NEW RUMOR CONTROL INFORMATION

1) Rumor regarding Reduced Services for Middle School Gifted Students: Rumor: It has been alleged that the Troup County School System has reduced services for middle school gifted students Clarification: In an effort to provide consistent and equitable services, some new procedures for middle school gifted services will be implemented during the 2012-2013 school year. These procedures will not reduce services. Key points to middle school gifted services include, but are not limited to the following: We now offer more gifted model classes at each school. Specifically, we offer more Advance Content model classes, and we offer those in all core subjects. There is a significant increase in the number of gifted model classes being offered at Callaway Middle School (CMS). The Troup County School System (TCSS) is committed to providing equitable, quality gifted services in middle schools. TCSS provides services above what is required by the state of Georgia.

2) Rumor regarding School Property Taxes for Seniors: Rumor: The Troup County School System has been asked to consider exempting senior citizens from paying school property taxes. The school district estimates that this would result in the loss of $4 to $5 million in annual revenue. We have been asked where this figure came from. Clarification: Former Chief Financial Officer Don Miller calculated the $4 to $5 million loss of revenue if senior citizens were fully exempted from paying school district property taxes. This calculation was based upon 2010 census data and the current tax digest. Carroll County implemented this exemption in FY09 and incurred a budget deficit of $9 million the next year. Their millage rate has increased from 18.1 in 2009 to 19.6 in 2011. They have also reduced 272 staff positions (including 242 teachers) to overcome this deficit. Spalding County instituted partial senior citizen exemptions and their millage rate increased from 18.80 to 19.06. One factor to consider is that the Troup County School System already faces a budget deficit of at least $3.2 million in the next budget cycle.

3) Rumor regarding Blocked E-mails From Certain Citizens: Rumor: The Troup County School System blocked e-mails from certain citizens from coming into the e-mail system. Clarification: The Troup County School System did not block e-mails. Instructions were sent to employees describing procedures about how to block unwanted e-mail messages. Several employees complained about receiving e-mail solicitations and wanted to know how to block them.

4) Rumor regarding School System Plans to Close Hogansville Elementary: Rumor: The Troup County School System plans to close Hogansville Elementary. Clarification: The Troup County School System does not plan to close Hogansville Elementary School. The following is a quote from Superintendent Cole Pugh regarding this matter: I have been told that a rumor may be circulating in the Hogansville area that Hogansville Elementary might potentially be closed in the near future. I want to assure the citizens of Hogansville that there is no such plan in place. With the population of students in the northeast corner of Troup County, an elementary campus in Hogansville is vital to the Troup County School System.

5) Rumor regarding Eliminate Energy Education and Save Money: Rumor: A good way to save money and reduce expenditures would be to eliminate the Energy Education Program. Clarification: The Energy Management Program has provided significant cost savings to the Troup County School System as evidenced by the data collected from the start of the program to the current date. The program will SAVE the school system in excess of $7 million dollars over a 10 year period. To-date, we are in excess of $1.5 million dollars saved on utility costs and on track to meet or exceed the projected savings. The contract cost of $201,000 will no longer exist after the fourth year of the contract. However, the services provided by Energy Education will continue, as long as we have an energy specialist following the guiding principles of the program. This alone will increase our net savings. In addition, our costs are guaranteed. This means that if the established and agreed upon objectives are not met, school system fees will be reimbursed. The following comments appeared in a local newspaper. When you spend $203,000 per year for someone that works 24 days a year for Troup County, perhaps we should revisit the need and the compensation required. Could we have not upgraded to more energy efficient heating and air systems that would have been paid for?

Clarification: The energy specialist is employed 240 days per year and performs the following responsibilities: Inspects and audits school facilities daily Receives and audits utility bills Makes recommendations for reducing energy consumption Meets with school administrators, faculty, and staff to discuss ways to improve our utility usage and reduce costs Searches for facilities and classrooms that are not in compliance and makes appropriate adjustments to save energy costs Reminds employees of the importance of energy conservation Works closely with maintenance custodial directors to ensure energy objectives are met Makes adjustments to HVAC control equipment in all facilities and schools Recommendations to upgrade air and heating equipment have been made based on facility age consumption and the overall efficiency of dated equipment. By constant involvement, follow up, and review the district is far better served with this energy management program than without it.

6) Rumor regarding Board of Education Members Per Diem Per Meeting: Rumor: Troup County School System Board of Education members receive $100 per meeting, and can receive this payment for each meeting that they might attend in the same day. Clarification: Board of Education members do not receive $100 per meeting. In the 2011-2012 school year, the Board voluntarily reduced their per diem per meeting from $100 to $75, effective July 1, 2012. They only receive one per diem per day. Board members do not receive a salary in addition to the per diem.

7) Rumor regarding Collection of Student Fees at Registration: Rumor: It is illegal for high schools to charge students a $10 fee at registration. The money will be used at the discretion of the principal. Clarification: Georgia law and the Troup County School System Board Policy JS: Student Fees, Fines, and Charges authorize a school district to charge fees for certain activities. The money from the $10 fee is used to purchase items such as planners for all students and refreshments for students in advance of tests and reviews. Use of the funds may vary among campuses.

