Riverview Elementary School highlighted at work session
Board of Education February 3, 2022
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Education welcomed teachers from Riverview Elementary School to present their teaching and learning efforts using technology at its February work session.
Angela Buytendorp, Christy Millholland and Beth Murray represented the school in discussing the challenges of virtual learning and transitioning back to classrooms.
Especially for early grades, relying heavily on technology tested both students and teachers.
Riverview Elementary School teachers’ response to COVID
After talking with the teachers, Brian DeRose, the coordinator of instructional technology, submitted the presentation to the Georgia Educational Technology Conference.
According to DeRose, the conference in 2021 only accepted half of the submitted presentations, which included theirs.
Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray not only had to engage the students, but also the parents.
At the work session on Feb. 1, the Board of Education listened to efforts to enhance learning with technology.
When outlining the teaching process, DeRose explained, “It wasn’t just pushing out homework assignments and assessments online, but it was the training the parents in doing these projects.”
For example, parents created digital valentines with their kindergartners and first graders. The teachers compiled these valentines into the students’ personal folders to read at the end of Valentine’s Day.
To keep students ready for in-person learning, the teachers wanted to make virtual learning feel like a classroom.
Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray felt routine was the key. They attempted to mirror daily classroom structure as closely as possible.
Teachers worried about children missing out on social activities as well as academics.
In their presentation, Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray gave examples of both challenges and solutions with virtual learning.
One approach to address these concerns was a talent show. Another figured out a way to still celebrate birthdays by everyone eating a favorite cookie together.
Even though the setting changed, Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray proved younger students could adapt and be a normal class.
“I think COVID really did a lot for our teachers as far as transforming everyone,” DeRose said. “But these ladies with the little K-2 have really come a long way in the classroom.”
Student Athletes recognized at Board of Education meeting
Board of Education, Press Release January 12, 2022
At the meeting on January 11, the Dawson County School System Board of Education welcomed student athletes to attend:
The Dawson County High School state champion cheerleading squad celebrated its hard work at the meeting.
We recognized several of our Dawson County High School athletic groups at tonight’s Board of Education meeting, including our State Champion Cheerleading squad, Varsity Football team, Varsity Softball team, and Varsity Boys Cross Country team. Thank you to all who attended and helped recognize these amazing student athletes!
The school’s varsity football team attended the Board of Education meeting for its accomplishments.
Along with other athletic groups, the varsity softball team enjoyed the community’s recognition.
The Board of Education welcomed the varsity boys cross country team at its meeting on January 11.
Roger D. Slaton AgriScience Center plans approved
News, Tiger's Corner September 20, 2021
Dawsonville, Ga. – Plans to move forward with the Roger D. Slaton AgriScience Center are ‘100% complete’ as of this week, The Dawson County Board of Education announced at the Sept. 14 meeting Tuesday night.
Dr. Damon Gibbs addressed the other members of the board with an update on the Roger D. Slaton AgriScience project at the Sept. 14 meeting.
“We [were] delayed a little bit because of some acquisition of property that we had put together and we had to have it re-surveyed and had to get the state back out to reassess the piece of property,” Gibbs said.
Although there were delays in the timeline, Gibbs stated that as of this week the plans are now 100% complete.
Gibbs added that construction on the project will be taking place very soon.
The project will be put out to bid in early October, and they are putting bid packages together in the next two weeks.
Gibbs also mentioned that the multipurpose facility project bids are out and were posted on Sept. 3, so construction could take place very soon.
He believed both projects will break ground and be under construction before the end of the year.
The AgriScience center is to be built at Dawson County High School and named after late board member Roger Slaton.
Slaton served as a member of the Dawson County Board of Education for 36 years.
In August, the board voted to dedicate the new facility in Slaton’s memory for his dedication to serving the Dawson County School System.
