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Long seniors must pass to walk stage
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LUDOWICI — The Long County Board of Education changed standards for students to participate in the high school graduation ceremony starting next school year.
As of 2007-08, only those students who have completed all necessary unit requirements and passed all sections of the Georgia High School Graduation Test, or who have completed all requirements for a Special Education Diploma, will be permitted to participate in graduation.
In the past, students who had fulfilled unit requirements, but who had not passed all sections of the graduation test, were allowed to walk at graduation. These students did not receive a high school diploma, but instead they received a certificate of performance.
“I personally wish that the state would have never started the graduation test, but they did. So with this we have to maintain the standards for out students,” board member Linda DeLoach said.
Member Flora Baggs was the only member voting against the change.
In other business, Curriculum Director Kathy Simmons reported on the new driver’s education program at the high school. She said the program was to start on the Feb. 15 and would offer classes each Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3:30 -5:30. She said that were more than 50 students currently registered, and that the curriculum was a web based, 30-hour course, with parents signing off on the driver’s portion of the program. The cost for the course is $35.
“The course is offered through the Blue Tide Academy after school, and the school is providing the staff, materials needed, and is furnishing transportation home for those who need it,” Simmons said.
Ray Holloway also gave a maintenance report. In regards to the moisture problems at the Smiley Elementary School gym, he said he had been working with the builder trying to determine the source of the moisture. He said he and the contractor would look at the roof to see if there were any leaks, or if there were any separations in the insulation, causing the problem. He also said that if no problem was found, a humidistat might need to be purchased to prevent condensation.
Holloway also presented estimates to the board for installing air conditioning in the middle school gym, which currently has only heaters. The estimates range from $34,260 to $48,000.
Regarding both gyms, the board requested additional information for the March meeting.
Baggs also requested that Superintendent Dr. Edwin Pope gather information from administrators and his leadership team regarding how uniforms have effected academics and discipline in other schools.
Pope also reported the GHSA was requiring that all schools have a heat index policy regarding athletics by March 1, and that he and his staff were working on one. He also reported that there were ten students enrolled in the alternative school, and fifteen children in the day care center.
Also the board re-elected Dempsey Golden as the chairman and elected Flora Baggs as the vice chairman.
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