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At a called meeting on Sept. 5, the Banks County Board of Education unanimously approved a proposed one mill increase in the 2012-13 millage rate.
The proposed increase will raise the millage rate to 14.508.
Finance director Mike Beasley gave a presentation prior to the vote. Beasley advised the board that the county tax digest went down and exemptions are up.
Beasley compared the Banks County millage rate to several nearby counties. Jackson County is 18.9, Madison County is 16.99 and Franklin County is 14.868.
Beasley told the board that the value of one mill in 2011-12 was $536,320 and for 2012-13 the value of a mill is $528,870.
Insurance costs for the school system increased over $250,000 for the 2012-13 school year and the system faced austerity reductions of $2.1 million, Beasley reported.
The millage rate increase proposal will be advertised in the Banks County News and public hearings will be held over the next several weeks.
BOE approves $35.9 million budget for 2013
In a unanimous vote at Monday’s monthly meeting, the Banks County Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2013 budget totaling $35.9 million.
Finance director Mike Beasley presented the budget for approval. The approved budget reflects a total increase of 8.7 percent over the 2012 budget.
Superintendent Chris Erwin said the increase is due to the building of the new ninth grade building at Banks County High School. The actual increase, excluding the funding for the new building, is two percent and this is primarily due to an increase in health insurance costs.
See this week's issue of The Banks County News for more coverage from the BOE meeting.
Finance director Mike Beasley presented the budget for approval. The approved budget reflects a total increase of 8.7 percent over the 2012 budget.
Superintendent Chris Erwin said the increase is due to the building of the new ninth grade building at Banks County High School. The actual increase, excluding the funding for the new building, is two percent and this is primarily due to an increase in health insurance costs.
See this week's issue of The Banks County News for more coverage from the BOE meeting.
Wheaton retires from BCHS
Banks County High School Principal Art Wheaton announced on Thursday his plans to retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year.
Wheaton has been principal at BCHS for nine years.
Banks County Schools Superintendent Chris Erwin said, “Mr. Wheaton was one of the first employees I hired when I came to Banks County. I think I hired him about two months after I was hired as superintendent. He has been good for the school system and for Banks County High School.”
Wheaton has been principal at BCHS for nine years.
Banks County Schools Superintendent Chris Erwin said, “Mr. Wheaton was one of the first employees I hired when I came to Banks County. I think I hired him about two months after I was hired as superintendent. He has been good for the school system and for Banks County High School.”
BCHS graduation set for Friday
Banks County High School will hold its graduation commencement ceremony at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the BCHS Leopard Stadium.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Leopard Stadium.
The valedictorian of the 2012 senior class is Ms. Sefali Patel, the salutatorian is Mr. Vishal Patel and the first honorarian is Mr. Jason Jeong.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at the Leopard Stadium.
The valedictorian of the 2012 senior class is Ms. Sefali Patel, the salutatorian is Mr. Vishal Patel and the first honorarian is Mr. Jason Jeong.
Education sales tax vote coming up March 15
Voters will have the opportunity to go to the polls to vote on the Education Local Option Sales Tax –ELOST on Tuesday, March 15. Among the projects to be funded with the one-cent sales tax would be an addition to the high school and construction of a new elementary school.
ELOST is an option for a local school system to call for a referendum approving a one percent sales tax for school construction and/or to retire bond debt.
The county currently has a seven percent sales tax in place. The referendum is to continue the current tax. If the ELOST passes, there will be no change to the existing seven cent sales tax in Banks County. The tax is a consumption tax. It is not a property tax.
The ELOST would generate a maximum of $19 million over a five-year period. If the ELOST is passed, the school system can immediately begin additions to the high school to address overcrowding, make necessary technology updates and transportation purchases, construct an addition to the agriculture facility and administrative offices, acquire future school sites, and begin construction of a new elementary school. All proposed projects should be completed by fall 2018.
