Left to right, Superintendent Jan Harris, Dade Board of Education Chairwoman Carolyn Bradford, Dade Elementary Teacher of the Year Amber Barton and DES Principal Tracy Blevins.
At its regular October meeting on Monday, the Dade County Board of Education awarded a contract for the long-discussed renovation of the Dade High School cafeteria. The work is projected to be done over the Christmas holidays.
"January is such a bleak month," said Dr. Cleta Long (left), Dade's nutrition director, expressing hope that having a new look to their cafeteria would cheer the students up.
The renovation was awarded to contractor Manning Brothers for a total of $173,692. Dr. Jan Harris, superintendent of schools, said the cost would be split between SPLOST (special purchase local option sales tax) and funds from the school nutrition program.
Manning Brothers made the only bid for the work, which Dr. Long said was not unusual. "Sometimes it's just not the bidding season," she said.
Finance Director Paula Stallings said SPLOST collections were unusually healthy. "It just continues to go up," she said.
There was not a lot on the agenda for the Oct. 15 meeting. The board accepted a fuel bid from Jatt Oil--$2.744/gallon--but did not hold its usual lengthy executive, or closed-door, session for personnel. Instead, the board without discussion accepted the super's recommended personnel changes. These most notably included accepting the resignation of Temperance Shults, the director of special programs the board had approved only in January. As is customary, the board gave no reason or explanation for Ms. Shults's rapid exeunt.
Otherwise, the personnel list included only the hiring of the following substitute teachers: Kelli Defriese, Jeffrey Johnson, Mark Hovermale, Jacqueline Ogilbee, Sarah Page, Danielle Cooper and Elizabeth Mullins.
Dr. James Cantrell, operations director, indicated that all the LED signs for Dade's four schools were now up and conveying information. Dr. Harris honored him with a plaque for all he did for the schools. She similarly pinned, plaqued and picture-opped Dade's four previously-named teachers of the year (from each school) and academic coach Darlene Rogers. Here's a picture of Dr. C accepting his kudos:
The four teachers of the year receive in addition to the title several thousand dollars to upgrade their classrooms with technical or other materials--$5000 for Heidi Wilson, named Dade's overall teacher of the year, lesser amounts for the three others.
A brief video was shown about Dade High's new solar energy project and Dade Middle's new cross-country course. Interested readers may watch that by clicking on Dr. Harris's weekly message, available from The Planet's home page.
The next regular meeting of the Dade Board of Education is at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, at the B of E's office in front of Dade High on Highway 136 East.
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