Union Board of Education accepts 2021 millage rate rollback

News
2021 millage

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Board of Education adopted the rollback for the 2021 millage rate in a called meeting.

The millage rate will be dropping to 9.734 mills. The previous rate was 11.749 mills. It’s some good news for Union County citizens who recently experienced a property reevaluation and many experienced significant property increases.

The county millage rate is also dropping from last year’s rate to 6.024 mills. County and Board of Education rates are combined to create the final millage used for property taxes.

The total county net tax increase in dollar amount for $997,886. The total digest value is $1,723,597,819 and the total M&O taxes levied for 2021 is $10,382,953. See the tax digest for a breakdown of the unincorporated and incorporated areas of Union County.

https://youtu.be/626yF3_5h9A

Odom attends her final UCS board of education meeting

Board of Education, Community, Panther's Corner
Board of Education Odom

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, Union County Board of Education member Cindy Odom attended her final meeting.

Odom opted not to run for reelection in 2020 after serving two terms on the board. Julia Barnett will take her place starting in January 2021.

Chairman Tony Hunter stated, “Thank you Mrs. Odom for your service for eight years. This is going to be your last meeting with us via Zoom. I really appreciate all that you’ve done. The effort you’ve put into this and even though we may never look in the same direction, I still count it a blessing that I was able to work with you, and I think we’ve done a good job with you helping us out. We’re going to miss you when you’re gone next month.”

Odom served as Board Chair and focused on creating “successful for all” students within Union County Schools. Special Education Director Tiffany Setzer thanked Odom for her support for special education.

Superintendent John Hill also expressed his gratitude for Odom, “You’ve really supported this school system and you’ve donated an enormous amount of time to doing wonderful things for the children of our community and for our staff. I think it’s tremendously commendable. The general public has no idea the amount of time and effort that you’ve devoted to our school system. Honestly, we wouldn’t be where we’re at without you and I am so thankful for you and all the hard work and effort you put into being a board member. We’re super thankful. The guidance that you’ve given us and our school system, Cindy, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Odom commented that she enjoyed her eight years on the board and that was time for someone new.

She also spoke about Barnett, “I know my replacement is going to do phenomenal. She’s a very good person and is dedicated to our community as well as our school.”

Union County Board of Education Approves 2021 meeting dates

Community, Panther's Corner
field house

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In the December 2020 meeting, the Union County Board of Education approved the dates for 2021. The meetings will continue to take place on the third Tuesday of the month at the board of education building.

The work sessions begin at 6 p.m. and the official meetings start at 7 p.m. The October and December meetings won’t be held on the third Tuesday.

2021 Meeting Dates:

  • January 19, 2021
  • February 16, 2021
  • March 16, 2021
  • April 20, 2021
  • May 18, 2021
  • June 15, 2021
  • July 20, 2021
  • August 17, 2021
  • September 21, 2021
  • October 26, 2021
  • November 16, 2021
  • December 14, 2021

In January, the board will also welcome new member Julia Barnett who won her election in November. She ran uncontested.

Architect selected for upcoming school renovations

Featured Stories
architect

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Board of Education selected an architect for upcoming construction projects in the November meeting.

Breaux and Associates received contract approval with the stipulation submitted pending department party approval. The school is only obligated to the architectural firm for the CTA building and primary school. The elementary school is too far out to establish the contract.

The pay schedule will be percentage based depending on the scale of each project.

“We have to have them in place; then we have to have our construction manager advertised for at least 28 days. We believe a construction manager at risk is the best option for our district with three different projects running simultaneously,” Assistant Superintendent David Murphy explained.

The construction company also needs to have the “horsepower” to complete all three projects.

Breaux and Associates have built several school facilities including CCA buildings, additions, and football fields. Image courtesy of Breaux and Associates.

Once selected, representatives from the construction and architectural firm can collaborate to build the best and most cost-effective school facilities.

The contract would cover upcoming architectural work within the next 24 months, such as a new elementary building, college and career academy, and minor projects where an architect is necessary.

