Selina Iglesias
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County School Board met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 19 with a short agenda. First, Chief Financial Officer Ray Griffin came to the board asking permission to advertise the millage rate and the superintendent's tentative budget. The board approved this request and scheduled a budget hearing for Tuesday, July 26 at 6 p.m.
There were no staff up for approval and the board discussed the contract for the charter schools, which states that the school district agrees to provide transportation for students of James Madison Preparatory High School and Madison Academy. Superintendent Doug Brown has yet to establish the morning and afternoon pickup times. The board approved the contract and authorized Brown to work out the pickup times.
As far as student trips, the Madison County High School submitted their trip request after the agenda materials were already gathered. Chair VeEtta Hagan was concerned, stating that the trips need to be submitted at a reasonable time before the board meeting. However, this trip to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) from July 29-July 31 was approved.
Next, the board approved school zone transfer requests. The five kindergarten students whose parents had requested them to be transferred to Pinetta Elementary School during the Tuesday, July 5 meeting that were previously denied transfer were allowed transfer at this meeting, as Brown informed the board that the PES kindergarten class is no longer full. There was also one PES student requesting transfer to Madison Academy. The board approved all of the requests, 4-0. If the PES student is accepted into Madison Academy, they will be able to attend, per the approval of the board.
Brown then informed the board that the organizational meeting date on Nov. 15 coincides with the swearing-in of new board members. The board rescheduled their meeting for Nov. 15 to Nov. 22.
The board reviewed data from the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA), and Brown mentioned that 85 students were found to be struggling in math. As a solution, any students struggling in this subject will be enrolled in Algebra I in the first semester and Algebra IB in the second semester, which Brown believes will strengthen their end-of-course testing scores and allow them to earn two math credits. Before, the students who had a hard time in math class took intensive math and Algebra I at the same time.
Further, there will be an early warning system about dropping out for those who do not do well in math. The district would like to ensure ninth grade success, since this is a transitional period for many students.
The Boys and Girls Club agreement was approved at a previous meeting, but Brown gave the board an update on Club, stating that they can serve all four elementary schools in Madison County. If a child from a charter school wants to attend an after-school program with the Boys and Girls Club, they will be permitted to, so long as they are able to find their own transportation to the school of their choosing.
With no screened school volunteers or staffing table revisions, Willie Williams presented personnel changes up for approval. The board approved, 4-0.
To conclude the meeting, the board was given an update on how construction was going at the high school. Brown stated that the final stages of construction are taking place, and he hopes that it will be finished by the time school starts on Wednesday, August 10. He also announced that the Madison County Central School has received a new principal, and the position of the new principal for Greenville Elementary School should be filled this week.
The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 2, at 6 p.m.