Schools work tirelessly to ensure “success for all” for students
Featured Stories March 24, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Once Union County Schools (UCS) decided to close school buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, school leaders knew they needed to quickly find a way to remotely educate students and feed children in need in the community.
On Friday, March 14, UCS applied and received a school nutrition waiver. The waiver allows UCS to provide meals to children from ages one to 18. They don’t have to be UCS students.
Faculty, staff, and administration worked all weekend, March 14-16, to create easy to understand digital learning environments for students. As well as help each other through any technological-related issue.
“No hesitation with our people,” Superintendent Hill said.
The technology department and police department also delivered 100 wi-fi hotspots to children without internet connection. All students also received a Chromebook to access their virtual classrooms.
Wi-fi hot spots were delivered to students without internet access.
Wi-fi can also be accessed at Farmer’s Market, Meeks Park, Reese Farm (next to the store), Union County Public Library parking lot, Burger King parking lot, Chick-fil-A parking lot, McDonald’s parking lot, and Rib Country parking lot.
“Union United and success for all that’s not just our logo, that’s what we do,” declared Hill.
UCS nutrition department, police department, transportation department, and other support staff delivered 2,448 meals on Tuesday, March 17. On Thursday, March 19, they delivered 3,600 meals to the designated pick-up locations across the county. The locations are at the 12 polling stations.
Goodies from the Heart also delivered 500 bags of food to 170 students on the last day of school.
Family Connection Coordinator had the following to say about the program, “Shout out to Audrey Gilliam and the Goodies From the Heart program for packing extra food with just a few hours of notice. Then, Family Connection was able to get that delivered before students went home. Thanks to those who donated food to the pantry. Thanks to Union County Schools Police Department for helping our staff and the school social worker with delivering food to the homes of those without transportation. It’s truly a school-wide and community effort!”
The school delivers two days’ worth of food at a time. Starting on March 23, the pick-up days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Image from UCS Facebook on Monday, March 23 staff were preparing to deliver meals to students.
If parents or guardians would like to be added to the UCS meals program, they can still sign up online.
Counselors are also available online for students to offer social and emotional support while everyone does their best to self-quarantine and social distance.
“I was very proud to be a part of a system with those kinds of teachers,” stated board member Cynthia Odom.
Assistant Superintendent David Murphy, custodial department, and some paraprofessionals and nutrition staff are disinfecting and deep cleaning the UCS campus.
The success of these efforts is all down to the faculty and staff at UCS. Hill read letters from staff members about their pride in UCS and its efforts to come together during this time. These statements can be found in the video.
https://youtu.be/hnraFhYrlE0“It’s not that they’re being told or made to do something. They’re a part of it. They’re here on Sunday afternoon. It’s a collaborative thing, that’s something that comes from the top and has to flow down,” board member Janna Akins explained. “It almost brings tears to my eyes the way this has come together. A huge project, but even the big guys are willing to do the littlest things.”
Images courtesy of UCS Facebook page.
New Field House Back on Track After Initial Setback
Panther's Corner, Union County High School August 22, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Administration’s hiring a new architect to design the new field house after initial plans came in exponentially over the initial budget.
New field house project once again moving forward after the original architect provided a $2M site plan.
The board advised the project returned to square one and find out where expenses could be cut to better serve the school as a whole.
“We are in the process of hiring an architect,” stated Assistant Superintendent David Murphy, “We think that we can save more money and have a better product by doing a design-build. This is where the architect designs it. We went with the number two finalist in our prior commitment. We were very impressed with their presentation.”
The contract’s currently with the school system’s attorneys for review and to guarantee that they can back out if the architect is negligent in any way.
“How is that any different from the first time? Didn’t we use an architect company for the plan, and then bid out based on that? It sounds like the same thing?” questioned board member Janna Akins.
“This one’s going to have a lot tighter specifications,” stated Murphy, “They’re going in with a cap – that allows us to see the product being built more inclusively.”
Once the hiring is finalized, the board and administration will set specifications and budget cap.
“The architect plans we paid for the first time are they going to be used at all the second time?” asked Akins.
“No, ma’am,” responded Murphy, “That is a very expensive building.”
Expenses spent on the field house original plan also won’t be recouped by the school system due to terms of the previous contract.
The board rejected the flooring bid presented in July meeting after an initial review from a flooring engineer, and new bids expected in September.
State of Schools Reports
With school back in session, four of the five principals delivered their quarterly reports. Woody Gap Principal Carol Knight was absent due to family obligations.
