Cartersville Booster Club Finances under Review

OFFICIALS WITH THE CARTERSVILLE SCHOOL SYSTEM SAY THAT, WHILE CONCERNS REGARDING BOOSTER CLUB COMPLIANCE TO POLICIES PROMPTED AN AUDIT, THEY DON’T EXPECT TO FIND ANY INSTANCES OF WRONGDOING.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED ON MONDAY NIGHT TO CONTRACT WITH RONALD MESIMER TO REVIEW THE BOOSTER CLUBS’ COMPLIANCE WITH SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – SUCH AS WITH TICKET SALE RECONCILIATION – AND TO REVIEW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM’S COMPLIANCE WITH BIDDING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

SCHOOL BOARD VICE PRESIDENT KELLEY DIAL SAYS THAT QUESTIONS WERE RAISED WHEN OFFICIALS WERE PREPARING A RESPONSE TO AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST PERTAINING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL’S ATHELETIC BOOSTER CLUBS.

SUPERINTENDENT HOWARD HINESLEY SAYS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS BEGAN IN 2006 WHEN THE FOOTBALL BOOSTER CLUB PAID FOR HEAD COACH FRANK BARDEN TO TAKE A TRIP TO HAWAII. BOOSTER CLUB MEMBERS SAID THE VOTE WASN’T TAKEN BY SECRET BALLOT, AND SOME ASSISTANT COACHES COMPLAINED THAT THEIR BONUSES WERE REDUCED THAT YEAR.
5
HINESLEY SAYS QUESTIONS BEGAN COMING IN FROM BOOSTER CLUB MEMBERS REGARDING BARDEN’S MEMBERSHIP AT THE COUNTRY CLUB BEING PAID FOR BY THE BOOSTER CLUB, WHICH HINESLEY SAYS IS ALLOWED. SOME BOOSTER CLUB MEMBERS THEN QUESTIONED WHO PAID THE TAXES ON THAT MEMBERSHIP, WHICH HE SAYS PROMPTED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO SET A POLICY STATING THAT ANY EXTRA BENEFITS MUST GO IN THE SCHOOL’S BOOKS AND TAXES MUST BE PAID.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, HINESLEY SAYS SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FOOTBALL BOOSTER CLUB BUT REFUSING TO GIVE HIS NAME ASKED ABOUT THE COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP AND TOLD HINESLEY THAT THE COACH WAS RECEIVING ANOTHER BENEFIT. HINESLEY DISCOVERED THAT THE COACH’S CELL PHONE BILL WAS BEING PAID BY THE BOOSTER CLUB, WHICH HE SAYS IS PERMISSIBLE.

OTHER COMPLAINTS REVOLVED AROUND STUDENTS NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK IN THE DUGOUT CLUB’S SUMMER WORK PROGRAM THROUGH PERFECT GAME, WHICH HOSTS TOURNAMENTS AT RICHARD BELL FIELD, AND ISSUES WERE RAISED THAT WORKERS WERE BEING PAID MORE THAN THE $600 IRS THRESHOLD. AFTER THE DUGOUT CLUB TREASURER WAS ALERTED TO THAT, HINESLEY SAYS W-9 FORMS WERE SENT OUT SO 1099 FORMS COULD BE ISSUED.

GENE LEWIS, WHO HAS BEEN THE DUGOUT CLUB PRESIDENT, SAYS THEY USE STUDENTS WHO KNOW HOW TO WORK THE FIELD AND PAY THEM $15 A GAME IN CASH FROM CONCESSION FUNDS.

A SURVEY WILL BE PUT ON THE SCHOOL SYSTEM’S WEBSITE ON FRIDAY FOR CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE REVIEW OF COMPLIANCE OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IS EXPECTED TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE SCHOOL BOARD’S DECEMBER MEETING.

ANNUAL BRAIN BOWL JUST DAYS AWAY

ONLY DAYS REMAIN FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SIGN UP FOR THE ANNUAL BRAIN BOWL, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE OLD CARTERSVILLE CIVIC CENTER ON MAIN STREET THIS FRIDAY.

IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE THAT THEIR STAFF IS THE SMARTEST IN THE COMMUNITY, LOCAL COMPANIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST WHICH SERVES AS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CARTERSVILLE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION. ORGANIZER LISA BELL SAYS FOR THIS YEAR’S BRAIN BOWL, ALL TEAMS WILL GET TO TAKE PART IN THE FAST-PACED ‘BUZZER ROUND’ WHICH HAS BEEN POPULAR WITH MANY PARTICIPANTS IN YEAR’S PAST. THE DEADLINE FOR ALL TEAMS TO REGISTER IS WEDNESDAY AT 5 PM. THE COST PER FOUR-PERSON-TEAM IS $200, WHICH INCLUDES LUNCH. ALL PARTICIPATING TEAMS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE AT THE CIVIC CENTER BY 11:30 AM ON FRIDAY.

