By: Eddy Gifford, Publisher

The Dade County Board of Education held a Special Called Meeting/workshop on Monday night that included touring some of the school facilities for possible summer projects.

Those areas toured by the board included the track, football press box, tennis courts; possible video broadcast lab and bathrooms at Dade High School; the parking lot, gym and main entrance doors at Dade Elementary School; and the gym at Dade Middle School.

The Board will now consider each project with input from the architect before deciding which projects will move forward. SPLOST money will be used on all these projects.

When the board reconvened at the central office they heard reports from each school principal as well as from Dr. James Cantrell, assistant principal/CTAE director and Wilma Hulgan, school nutrition director.

School attendance was reported up at each school after illnesses had hurt attendance just before the Christmas break.

Attendance for each school for December and January were: Dade Elementary 88.57 percent/93.57 percent; Davis Elementary 88.28 percent/92 percent; Dade Middle 87 percent/92.60 percent and Dade High School 88.25 percent/94 percent.

It was also reported that K-12 enrollment for the Dade County School System currently stands at 2,144 for a net gain of six students.

Superintendent Shawn Tobin also reported that so far this school year the system has spent $23,973.50 for substitute teachers for certified personnel. The system has 175 certified personnel and through January they had taken a total of 628 sick or personnel days.

Non-certified personnel total 66 and so far this year have taken 312.2 sick or personnel days at a cost of $3,346 to the system.

That brings the total cost for substitutes for sickness and personal leave at $27,319.50.

Craig Coleman, Director of Aftercare Program at Dade Elementary School brought the board up to date on the aftercare program. He reported the program is self-funded from aftercare tuition and serves Dade Elementary School’s Pre-K through fifth grade. Numbers have been off in recent years, since the state stopped funding the program but it has leveled off and still provides a much-needed service to the community. Currently 16 students are enrolled in the program.

Coleman also plugged his Bikes for Buddies program that provides bicycles for Dade Elementary School students who need them. He encouraged anyone that would like to donate a bike, old or new to contact him at the school.

Superintendent Tobin reported to the board that electrical cost for August and September for this year with school starting later saved the system $21,314. The total cost in 2011 for the two months was $105,558 as compared to $84,244 this year.

Tobin also reported that the state audit was complete and no major infractions were found. He also reported that the state audit cost the system $3,611.85.

School surveillance equipment was also discussed by Tobin who explained that the cost of $300,000-$400,000 as reported in the Chattanooga Times Free Press recently was for all schools.

He also reported that updating was being looked at prior to Sandy Hook and the system would be very similar to the one currently in operation at the Dade County Justice Building.

No action was taken on the item as it will be discussed further at future meetings.

Superintendent Tobin also reported that the AdvancED Accrediting teams had just finished with glowing reports but now the Georgia Department of Education Required Monitoring in May will include, Title I, Part A Program/Coordinator; Title II, Part A Coordinator; Title III, Part A Coordinator; Title VI, Part B Coordinator; School Improvement Coordinator; Race To the Top Coordinator; Parent Involvement/Engagement Coordinator; Homeless/Neglected and Delinquent Coordinator; Finance Office Representative; and Migrant Education Coordinator.

The Board took action two items. The first was a paper bid for 440 case of copy paper at $26 per case and that bid were awarded to American Paper.

Superintendent Tobin reported the system currently is paying in excess of $6,000 per month for garbage collection, the last three months total was $19,211.11, and after checking with other providers in the area he recommended going with Waste Connections from Cleveland Tenn., for $2,381 per month for the same service the system is currently receiving.

The Board approved both bids.

The Board then entered executive session for some 30 minutes. Upon returning they adjourned the meeting without taking any further action.