Tuesday, Sept. 14, was the first meeting new board member Barry Slaton, son of the late Roger Slaton, attended as a sitting member of the Dawson County Board of Education. He was sworn in earlier that day.
Barry Slaton Named New Member of Dawson County Board of Education
News, Tiger's Corner September 8, 2021
DAWSONVILLE, Ga – Dawson County Board of Education selected a new member to fill the open seat on the board Tuesday night, Mr. Barry Slaton.
Slaton is the son of the late member Mr. Roger Slaton and he said he intends to carry out his father’s legacy and is excited to serve on the board.
“It’s an honor, and just like my Dad and many others before him, I intend to take care of the schools and all the people in it. I feel honored to be able to do that,” Slaton said.
He said he does not have any preconceived goals going into the position but wants to keep up the good work that is set in place before him.
“I just want to continue to keep our schools the best in the area, which I think they are, and support our students, teachers, and administrators in any way that I can,” Slaton said.
Slaton grew up in Dawson County is a graduate of Dawson County High School.
He and his wife, Mrs. Lora Slaton, live in Dawson County and own Silver City Group, a real estate company focused in Dawson County and surrounding areas.
Slaton said he is “a Dawson County person through and through,” according to a press release posted on social media by the Dawson County School System.
Elaine Wilson, Chairperson of the Dawson County Board of Education, started out the vote by commemorating Roger Slaton’s time on the board and that they were looking for someone to be able to step in and to continue to serve the community.
Slaton will hold the position on the Dawson County Board of Education until a special election to fill the seat.
The special election for the board seat will be in conjunction with the general election in 2022.
Nurses in Dawson County schools “much more than sick visits”
Board of Education, Community, Health November 11, 2020
As the school year progresses, the same COVID-19 precautions continue to remain of high priority. Additionally, there was data presented to the Board of Education beyond COVID-19; detailed information on school nurses.
Vikki Brannon, director of health services, said their focus is parallel to the vision statement of the Georgia Association of School Nurses.
The vision statement is “Georgia School Nurses are prepared leaders who develop and implement a coordinated school health program in every Georgia school to improve the health status and educational outcome of students and staff.”
As a nurse of 16 years, Brannon said she has a lot of experience to ensure Dawson County schools and their nurses are always going above and beyond. Braden said school nurses have a stigma at handing out ice packs and bandages, but they are much more.
“Our nurses are sometimes just looked at as being the sick visits, where we have the coughs and the colds…but they do a lot more than that,” Brannon said.
The Dawson County school nurses see 30-40,000 students a school year – estimating to around 4,000 student visits per month, which is significant data, according to Braden. Out of the 40,000 students, there is only a 4% send home rate.
“Data shows what you do and what you’re good for,” Brannon said.
They are devoted to keep students healthy, according to Braden.
Dawson County school nurses tend to students that have ADHD, psychological or psychiatric disorders and other medical conditions that may require medicine throughout the school day. They are additionally responsible for emergency medicine management.
Braden said – for the application and hiring process for nurses in the county – it is important for school nurses to be prepared for anything. The best experience Braden said to have is go into an emergency room and watch.
“You have to be prepared for anything and everything to walk through your door,” Brannon said. “The moment that we do let our guard down, something happens.”
As for COVID-19 numbers, Braden said since the “pandemic year” began, there has been a total of 308 student cases since the beginning of the year and only two of those quarantined students tested positive.
Superintendent Damon Gibbs said it is important to communicate with students’ parents, percentage wise to make them aware of the positive cases.
“We know our kids learn more when they’re in the building,” Gibbs said. “Our nurses give them some encouragement and getting them back in the classroom is critical.”
The future of education; virtual classrooms in Dawson County
Board of Education, Dawson County High School, News November 10, 2020
“We’ve had to start looking at how classrooms are going to look different in the future.”
Superintendent Damon Gibbs said the upcoming years of teaching is already on Dawson County’s radar.
