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Long Co. may buy Bradwell portables
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The Long County BoE discussed either purchasing or renting two portable classrooms now at Bradwell Institute from the Liberty County BoE. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle
The Long County Board of Education discussed obtaining two portable classrooms for Smiley Elementary School at its June 11 meeting.
According to Principal Sandy Jones, there will be a need for at least two more classes when the new school year starts.
Superintendent Dr. Edwin Pope said he had gotten a price for a new portable, and it was $42,000. He also said he had looked at two portables owned by the Liberty County Board of Education, which were five to six years old, with the possibility of renting them for three years, at which time Long County’s new school would be finished.
 He said that these classrooms were already set up for computers, and would require minor modification to be ready.
Board member Emma Strickland asked what the life expectancy on a portable was, and said it may be best to buy them because she could foresee the need for them somewhere else, at that time.
Pope said he would contact Liberty County and see if they would consider selling the units.
Jones also said that as a result of fundraisers and donations, several parents, led by Alex Mason, would be adding a second playground at the school. She also said that at the present time children had to be rotated on the lone playground due to the number of kids at the school. The new playground could eliminate the rotation, the principal said. She also asked the board to consider adding additional equipment once the volunteer work was completed.
Curriculum Director Kathy Simmons reported that the driver’s education program had been successful in its first year back at the high school, and that there was hope to expand the program into the public library, and eventually offer it during the day.
She also reported that the AYP preliminary reports looked good, but no summary report had been issued yet.
County Extension Agent Robbie Jones told board members the 4-H program had received over $6,000 from the county, and that this money would be used to implement a drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention program for students. He said the focus group for the program would be fourth through eighth graders, but all students would be taught.
He also said the state had approved a 3 percent raise for state employees, and asked the board to consider approving their portion, which would total $410 dollars.
Board member Linda DeLoach complimented Jones and the workers in the 4-H program.
“I think what all of you are doing is wonderful, it has grown tremendously over the last couple of years, and I am thankful for what you are doing with these kids,” said said.

In other business:
• Chairman Dempsey Golden apologized for May 21 statement at a board work session, where criticizing the productivity of the maintenance department.
• The Board accepted a bid from Cotton States Insurance Co. for coverage on employee fidelity bonds, the superintendent bond, property insurance, general liability, legal liability, property insurance, and buses and other vehicles.
• The board hired 18 new employees, including one counselor, one substitute teacher, one nurse, two new lunchroom workers, four paraprofessionals, eight new teachers and one assistant principle. Joe McPipkin will be the new, part-time Assistant Principal at Walker Middle School.
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