By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

In an effort to conserve funds, about 25 school system vacant positions won't be filled for the 2013-2014 school year.
The vacancy of these positions, which will be open at the end of this school year, is due to retirement or resignation, Superintendent Dr. Ralph Bennett told the school board at their meeting Monday, April 8.
Class sizes are expected to grow to about 25-30 students, according to Bennett.
"It looks like most schools are biting the bullet," Bennett said.
The system has saved funds over the past few years by not filling about 60-70 positions when teachers retired or resigned.

Printed in the April 18, 2013 edition.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

For the January through March 2013 time period the Morgan County Recreation Department (MCRD) took in a net income of $85,260.60, according to MCRD Director Lance Alexander.
Alexander shared this information during the quarterly meeting of the MCRD in April.
During that same meeting the board approved an increase in sport and program fees.
“It’s not a big, significant jump,” he said, noting that the increase may add as much as $7,500 in sport fees alone to the department’s income. “Others around us get 70, 80, 90, or 100 for the same type of service. A $10 increase is not a big issue.”

As for participation numbers, MCRD had 6,309 participants during the same time period. That number includes participants in baseball, softball, spring soccer, Valentine’s Dance, adult and youth tennis, an Easter egg hunt, and the recent Bicycle Ride Across Georgia event.
These numbers may increase if MCRD and the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (MAYSA) can reach an agreement.

Alexander said he planned to meet with MAYSA representatives to discuss fees and what MAYSA will offer MCRD in exchange for a place to play and practice.
He estimated that MAYSA had about 125 participants last fall while MCRD had about 300.
“They’ve really been working good with me,” he said. “It’s been a good deal so far.”
Prior to the close of the meeting Alexander shared estimates for updating various aspects of MCRD.

Updates include $24,000 for resurfacing eight tennis courts, $168,000 for a track surface, $35,000 for track field renovation, and $25,000 for soccer field renovation.
He noted that MCRD uses the track and field about once a year while the high school uses it for soccer and band practice.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

During an April meeting members of the Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton counties heard a couple of updates regarding two projects at Stanton Springs.

Paul Michael, vice president of TPA Realty Services, JDA’s partner in Stanton Springs, said that infrastructure is on schedule as far as the gas, water and sewer.
“It’s moving along quickly,” he said. “We’re pleased with that.”
They are working with Georgia Power to get a substation, he said: “We’ve pledged to work with them as quickly as possible.”

He added that Baxter International has erected a concrete plant: they have started foundations and the first wall.

Also, he said that Baxter has 24/7 security.

“Things have quieted down,” he said, adding that construction activity has discouraged foot traffic.

In other news, the JDA agreed to remove 6.7 acres for the state’s training center from the 1,600-acre site’s protective covenants.
Michael explained that the state’s attorney cannot take title to the property with the covenants in place.

“We have dealt with this issue in other projects,” he said, adding that Baxter understands and supports TPA in this request.

Printed in the April 18, 2013 edition.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Members of the Rutledge City Council heard plans for the 30th Annual Rutledge Country Fair set for May 4 as well as requests for assistance in working the fair.

The Rutledge Merchant’s Association is the fair sponsor this year. Dr. Michael Hughes was present to represent that group and to share information.

“We really tried to pull out all the stops,” he said. “This year has greater entertainment, more children’s activities, and music from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”

That’s also the time the fair itself will run. In addition to the music the fair will include an antique car show, a swap meet, a parade, arts and crafts, food, children’s rides and entertainment.
The car show, which Hughes called “fantastic,” and swap meet will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the parade will be at 11 a.m. Regarding the parade, Hughes said, “It will be the largest parade we’ve ever seen.”

Hughes asked that city workers assist with the setup and take down required for the fair, which includes tents and barricades.

He said that county trustees will help with the setup and removal of tables and chairs, cleaning up the park and emptying trash cans throughout the day, as well as cleaning up after the parade.

Hughes also said that the association wants to get detailed detour signs to keep drivers from getting trapped in the city’s back streets during the event.
Hughes noted that there was a wedding the same day as the fair last year and people needed directions.

City Clerk Debbie Rutherford said she would look into requesting the signs.
Molly Lesnikowski said that the association uses proceeds from the fair to fund its summer music program.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The regional budget for the Uncle Remus Regional Library System (URRLS) Board stands at 72.313 percent, according to URRLS Acting Director Steve Schaefer. He added that March was the 75 percent mark for the fiscal year.

During a later interview Schaefer said that as far as the budget goes, “Everything is on track.”
“All (member libraries) are doing very well, especially considering financial challenges,” he said. “Budget wise, this is a very healthy organization.”

Of the nine member libraries in the region, the libraries in Greene, Jasper, Morgan, and Monroe-Walton counties are close to the 75 percent mark in revenues and expenses.
As for the other five member libraries, the Hancock County Library fund has taken in 129.873 percent of its total revenues.

During the meeting Schaefer said that was good. That fund’s total expenses stand at 82.357 percent, which he said was a little high.
“We’ll have to monitor that,” he said, adding that they have added lights at the circulation desk there.

The Eatonton-Putnam County Library fund has taken in 78.267 percent of its total revenues while total expenses stand at 94.251 percent.
The building repair expenses for that library were budgeted at $18,000 while $59,733.83 was spent, putting the percentage at 331.855.

By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

The county's schools have put varying programs in place to help not only Spanish-speaking students, but also parents, learn English.

Some Spanish-speaking families in the community are transient as they're moving around, looking for different work opportunities, Dalcy Moreno, who's in charge of the English Learners (EL) program at the primary and elementary schools, told the school board at their meeting Monday, April 8. Students' knowledge of Spanish is at many different levels; some speak the language, but don't read or write it.

The Virtual Academy of World Languages program at the primary school is using four domains to teach English to these Spanish speakers: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Meanwhile, another program, Tell Me More, is being used at the primary and elementary schools to teach Spanish. The program includes language explanations, conjugations, vocabulary, about civilizations and includes an atlas feature with maps.

"It's important to expose the children of Morgan County to other languages of other countries," Alfredo Rodriguez, who teaches Spanish at the primary school, shared with the school board.
Tell Me More is a self-guided program, and student progress is tracked through the program and is accessible to teachers.

Middle school EL students – there are 12 – are using the Virtual World Language Program to "acquire English language proficiency," teacher Sharon McCullough said. A Tell Me More trainer is set to come to the middle school to familiarize those teachers with that program as well.

In addition to work with students, middle school teachers, through a more-than-$10,000 Charter Schools Innovation Grant, are working with Spanish-speaking parents of EL students, helping them with English acquisition so that they can be "stronger advocates" for their children.