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BOE welcomes exchange family, discusses teacher training
BOE welcome exchange family
The Liberty County Board of Education welcomes a Belgian exchange family. From left are Superintendent Dr. Franklin Perry, Melaniann Pass, Major Gregory Retz, Major Olivier Canne, Emilie Canne, Board Chair Lily Baker, Board Member Donita Strickland, and Board Member Verdell Jones. (Photo/ Kayla Gamble)

The Board of Education wrapped up the month with a work session April 30. The session began with BOE members greeting a Belgian exchange family, Major Olivier Canne and his wife, Emilie Canne. The welcome was followed by a slideshow dedicated to the Month of the Military Child and scheduled agenda items.

Liberty County School Superintendent Dr. Franklin Perry moved to have the high school principal position supplement taken off the agenda, as well as the Code of Conduct moved further down the schedule. Both motions were approved by board members. Both out-of-state travel requests for Joseph Martin Elementary in regards to Mathfest in Birmingham, Ala., and Adventure Landing in Jacksonville, Fla., were approved. Liberty County High School, Lewis Frasier Middle and Taylors Creek Elementary are renovating their media centers over the summer. A $10,700 bid from ICS, Inc. to paint Lewis Frasier Middle and Taylors Creek Elementary during the summer break was approved. Two other bids were made by UGMS for $19,800, and E & D Coatings for $21,500. The board’s decision was based off the district’s previous work with ICS, Inc.

The board also approved the increase of student support specialist position calendar days.

Communication costs are increasing over this year as opposed to previous years, according to Chief Operations Officer Jason Rogers. This is due to e-rate funding slowly being taken away by the government, Rogers explained. Overall budget concerns have been scheduled to be discussed on May 14, with final decisions being made in June.

The board discussed teacher training, with Board Member Carolyn Carter questioning what sort of training is necessary to aid teachers in student behavior. She expressed concern about some teachers simply being afraid of being judged by asking for more training. “We need to motivate teachers to want to go,” Carter said.

Perry reported that no requests have come to him from teachers requesting training, but he expressed the importance of regular training, as it’s important to remain knowledgeable, he said.

The BOE discussed proposed changes to the Code of Conduct. A change was made to include buses as school property. In addition, school dress codes and regulations are to be followed as soon as students step foot on the bus, school officials said. 

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