UCPS Principal Millie Owenby stated that the new car rider and pick-up lines were running pretty smoothly with the school currently five minutes off their intended 2:40 p.m. pick-up time. UCPS total enrollment is 700 students. They are no longer doubling up pick-up lines due to the potential danger of children running between cars to reach their parents. MAP testing has started for the school and will continue for the next two weeks. Owenby plans on hosted a school-wide fundraiser for playground equipment and ESPLOST currently has $65,000 allocated to the primary school for new equipment.
UCES Principal Jerry Bavero reported that the elementary currently has 600 students, which is 30 more than expected, but teachers and administration are adapting. One teacher came forward to host a New Kids on the Block program to partner new students with older and established ones to help them feel at home. The morning pep-rallies continue to be a big hit with students.
UCMS Principal Gwen Stafford said the middle school is at 686 students for the start of the year. Clubs will begin on Friday, August 23. The school is also in the middle of MAP testing to gather information on students’ strengths and weaknesses. Fall sports are up and running – football, cross country, and softball. Traffic also continues to run smoothly.
UCHS Principal C.T. Hussion has 835 students with 62 new teenagers, who need to learn the culture. Overall, the high school’s had a smooth start. The chorus sang the national anthem at a Gwinnett Stingers game. The drama departments conducting an 80s show. Hussion wants to improve homeroom and soft skills using Georgia Best. Student fees program continues to be an asset for the school making $20,000 thus far with $4,000 carrying over from last year. Another $2,000 expected to come in after homecoming and everything left over goes to student council to improve the school how they see fit.
UCS Increases Coaching Stipend and Receives Bump in Revenue
Education, News July 17, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Union County Schools’ (UCS) coaches to receive Pioneer RESA recommended athletic supplements for the upcoming school year.
Board approved the athletic supplements for coaches and trainers for the 2019 salary budget.
“We did not cut the budget, explained Superintendent John Hill, “In an attempt to compensate our coaches at a more adequate level, we got our supplements aligned with the RESA low average. We’re still on the bottom end of the athletic supplements.”
Overall supplements have gone up around $150 across the board, but to achieve this they absorbed some positions when people left the schools. Now, the coaching supplements are slightly more competitive than before.
Strength and Conditioning coach stipend remains on the pay scale, but no one is receiving it.
“We’ve had it for probably five years and they did it by season. They gave a coach a stipend to work before and after school. They didn’t run it the way I wanted it run. At this moment, no one is receiving that but it is a placeholder if we have someone who can do it correctly,” explained Hill.
UCS is the only system in Pioneer RESA that doesn’t pay coaches extended year salaries. Those changes were made to save money during the recession to help save money.
“It also is helpful to the younger employees because if you’re a brand new employee five days versus a person with a specialist degree and 25 years’ experience, that amount of money is a lot different, stated Hill, “Everyone is paid the same.”
They also added a new supplement for $2,000 for an athletic trainer.
July Financial Report
UCS is one step closer to receiving entitlement funds from the state.
The state released $346,000 of funding, and the district’s waiting on a document from a construction management firm for the state to release the second round of funds.
Assistant Superintendent David Murphy mentioned that he spoke to UCS’s consultant last week, and the consultant stated that all schools in the state of Georgia are waiting on entitlement funds.
Currently, the budget is 86 percent complete for the fiscal year and only 78 percent of the money has been spent.
“I’m looking at these numbers, we’ve taken on a new police department, ran all the way through,” said Councilwoman Janna Akins, “We’ve only spent 78 percent of the money that’s been budgeted, so we’re doing awesome things. I think it’s really impressive.”
UCS Financial Director Karen Bundy commended Police Department Chief Chad Deyton on his frugality and always coming to her before making a purchase.
“This proves that you are also very frugal,” said Chairwoman Cynthia Odom, “It shows that people are working hard to cut, which is wonderful.”
UCBOE Chairwoman Cynthia Odom
“It shows that people are working together, not working in isolation. They’re problem-solving,” said Hill, “They are a high-functioning team. We have the highest-functioning team that I’ve been exposed to.”
Local revenue has increased because of interest earnings, which totaled through June at $153,000. Originally, UCS budgeted only $20,000 for local revenue.
Forestland earnings came in at $57,780.04, and the school doesn’t budget for that because it isn’t guaranteed.
State revenue also significantly increased due to grant money that isn’t budgeted for in the initial balance.
