Highlights from Monday's Carterville Board of Education meeting

(Media release) In the regular December meeting of the Cartersville City Board of Education, the Board approved a resolution supporting the efforts of buying from local vendors. The School Board’s Resolution to Purchase Goods and Services in Bartow County lends support to buying local products and services when it is the most cost effective for taxpayers. The school system spends over $41 million annually in salaries, services and products and lends its support to local companies and suppliers when it is reasonable to do so. In the meeting, Superintendent Howard Hinesley shared the system’s appreciation for local businesses and the community in previous SPLOST votes which support the school system and in return the Board shares in the philosophy to support local expenditures when feasible.
-The Board also approved a Joint Resolution with the City Council for the refinancing of outstanding general obligation bonds. The resolution begins the process of the future refinancing of bonds when the market is favorable. This refinancing action has the potential of saving school system tax monies between $500,000 and $1 million in interest on the bonds used to finance the remodeling of Cartersville High School, as it will allow the system to pay off the bonds earlier.
-The Board approved changes in two Board policies. Policy DK-Student Activity Funds was modified to include outside organizations and support groups in the use of trademarks, logos, and marketing information. Outside organizations and support groups, such as clubs, must use the schools’ financial accounting systems in the raising of funds and fund disbursements and prevents those groups from using the Cartersville School brand without permission from the Board. Changes in Policy KHE-Gifts to Schools requires those gifts and donations to be in line with Board policy so that the school system is not placed in a situation of inequity or obligate the system to immediate or future expenditures. The policy also requires employees to accept gifts and donation on behalf of the school or a program only as approved by the Board. These changes bring the policies in line with previous policy changes and are meant to protect the system and its employees.
-The Board approved an amendment to the Superintendent’s contract that extends Dr. Howard Hinesley’s employment to June 30, 2014, commencing on July 1, 2011. State law prevents employment contracts from going beyond three years at any given time. The amendment to the contract has no effect on the amount of compensation to be paid to the superintendent.
-The Board approved budget parameters for the 2011-2012 school year. The parameters give guidance to administrators in developing next year’s budgets and represent no changes from the current year.
-The slate of personnel recommendations was approved as presented.
-The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Cartersville School Board is scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. The Board’s Work Session will be held on Thursday, January 6, at 6:00 p.m.