Fresh on the heels of the recent Greene County Board of Education’s monthly meeting, Board Chair Michael Lynch spoke to a large group of residents at Del Webb.
The presentation aimed to give a comprehensive overview of the school system, including financing needs for its four schools, student scores, existing program successes, teachers and needs for the ESPLOST and bond issuance vote coming up in November.
At the last monthly meeting, the stumping for support of the ESPLOST one-cent sales tax and bond for a new elementary school were on the agenda. A consultant for ESPLOST explained the need for the tax and its history in providing necessary support for districts to raise funds. A vote in favor of passage would also prevent an increase in the existing millage rate, which is currently 11.688.
Non-passage would essentially bring the mileage rate up by three mills, according to board member Steve Kilgore, and essentially raise property taxes by 25 percent. Currently, the state average is 14.286 mills.
Many of the benefactors of a favorable vote would include technology and infrastructure improvements in the district, improvements to athletic fields and programs, classroom support and construction costs of the new elementary school. The school will combine the city of Greensboro and Union Point’s students. According to Lynch, more than $16 million has been set aside for the new school and is “in the bank.”
“The State of Greene County Schools,” presented by both board chair Lynch and board member Kilgore, aimed to provide the voting public with a quick synopsis of the GCSS.
Reported statistics include the current student population in both the Greene County School System and Lake Oconee Academy.
Minorities accounted for 26 percent at LOA and 90 percent at GCSS with a combined total of 2,547 students. Thirteen percent of LOA students and 95-plus percent of GCSS are eligible for federal food support.
LOA is largely funded by the GCSS, allowing it to grow by 50 percent to its current enrollment of 1,045 since the inception of its current charter. LOA has been scrutinized over the years for lack of admittance of minority enrollment due to its lottery selection.
The majority of active students in Greene County are African American. However, LOA is a tax-supported facility by Greene County residents and operates separately from financial and state mandates, a concern voiced at two of the last two BOE meetings with the public. LOA has constructed nine new buildings since 2017.
GCSS expects to generate $51 million with the bulk of the funds coming from property taxes. According to Lynch, its strategic plan initiated five years ago sought to increase its statewide milestone competency measurements, which have recently shown to improve for both third-grade literacy and fifth-grade math.
“We still have more strides to make,” the chairman said, adding that new goals aimed at both teaching and learning have been initiated.
GCSS outlined its College and Career Academy, funded partially by a $3.1 million grant, featuring 14 career pathways. The pathways, identified by students and coaches in 9th grade, work closely with Athens Technical College and the Thillen Education Foundation, a community-based, earned financial assistance program. The work with the Thillen Foundation has raised more than $1 million in scholarships. It established a new R.I.S.E. Academy, which provides independent study programs.
Lynch went on to report a continuing emphasis on its culture and climate within the district. Future plans will include a District Parents Advisory and a Parent University. Positive reinforcement by teachers and administrative staff will continue, as will an emphasis on a summer program for students.
Additionally, it will provide more emphasis on early proficiency in math and reading in the lower grades.
GCSS hopes to reinforce initiatives complementing both success and improvement. It began a new strategic planning process last week to seek community input in developing the plan.
Once completed, the plan will be shared back with the community and an education summit will be held in November to roll out action items.