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Pavilion/outdoor classroom to be constructed at STMS
South Tattnall

The Tattnall County Board of Education members at their Monday, July 28, 2022, meeting approved the construction of a new pavilion, to also be used as an outdoor classroom, at South Tattnall Middle School (STMS).  

The building will be a 20 ft. x 30 ft. x 10 ft. red iron open pavilion with a concrete floor.  It will be located near the school's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) greenhouse and garden. The low bid was from Graham's Tile and Floor Covering of Reidsville for $20,995; one other bid was received from CaJe Construction of Lyons for $21,152.

Supt. Dr. Gina Williams also reported that a portion of the system's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for school supplies will be available to students again this year in all the schools. This is a way to help parents who may continue to be impacted by the pandemic, said Williams.

A requirement of the ESSER or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funding is to periodically review and post the school system's Protocols and Return to In-Person Learning Plan. Williams distributed these to each of the Board members and commented that these are all on the school system's website.

"Our goal for this year is to return to as much normalcy as possible.  We will continue to clean and sanitize and to encourage proper hygiene practices.  We will not require masks, but students, staff, and visitors may wear them if they choose to do so," Williams said, adding that Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information will be monitored, and changes will be made as necessary.

Certified personnel approved to be hired at the meeting included the following: at Tattnall County High School (TCHS)-Assistant Principal Allen Yancey (49 percent) and teacher Megan Hart; North Tattnall Middle School (NTMS)-teachers Ken Murphy (49 percent) and Chelsey Odum; North Tattnall Elementary School (NTES)-teacher Amanda Thomas; and South Tattnall Elementary School (STES)-teacher Michelle Pratt. STES teacher Joseph Livingston was agreed to be released from his 2022-2023 contract.

Non-certified personnel approved included: at STMS-nurse Renae Haynes and parapro Chelsea Simmons; at STES-parapro Linda Becerra; at NTES-parapro Chloe Oliver; bus monitor Candice Guest; and bus drivers Julie Pyle and Malisa Durr. Student workers Kimberly Varela was approved in daycare and Justin Cress in maintenance.

Several policies were approved: IEDA-Unstructured Break Time; IKBB-Divisive Concepts Complaint Resolution Process; IKBC-Material Harmful to Minors Complaint Resolution Process; and JRB-Parents' Bill of Rights.


Others items approved include: Telamon Corporation Georgia Contract (2022-2024); Positive Behavior Contract (2022-2023); L&T Incorporated to install fuel pumps; purchase of one Special Education (SPED) bus and six regular buses from Rush Enterprises; installation of an irrigation well at STES by Blanton's Well Drilling; and addition of Assistant High School registrar to the salary schedule.