. Fahrney also reported a number of activities planned for the Christmas season.

Attendance at Davis for November was at 91.28 percent. Davis currently has 323 students enrolled Pre–K through fifth grade. Pre-K attendance was 85 percent and brought the overall total down somewhat.

Dade Elementary Principal Tracy Blevins reported on Christmas activities as well and reported that kindergarten teachers had attended the Georgia Kindergarten Conference and came back with a lot of good ideas to pass along and use in the classroom.

Attendance for Dade Elementary 810 students was at 94.28 percent for November. They had also gained six new students during the month.

Karen deMarche, Dade Middle Principal reported several students had attended Berry College in Rome for Math Counts and that Christmas activities were in full swing. Principals Awards will be given on Friday of this week with another similar awards day being held in the spring.

November attendance for Dade Middle’s 478 students was at 93.6 percent and they have gained four new students.

Josh Ingle, Dade High School Principal reported on activities such as chorus and band Christmas concerts, as well as, the drama class scheduling a one act play.

Ingle also reported that they recently learned the writing test scores for the high school. This year’s score was the highest every received at the school with a score of 99.3 percent.

November attendance for the high school was 93.7 percent for the 667 students.

Each school also requested approval on a variety of fundraisers that the Board approved.

Superintendent Shawn Tobin gave the Board a report on substitute pay for the month of November. Of the 175 employees a total of 128 days of sick or personal leave were taken with substitute teacher pay being $5,293.50. Part of that time was due to maternity leave – one at Dade Elementary and one a Davis Elementary.

The non-certified substitute pay came to $660 with the 66 employees taking 57.5 days of sick or personal time. Some of the time off by non-certified personnel is covered without bringing in a substitute.

Dr. James Cantrell gave a report on CTAE and the broadcast video lab that is ready for construction at the high school.

The Board approved personnel recommendations after executive session. Those included the transfer of Regina McBryar to Davis as cafeteria manager; new hires Bonnie Doerrwaechter, cafeteria manager at Dade Elementary, Wanda White and Rebekah Headrick as full time cafeteria assistant; Michelle Moore and Wendy Clarity as part time cafeteria assistants.

Substitutes Jacqueline Kiernan and Kimberly Richards were approved, as were Kerry Lacy and Josh Gifford for baseball community coaches and a leave request for Melody Weldon.

The Georgia School Board Association also recognized Carolyn Bradford for her 15 years of service as a school board member.