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Teachers will get 2 percent pay raise
Liberty BoE 1

Teachers in Liberty County, just like teachers around the state, can look forward to a 2 percent salary increase for the 2017-18 school year.

The only question is how teachers will receive that increase.

Georgia lawmakers passed Gov. Nathan Deal’s $25 billion state budget for the 2018 fiscal year, which includes $160 million for the salary increase for teachers.

Last year, Liberty County School System’s classified and certified staff received a 3 percent increase.

Jason Rogers, executive director of maintenance and operations for the school district, said at Tuesday’s board meeting there are different ways the increase can be given.

“You can build it into the salary scales, but that’s something you want to make sure you can continue from this point forward,” Rogers said. “What a lot of school districts are planning to do, and what a lot of school districts did do, is have a one-time bonus, one-time payment to reflect the increase.”

Superintendent Dr. Valya Lee said Tuesday that last year she “recommended we fund the 3 percent but a lot of my colleagues in RESA (Regional Educational Service Agencies) didn’t give that 3 percent raise, they gave a bonus twice this year. It’s interesting how the money comes because they may give you the 2 percent then they may take it back in austerity (cuts) mid-year or take it back in equalization.”

She doesn’t want to “jump out there and not be able to sustain it in time,” which she said could lead to furlough days. Lee said she will make a recommendation to the board on how to give teachers the increase after reviewing the fiscal 2018 budget.

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BI hosts LCSS Gala
LibertyCountySchools

Bradwell Institute’s Friends Helping Friends will host the 3rdAnnual Liberty County School System Special Needs Gala Saturday at 7p.m.

The dance portion of the gala is free and open to the public.

FHF was started three years ago by BI special needs teacher Charlie Moon. FHF is comprised of a large group of general education students that connect special needs students with their general education peers. They have raised $20,000 in the last 30 months, for events like this, a new sensory room, music therapy equipment, and many other fun events. 

“FHF does so much for the special needs students. It really brings them out in their social skills. They become so much more comfortable around us all,” FHF Junior Danielle Hennessee said. 

FHF Junior Jada Naftzinger said it’s a two-way street. “It not only helps them, but us as well. It brings us out of our own shells and comfort zones.” 

Moon added, “For us, the Gala is not our calling card. I’ve told the students from day one, unless they truly know these special needs students, we won’t do the Gala at all. We’ll throw a big pizza party instead. The point is, we want the kids to really focus on the one-on-one, in-class work, hanging out in the halls, really talking to them. That’s the only way this program truly reaches its potential. Our motto is, “Changing lives, one friend at a time.”

During a private dinner which precedes the public dance, district office personnel, representatives from Congressman Buddy Carter’s office, district SPED staff, BI Football players and FHF members, parents and the honored guests – 50 special needs students from around the district will be in attendance.

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