Instructional Services department went over their budget because of unpaid student salaries. EPLOST money has also gone up.
Bids
UCS hired Athens Janitorial to save on custodial expenses. They will visit all the schools in the district, inventory supplies, and order as needed. This should eliminate supply overages that the schools experienced with Supply Works and ordering their own materials.
“Last year we spent around $125,000 – $150,000 with Supply Works just to keep our schools staffed for custodial and we had to do the ordering,” said Murphy.
Athens Janitorial will inventory, order, provide recommendations, and train custodians in OSHA for $76,500 a year. No contract’s involved; it’s paid month to month. It should save UCS around $50,000 a year.
The board also approved an off-bid from BSN on new gym flooring for the middle and high school. The current flooring surrounding – walking track, stairs – the courts are safety hazards for students and faculty.
The bid came in at $90,000 and the school district expected around $180,000 for the project, but labor isn’t included in the current bid.
Samples are coming to see the product before entering into an agreement and ensure quality flooring for both schools. Also, BSN is new in the flooring space but did provide the new goalposts for the football field.
FYN met with Union County School officials on Sexting issue
Union County High School March 14, 2019FETCHYOURNEWS was able to sit down with Union County Schools Superintendent John Hill, Assistant Superintendent Paula Davenport, and Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
At the conclusion of the School’s investigation, Hill advised there were 46 students involved in the sexting issue.
The investigation is ongoing, according to Hill. “You still have to follow-up on some information.
Davenport stated on the subject of counseling for students who were affected and not affected, “We have advised them to reach out to school counselors. We have met with the pastors in the area and they offered to pass the word there would be some Christian counseling available. Of course, there a few paid counselors in the area.”
According to School officials, the names of parents and students involved cannot be released due to The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA): “a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.”
The students involved are aged 14-18, freshman to seniors. All indicators has been isolated to Union County High School students, Hill said.
More information will be updated right here on FETCHYOURNEWS.com
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$2M UCS Field House Under Reevaluation
News, Panther's Corner May 25, 2019Blairsville, Ga – New field house being reassessed after bids come in $1M over the initial budget.
Board of Education elected to reevaluate the scope of the field house project after bids for came back around $2M.
“I had anticipated a million. This is way more than I anticipated,” stated Chair Cynthia Odom.
Board asked for options on the new field house.
“When we started out the architects the number was a lot lower, but it seems like it has grown and grown with its costs and we actually value engineered practically everything,” explained Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
Superintendent John Hill offered to go back and reevaluate the specifications, including the architectural drawings and RFP to find a reasonable solution.
Odom suggested looking at the current fieldhouse and trying to modify it before proceeding with this project.
“We’re a pay as we go,” said Odom, “It’s going to delay other items.”
Board Member Keith Potts added another approach to the field house project, “Maybe the footprint of it can be what you’re looking at, but downsize the building so you can expand maybe in five years to get that number down.”
These bids for the project came in last week, and due to architecture fees, the school system’s already paid over $50,000 into it. The bidding was very tight among the lowest three within $50,000.
“It’s a terrible time to build,” stated Hill.
“It’s hard to justify the costs of double, $2M on a non-academic building, used by a finite number of students,” said Board Member Janna Akins.
“We need to provide a facility, but we can reevaluate exactly what that is,” stated Hill.
Odom the discussion closed with, “We appreciate all the time, effort, and energy. I know this is not an easy thing to do.”
Safety access doors for all the schools are proceeding and should be installed by the new school year. All teacher IDs have been updated, and the switch should begin soon.
Paving for the primary and elementary pick-up line, two parking lots, as well as primary and elementary bus drop-off/pick-up areas. The paving project will cost the school system $511,775.88.
Privacy fencing for the primary school also received approval to move forward with a bid of $76,867.20. It will include a six-foot chain link fence with privacy slating around the pick-up lane. This fence will allow traffic to start earlier in the day and hopefully speed up the process.
“Those were the areas we identified with the most potholes and issues for parents, but also they drop off the most children there. It will really benefit a lot of our students,” said Hill.
“We never let them back before 2:30 because we still have children on the playground,” explained Murphy, “The privacy slating will allow us to have them out.”
Union County Primary School Principal Millie Owenby agreed that the fencing should improve the pick-up process in the next school year.
Board of Education approves 2018-19 tentative budget
News, Panther's Corner May 18, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education (BOE) reviewed a tentative budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year during its May 15 meeting.