TO REGISTER A BUSINESS FOR THE 2011 BRAIN BOWL CONTACT BELL AT 770-387-4710.

Cartersville School Board Sets Millage Rate, Terminates Employee

THE CARTERSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION LAST NIGHT VOTED TO SET THE SCHOOL SYSTEM’S MILLAGE RATE AT ITS CURRENT RATE. THE BOARD IS KEEPING THE MILLAGE RATE AT 17.23 MILLS, PROVIDED THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE PRELIMINARY DIGEST OF $897.17 MILLION.

THE BOARD ALSO VOTED TO TERMINATE SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSISTANT MARA HARRELSON AFTER ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT KEN CLOUSE SAYS SHE WAS ARRESTED AND FAILED TO REPORT TO WORK. SCHOOL SYSTEM OFFICIALS DID NOT MAKE ANY OTHER COMMENT REGARDING THE ARREST.

ACCORDING TO JAIL RECORDS, HARRELSON WAS ARRESTED ON JUNE 21 BY THE CARTERSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE FORGERY AND OBTAINING OR ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN DANGEROUS DRUGS BY FRAUD.

Chason Not Seeking Re-election to Cartersville School Board

CARTERSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TIM CHASON SAYS HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR. CHASON, WHO HOLDS THE POST 3 SEAT, MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT DURING LAST NIGHT’S SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. he HAS SERVED TWO 4-YEAR TERMS ON THE BOARD.

THE TERMS OF TWO OTHER BOARD MEMBERS EXPIRE THIS YEAR. BOARD PRESIDENT LINDA BENTON AND BOARD MEMBER PAT BROADNAX SAY THEY WILL RUN AGAIN FOR THEIR POSTS. QUALIFYING BEGINS AUGUST 29.

State Scholarship Program Based on Cartersville Initiative

A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY BY GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL’S OFFICE IS BASED ON THE CARTERSVILLE SCHOOL SYSTEM’S GATEKEY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

CARTERSVILLE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT HOWARD HINESLEY SAYS HE APPROACHED DEAL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AFTER READING SOME OF HIS INITATIVES AND CHALLENGES REGARDING THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP, EXPLAINED CARTERSVILLE’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRM AND TOLD HIM HE FELT IT HAD THE COMPONENTS FOR A STATE-WIDE INITIATIVE.

ON WEDNESDAY, HINESLEY SAID, HE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THEY FELT AN INITATIVE SIMILAR TO GATEKEY WOULD ENHANCE THEIR PROPOSED GRANT PROGRAM.

ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE FROM DEAL’S OFFICE, THE COMPLETE COLLEGE GEORGIA INITIATIVE WOULD INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A NEEDS-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT WILL IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH COLLEGE POTENTIAL AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPORT THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE COLLEGE TUITION MONEY.

HINESLEY SAYS THAT THE STATE ISN’T READY YET TO ROLL OUT THIS PART OF THE PROGRAM BECAUSE OFFICIALS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE GOAL IS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN ALL 159 COUNTIES, AND HINESLEY SAYS THE STATE PROGRAM WOULD SUPPLEMENT CARTERSVILLE’S GATEKEY PROGRAM.

THE GATEKEY PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2007 AND IS OPEN TO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. AS OF LAST YEAR, 50 STUDENTS WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM THAT GUARANTEES TUITION TO A TWO-YEAR COLLEGE AS LONG AS THE STUDENTS MAINTAIN A “C” AVERAGE AND GOOD BEHAVIOR. STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS MUST SIGN A CONTRACT UPON BEING ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM. LAST YEAR, HINESLEY SAID 100 STUDENTS APPLIED TO THE PROGRAM AND 15 WERE ACCEPTED.

THE GATEKEY PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PROGRAM THAT HINESLEY STARTED WHILE SUPERINTENDENT IN PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA.

Floyd Turns Down Chattooga Top Job

CARTERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JAY FLOYD WAS OFFERED THE CHATTOOGA COUINTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT’S POSITION LAST WEEK BUT TURNED IT DOWN TO RETURN TO HIS CURRENTP OST.