Being technologically prepared is a main p
riority. At the Nov. 10 Dawson Board of Education meeting, education on a virtual level was a main topic of discussion.
Online learning has become the preferred, precautionary learning method of education due to COVID-19.
Lori Grant, teacher at College and Career Academy, teaches three different education pathway levels at Dawson County High School. The pathway presented at the board meeting was pathway level three.
According to the Dawson County School website, the level three course provides “in-depth study of early brain development” for early learning with use of appropriate technology and parenting as well as child guidance trends.
Throughout the school year, classrooms are normally observed. By in-person observation, this allows one to get a clear performance on the effectiveness of each classroom. Since the pandemic, this has not been possible.
“We can’t really go into classrooms and see what a good classroom setup looks like,” Grant said.
Grant transformed the idea of observing a classroom by creating a virtual one for students to explore.
Grant recently had training to take on the idea of presenting virtual classrooms to keep students engaged – she had students design their ideal “dream classroom” while also effectively integrating essential learning elements into their desired layouts.
Students Sadie Pruitt and Lily McCracken both presented at the BOE meeting. Each discussed their model classroom, as well as provided educational links for their grade level throughout the slides presented.
Gibbs said the students’ presentations were timely in relation to the amount of virtual learning this school year. The meeting closed once Gibbs announced the graduation rate for the state of Georgia, with Dawson County at 96%.
“It’s a great effort of K-12 in Dawson County and that does not come easily,” Gibbs said. “There’s a lot of issues that our students face on a daily basis and to have a staff that motivates those kids to come to school and do their best and succeed and to finish the drill when it comes to their high school education…I am just very proud of that work that we do as a team.”
School systems struggles to set FY ’21 budget amid economic uncertainty
News May 5, 2020
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt the American economy a devastating blow. The International Monetary Fund says this is the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. More than 22 million Americans have lost their jobs.
As city/county governments and school districts begin to prepare their FY ’21 budgets, there is widespread uncertainty. A spokesman for the Learning Policy Institute said the only sure thing is that public education will suffer.
Fetch Your News wanted to know what local educators were thinking so we spoke to Dawson County School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs who, although extremely busy, took the time to talk to us.
Gibbs stated, “We base our budget revenue on two main sources. The first is our state revenue generated by the QBE funding formula. The second is our local revenue generated by local property taxes. The state revenue is generally available at this time. Due to the legislative session being delayed, a state budget has not been completed. Based on the lack of revenue information, we do not have sufficient data to complete a final budget at this time.”
One unfortunate starting point for budget planning is the announcement last week that state lawmakers plan a 14 percent reduction in state funding. “That could reduce our state allotment by $3.6 million,” Gibbs said.
Approximately 46 percent of the Dawson County Schools general fund comes from state revenues, 54 percent is funded locally.
About 87 percent of all expenditures is allocated to salaries and benefits. That is a frightening statistics for teachers and other school system employees.
Michael Griffith, a senior analyst with Learning Policy Institute, said, “The current economic downturn will put a large number of teaching positions at risk.” That is exactly what happened during the recession of 2008-2012.
Asked if teaching positions would have to be eliminated, Gibbs said, “It is too early to say, but we are evaluating all options at this point. Unfortunately, current law prohibits school districts from using ESPLOST funds to cover the cost of salaries and benefits.”
The school system has two ESPLOSTS. “We are nearing the end of our current ESPLOST and the voters of Dawson County approved a new ESPLOST that will immediately follow,” he said. “The November vote also approved the sale of $10 million in bonds, which have been sold. Those funds must be spent within 36 months.”
The new ESPLOST will help fund future capital expenditures. “The new Technology Center has been designed and, at this point, will proceed as planned,” Gibbs said. “We have suspended $2 million in summer projects this year. The Black’s Mill Roof/HVAC replacement will be completed as planned. Technology devices for students and staff, new buses for our fleet, and resurfacing the DCHS track will be completed. Any expenditures will be completed with funds previously collected.” Unfortunately because of the current economic recession, the new ESPLOST is unlikely to reach the estimated goal which will impact future construction.