The school chose from six architectural firms, interviewed four, and sought prices from the top three. The difference in price between the final two was half a percent.

Officials spoke with other schools in the area to learn more about the quality of work.

“We based our invitations to the firms that we invited to interview on a lot of historical data. Most of the local schools that have had an expansion in the last ten years we contacted them. [We spoke with] all the superintendents and facilities directors [for] preferences that we have, who we should look at, who we should stay away from,” Facilities Director Patton explained.

One firm did turn down the invitation because it had too much work to continue to take on more.

“It came down to a decision on the fee schedule,” Patton added.

Ideally, the school system would like to issue an RFP so construction companies can bid for the job and select the company best suited in January 2021 in a called board meeting.

Superintendent John Hill explained, “We can work on the drawings…and we can start construction of the new facility in September. One reason we want to wait to start any construction on the primary school and renovation to the current CTAE lab is we can apply for state funding in July through the [department of education]. We can get some renovation money on the current vocational lab. We can get substantial renovation money on the primary school.”

The primary and CTAE renovations would begin in the summer of 2022.

Chairman Tony Hunter asked if the application for funds to the state would save local tax funds. Hill confirmed that it would.

Another example of Breaux and Associates’ work.

Pioneer RESA Facilities Consultant Doug Fields advised that the school system could receive $2 million in state funds for the primary school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It allows us to deplete our entitlement funds. Remember, [Fields] talked about creating the need. So that depletes our entitlement funds, so I think that gives us $4 or $5 million more plus the early advanced money. That would help us out for down the road as well. He gave us some really good information to maximize dollars for our taxpayers,” Assistant Superintendent David Murphy stated.

Board member Jana Akins asked if Fields’ previous conversations about timetables and processes remained part of the plan. Hill advised that it still is the plan, but timelines needed to be sightly tweaked due to COVID-19 and the career academy $3 million grant.

The site evaluation plan for the elementary is still in process because the department of education is moving slowly. Also, the site approval for the CTAE building has begun.

“Lot of hiccups with the [department of education] on the funding side that Fields can help us,” said Hill.

“So, the idea is still a new 2-5 facility, major overhaul at the primary and then basically [closing older buildings]?” Akins asked.

The board and Fields previously discussed closing the old high school building so it couldn’t accumulate entitlement funds. The facility can still be used, but state funding can’t go toward repairs or updates to the building.

The building would fall into an ESPLOST 6 project.

“We handle ourselves, conduct ourselves properly we can utilize a little bit of ESPLOST 5 money to complete all our projects,” Hill explained. “Our community has grown so much that SPLOST cap was set 21 million years away. If the economy holds strong like it is now, we’ll hit that cap early. We’ll hopefully have that EPLOST 6 passed here early. We can start construction as early as 2023 on the elementary…the elementary would probably be a July abdication of 2023, so it would be 2024…if EPLOST 6 passes, we could bank some money, save our money. Totally believe in what you all have set forward, which is pay as you go, no bonding.”

“Let’s maximize our state dollars, keep our local taxes down, and be able to complete this project. It may take us another year or two, but I’d much rather do that than be in debt,” Hill declared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7ueHolQcA

Union County Board of Education lowers tax rate

Community, News, Panther's Corner
lower tax rate

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In an 8 a.m. called meeting, Union County Board of Education unanimously voted to leave the millage rate at 11.74 mills for the 2021 fiscal year. By leaving the millage rate alone, the board effectively lowered property taxes by not accepting the advised rollback rate of 11.76 mills.

In other words, the school’s portion of property taxes will not be going up. They will be staying the same, and revenue will decrease slightly. The total decrease is .02 mills or .17 percent. One mill represents a tax liability of one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.

“We’ve chosen given the situation many of our residents are in to leave it at 11.74, which does show as a slight tax decrease from the Board of Education,” explained Superintendent John Hill. “We appreciate the board’s supporting us on that and rolling back taxes a little bit for our taxpayers.”

In Georgia, the state calculates a rollback rate to ensure that the county or school receives the same amount of revenue as the previous year’s digest if no reassessments occurred.

