The Oglethorpe Echo
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education was awarded a total of $2.79 million in grants during the 2023-24 fiscal year, in large part, thanks to the efforts of Sara Hughes, who was the director of federal programs/grant writing at that time.
“Everything she touches turns into gold,” District 3 representative Susan Robinson said at the monthly BOE meeting on Tuesday.
Among the grants was the Paraprofessional to Teacher program, which allowed eligible parapros to receive grant funds to help with the costs of pursuing an education degree.
“The para to teacher one is really nice for any parapro who’s working on an advanced degree, going to school to be a teacher,” Superintendent Beverley Levine said. “We’ve been able to have several of our teachers take advantage of that.”
In other news, the BOE said it believes that it has “some work to do,” when it comes to increasing the county’s advanced placement scores in calculus. Of the students who took the AP calculus exam, 7% scored a 4 (out of 5) and 7% scored a 3, compared to the state average of 30% (score 4) and 17% (score 3). Statewide, 15% scored a 5 on the AP calculus exam.
On the other hand, the county increased its scores in English literature and composition from 25% to 43% of students who scored a 4 on the state test.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in our system this year overall, so lots of hard work going on and just a great outcome in our student performance,” assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish said.
The county offered six AP courses during the 2023-24 school year. They included: pre-calculus, U.S. history, macroeconomics, English literature and composition, English language and composition and calculus AB.
AP courses in biology, microeconomics and computer science will be introduced this year.
There was an increase in the county’s milestone scores compared to last year. Notable improvements include distinguished level scores, which improved from 3% to 12% in English language arts in fifth grade.
“What I want to make sure is that every kid in this system, regardless of what they want to do, has an opportunity,” BOE Chair Becky Soto said. I’m proud of our school size, offering what we do and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and try it.”
The board recognized nutrition department employees Melissa Mattox and Tabitha Hall for their work on the proposal for the Community Eligibility Provision.
The CEP allows for all students regardless of financial need to have access to free breakfast and lunch.
School system director of operations Paul Thiel updated the board on the improvements to buildings, including LifeBolt locks being installed on all school classrooms that allow law enforcement to enter the room if needed. According to the company, the locks are “fast and secure” and don’t require keys.
High school renovations included the gym and movement of the bleachers from the weight room into the agricultural building. Hopes for the improvements of the high school gym were voiced by board members.
“It speaks more to who the high school is trying to be,” Thiel said.
In other business, the BOE:
- Approved $44,000 for a propane fueling system, which will be used for four new buses.
- Said students and parents can download the Oglethorpe County Schools app to stay updated on events, such as football games.
- Discussed furniture for the new school, which will be ready in January.