“We anticipate the economic slowdown to delay the collection of approximately $2 million this year,” he said.
State law requires local governments to have an approved budget by June 30. But because the General Assembly is still in recess due to the COVID-19 shutdown and not expected to return until at least June 11, the School Board will likely be asked to approve a spending resolution. A spending resolution would allow the school system to spend an amount equivalent to one month of revenue from the previous year’s budget in July.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Board of Education recognizes outstanding students
News February 12, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting which was primarily a night of recognition and the presentation of awards for outstanding achievements by students and school system employees attracted a standing-room-only audience.
Leading off the night, outstanding Dawson County High School sophomores Alex Hughes and Kena LeBaron received the Hugh O’Brien Award, selected by the Dawson County Women’s Club.
Hughes is a member of the Georgia Junior Golfers’ Association, an award-winning classical pianist and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. He has earned a 4.1 overall grade point average (GPA). LeBaron is a member of the school’s varsity soccer team, an honor roll student and the National Honor Society and a member of the Future Career and Community Leaders of America. She is involved in theater and does volunteer work with special needs children.
Awards were also presented to winners of the spelling bee contests: Henry Beasley (BMES), William Holloway (RES), Benjamin Hunter James (RvES), Karen Miranda-Cruz (KES), Megan Bearden (DCMS) and Isaac Adams (DCJHS). The system winner was William Holloway (RES)
Isaac Adams (DCJHS) was the system runner-up.
Ian Norris won an award for his artwork.
The 8th grade Dawson County girls’ basketball team was honored for another outstanding performance that included winning the Mountain League Champions. Members of the team included Anna Ayers, Layne Bailey, Ellie Bishop, Heather Burt, Morgan Chester, Kindra Coker, Grace Nissen, Abby Samples, Jaci Wilson, Hayden Hand, Emily Gonzalez, Brianna Escoto. The coaches are: Natosha Beary, Ashley Tobias, Maddie Slaton, and Olivia Lane.
On Constitution Day, State Board of Education Superintendent Richard Wood sponsored an art contest inviting students to submit artwork that celebrated the Constitution, the United States of America, or the State of Georgia. Dawson County Junior High School student Ian Norris submitted the winning artwork that was placed on display at the State Department of Education. He and his teacher Samantha Hewlett were recognized at Tuesday’s meeting.
Before going into executive session, the Board approved the Consent Agenda that included:
A resolution of approval of the bond parameters resolution, as presented, authorizing the issuance of up to $10,000,000 in bonds to be repaid by the ESPLOST 2020 and beginning the validation process;
School system guidelines for non-resident students and revised transfer student of $1,200 annually;
A resolution to allow the Superintendent to sign a new five-year lease agreement with the Dawson County Arts Council to allow them use of the Rock Building for $5,000 a year;
Overnight travel for participants in the state swim meet, state girls’ basketball tournament and the Health Occupation Students of America.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Ribbon cutting for College and Career Academy Tuesday
News September 9, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Education will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new crown jewel – the 35,000-square foot Dawson County College and Career Academy Tuesday (Sept. 10) at 5 p.m.
The new two-story facility located at the corner of Hwy. 53 and Perimeter Road hosts programs for the high school’s Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) students and some of the classrooms are set aside for dual enrollment opportunities.
The building will also accommodate a full size industrial kitchen, multipurpose meeting room, a health sciences lab with a built-in patient room and hospital beds, and a video broadcasting studio.
There will also be labs for construction and engineering programs, early childhood education, business and marketing as well as outdoor work areas.
The 5 p.m, ribbon cutting will precede the regular 6 p.m. Board of Education meeting.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Board of Education to review 2020 tentative budget Tuesday
News May 13, 2019DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Board of Education members are expected to review and approve a tentative FY 2020 budget when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Board of Education Building at 28 Main Street.