If a county or school board decides to raise the millage rate higher than its rollback/ increase property taxes, officials must hold three public hearings, issue a press release, and place a notice in the county’s legal organ. Local government is currently undergoing that process.

Union County Schools make up two-thirds of overall property taxes. The county represents one-third. Now that the school has officially announced and approved its millage rate, the commissioner must establish the county’s overall millage rate.

On August 27 at 6:30 p.m., Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris will officially set the millage rate. Residents can expect a property tax increase of 6.8 percent because of the county’s decision to raise its millage rate by 1.226 mills or 19.98 percent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcZxviqnwI&feature=youtu.be

UCS awarded $3 million grant for college and career academy

Board of Education, Community, Panther's Corner
college and career academy

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Schools (UCS) was one of three districts in the state to receive the College and Career Academy (CCA) grant for $3 million. The school will establish the first multi-state CCA in Georgia.

UCS has several similar program initiatives with its Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) efforts, but the grant money will allow them to expand their offerings. Students will also have opportunities for dual enrollment through some of the CTAE programs.

CTAE Director Josh Davis explained why UCS decided to apply, “After researching the grant process last summer and discussing with our stakeholders, we realized we already had many of the CCA best practices in place. We decided to write the grant and go through the grant process, and all of our business, community, and post-secondary partners played a big role.”

It’s a reimbursable facility grant, and the school will move forward with the College and Career Academy with the board of education’s guidance. The grant was appropriated through the Georgia legislature and gives a school system five years to spend the allotted funds.  The first year will focus on planning and strategy to identify the best path forward.

CTAE Director Josh Davis spearheaded the CCA grant process.

As for the area of focus, Davis added, “Initially, we will utilize our current program offerings including automotive technologies, computer programming, construction, cybersecurity, engineering, entrepreneurship, nursing, sports medicine, and welding. We will develop new programs if needed as local workforce needs change and resources are available.”

The skilled training provided by a CCA allows students to seek out specific high demand, high wage jobs available within the region, which will enhance their employment opportunities. It’s a win-win for students and regional employers.

“We’ve had wonderful support from our business community. They’re hungry for employees,” explained Superintendent John Hill. “They’re a lot of employers that need employees in their high skilled, high wage jobs…Now some go to college, but a bulk goes to technical school and receives some really good training, and a lot of it, we can do in-house here.”

Chairman Hunter spoke with Technical College System Project Manager Frank Pinson over the phone.

Current Union County business partners include Advanced Digital Cable, Bank OZK, Chick-fil-A, Corrugated Replacements Inc., Lamin-X, Nelson Tractor, Panel Built, Pat’s Hallmark, The Saw Mill Place, Union General Hospital, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Economic Development Authority, United Community Bank Inc., and WJRB Radio. Community partners from neighboring counties and North Carolina include Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Brasstown Valley Resort, Moog Industries Inc, and Snap-On. North Georgia Technical College, the University of North Georgia, and Young Harris College are the post-secondary education partners.

Technical College System of Georgia Project Manager Frank Pinson called into the July Board of Education meeting to congratulate UCS and expressed his enthusiasm for the school’s initial idea.

“You’re going to establish Georgia’s first multi-district model that extends across state lines…we had the privilege way back in March of coming up and visiting with them. John and Josh took us over to neighboring counties that you’ll be partnering with. We just couldn’t be more excited about Union County and everything that you’re going to be able to accomplish up there,” Pinson expressed.

“We’re equally excited about this. I can’t wait. Once we get this going, you’ll be able to take a tour of our facilities again and see what we’ve done with the good taxpayer monies that we’ve been able to secure from you guys,” said Chairman Tony Hunter.

Evans and Appling County were the other two school systems to receive the CCA grant.

https://youtu.be/wLImaVwmWPM?t=1410

Feature image from Georgia Career Academies Facebook.

Union opts for 4 days in person, 1 day virtual class schedule

Community, News, Panther's Corner
Union BOE

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In the July Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Union school officials announced in-person and virtual-only options for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Parents can choose from a four day in-person week with virtual Fridays or a strictly online learning program. If parents decide to move their students into online learning, the student must remain in that program of the nine weeks. 

