Jr. Beta Club members from Vernon Middle School were recognized at Monday night’s meeting of the Washington County School Board.
by Kathy Foster
Vernon Middle School Jr. Beta Club leader Paula McDonald was present at Monday night’s meeting of the Washington County School Board to report on the club’s presentations at the recent state level competition.
McDonald was proud to announce the club had received six 1st Place and three 3rd Place awards in the following categories:
- 1st Place in 8th Grade Science (academic) competition – Cherish Johns
- 1st Place in 6th Grade Language Arts (academic) competition – Jonei Gordon
- 3rd Place in 6th Grade Science (academic) competition – Alice Kopp
- 3rd Place in the Battle of the Books competition – Tristen Rodriquez, Grace Quinn, and Jonei Gordon
- 1st Place in Spotlight Your Club competition
- 1st Place in Banner competition
- 1st Place in Scrapbook competition
- 1st Place in T-shirt competition
- 3rd Place – Fiber Arts (Quilting) – Bella Hall
- 3rd Place Woodworking Benjamin McDonald
McDonald told board member the club appreciated all of the help and support they received from teachers, parents, friends, family and the community.
The School Board also received a check from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the amount of $1,899.59. Presented by Daniel Young, director of the Pine Log State Park, and reflected the distribution of the Pine Log State Forest receipts for the fiscal year 2016-17.
During the fiscal year 12016-17 the Department collected approximately $7,575,392 from the operation of state forest, including 4.6 million from the sale of timber and $1,514,487 in recreation fees from over 2million visitors.
These activities benefit 12 counties that are home to Florida’s income-producing state forests. These counties deemed fiscally constrained per Florida Statute 589.81 receive 15 percent of the gross receipts from a state forest in proportion to the acreage located in each county. Based on the fiscal year 2016-2017 gross receipts, a total of $452,145.92 is being distributed to Florida counties and school boards.
The School Board also took the following actions at Monday night’s meeting:
- Approved payment of monthly bills, the Financial Report and Budget Amendments.
- Approved minutes of the Dec. 11th Public, Regular Meeting, Executive Session, and the Dec. 18th Workshop.
- Approved out-of-state travel for Chipley High School and Vernon High School Senior Trips to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN on May 15-19, 2018.
- Approved out-of-state travel for Roulhac Middle School boys basketball team to Atlanta, GA on March 2, 2018.
- Approved out-of-state travel for Roulhac Middle School 8th Grace students and RMS staff to travel to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York on May 6- 12, 2018.
- Approved contract with Allie Montequme for Chipley High School Girls Weightlifting and Assistant Girls Softball.
- Approved bidding for Food Service equipment.
- Approved architectural services contract for renovation of the old KMS cafeteria.
- Approved accepting WCEA ratification of a contract for the 2017-18 school year.
- Approved architectural services contract for the stadium restrooms.
- Approved William Wilson, Athletic Director at Chipley High School.
- Approved moving Chelsea Carter from teacher pay to paraprofessional pay at Chipley High School.
- Approved the retirement of JoAnn Blackstock, a teacher at Roulhac Middle School.
- Approved a leave of absence for Hannah Foster, a teacher at Vernon Elementary School.
- Approved setting a workshop for 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 22nd
- Approved a Teacher of the Year Reception for Jan. 18th at 2:45 p.m. at Chipley High School.