Friday, November 15, 2002

Fulton County Board of Education recognizes awards, hears plans

The Fulton County Board of Education's October meeting covered everything from recognizing outstanding programs to charter school applications. Some of the activities at the meeting included:

Spotlight on Achievement

Project Success. Crabapple Middle School Principal Kimothy Jarrett presented an overview of the school's Progress Success program for sixth graders. Using Stephen Covey's book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Project Success seeks a smooth transition to middle school and helps students establish effective habits that will aid them throughout their middle and high school careers.

Information and Community Relations honors.

The following students, staff, programs,departments, and personnel were honored for excellence:

·Music Excellence. For the third consecutive year, Fulton County has been named one of the top 100 places to live in America for quality music education.

Harry Bergwall from Ken Stanton Music Company and a member of the American Music Conference, presented a plaque to Music Coordinator Jay Wucher and members of the music department.

·Media awards. Former A. Philip Randolph elementary students were honored for receiving top recognition at the International Media Festival.

While in Janet Kennedy's fifth grade class, the students, now sixth graders, produced a film titled Passing the Torch.

·Purchasing award. The Fulton County School System's Purchasing Department received, for the second consecutive year, an Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from theNational Purchasing Institute.

Instructional Services

The board received information on three innovative programs designed to help high priority schools improve achievement.

The three programs received funding as part of the 2002- 2003 budget.

·School Within A School. Conley Hills Elementary runs two schools within one facility.

One school serves students in Pre-K - 2nd grade, while another school serves grades 3-5. Each school has its own administrative team with an administrative assistant to work with both schools. The premise is that each team will have more focused time for instructional leadership and the smaller school will provide parents and students a feeling of community.

·Quality Team. Six Fulton staff members have been selected to form a Quality Team, providing assistance and support to four high priority schools. The team works with the schools to evaluate the learning and teaching environment and provide educational support.

·Lab School. In the planning stages this year, the Lab School is scheduled to open with the 2003- 2004 school year. Master teachers who will model best practices will staff the school.

Charter school petitions. The Board received three charter school petitions for first reading:

·The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) submitted a petition to establish a grades 5-8 school. The goal of the school would be to provide underserved students with knowledge,skills, physical fitness, and character needed to succeed in top quality high schools and colleges.

·The Academy of Fulton County Charter School is a resubmission for a school that would focus on student achievement through the use of an entrepreneurial curriculum correlated to the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum.

·The Cedar Grove Charter School petition would establish an academic program designed around multiple intelligences.

One petition previously submitted, the Fulton Connections Academy, was denied.

Other matters. A list of recommended members to serve on the Health Education Advisory Committee was received for first reading. The list of student field trips received approval.

Board Matters

Policies and procedures. The Policy and Procedure Review Schedule was presented for information. Two policies/procedures were submitted for first reading.

·Policy/Procedure DJE increases the purchasing dollar limits.

·Policy EDAA, governing school-owned buses, is no longer needed.

The Charter School policy was presented for second reading while policy revisions were approved for professional/classified leaves of absence and use of school facilities.

Travel approved. The list of employees requesting out-of-state travel received approval.

Human Resources Personnel. The monthly personnel action report received approval, along with a revised effective resignation date for an employee.

Support Services Reports.

The monthly purchasing report was approved, while the quarterly capital project status report was presented for information. The report included the high school architect competition for a new high school in south Fulton and a replacement school for Milton High.

The board approved an extension of a joint-use agreement between the Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Department, the Metropolitan YMCA, and Webb Bridge Middle School and agreed to cooperate with an office developer for a project next to New Prospect Elementary School.

The Capital Programs Board Action Report also received approval, including projects at the Northpoint high school site, Sandtown middle school site, and Evoline C. West Elementary School.

Master plans. Architects were approved to provide design services for work identified in the high school master planning process.

Business Services Reports. Financial, budget management, and tax collection reports were presented for information.

The board approved SPLOST I and SPLOST II budget adjustments.