Students moving from online to in-person must provide notice before the nine weeks ends, so the school can prepare for the increase in population. 

“There are a lot of moving parts. When a parent decides to go to online learning, that’s fine, but when they want to come back because of all the social distancing, assigned seating, bus routing,” explained Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.

Additionally, the start date to the 2020-2021 school year was pushed back from August 12 to August 17. The measure accommodates for virtual pre-planning and a controlled meet your teacher day environment. 

Murphy explained how children would transfer from Union virtual classes to in-person.

A huge part of this plan involved parent choice. 94 percent of parents and guardians responded to Union County Schools’ (UCS) survey and 80 percent were comfortable with in-person learning while 20 percent were not. The employee survey received 253 responses out of 500 and 83 percent of those surveyed were ready to return to school while 17 percent were not. This plan allows for flexibility for the staff and students. 

The virtual Fridays allow for janitorial staff to deep clean school buildings and for transportation to sanitize the busses. It also provides an opportunity for teachers to dedicate time to those in online learning only. 

As for lunch, each week, certain classes will eat in the lunchroom. The remaining classes will eat inside the classroom, or outside if the weather allows. This prevents the lunchroom from becoming crowded and gives room to socially distance. 

Superintendent Hill expressed the fact that the safety of the staff and students is the main priority of the BOE. However, he admits cases will occur, and complete prevention is impossible. Hill added, “schools weren’t made to socially distance.” 

The UCS Covid-19 task force will assist in guiding school safety decisions along with CDC and the Georgia Department Of Health protocols. 

Students will have assigned seating, so if a case arises, the school can assist the health department epidemiologist in accurately contact tracing. Children who test positive must stay home for 10 days or until they test negative. Students exposed to Covid-19 will stay home for 14 days. 

Masks won’t be required, but the Covid-19 prevention measure is highly encouraged and recommended for all students. Free and reduced meal students will have a mask provided to them. However, there will be certain situations where the students will be required to wear a mask, such as if they visit the school clinic. 

Once students walk into their first class, teachers will take their temperature. If the student has a fever of over 100 degrees, they will be sent to the nurse for further evaluation.

Parents can keep their child home if they have Covid-19 symptoms without penalty. These children can also participate in online learning for those days without being enrolled in the online-only option. Students who participate in online learning won’t be marked absent for those days at home. UCS wants to keep as many people safe as possible from the virus through the best means available.

Union Superintendent Hill stressed the fluidity of the Covid-19 situation and the benefits of one virtual learning day each week.

UCS will be following the Georgia Department of Education Path to Recovery. Superintendent Hill made sure to state that this document will be constantly changing and evolving. UCS will have this as a Google Doc so if it changes they will update it immediately.  

Hill finished with, ”What we don’t have to change is our commitment to our kids.”

Further details will be released about the remaining plan on the UCS website on July 22. Parents and guardians should expect another survey gauging commitment to be sent out soon. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLImaVwmWPM&t=3742s

Schools work tirelessly to ensure “success for all” for students

Featured Stories
students

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.

Board approves site survey for new elementary building

Board of Education, News
site survey

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Board of Education took the first step toward building a new 2-5 elementary school after approving a site survey for the campus during the January 2020 meeting.

“Currently, we’re at 97 percent at the middle school, 92 percent at the primary school, and 71 percent at the elementary school. However, if we jump out 10 years from now, we are at 97 percent, still, in the middle school, 99 percent at the primary school, and 78 percent at the elementary school,” explained Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.

Murphy along with Facilities Director Chris Crow and Pioneer RESA Facilities Specialist Doug Fields presented three options for the future of the elementary school. At present, the third graders attend class in the old high school, while the fourth and fifth graders are in the old middle school.

