The Banks County Board of Education, during a called meeting on April 2, hired Stan Davis as the new school superintendent.
Davis will begin his duties as Banks County School Superintendent in mid-May.
He was hired as a 12-month employee, at a salary of $130,000 per year, based on 230 working days, Shane Roberts, BOE chairman said.
Davis signed a three-year contract with the BOE.
“We can’t wait to become a part of the community,” Davis said, after he was hired.
Approximately 50 people, including staff, students and community members, turned out for the called meeting to welcome Davis to the school system.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the called meeting, the following personnel items were approved:
•retirements: Karen Nelson and Angie Minish, both teachers as Banks County Primary School.
•resignations: Donna Cherveny, Banks County Middle School teacher; and Shelby Pendley, BCPS paraprofessional.
Parson selected as new BCHS head football coach
Biff Lee Parson, Milner, was selected as the new head football coach for Banks County High School.
At Monday’s monthly board meeting, following a 30-minute closed session to discuss personnel, the Banks County Board of Education approved Parson as a teacher and head football coach for the 2013-14 school year.
BOE member Mike Boyle abstained from the vote to hire Parson. Boyle said the reason he abstained was because his wife is related to Parson.
Parson comes to BCHS from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth where he is an offensive coordinator for the football program and a health and physical education teacher.
Parson’s father, Ronald Parson, coached at Banks County High School. B. Parson attended school in Banks County through his eighth grade year. He graduated from Franklin County High School.
Before Parson went to Mary Persons, he was at Lamar County High School.
BCHS principal Jody Goodroe said, “We are excited to have Coach Parson join our team at Banks County High School. We believe his character and leadership will continue to develop our young men on the field and in life.”
[Full Story »]
At Monday’s monthly board meeting, following a 30-minute closed session to discuss personnel, the Banks County Board of Education approved Parson as a teacher and head football coach for the 2013-14 school year.
BOE member Mike Boyle abstained from the vote to hire Parson. Boyle said the reason he abstained was because his wife is related to Parson.
Parson comes to BCHS from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth where he is an offensive coordinator for the football program and a health and physical education teacher.
Parson’s father, Ronald Parson, coached at Banks County High School. B. Parson attended school in Banks County through his eighth grade year. He graduated from Franklin County High School.
Before Parson went to Mary Persons, he was at Lamar County High School.
BCHS principal Jody Goodroe said, “We are excited to have Coach Parson join our team at Banks County High School. We believe his character and leadership will continue to develop our young men on the field and in life.”
[Full Story »]
Banks’ school spending went up while revenues went down
THE CONTINUING collapse of revenues last year appears to have caught the Banks County School System in a financial bind. Although the FY2012 audit of the system has not yet been posted by the state, an analysis of other state financial data indicates that Banks County spent more money than it took in last year.
The data shows that Banks County increased its per student spending by 4.3 percent in FY2012, from $7,874 per student in FY2011 to $8,218 per student last year. Still, Banks County fell below the state average of $8,558 in per student spending.
But as that increase in spending took hold in Banks County, revenues fell by five percent. Per student income for Banks County went from $8,369 in FY2011 down to $7,947 last year. [Full Story »]
The data shows that Banks County increased its per student spending by 4.3 percent in FY2012, from $7,874 per student in FY2011 to $8,218 per student last year. Still, Banks County fell below the state average of $8,558 in per student spending.
But as that increase in spending took hold in Banks County, revenues fell by five percent. Per student income for Banks County went from $8,369 in FY2011 down to $7,947 last year. [Full Story »]
Erwin named ‘Superintendent of the Year’
Chris Erwin, Banks County school superintendent, was named “Superintendent of the Year” at the Georgia School Boards Association and Georgia School Superintendents Association annual conference in Atlanta Friday.
Erwin was selected from four finalists from around the state, including Hall County superintendent Will Schofield. Erwin is in his 10th year as Banks County superintendent.
Erwin will represent the state in the national “Superintendent of the Year” program, with the winner to be announced in February at the American Association of School Administrators National Conference on Education.
