As part of the agenda at the regular meeting of the Greene County Board of Education on Monday, March 25, the board approved a revised date assessment for the new high school.

They expect construction to begin on June 11, 2012 and completion to be on June 10, 2013 with occupancy and move-in to be accomplished by July of 2013.

Everyone seemed to be pleased with this schedule.

Mrs. Mary Armayor, Librarian at Carver, made a presentation of some new books she had purchased for Carver Middle School. She said that the latest books on religion their library contained had been printed in 1968, so she wrote a small grant application to Community Foundation of West Alabama and received $465 to update their library. She showed the books she had acquired to  the Board who seemed impressed with the variety available.

In his financial report CSFO Shane Martin presented the following figures for  February, 2012:

Cash and Cash Equivalency – $14.2 million with $9.5 million earmarked for the new high school; total revenue for the month of February – $1 million, total expenditures for the month – $1.3 million leaving a decrease of 300,000, local taxes received – $112,000, money from Greene Charity Bingo Hall -$4,822.26. This left a General Fund balance of $4.9 million and the balance of all funds combined of $17.1 million.

Board member Lester Brown questioned Martin about the bingo money that had not gone to the schools.

He was told Greene Charity paid a month in advance but Greenetrack had not paid the school system anything nor had the Greene County Racing Commission.

In other business, the Board:

*Approved the school calendar of 2012-2013.

*Approved a contract between the Board of Education, Save the Children Federation, Inc. and the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs to implement the Early Steps to School Success program at Eutaw Primary School.

*Approved E-Rate service providers effective July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013 (E-Rate is a  term that is used in relation with the program known as the Universal Service Fund. It provides a heavy discount to schools and libraries in terms of computers, internet access, and various other telecommunication items that are necessary within schools).

In her report, Superintendent Dr. Emma Louie reminded parents that the ARMT test would be given 4/11 – 4/20. There will be workshops held throughout the county for parents to attend to learn more about this test and how important it is. She urged the parents to make sure their students were in school on those days.

She also announced that graduation would be held on May 21st at 7 p.m.

Board member Brown told those attending the meeting that the graduation would be held on the football field if the weather  permits. However, in case of stormy weather, the graduation will be held in the gym with a video set-up in the auditorium filming the graduation live in case more people were there than there was seating in the gym.

On Thursday, March 29, there will be a joint workshop held with the Greene County Commission and the School Board at the Courthouse at 3  p.m.

The Greene County Board of Education wil meet in reconvened session on Monday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m.

Personnel items approved  included:

*Retirement of Ms. Beth Brown, Reading Teacher at Paramount Jr. High.

*Additional service contract in the amount of $1,000 for Mr. Erik Sellers as Assistant Baseball Coach at Greene County High School (Separate Contract).

*Additional $883.08 per month for Ms. Sharon Jennings to reflect the change from Assistant Principal at Carver Middle School to Acting Principal at Eutaw Primary School based on years of experience and degree.