Option A would be to build an entirely new 2-5 school that would be around 125,000 ft. and cost around $20 million. To help cover costs, UCS would request advanced funding from the state and are expected to receive $7.5 million upfront. This option would also require the closing of the third grade and fourth and fifth-grade buildings. However, these buildings would still be used just programs like alternative education and Mountain Education Center. The fourth and fifth-grade building would become an operations and training facility. Students would no longer attend regular class in those buildings.

Entitlement funds could no longer be drawn on the closed buildings, which means taxpayers would be responsible for the upkeep and would have to be accounted for in each SPLOST.

The Entitlement Fund Game

UCS has $1.6 million in earned entitlements as of January 2020, and by 2023, the school district would have around $3 million total in entitlement, not enough to cover the development of a new school.

Fields advised to draw down the $1.6 million before applying for the advanced funding because once UCS requests the $7.5 million, then it can’t receive any more entitlement money  until it’s paid back. He estimated the repayment could take around five to seven years.

https://youtu.be/-477AFgKAJ4

“What you want to do is look at everything in your school system right now that does need some work on it, like the renovation at the primary school, HVAC at the middle school because it’s over 17 years old,” explained Fields. “You have to qualify for it, and if you can pay back the advance funding within five years, you won’t qualify for it…You could close the building and bump up your needs significantly and earn more, but you’re still putting off building that new elementary school for another seven or eight years.”

“What’s the timetable on pulling that entitlement money down,” asked Chairperson Cynthia Odom.

Fields told her between now and 2023 because voting to close those buildings before the 2023 SPLOST vote could backfire if SPLOST doesn’t pass. A new school building isn’t included on SPLOST 5, the current tax, and would need to be a part of SPLOST 6.

“Once we put this building in, I can’t for the life of me seeing anything we would need entitlement money for a while,” offered Crow.

“If we were to do pay-as-you-go from the beginning, it would take two or three years before we could even raise enough ESPLOST funding to initiate construction,” said Murphy.

Crow acknowledged that a new school would require a lot of logistics to properly execute. Namely, the 18,000-gallon gas tank would need to be moved, and DOE requires 20 acres.

“If you go down to where the bus garage is now and [follow it to the board of education building], catch A, B, and C [buildings], go back up toward the tech building, we have right at 20 acres. We can make it work with the footprint property that we already have,” said Crow.

The ideas thrown around during the work session for tank placement were the board of education building or the maintenance buildings. The bus garage would move to the industrial park.

“We would have to new plumb everything from that tank to new facilities?” asked board member Tony Hunter.

Crow confirmed that yes, new piping would be necessary for either location. He also mentioned sending the tank to be re-certified and turning it into an underground tank.

“It also puts a life on the tank,” said board member Patrick White, “It’s going to take a lot of life of the tank, dealing with moisture and rust.”

The goal of building a new school in the middle of the campus has in part to do with traffic.

“We’re trying to create a circular flow around campus. The roads are more exterior, rather than interior,” stated Murphy.

Option B and C

Option B would be a total modernization of the existing third-grade building because it’s the only building that meets the requirements. The state would offer $6 million for modernization, and UCS would be locked into the building for 20 years. Towns County is currently undergoing the total modernization process.

This option would also require trailer classrooms for students while the renovations take place, which could cost the school system up to $400,000.

Option C was no nothing and pass the problem to a future board.

Decision for the future

Murphy, Crow, and Fields all spoke in support of the new 2-5 elementary building over the other two options.

“You’re looking at 40 to 60 years with that building. We’re reducing the strain per person; we’re pulling traffic to the exterior of the campus. It also would be built age-appropriate. The third-grade building was originally a high school. The fourth and fifth-grade building was a middle school – a lot of height requirements go into each [unit]. It also provides us the most state money,” stated Murphy.

The cons would be the up-front cost, and “it creates a checkerboard of moving here and moving there and trying to outsmart everything else,” according to Murphy.

Ultimately, the board decided to approve a site survey to gain a better understanding of the land area. Once completed, then decisions can be made about the movement of the gas tank, bus garage, and maintenance facility.

DARE award winners presented, and new board chairman chosen

Featured Stories
DARE

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Eight fifth graders were recognized by DARE Program Officer McConnell for their outstanding essays and one for his commitment to helping others during the January 2020 board of education meeting.