Erwin was selected from four finalists from around the state, including Hall County superintendent Will Schofield. Erwin is in his 10th year as Banks County superintendent.
Erwin will represent the state in the national “Superintendent of the Year” program, with the winner to be announced in February at the American Association of School Administrators National Conference on Education.
Edwards hired as BCES assistant principal
In a called meeting on Friday afternoon, the Banks County Board of Education unanimously approved Joy Edwards as assistant principal at Banks County Elementary School.
Edwards previously served as an instructional lead teacher at Banks County Middle School.
In other personnel action at the called meeting, the board approved the following:
•certified new hire: Dennis Marlow, 49 percent 21st CCLC Director.
•classified retirement: Gaily Kelley, bus driver, effective 8-1-12.
•classified new hired: Ricky Andrew Haggard, Drake Wilson McCauley, Laura Elizabeth Davis and Susan Reems, paraprofessionals for the 2012-13 school year.
•certified new hire: Dana Simmons, academic specialist.
Edwards previously served as an instructional lead teacher at Banks County Middle School.
In other personnel action at the called meeting, the board approved the following:
•certified new hire: Dennis Marlow, 49 percent 21st CCLC Director.
•classified retirement: Gaily Kelley, bus driver, effective 8-1-12.
•classified new hired: Ricky Andrew Haggard, Drake Wilson McCauley, Laura Elizabeth Davis and Susan Reems, paraprofessionals for the 2012-13 school year.
•certified new hire: Dana Simmons, academic specialist.

Nancy Bentley named principal at BCMS
Nancy Bentley has been named as the principal of Banks County Middle School. Bentley, who was previously the assistant principal at BCES, will assume the position immediately.
Prior to becoming the assistant principal at the elementary school, Ms. Bentley was the instructional lead teacher at BCMS. She began her career with the school system in 1993, teaching science at the middle school.
Bentley is a graduate of Habersham Central High School. She completed her specialist degree in leadership in 2001 at Lincoln Memorial University. She also holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Piedmont College.
Bentley expressed praise for faculty and staff of Banks County Middle School in an e-mail she wrote to the school system.
“I wish to share my excitement about the opportunity to team with you as the new principal of the greatest Middle School in the land. BCMS has a reputation of excellence, and I feel fortunate to return home to such a great school. I look forward to working with all of you, the students, the parents, and the community to continue the excellence you have established,” said Bentley.
Superintendent Chris Erwin announced Bentley as the new principal to the Banks County Board of Education on Monday evening.
“I have always been impressed with Mrs. Bentley’s energy level and professionalism. Nancy will make a great principal. I am excited for the middle school,” said Erwin.
Bentley is replacing Matthew Cooper, who is now the superintendent in Habersham County.
Prior to becoming the assistant principal at the elementary school, Ms. Bentley was the instructional lead teacher at BCMS. She began her career with the school system in 1993, teaching science at the middle school.
Bentley is a graduate of Habersham Central High School. She completed her specialist degree in leadership in 2001 at Lincoln Memorial University. She also holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Piedmont College.
Bentley expressed praise for faculty and staff of Banks County Middle School in an e-mail she wrote to the school system.
“I wish to share my excitement about the opportunity to team with you as the new principal of the greatest Middle School in the land. BCMS has a reputation of excellence, and I feel fortunate to return home to such a great school. I look forward to working with all of you, the students, the parents, and the community to continue the excellence you have established,” said Bentley.
Superintendent Chris Erwin announced Bentley as the new principal to the Banks County Board of Education on Monday evening.
“I have always been impressed with Mrs. Bentley’s energy level and professionalism. Nancy will make a great principal. I am excited for the middle school,” said Erwin.
Bentley is replacing Matthew Cooper, who is now the superintendent in Habersham County.
Supporters address BOE over Goodwin being relieved of coaching duties
A group of Banks County parents and students turned out at Monday’s monthly Banks County Board of Education meeting to show support for former Banks County High School head baseball and softball coach Dean Goodwin.
The group wore white T-shirts with “I support Coach Goodwin” printed on the front and “Do right BOE” on the back.