The tentative budget is $50,696,932, an increase of about 3.54 percent from the 2019 approved budget. The school system anticipates revenue and expenditure of $44,659,969 with a fund balance of $6,036,963 to start the year. Approximately $23,465,378 will come from ad valorem taxes.
The largest expenditure anticipated in the FY20 budget is $27,353,151 for instruction, followed by $4,442,191 for maintenance and operation and $3,060,738 for instructional support.
Under Action Items, the Board is expected to approve:
Updates to the Student Handbook;
Per Diem for board members Karen Armstrong, Doris Cook, and Elaine Wilson;
Updates to sick leave payout for retiring or resigning employees.
The Board will also recognize important achievements for educators and students, including:
- Star Student Will Mulberry;
- Star Teacher Laura Hendrix;
- National Distinguished Principal Connie Stovall;
- District 2019 Young Author Winners;
- Kilough Elementary School Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Team;
- DCHS state literary meet competitors;
- DCHS golf teams;
- DCHS tennis teams;
- DCHS soccer teams;
- DCHS track team
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Board of Education will ask voters to approve 2020 ESPLOST in Nov.
News July 10, 2019
Dr. Damon Gibbs
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to place a $48 million ESPLOST referendum before the voters in November.
The current ESPLOST, which was approved in 2015, can extend through 2021 or until the Board collects $36.5 million, whichever comes first. Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs said he expects to reach the $36.5 million limit in late spring or early summer this year.
“The 2020 ESPLOST would be a continuation of the current one,” Gibbs said. “We have to submit the ballot question to the ballot builders by Aug. 5, then we have to publish several notifications in the newspaper and the referendum would be held on Nov. 5.”
If voters approve the one-cent tax, the maximum collectible amount would be set at $48 million and the maximum bonded indebtedness would be $10 million.
Chief Financial Officer Jamie Ulrich presented the financial report for the month of June and the current ESPLOST update.
“Everything on the financial statement is very good,” she said. “We still have about $290,000 in purchase orders open. We still have to get those closed before we are anywhere close to closing out FY 2019.” Currently the report shows $41,672,087 in expenditures and $41,181,337 in revenue.
The SPLOST report for the month of June shows revenue totaled $779,764, which is $143,070 ahead of projections and approximately $57,000 more than the same month last year. Year to date, collections are $27,073,143, about $3 million more than last year.
Renee Rogers gave the Board a review of Camp Invention which was held in June. Camp Invention is a STEM summer program that turns curious students into innovative thinkers. It is a nationally acclaimed program where STEM concepts come to life.
The theme of the 2019 program was Supercharged. Students took on four challenges – Innovative Force, Deep Sea Mystery, Farm Tech and DIY Orbot.
“It was an awesome experience,” Rogers said. “We had eight teachers, two parent volunteers, 25 high school students, five middle school students that worked together.”
Funding for the event was provided by Dawson County Charter Fund, McKinney Vento Scholarship and Nordsen Corp.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dawson Board of Education meeting Tuesday
News March 10, 2019DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County School Board members are expected to vote on several key action items during their March meeting Tuesday, including legislative positions that must be adopted prior to the Georgia School Boards Association meeting in April. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Board of Education Building, 28 Main Street.
Legislative proposals the Board will consider include:
- An examination of the impact of the five-mil share on local school system funding;
- Support for a Constitutional amendment to allow local legislation to include maintenance and operations as an allowable use of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax;
- Consideration to offer three high school diploma options: college prep, CTAE and special education;
- Urging the state to review of the number of assessments required and to limit the number of assessments essential to monitor student learning and inform instruction.
Legislative proposals must be adopted by the Board at an official meeting before the Georgia School Boards Association meeting in April.
