Board of Education Recognizes Award Winning Educator, Approves Glenwood Historic Sign

• Who met: Barrow County Board of Education
• When: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
• Where:
• Who attended: Superintendent Dr. Wanda Creel, Chair Mark Still, Mitch Churchill, Rickey Bailey, William Bramlett Jr., Will Dunn, Randall Holland, Lynn Stevens and Connie Wehunt
• Top agenda items:

1. Dr. Claire Miller, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, was recognized for receiving the 2011 Jim Puckett Outstanding Educator Award. The award is given annually by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. "We are so lucky to have her," said Superintendent Wanda Creel.

2. The board voted to accept the lowest bid for purchasing Mimio interactive board technology. Howard Computers will provide the equipment at a cost of $13,797, and installation will be performed by school employees. Only one other bid was received. 

3. The board voted to approve an easement request from Georgia Power, which will allow the company to access the College and Career Preparatory Academy, located at 54 W. Star St. in Bethlehem. Georgia Power will be removing an old utility pole, replacing it with a pad-mounted transformer and burying its wires to a new pole located behind the school. There will be no cost to the school system. 

4. Glenwood Barrow County High School Alumni Association Inc. was granted an easement that will allow them to place a historical marker commemorating Glenwood elementary and high school at the intersection of Wood Street and King Avenue in Winder. Glenwood was open from 1951 to 1970 and was Georgia's first combined high and elementary school for African Americans. The group plans to have the sign in place by the school's reunion in June 2012.

5. Two items were placed on the agenda for the August board meeting. A medication policy would allow students to self-administer asthma inhalers, epinephrine and diabetes medications with a written statement from a physician and permission for a nurse or designated employee to contact the physician with any questions. It would also allow school employees to administer epinephrine to students in the case of an anaphylactic allergic reaction, regardless of whether the student has a prescription. A nepotism policy would prohibit anyone from serving on the board or as superintendent if they have an immediate family member on the board, serving as superintendent or as principal, assistant principal or system administrative staff if their employment began after Jan. 1, 2010. 

6. The council discussed the Barrow County Board of Commissioners' plans to redraw district lines based on population. Two new maps are being considered. A public hearing and vote on the issue will be held July 26, and the board of education can choose to adopt the new districts or keep the ones they have now. 

7. The board will hold a called a meeting at 6 p.m. July 28 to discuss personnel.