The current high school facility is at capacity. High school additions and a new K-5 building are needed to meet the projected growth. In order to provide permanent, adequate classrooms and facilities, additional buildings are required. These decisions were based on the local facilities plan conducted by the facilities section of the Georgia Department of Education and supported by the local school system's strategic plan.
School Superintendent Chris Erwin said, “The penny sales tax spreads the responsibility of educating our children to all citizens and visitors of the community. Anyone who spends money in Banks County is funding the ELOST regardless of whether or not the person resides in the county,” he said.
All of the proceeds from the previous ELOST were used to construct the new Banks County Elementary School, the Banks County High School cafeteria addition, the Banks County High School athletic complex, and the Banks County Primary School additions.
ELOST is an option for a local school system to call for a referendum approving a one percent sales tax for school construction and/or to retire bond debt.
The county currently has a seven percent sales tax in place. The referendum is to continue the current tax. If the ELOST passes, there will be no change to the existing seven cent sales tax in Banks County. The tax is a consumption tax. It is not a property tax.
The ELOST would generate a maximum of $19 million over a five-year period. If the ELOST is passed, the school system can immediately begin additions to the high school to address overcrowding, make necessary technology updates and transportation purchases, construct an addition to the agriculture facility and administrative offices, acquire future school sites, and begin construction of a new elementary school. All proposed projects should be completed by fall 2018.
The current high school facility is at capacity. High school additions and a new K-5 building are needed to meet the projected growth. In order to provide permanent, adequate classrooms and facilities, additional buildings are required. These decisions were based on the local facilities plan conducted by the facilities section of the Georgia Department of Education and supported by the local school system's strategic plan.
School Superintendent Chris Erwin said, “The penny sales tax spreads the responsibility of educating our children to all citizens and visitors of the community. Anyone who spends money in Banks County is funding the ELOST regardless of whether or not the person resides in the county,” he said.
All of the proceeds from the previous ELOST were used to construct the new Banks County Elementary School, the Banks County High School cafeteria addition, the Banks County High School athletic complex, and the Banks County Primary School additions.
BOE approves snow make up days
In order to make up two of the six snow days missed this school year, students in the Banks County School System will attend school on March 11, originally scheduled as a teacher planning day, and March 14, originally scheduled as a holiday for students and teachers.
The school system will not be making up the remaining four days they have missed. The state allows systems to not make up as many as four missed days each year.
The Banks County Board of Education unanimously approved the two snow make-up days at the meeting on Tuesday night.
If additional days are missed this school year, superintendent Chris Erwin recommended that these days be made up during the February winter break.
The school system will not be making up the remaining four days they have missed. The state allows systems to not make up as many as four missed days each year.
The Banks County Board of Education unanimously approved the two snow make-up days at the meeting on Tuesday night.
If additional days are missed this school year, superintendent Chris Erwin recommended that these days be made up during the February winter break.
Out-going BOE members recognized
The two outgoing Banks County Board of Education members were recognized at the monthly meeting for December. Board members Bo Garrison and Ben Ramsey were honored for their service to the board.
[Full Story »]
[Full Story »]
Playground organization formed
Banks County Kids at Play, Inc. has been established as a non-profit organization with a purpose of promoting the physical health and total wellness of the youth of Banks County. The initial project is to secure funds to purchase and install playground equipment at the elementary school.
Committee members are: Brandy White, Greta Carver, Patty Williams, Joe Leftwich, Herbert"Bo" Garrison, Carlton Speed and Jerry Loftice.
Committee members are: Brandy White, Greta Carver, Patty Williams, Joe Leftwich, Herbert"Bo" Garrison, Carlton Speed and Jerry Loftice.
Schools closed Thursday due to weather
Due to inclement weather and icy conditions, the Banks County School System will be closed for students and staff for Thursday December 16. This closing includes the Head Start program.
BOE millage rate unchanged for 2010-11
In a unanimous vote at the called meeting of the Banks County Board of Education on Thursday, Oct. 7, the board approved the 2010-2011 millage rate of 13.244 mills. This is the same millage rate as the previous year. [Full Story »]
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