Clarke School Officials Move On Plans To Build Schools

t officials agreed Thursday to move forward with construction and renovation work for five schools one month after voters approved an extension of a 1 percent sales tax to pay for the improvements.

Officials approved construction budgets totaling $45.5 million to renovate or make “like-new” facilities at Barrow, Whit Davis and Howard Stroud elementary schools as well as two brand new schools known as Westside and Maxine P. Easom elementary schools.

The five projects are expected to relieve overcrowding at some schools, upgrade technology and offer a variety of learning spaces and opportunities for students in and out of the classroom.

The five projects were at the top of a list of other projects the county will embark on over the five year period of the sales tax, school officials said.

“We're not only in a tremendous position, but we're moving at a tumultuous pace,” Superintendent Philip Lanoue said.

School officials also signed off on a memorandum of understanding between the University of Georgia and state Department of Education, spelling out how each party will share resources and expertise in the creation of a digital learning environment for teachers and students.

The agreement will allow the school district to offer online curriculum through the Georgia Virtual School, a state-funded online program with more than 100 courses for middle and high school students, and offer teachers more opportunities for professional development, officials said.

Under the agreement, the state Department of Education will offer access to online course content, technical assistance and professional development. The University of Georgia will continue to offer professional development for teachers and research related to instructional best practices, student learning and design.

The agreement also stipulates that the school district may serve as a model and provide guidance for other districts in the implementation of a digital learning environment.

In other business officials approved:

• Continuation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism from Jan. 9, 2011 to May 12, 2011, for a Channel 16 video production assistanship at a cost of $5,850.

• The submission of a grant to the Georgia Department of Education's Striving Readers program. If awarded, the school district would receive $3.5 million over a five-year period to enhance literacy programs at the school district's Early Learning Center, Cedar Shoals High School, Coile Middle School, Judia Jackson Harris, Fowler Drive, Howard Stroud and Winterville Elementary schools. Funding from the grant would also restore the pre-k calendar at each school and the Early Learning Center so that students attend a full 180 days of school. Last year, the state decreased funding for pre-K by 20 days.

•  Placed on the table for a period of four weeks a nomination for naming the Winterville Media Center after Patt Britton, a former principal of Winterville Elementary.