“They put a whole lot of hard work into this. I just wish everybody could read the essays that these kids wrote this year. I’d also want to recognize Mr. McConnell. He’s done a lot of work putting this program on,” stated Union County Schools Police Chief Chad Deyton.

“It was a big, big honor to teach this class. Kids seem like the learned a lot this year.  I’ve got fourth graders already asking, ‘when is DARE going to start for us?’” explained McConnell, “We’ve got the essay winners, we’ll do them first, then we did something new this year, the DAREN winner.”

Union County Elementary has 210 fifth grade students, and McConnell chose one winner from each class, plus one overall winner.

The winners were Makenzie B., Paxton H., Lyndsey H., Michelle L., Andrew N., Pierson P., Lily, T., and Jackson T.

Jackson won the overall prize and read his essay aloud to the room, “For some of us, trying drugs could end up in a life out of control. Each one of us probably knows someone who is an addict and have seen firsthand what horrible consequences this lifestyle carries with it. I have that addictive gene, and I am making that choice not to ever try drugs before I am put in a situation where drugs are making choices for me.”

https://youtu.be/NH-h5fmW5cw

The DAREN Award represents: D for dedication, A for assertiveness, R for responsibility, E for going the extra mile, and N is for nobleness.

“The teachers [gave] me a student from each one of their classes and all should have been recognized. What we see is someone who is always wanting to help people out, always willing to go the extra mile to help every day, really, really a good young man,” said McConnell before naming Chetley C. the DAREN award winner for 2020.

Fourth grade student Lily B. also received recognized for his art skills. Her picture was chosen for the 2019 school district Christmas card.

Extra Mile Award

Union County High School Principal C.T. Hussion and Assistant Principal Casey Jones recognized Jennifer Ludlum for all her efforts to help students stay in school and success after graduation through the success center.

“She’s poured her heart and soul into it, and it’s made a difference. She’s the reason we’ve had a lot of early graduations,” praised Hussion.

“They don’t just graduate. She gets them jobs. She checks up on them afterwards to make sure they’re going to work. She stays on them. Someone in administration before me said, ‘the key to it is getting the right person in the right place.’ She’s the right person, and she’s in the right place,” said Jones.

New Chairman

Tony Hunter was elected the new board of education chairman from among his peers and Patrick White became vice chair for the term.

Image courtesy of Union County Elementary Facebook page for more DARE photos visit the page.

Union County Schools Partner with Habitat for Humanity

Featured Stories
Habitat for Humanity

Blairsville, Ga – Union County Schools CTAE department partners with Habitat for Humanity to help students learn trade skills and build homes for the community.

Announced in the August Board of Education meeting, CTAE Director Josh Davis presented details for students to participate in constructing Habitat for Humanity homes while at school.

“We’ve met with [Habitat] a couple of times, and we’re really just waiting to finalize the plans,

“We’re hoping our construction program will be building full-on houses on school grounds.”
Students would build houses during class time as part of their CTAE program curriculum, and Habitat for Humanity would take completed units back to construction sites.

“Our students will go out and be able to finish the house on-site as well, so that’s very exciting and pretty neat,” said Davis.

The partnership will result in two-times the number of homes being built in the community and offer pathways in multiple disciplines to UCS students.

UCS

Board listens to Habitat for Humanity plan.

Habitat for Humanity Representative Richard Daves, “We think it’s an amazing opportunity for us.

This is patterned off something in Lumpkin County, and it’s working very well.”

Program leaders visited Lumpkin County to gain a better understanding of the collaboration worked between the school and the non-profit organization.

With the partnership, students now have pathways in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and masonry.

“It’s not just teaching them a skill. It’s teaching them compassion. It’s teaching them working in their community [and] working with people that maybe do not have the funds that they do,” stated Chair Cynthia Odom.

CTAE also applied for a College and Career Academy grant for $3M to expand program capabilities if awarded. The welding programs undergoing recertification in 2019.

