Cartersville School Board Wants To Clarify Weapons Policy

The Cartersville School Board is asking the public to weigh on two proposed policy clarifications, including one that would clarify its policy when it comes to weapons on school grounds.

During its regular meeting on Sept. 8, the Cartersville City School Board tabled that and another policy for public review, rescinded two other policies and approved two additional polices.

Policies that have been tabled for public review:

• Policy JCDAE (Weapons). Although weapons violations are already included in the Student Code of Conduct, this new policy is designed to add emphasis on the importance of students and parents understanding that weapons at school, on school grounds, at school activities, on school transportation is a serious violation and may carry criminal charges.

• Policy DJED (Bids, Proposals & Quotations). Recommended changes in this policy would raise the threshold for requiring sealed bids from $10,000 to $15,000. Purchases from $5,000 to $15,000 would require sealed quotes without the necessity of formulating specifications prior to release. Quotes would have to be received directly by the school administrator for purchases at the school level, and by the Director of Finance for system level purchases.

These two policies may be viewed on the board’s policy website. The board will consider them at their Oct. 9 Board meeting.

The two policies the board approved clarifying were:

• Policy IHA (Grading System): Clarification changes were made to emphasize that student assignment grades should primarily reflect the content attainment and skill performance of students and not protocols and procedures about turning in assignments. Students are still expected to follow teacher’s rules about turning in assignments; however, grades should be weighted heavily on the content of the assignment.
• Policy EE (Food Services Management): Wording was added to this policy to include federal &/or state requirements regarding the sale of competitive food items which would include food/drink fund raising activities during the school day. The changes put the system in compliance with the federal Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 for which regulations were required beginning this school year.

Polices that have been rescinded:

• Policy EED (Sale of Food on School Premises): This policy is no longer needed in view of required changes in Policy EE – Food Services Management.
• Policy JBC(2) (Home Study). This policy is no longer needed since the state DOE parents with students in home schools work directly with the state instead of through local boards of education.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. There will be no scheduled board work session prior to the board meeting in October due to the system’s fall break.

School board meetings are held at central office, 15 Nelson Street in Cartersville.