FLOYD, WHO WAS CHOSEN FROM A POOL OF SEVERAL FINALISTS, SAYS THAT THE FURTHER THE PROCESS MOVED ALONG, THE MORE HE KNEW HE WANTED TO STAY IN BARTOW COUNTY. HE SAYS HIS DECISION TO REMAIN AS CHS PRINCIPAL WAS A PERSONAL ONE, AND THAT NO OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS MONEY OR FACILITIES WERE AT PLAY IN REGARDS TO THE MATTER.

Cartersville Principal Vies for Superintendent Post

A CARTERSVILLE PRINCIPAL IS IN THE HUNT FOR THE CHATTOOGA COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT’S JOB.

ACCORDING TO THE SUMMERVILLE NEWS, CARTERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JAY FLOYD, MODEL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL GLENN WHITE AND CHATTOOGA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JAMES LENDERMAN ARE ON THE SHORT LIST OF CANDIDATES. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM REPORTEDLY RECEIVED MORE THAN 40 APPLICATIONS FOR THE POST. A DECISION IS EXPECTED TO IN TWO WEEKS.

FLOYD HAS SERVED AS CARTERSVILLE HIGH’S PRINCIPAL SINCE 2004. BEFORE THAT, HE WORKED AS AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL. HE ALSO HELD POSITIONS IN THE DALTON SCHOOL SYSTEM. FLOYD HAS DEGREES FROM CARSON NEWMAN COLLEGE AND LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY.

FORMER CHATTOOGA COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DWIGHT PULLEN RESIGNED IN MAY.

Officials: Local School Systems can learn from APS Scandal

OFFICIALS WITH THE CARTERSVILLE SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE NOT SHYING AWAY FROM ALLEGATIONS OF CHEATING MADE ABOUT ACTIONS TAKEN WITHIN THE ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, APS TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS ERASED AND CORRECTED STUDENT MISTAKES ON CRITERION REFERENCED COMPETENCY TESTS. ADMINISTRATORS ARE ACCUSED OF IGNORING OR DESTROYING EVIDENCE OF THE MISDEEDS.

OFFICIALS WITH THE CARTERSVILLE SCHOOL SYSTEM RECENTLY RELEASED A STATEMENT ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY. THE STATEMENT SAYS, “WE CAN LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS. THERE IS NO VALID REASON TO CHEAT IN ANY OF OUR OPERATION. THE PROTOCOLS, PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES ARE IN PLACE TO ASSURE THAT WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR STUDENTS, ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO THE PROFESSION OF THEIR TRUST, AND ALSO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR INSTITUTIONS AND THE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE SYSTEM.”

Cartersville School Board Wants Transparency

THE CARTERSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THEIR POLICY ON PURCHASES EVEN MORE TRANSPARENT.

WHILE THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE INTENTION, NEW LANGUAGE IN THE POLICY ENSURES THAT PURCHASES MAY NOT BE DIVIDED INTO SMALLER UNITS TO AVOID FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE COSTS. ANY PURCHASE OVER $10,000 REQUIRES A SEALED BID PROCESS. PURCHASES BETWEEN $5,000 AND $10,000 REQUIRES THREE WRITTEN BID QUOTES WHEN AVAILABLE.

THE NEW LANGUAGE ALSO GIVES SPECIFICS ABOUT NEGOTIATING AND REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS. EMERGENCY PURCHASES, AND SINGLE OR SOLE SOURCE PURCHASES. IT ALSO SPECIFIES WHEN PURCHASES WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDS OR QUOTES ARE ALLOWED. BOARD MEMBERS APPROVED THE LANGUAGE CHANGE TO THE PURCHASING POLICY AT A RECENT MEETING.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE BOARD AWARDED A BID TO GUNN CONTRACTING FOR SEALING AND STRIPING THE TRANSPORTATION/MAINTENANCE PARKING LOT AT A COST OF $32,600. THE BOARD ALSO GAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT PERMISSION TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR ATHLETIC TRAINER SERVICES.

Barber Picks UGA

CARTERSVILLE PUNTER COLIN BARBER WILL BE TAKING HIS RECORD-SETTING RIGHT LEG TO ATHENS NEXT SUMMER.

CANES HEAD FOOTBALL COACH FRANK BARDEN SAYS BARBER ACCEPTED A SCHOLARSHIP OFFER ON THE SPOT FROM HIS NEXT HEAD COACH, GEORGIA’S MARK RICHT, OVER THE WEEKEND. BARDEN SAYS THAT BARBER IS AMONG THE FINEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS HE’S COACHED IN HIS 15 SEASONS AT CARTERSVILLE.

BARBER HAS BEEN THE STARTING PUNTER INCE HIS FRESHMAN YEAR, AND LAST YEAR KICKED A SCHOOL RECORD 54-YARD FIELD GOAL AGAINST MURRAY COUNTY.