Davis plans to continue mock interviews for ninth graders, pathway tours for middle schoolers, and begin a new youth science program at the middle and high school as well as success center.

The youth science program addresses aptitude tests for students to take and gain assistance on future career paths.

UCS Special Education Dept. Recognized for Graduation Rates

Panther's Corner, UC Elementary, UC Middle, UC Primary, Union County High School
Special Education

Blairsville, Ga – Board of Education and the State of Georgia recognizes Union County Schools (UCS) Special Education Department for exceptional graduation rates.

Currently, UCS has a graduation rate of 95.5% for special needs students, one of the highest in the state.

“Our Special Ed department is not just good. They’re really famous, to be honest with you. The level of service that they provide our students with disabilities is truly second to none,” commended Superintendent John Hill.

Special Education

Special Education High School Director Christal Chastain accepted the award.

Families have moved in from California and all over the country to attend UCS because of the entire system’s dedication to helping special needs students achieve.

62 new students moved here and several have IEPs.

“They come here because the data is out there on how well our department serves students with disabilities,” stated Hill, “That 95.5% graduation rate would not happen if folks at pre-k, kindergarten, first through eighth were not doing their job.”

The State of Georgia Board of Education has chosen UCS to serve as a model system for special needs practices. They will share ideas and innovative practices with schools across Georgia to help other districts achieve success.

High School Special Education Department Chair Christal Chastain received the award and said, “It is Union United. It takes everybody for this, not just the high school.”

Extra Mile Award

Middle school student Noel Hyatt received the extra mile award for her efforts to raise funds for underprivileged athletes in Union and Towns County Schools.

Hyatt created t-shirts and communicated with sponsors to raise $1,300 and plans to split the total in half between Union and Towns Counties.

Middle School student Noel Hyatt made shirts to raise money for underprivileged student athletes.

Middle School Principle Gwen Stafford commented, “She got sponsorships, sold the t-shirts and raised money…that is above and beyond going the extra mile in my opinion. Going out and talking to adult and businesses and doing it on her own that is just exceptional.”

2019 State of Hope Site

Katy Jones, Head of Family Connection, received recognition for her State of Hope grant from Georgia to continue the school’s food bank and mentor program.

“We do appreciate Katy and her efforts. It’s not all about achievement. Sometimes, it’s about keeping kids warm and providing tennis shoes, and we do appreciate that,” said Assistant Superintendent Doctor Paula Davenport.

Coach Hussion recognized Arthur McCann for his Ranger Hall of Fame award and praised his consistency in supporting school efforts.

Additionally, Backpack 2 School Bash, United Community Bank, First Baptist Church, Bank OZK, and Union General Hospital were recognized for their dedication to UCS from pre- to post-planning.

New Directors Updating Transportation Department

UC Elementary, UC Middle, UC Primary, Union County High School
Transportation

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Board of Education Director reports presented several changes in daily transportation operations with new directors at the helm.

Director of Transportation Kody Owenby, who is just two weeks into the role, along with Director Robby Roxbury, presented all the recent updates to the bus barn and initiatives for the future.

Drivers expressed ideas to improve their day to day jobs, and Owenby and Roxbury are working to implement those changes. New mailboxes in the breakroom, built by the maintenance department.

Technology and Transportation are developing service and maintenance tracking software for the bus fleet to keep all the buses on schedule and serviced accurately. Additionally, technology is assisting with updating Powerschool information to give to drivers monthly.

“They also set up a big screen in our breakroom, and we’ve got Google Calendars, and we’re trying to get all our trips on there to help remind all the drivers,” explained Owenby.
Board member Jana Akins asked, “All those new computers in the breakroom and all that stuff is that new stuff?”

Garrett retired after 43 years with UCS Transportation Department. Photo courtesy of UCS Facebook.

Owenby and Superintendent confirmed that yes, the changes have occurred within the last two weeks, since the transition of Department Directors after Stanley Garrett’s retirement in early September.

Transportations also starting monthly safety meetings with drivers.

Roxbury’s been working with teachers, principals, and drivers to cut down on discipline issues on the bus.