District internet use has increased significantly with the 1:1 rollout. The Board will consider two requests for proposals (RFP) that met the criteria for increased availability. Board members will vote on an evaluation team recommendation to approve Georgia Communications Cooperative (NGN) at a cost of $4,100.
A number of teams and organizations will receive special recognition for achievements, including:
- Students selected for the All-State Chorus;
- RES Perennial Math;
- DCMS Robotics Team Recognition;
- DCHS Boys Basketball Recognition;
- DCHS Girls Basketball Recognition;
- DCHS Wrestling Recognition;
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Support School Awards for FY18;
- Maintenance and Custodial RecognitionSupporting Docs/Links attaced to this item;
- School Board Appreciation
Dawson County High School Art Teacher Jennifer Gray will share how she is using iPads to create innovative, dynamic and engaging art lessons for students.
Dawson County School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs will then present his report before the Board adjourns to go into executive session.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Board of Education to recognize student achievement during the 2018 State Literary Meet
News April 11, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Education will recognize outstanding accomplishments by four Dawson County High School students who competed in the 2018 Georgia High School Association State Literary Meet when it meets Wednesday, April 16, at 6 p.m.
Brady Holcomb was crowned state champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, and Kaylie Beacham, Maggie Wright and Piper Wright placed fourth in the trio competition in the event that was held last month at Buford High School. Those students will receive certificates of recognition for their accomplishments.
Board members will discuss Georgia Power’s Learning Power Program. The school system has partnered with Georgia Power this year to bring the statewide education initiative that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. The program is designed to bring energy education to classrooms at no cost to schools.
The goals are to contribute to students’ academic achievement, bring energy efficient concepts to students and teachers and build awareness of careers in the electric energy industry.
Education Coordinator Jennifer Chapman, who has visited classrooms in the district to present special hands-on STEM-related lessons throughout the year, will present an overview of the program and share highlights from her experiences working with the students of Dawson County this year.
The board also is expected to approve one field trip for 20 students and three chaperones to attend the Summer Future Farmers of America (FFA) Leadership Camp in Covington June 18 through 22 and another for FFA state officer candidates April 20 and 21 in Fort Valley, Georgia.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Wade seeks flexibility in education tax spending
News February 14, 2018
William Wade
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Board member William Wade made a plea during Monday’s Dawson County Board of Education meeting for citizen support of HB 781, that would give Georgia school systems more flexibility in spending education sales tax revenue.
The bill, which is sponsored by state Rep. Kevin Tanner, would allow Georgia school systems to amend the existing sales tax to include maintenance and education programs in the authorized purposes for expenditures. If approved in the General Assembly, the bill would have to be approved in a referendum by Dawson County voters to be enacted.
The bill received a favorable report in a House committee on Feb. 8.
From left, the spelling bee champions, Clara Baldwin, Briana Escoto, Eva Fulmer and Brandon Cramer.
Wade told those in attendance, “It wouldn’t hurt to call the Speaker (David Ralston) and let him know you are in support of that legislation. If you’re not supportive, it won’t hurt my feelings if you didn’t call.”
Aside from Wade’s comment, most of the meeting was devoted to recognizing outstanding achievements by students and staff.
The Dawson County seventh grade girls’ basketball team received special recognition for posting an 11-1 record and winning the Mountain League Championship.
Dawson County High School students Amber Autry and Rob Cox were honored for their outstanding performances at the Future Farmers of America (FFA) state competition. Autry finished second in Area 1 and third in state in Floral Design. She also had the highest score on the written exam.
Priscilla Taylor, middle, awards HOBY plaques to outstanding students Taylor Daniel, left, and Braxton Zeidler.
Cox was second in Area 1 in Electrical Wiring Problem Solving. He also finished second in Area 1 and fourth in state in Lawn Mower Safety and Operations and had the highest individual score in Dairy Evaluation.
Riverview Elementary School was recognized for receiving the Georgia Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) Platinum Greatest Gains Award.