8) Rumor regarding Comprehensive Facility Assessment Expenditures: Rumor: The Troup County School System is spending $74,000 for a comprehensive facility assessment. Clarification: The Troup County School System has approximately 2.5 million square feet of floor space in its facilities valued at $380 million. A major responsibility of the Board of Education and district administration is to provide adequate educational and support facilities. Comprehensive facilities planning, including regular monitoring and evaluation of facilities, is essential for promoting educational productivity in a school system. District administrators compared facility planning in the TCSS to benchmarks and best practices in June of 2011. One of the items missing from the district facility planning process at that time was a detailed evaluation of each district facility, including: Assessment of structural integrity, Mechanical integrity and efficiency, Energy efficiency, Operations and maintenance, and Health and safety requirements.

The TCSS has contracted with Carter and Associates to conduct a comprehensive facility study for a cost not to exceed $68,500. Carter employees are experts in facility assessment and facility planning in school districts, with experience at the state and national levels. In the past, the TCSS has had five-year facility plans. There has never been a comprehensive facility assessment or a long-range facilities master plan. This comprehensive facility assessment will provide valuable data to the Advisory Task Force, district administrators, and Board of Education as they develop a long-range facilities master plan for the future. The TCSS expects to receive approximately $59 million in E-SPLOST revenue during the next five years. A comprehensive long-range facilities master plan is needed to ensure that these funds are spent as wisely as possible. The comprehensive facility assessment will provide valuable data as decisions are made.

9) Rumor regarding Exercise Equipment Purchased for Central Office: Rumor- The Troup County School System used hard earned SPLOST dollars to purchase exercise equipment for Central Office personnel. Clarification. In 2004, the Troup County School System received the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant. This was a three year grant designed to implement a new physical education program, including assessment instruments and data analysis software. The grant program concluded in 2007, and according to survey results, there was positive feedback from students and staff. Significant improvement trends in fitness levels were achieved among

students along with a heightened awareness of the importance of health. The PEP grant allowed for the purchase of physical education equipment funds for Troup County School System elementary, middle, and high school students as well as staff. Of the more than 1,000 pieces of health and fitness equipment purchased and distributed to schools, five pieces are located at the Central Office. No SPLOST dollars were used for these purchases.

10) Rumor regarding Public Relations Positions: Rumor- The Troup County School System Public Relations Department is not an essential component to school system operations. Clarification- The Troup County School System Public Relations (PR) Department is a two person team consisting of one director and one secretary. This department is an integral part of central operations. Providing our community and staff with timely, accurate, and complete information is extremely important. Serving as the source of school system news, the PR Department works closely with each of the 20 schools and leadership to provide parents, students, businesses, volunteers, visitors and employees with an understanding of school accomplishments, programs, events/activities, and even challenges. A variety of methods are utilized to communicate schools news, e.g. television, radio, website, e-mail, newsletters, press releases, photo stories, billboards, advertisements, publications, reports, meetings, events, fliers, etc. Each year, the PR Department utilizes and encourages schools to utilize each of these methods to share information. PR personnel also serve as the liaison between the school system and media. For instance, in a matter of one year, the department will send over 100 news/press releases to the media. This does not include the other methods of communication previously mentioned nor information sent to reporters directly from the schools media contact. In addition, PR personnel respond to community members requests according Georgia law and the Open Records Act. The PR Department also facilitates several system-wide initiatives, meetings, and events as well as the implementation of partnership programs, supplemental educational programs for students, and community grants. In a crisis situation, PR personnel play a vital role in communicating accurate, timely, and complete information to the media, community, staff, parents, and students. Communication is essential to the growth and development of not only the school system, but the entire community.

11) Rumor regarding Callaway School Zone: Low Priority for School System: Rumor: The Callaway school zone has always been a low priority for the Troup County School System. Clarification: The Callaway school zone is not- nor has it ever been- a low priority of the Troup County School System. The following are planned or completed improvements made in the Callaway area: E-SPLOST IV (2012-2017) A field house is planned for Callaway High School Improvements are planned for Hogansville Elementary Callaway area schools will receive technology upgrades, along with the other schools in Troup County.

E-SPLOST III (2007-2012) Callaway Elementary opened in August 2008 Improvements were made to Callaway High School Improvements were made to Hogansville Elementary School Improvements were made to Callaway Middle School Improvements were made to Mountville Elementary School

E-SPLOST II (2002-2007) Callaway Middle School opened August 2004 (E-SPLOST I & II) Hogansville Elementary improvements Callaway High School Improvements

Since 1996, three new schools have been constructed in the Callaway school zone: Callaway Elementary, Callaway Middle, and Callaway High. Please visit the Troup County School System website and click on the SPLOST tab for additional information.

For more information, please call the Troup County School System, 706-812-7900.