“The bus is an extension of the classroom…We want them to be just as good in the bus as they are in the classroom,” said Owenby.

“I’m very excited that we’re partnering with transportation,” said Special Education Director Tiffany Setzer, “To work with drivers to provide professional learning about students with disabilities and behavior management, what some characteristics of different disabilities look like.”

The goal is to give bus drivers the tools to help students on their buses cope in that environment and understand how to make them feel comfortable.

Nutrition Director Cindy Jones expressed trouble finding substitute cafeteria workers for when her staff needed to miss a day. She plans to continue interviewing candidates. She’s also introducing new food items to the cafeteria to keep meals interesting for students and teachers.

Curriculum Director Lisa Vaughn told the board teachers received Second Step program training and have started the emotional sensitivity units with their students. All the teachers enjoy the material and feel it will be beneficial to them and their students. The curriculum calendar for the year is posted online and viewable to parents under the “For Parents” tab of the website.

Special Education Director Tiffany Setzer stated that Individualized Education Program (IEP) numbers are slightly down with 439 IEP students. 13 students are currently under evaluation. The 504 students are also down with 166 students in the program.

Technology Director Bill Driskell said his department has started to slow down, now that everyone has settled in for the year. He did note that they are working out a few kinks with the new security doors that occur during poor weather. He is also helping to prepare the FTE information that is due the first week of October.

UCS Police Chief Chad Deyton discussed two upcoming grants that he is hopeful about – SADD and Homeland Security. However, he won’t know until the next few weeks if UCS receives these grants. He also talked about taking two students to participate in Ford Driving Skills in Atlanta, where SADD officials taught them how to be safe on the road.

Custodial Director Mark Hughes started preparing for flu season with flu guns that mist a specialized anti-bacterial/anti-viral compound that attaches to the surface to kill germs. He’s telling his staff to focus on areas in schools already experiencing sickness.

Facilities Director Chris Crow stated he is reviewing entitlement funding to determine how to best use that money and preparing for the new field house project.

Board approves early graduation and field house renovation

Board of Education, News
field house

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education allowed two students to graduate early and approved field house renovations during their meeting held on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

Liam Green and Sarah Miles both completed all graduation requirements, and have been certified by the counselor and high school principal C.T. Hussion to graduate early. The board voted unanimously on the approval of this petition.

The board also unanimously approved the bid for renovations to the field house.

Originally, this was estimated to cost 1.8 million, a number which the board considered too high.

After speaking with Randy Day, in charge of permitting for the county, Charles Black construction was recommended for the bid at $947,350.

Upon accepting the bid, the Board also agreed that HVAC installation will be done in-house to save $116,350, not to include material fees.

The existing field house will be altered by an addition on the back of the building to create two separate dressing areas (a JV area and a Varsity area), a training room on the upper left of the field house, and an area for showers, restrooms, etc. for the varsity players. These changes will also upgrade the coaches area slightly.

The new field house, much smaller, is also intended to be dual-use. It is designed with knock-out walls, and the right-hand side can be used as an entirely new area. This would also create one large locker room, a large bathroom and a dressing room.

The exterior of both the new and the old buildings are reportedly designed to match.

Additionally, the board also voted unanimously to approve an upgrade to the field turf of the football/soccer field.

These modifications include inter laid dark and light striping on the field.

The initial quote for the field turf upgrade was $608,395. However, the coaches felt the center angle didn’t show up well enough, that there was an imbalance because the north end of the field displayed the word Union, the opposite end displaying the word Panthers. Each added letter costs $1,750.

The coaches also wanted the purple in the area for the athletes to stand, with a white border surrounding the entire logo.

$610,673 was the final agreed upon price, which also provides two additional years of warranty. It is reported to be the same turf that is in use at the Mercedes Benz stadium.

A video of the entire meeting may be viewed below!

 

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$2M UCS Field House Under Reevaluation

News, Panther's Corner

Blairsville, 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.

Increased Security At Union County Schools

Education, Panther's Corner
Security Key Card Doors

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.”

security cameras

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.

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