According to Karen Bundy, Union County Schools finance director, the school system will enter the 2018-19 fiscal year with a fund balance of $11,130,345. Revenue projections for the next fiscal year will be $30,749,654 and expenditures are projected to be $30,749,237. This will leave a projected fund balance of $11,130,762 at the end of the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Bundy gave a revenue breakdown to the board. State funds will account for approximately 50 percent of the next budget at $15,390,857 and local taxes will account for approximately 47 percent at $14,450,000. According to Bundy, local taxes include real and personal property taxes, ad valorem taxes, and intangible taxes. The remaining amount derives from other local revenue and state grants from the Georgia Department of Education.
Regarding expenditures, Bundy stated employee salaries, benefits, and operating costs account for the bulk of expenditures in the budget. She further explained that salaries and benefits alone account for 86 percent of the overall expenditures. Also, Bundy pointed out an amount of $75,000 was allotted for the school resource officer (SRO) added earlier in the meeting for Union County Primary School.
During the budget presentation, John Hill, superintendent, and David Murphy, assistant superintendent, presented statistics concerning recent enrollment throughout the district. Murphy stated the school system has been averaging a 1.7 percent per-year increase in enrollment over the past few years, which accounts for an approximate 50-student increase a year. However, the state of Georgia, Murphy explained, has experienced a 5 percent decrease overall, which Hill pointed out was mainly due to the recession of 2008.
Following a brief breakdown of federal funds from Dr. Paula Davenport, assistant superintendent, District 4 board member Keith Potts stated, “All the work you have put into educating (the BOE) on (the budget) this time has been really good. We’ve had a pretty good while to digest all of it.”
The board unanimously accepted the tentative budget as submitted. According to Hill, the budget will be publicly advertised in the county’s legal organ and on the school system’s website beginning May 29. On June 19, the BOE is expected to officially adopt the budget. Finally, on June 30, the budget will be transmitted to the Georgia Department of Education.
Near the end of the regular session of the meeting, the BOE announced personnel recommendations, which included the promotion of Davenport and Murphy to assistant superintendents.
Earlier in the work session, Murphy presented the board with an update of the planned revamp of the school district’s website and communications page. “We want to present an accurate image that’s consistent across the district and provides meaningful information,” Murphy said.
Murphy stressed the importance of distributing information to both internal and external audiences in the district. The assistant superintendent stated the new website will have a “completely new look, so that when people see the web page, they can tell that it’s been updated.”
Murphy explained the new website will focus heavily on photos, videos, school apps, social media integration, school messenger, and PowerSchool.
Hill also pointed out the revamp project will be completed at no cost to the school system.
All five principals within the school system presented a State of the Schools update to the BOE. Principal Carol Knight, of Woody Gap School, began the updates by saying the 2017-18 school year had been a year of firsts for the school, which saw Woody Gap’s first cross country team in the fall and the school’s first participation in dual enrollment. Other highlights included the school receiving new playground equipment at the beginning of the year and attending the state capitol after a special invitation from state Senator Steve Gooch.
Principal Millie Owenby, of Union County Primary School, reported on the school’s continued improvement in testing scores across kindergarten, first and second grades. Owenby also said five student teachers from Young Harris College assisted at the school during the school year. The school also raised money for hurricane victims in the fall. Owenby also stated the school’s pre-k program continues to grow and remain successful.
Principal Patricia Cook, of Union County Elementary School, told of the success of several student-led organizations. Cook explained three students are responsible for regularly raising and lowering the school’s flag at the beginning and end of each day as well as at the onset of inclement weather. The principal stated the school also now has a street safety team of students that helps control traffic on the school’s campus. She also said United Community Bank partnered with the school in managing a school bank for students.
Principal Gwen Stafford, of Union County Middle School, stated the school put a heavy focus on writing during the past school year. Stafford said writing assignments dealt with interest-based and career-based projects, such as cooking, law enforcement, health, education and mechanics. Technology integration, the principal said, continues to grow throughout the school as every student is using technology in some way at the middle school. Stafford also congratulated the UCMS boys soccer team, which finished undefeated in the regular season and won its region championship.
Principal C.T. Hussion, of Union County High School, reported the school had added a volleyball program and a bass fishing club this school year. Hussion also congratulated the school’s mock trial team, which finished as state runner-up in competition. Regarding the school itself, Hussion stated the school’s C-wing got a building addition during the school year, which was funded by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). The principal also announced the school will graduate 190 students this year, which is the largest graduating class in school history for the third straight year.