Goodwin, who was approved to teach at BCHS next year, was relieved of his coaching duties.
When questioned about this issue, superintendent Chris Erwin said, “He will not coach baseball or softball next year.”
Erwin said because of the privacy act he is not allowed to give out a lot of information about this.
Several parents of high school baseball and softball players addressed the BOE about this issue. [Full Story »]
The group wore white T-shirts with “I support Coach Goodwin” printed on the front and “Do right BOE” on the back.
Goodwin, who was approved to teach at BCHS next year, was relieved of his coaching duties.
When questioned about this issue, superintendent Chris Erwin said, “He will not coach baseball or softball next year.”
Erwin said because of the privacy act he is not allowed to give out a lot of information about this.
Several parents of high school baseball and softball players addressed the BOE about this issue. [Full Story »]

BOE honors employees of the year
The Banks County Board of Education honored system employees of the year on Thursday.
Those recognized included: Kessie Black, Banks County Primary School Paraprofessional of the Year; Susan Oliver, Banks County High School Teacher of the Year and System Teacher of the Year; Michelle Moran, Banks County Elementary School Paraprofessional for the Year; Patsy Jordan, BCHS Paraprofessional of the Year; Steven Shedd, Banks County Middle School Teacher of the Year; Donald Hatfield, BCPS Classified Employee of the Year; Claire Good, BCMS Paraprofessional of the Year; Darrell Edenfield, BCES Classified Employee of the Year; Sam Mayfield, BCMS Classified Employee of the Year; Leigh Ann Perry, BCES Teacher of the Year; Thomas West, BCPS Teacher of the Year; and Rob Taylor, BCHS Classified Employee of the year.
Those recognized included: Kessie Black, Banks County Primary School Paraprofessional of the Year; Susan Oliver, Banks County High School Teacher of the Year and System Teacher of the Year; Michelle Moran, Banks County Elementary School Paraprofessional for the Year; Patsy Jordan, BCHS Paraprofessional of the Year; Steven Shedd, Banks County Middle School Teacher of the Year; Donald Hatfield, BCPS Classified Employee of the Year; Claire Good, BCMS Paraprofessional of the Year; Darrell Edenfield, BCES Classified Employee of the Year; Sam Mayfield, BCMS Classified Employee of the Year; Leigh Ann Perry, BCES Teacher of the Year; Thomas West, BCPS Teacher of the Year; and Rob Taylor, BCHS Classified Employee of the year.
BOE approves sale of bonds
In a called meeting on Tuesday, the Banks County Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution for the sale of $9.03 million in general obligation bonds.
Cory Kirby, attorney with Harben, Hartley & Hawkins, LLP, Gainesville, reported to the board that the bonds were obtained at a rate of 1.795 percent. “Just today, we were able to get this rate,” Kirby said.
The school system will use special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) revenue to repay the bonds.
The resolution calls for the proposed date of issuance of the bonds to be June 9, 2011, and the paying agent for the bonds is U.S. Bank National Association, Atlanta.
After the BOE meeting, Banks County Schools Superintendent Chris Erwin and Kirby attended the Banks County Board of Commissioners to recommend the BOC approve the levy of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds in the event the school system doesn’t collect enough SPLOST revenue to do so. The BOC unanimously approved the action.
Cory Kirby, attorney with Harben, Hartley & Hawkins, LLP, Gainesville, reported to the board that the bonds were obtained at a rate of 1.795 percent. “Just today, we were able to get this rate,” Kirby said.
The school system will use special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) revenue to repay the bonds.
The resolution calls for the proposed date of issuance of the bonds to be June 9, 2011, and the paying agent for the bonds is U.S. Bank National Association, Atlanta.
After the BOE meeting, Banks County Schools Superintendent Chris Erwin and Kirby attended the Banks County Board of Commissioners to recommend the BOC approve the levy of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds in the event the school system doesn’t collect enough SPLOST revenue to do so. The BOC unanimously approved the action.
Vote coming up Tuesday on education sales tax
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday for voters to cast their ballot on the Education Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST).
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 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.
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 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.
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