The Board is looking at sales tax money to fund construction, renovation, and renewal of school facilities.
by Kathy Foster
Indicating their intention to put the issue before county voters in August 2018, board members voted Thursday to approve a resolution authorizing the issue, but questioned whether or not they will be able to meet those expectations.
Board members are faced with requirements to have a ‘performance audit’ completed prior to getting the issue on the ballot.
While they are trying to put more specific audit information, they said State officials want the information so they will know that the school district has a history of spending money properly.
Washington County School superintendent Joe Taylor said the ‘performance audit’ must be completed 60 days prior to the proposed sales tax question goes on the August ballot.
The only other issue on the June 7th meeting agenda dealt with the Chipley High School football field ADA accessibility. The School Board quickly approved moving forward with getting the sidewalks at the facility into compliance.
Moving from the Special Meeting into a Workshop Session dealing with the 2018-2019 budget, School Board members were told that the majority of the budget increases deal with meeting mental health needs and safety concerns.
It was noted that the county is required to have a mental health plan approved by the School Board prior to August 2018.
A job description circulated at the meeting calls for a licensed Mental Health Counselor meeting the following minimum requirements – “Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Chapter 491, F.S.) Master’s degree and provisional license whose scope of practice under the State Licensing Board in Florida authorizes their ability to provide group, individual and family psychotherapy. Experience working with adult and children mental health preferred. Knowledgeable of mental health diagnosis and treatment. Demonstrates the ability to interact in a school environment. Must possess good oral and written communication skills in the English language. Ability to see and hear in emergency situations. Good overall clinical skills, ability to work productively and effectively. Ability to function well as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Must pass a DCF level II background screening and drug screening.”
The licensed therapist will provide mental health screenings and assessments, group, individual and family psychotherapy and complete timely documentation of all service therapies.
Before closing the meeting, school system officials announced that the six classroom Washington Academy for Varying Exceptionalities (W.A.V.E.) will be open on the Roulhac Middle School campus when the new school year opens in August.
A June 28th School Board meeting was set for 4 p.m.