Blairsville, GA – The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 for the July Workshop. The regular July Monthly Meeting immediately followed. UCS Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield, UCHS Principal C.T. Hussion and all Board Members were present.

UCHS 9th and 10th grade students Steven Williams, Derrick Harwood, Brian Williams, Will Harkins, Thomas Melendorf, Andrew Walker, Sarah Cook, Evelyn McBride and Madison Yost were recognized for their winning first place in the 9/10 Written Essay contest at the Technology Students Association 2017 TEAMS Conference in Orlando, FL. Teachers and sponsors Dr. Melissa Bridges and Alecia Frizzell were also recognized. A video of the TSA Awards Ceremony can be viewed here. This was a national competition where UCHS competed against students from all across America… and took first place!

UCS transportation employee Bill Driskell addressed the Board regarding cameras and GPs services for school busses. Installation of cameras and GPS technology on UCS school busses is being considered. Driskell said he and Stanley Garrett had spoken with three vendors that deal in camera and GPS systems and that they had gotten three quotes on three different levels of systems. Discussion ensued about the pros and cons of each level. Because the operation of a cellular, real time system would involve a data connection that would cost an additional $16,000 – 18,000 per year and would not be accessible in all areas of the county, that level was discarded. The Board did direct Driskell and Garrett to move forward with the formal bidding process for a less costly system.

Dr. Rayfield informed the Board that there would be at least an early dismissal on August 21, the day of the upcoming eclipse. He said that the estimates at this time are so varied that it is difficult to make a decision, but that it might be prudent to close for a full day. He said he will meet with the Union County EMA twice more before the event, but that currently Towns, Rabun, White, Stephens and Union County Schools are all going with early dismissal. He said UCS is partnering with the Union County Chamber of Commerce in securing viewing glasses for students for the eclipse event and designating the stadium and the parking area behind the baseball/softball fields as viewing areas.

Dr. Fred Rayfield

Dr. Rayfield recommended that the Board accept, because of an increase in the digest, the proposed rollback millage rate of 11.780; a decrease from 11.787. This proposed millage rate will sit on the table and must be advertised for 30 days.

The Board unanimously approved the Family Connection Council on Alcohol and Drug Contract as submitted following an update by Katy Jones on the Union County Family Connection and their accomplishments over the past year. Dr. Rayfield said that UCS is the physical agent for Family Connection Grant Funds. Jones said that the State had changed their focus from an individual centered mentoring program to an environmental program where Family Connection would use the Grant funds to target alcohol use in general.

Katy Jones

The Board unanimously approved the annual renewal of the contract between Union and Towns Counties such that Union County would provide alternative education services to Towns County for a fee of $25,000.

The Board unanimously accepted and approved a petition by Cameron Hughes on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation for early graduation.

The Board unanimously approved revisions to the School Governance Team Handbook on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation.

The Board Unanimously approved the May 2017 Financial Report on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation.

Dr. Rayfield reported to the Board as required that the Sick Leave Bank showed 371 employees with 223 days.

With no further business to conduct, the Meeting adjourned.

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