Several school recognitions were presented during the regular meeting. UCPS Principal Millie Owenby recognized the school’s cafeteria staff “for going the extra mile.” Owenby told of the cafeteria staff organizing the Pound Puncher weight-loss program at the school in which 371 total pounds had been lost by the school’s staff during the school year. Owenby also recognized Brook Bridges, who, for the third straight year, served as the yearbook sponsor for the school’s yearbook.
UCES Principal Patrica Cook presented a school recognition to a group of students from Keri Young’s class who organized a fund-raising support group – Team Ila – in honor of one of their classmates who began cancer treatments during the school year. The group sold Team Ila bracelets and raised over $4,500 to help pay for medical expenses for Ila.
“We wanted to let (Ila) know that we care for her and that we have her back,” one of Ila’s classmates explained during the BOE meeting.
Principal Cook also explained that Ila is doing well and is now back at school.
Also from UCES, the school’s Science Olympiad team was recognized. Cook explained the 20-student team went to the state competition for the second straight year and competed against 63 other schools. Across Georgia, there are 275 Science Olympiad teams overall, according to Cook. During the presentation, the principal also surprised the team by announcing she had just received word earlier in the day that the team finished seventh overall in the state competition.
Principal C.T. Hussion, of Union County High School, recognized student Anthony Grader, who Hussion described as an “unbelievable talent.” Grader, a saxophonist, has received a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky to play in that school’s marching band.
Principal Carol Knight, of Woody Gap School, recognized student Austin Crowder for finishing third in a building maintenance skills competition.
Two Partners in Education Awards were awarded at this month’s meeting. The board recognized Mayor Jim Conley and the city of Blairsville as well as Al Harper and the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce for both entities willingness to assist and partner with the school system.
Special education teachers Beth Rouse and Becky Tracy were presented with the Extra Mile Award and the Service Above Self Award, respectively.
Author
Increased Security At Union County Schools
Education, Panther's Corner June 19, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – After years of planning, Union County Schools (UCS) are installing key card access doors to increase security on campus.
Beginning next school year, all exterior doors in the school district require key card access. No one without an authorized card can enter school buildings unless accompanied by a member of administration or educator.
“The district has been working toward this investment for a couple of years. However, we are just now being able to bring it to fruition,” said Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
The security company’s printing the teachers’ cards and have already installed the door keypads. Every card possesses a unique ID to each individual. Some teachers or administrators will receive greater access due to their responsibilities. Also, the cards can be programmed to work only during certain hours for certain individuals.
Additionally, the card access security system comes with an application that principals can download to their phones. If a teacher forgets their card, their principal can unlock the door from the phone. No time lost for both parties and the school remains secure.
In the event a teacher loses their card, they can notify the company and have that card immediately turned off. It works like a hotel key card, once someone leaves access turns off.
Students won’t receive access cards, but standard ID cards.
“The card access system truly bolsters safety for our students. We have the ability to grant access on specific days and between specific times to any particular card,” explained Murphy, “This allows us to provide cards to first responders in the event of an emergency where seconds seem like an eternity.”
Security Updates
Other security updates include new cameras for the schools. Technology Director Bill Driskell addressed why cameras are necessary, “GEMA suggested a couple of places we should add some, and when we did the active shooter drill last spring, we identified areas where we needed more cameras. Through the state security grant, we spent about $40,000 and installed about 16 at the high school.”
New security cameras are being installed over the summer.
Governor Kemp and Georgia Legislature have apportioned $30,000 for every school for safety. However, the Department of Education (DOE) has to approve the use of the funds. All Union County schools are putting $12,000 toward security server updates and $7,000 to camera updates. However, the primary and elementary school elected to spend their remaining $11,000 for new fencing. The middle and high schools spent their $11,000 on a new intercom system while Woody Gap opted for new digital radios.
Board Member Janna Akins asked, “Do those radios not give staffers the ability to contact others?”
Murphy confirmed that the radios do let staff contact others, but only people with radios hear it. The new system connects radios and cell phones. With the interconnected technology, the teacher or administration can initiate a notice from anywhere.
“Anybody who has access to a phone on campus can lock the school down,” explained Murphy “Our intercoms are outdated, to say the least, we can’t even buy parts for them anymore, so why not upgrade to something that will meet our needs and safety needs.”
After initial approval from the DOE, the safety improvements will begin, and the DOE will reimburse UCS after the fact. The grant money will replace SPLOST spend on the projects.