School and system spelling bee winners recognized included Briana Escoto (Robinson Elementary), Clara Baldwin (Kilough Elementary), Bella Boyd (Blacks Mill Elementary), Eva Fulmer (Riverview Elementary), Noah Smith (Dawson County Middle) and Brandon Cramer (Dawson County Junior High). Baldwin was the system winner and Cramer was named alternate.
The board also honored its school counselors: Sabrina Graves (School Social Worker), Beverly Maloney (Homeless Liaison), Jordan Lefevre (Black’s Mill Elementary), Nicole Purdy (Kilough Elementary), Jeremy Lavender (Riverview Elementary), Lance Stiffler (Robinson Elementary), Pat Finn (Hightower Academy/Dawson County Junior High), Brian Flath (Dawson Middle School), Becca Wilson (Dawson County Junior High), Cherie Ferguson (Dawson County High) and Kate Jarrard (Dawson County High).
Priscilla Taylor, of the Dawson County Womens’ Club, presented the club’s Hugh O’Brien award (HOBY) to Taylor Daniel and Braxton Zeidler.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
School Board set to approve millage rate at Tuesday meeting
News August 11, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Education will hold a third and final public hearing on the FY 2020 millage rate when it meets in the Board of Education Office, at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Two previous public hearings were held on Aug. 6.
Chief Financial Officer Jamie Ulrich and staff have recommend setting the millage rate at 15.778, the same as it has been since 2016. Keeping the millage rate at the same level will result in a tax increase of .64 percent, resulting in an increase of about $12 on a home with a fair market value of $300,000 and approximately $9 on a home with a fair market value of $225,000.
The public is invited to attend Tuesday’s meeting and speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed millage rate. The Board approved a fiscal year 2020 total budget of $49,307,237 in June which represents an increase of about $1.5 million over last year with a fund balance of $3.5 million.
Ulrich also will update the Board on school activity funds for 2020 and provide a report for the general fund and eSPLOST.
Tiffany Davis, Executive Assistant to the superintendent, will request Board approval to submit the 2019 GSBA Governance Team of the Year Application.
Superintendent Damon Gibbs will ask Board approval to purchase through Buy Board, a national purchasing cooperative. Buy Board contracts have already been through a competitive procurement process, saving members the time and cost of preparing RFPs and bids. This provides members compliance with local and state procurement requirements and a documented audit trail.
Nicole LeCave, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning will ask Board to approv nine overnight field trips for several school organizations.
The Board will also adopt a resolution in recognition of the Instructional Technology Support Staff for its implementation of new and updated technology to increase efficiency and improve student engagement.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dawson Board of Education Selects Officers for 2017
News January 12, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Education met Tuesday and elected Doris Cook as Chairperson for 2017 and Karen Armstrong Vice Chairperson.
The Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals (GAESP) Educational Patron Award went to Paige Danuser, a retired educator who works as a volunteer at Black’s Mill Elementary School and the GAESP School Bell Award went to the Student Council members at Black’s Mill Elementary.
Under the consent agenda the Board approved:
Field trips to the Dawson County High School Technical School Association to the State Leadership Conference in Athens, the DCHS Chamber Singers for a performance at Dollywood and the DCHS Thespians to the Thespian Theatre Conference in Columbus;
A CCRPI report prepared by Director of Teaching and Learning Nicole LeCave that showed all elementary schools scored above the state average, Riverview Elementary School scored 91.7, a 22 point improvement since 2013, both middle schools and the high school ranked in the Top 5 in the RESA District;
The Financial Report for the period ending Dec. 2016 that showed a general fund balance of $44,199 543 less expenditures of $38,270,758 for a balance of $5,928,785.
The December eSPLOST report that showed collections well ahead of projections. Projected collections were $4,400,000 while actual collections are $4,768,886.
Per Diem for Board members;
2017 meeting schedule;
Position Guide for Chief Operations Officer;
Position Guide for Warehouse Courier;