The Liberty County Board of Education approved a new pay scale for district principals at its monthly meeting Tuesday.
The approved scale was the same one the board rejected at its Sept. 23 work session. Though the scale was not originally scheduled for reconsideration at Tuesday’s meeting, District 2 member Carolyn Smith-Carter made a motion to amend the agenda.
Before the scale was put to a vote, District 4 member Marcia Anderson commented that she again would vote “no.”
“I’m not opposed to what we’re doing, just the method we’re using to do it,” she said.
At the Sept. 23 work session, Anderson said she felt there should be one district-wide pay scale for all employees, with supplements in place per position.
The pay scale passed by a 4-2 vote, with Anderson and District 6 member Becky Carter opposed. Board Chairwoman Lily Baker, Vice Chairwoman Carol Guyett, District 1 member Verdell Jones and Smith-Carter voted “yes.” District 5 member Harold Woods was absent from the meeting.
At September’s work session, Smith-Carter opposed the new pay scale. Baker did not participate in the original vote, as she was absent from the meeting.
Liberty County School System Chief Financial Officer Roger Reese said at the September session that the proposed new scale was “in line and consistent with other similar-sized districts” in terms of principals’ pay. A study had revealed that LCSS principals were paid less than comparable-sized districts throughout the state.
Millage rate adoption
Prior to the board’s regular meeting, a public hearing was held to provide citizens a chance to ask questions regarding the district’s new millage rate.
One person attended the hearing; however, she thought it was in reference to the city of Hinesville’s millage rate.
The millage-rate adoption was the first action item on the board’s regular meeting agenda. Board members unanimously approved adoption of a millage rate of 15.65 mills — a rollback of 0.23 mills from the current rate. According to the executive summary, the statewide-average millage rate for school districts is 16.41 mills.
Other business
LCSS Chief Information Officer Dr. Patti Crane informed the board that the school system will have a surplus equipment sale at Jordye Bacon Elementary on Jan. 6 and 10. Items to be sold include miscellaneous classroom supplies and equipment, furniture and electronics, such as laptop and desktop computers.
The Jan. 6 sale will take place from 3-6 p.m. and is open only to LCSS employees. The general public is welcome from 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 10.
Crane also announced plans for the first LCSS Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 8 and 11 at the Performing Arts Center. Times for both nights are 6-7:30 p.m.
The events are free to the public and will include performances by school choruses and bands, a visit with Santa at his workshop, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting and a festival of trees representative of each school.
Here are the schools to be showcased by night:
Dec. 8: Joseph Martin Elementary, Liberty County High, Liberty Elementary, Lyman Hall Elementary, Midway Middle, Snelson Golden Middle, Liberty County Pre-K and the Liberty College and Career Academy.
Dec. 11: Bradwell Institute, Button Gwinnett Elementary, Frank Long Elementary, Lewis Frasier Middle, Taylors Creek Elementary, Waldo Pafford Elementary, Liberty County Pre-K and Liberty College and Career Academy.