World Language Academy to expand

GAINESVILLE - Next year with state permission students at the World Language Academy get to advance to the sixth grade at their school.The Hall County School board approved a request to amend the school's charter to expand another grade.

The Board approved a recommendation to send a request to state education officials to amend the charter to expand to the eighth grade one year at a time over the next three years. Principal David Moody said the Academy is ready and extra space needs for the extra grade next year can be met.

"This is a natural fit for our kids and our school for the study of language and culture," Moody said.

Moody said the Language Academy, formerly Chestnut Mountain Elementary School, is in its third year with the mission of offering early learners the chance to study world languages and get involved in dual language immersion.

BIGGER ENDING BALANCE

Board members had no trouble amending the budget to reflect a larger than expected ending balance for the year, just over $9-million, but Vice Chairman Nath Morris tempered the good news with cautious optimism.

Morris said the Board would need that money next year with continuing uncertainty about state budget cuts despite encouraging changes in the legislature and the Governor's office.

"Who knows what's going to happen down in Atlanta and who knows where we're going to end up on the budget," Morris said. "We've got to watch it closely and continue to control our expenditures."

Deputy Superintendent and Finance Director Lee Lovett said the original ending balance was projected at just over $6-million but the system picked up over $5-million from federal jobs bill funding and tax collections were up eight percent over last year.

CELL PHONE POLICY

Board members adopted a policy that leaves it up to each system school administrator to decide how students may use cell phones and other digital communication on campus. Superintendent Will Schofield said the policy won't allow 'free for all use' but it is intended to take advantage of high tech resources as needed.

"This is an opportunity for schools to very methodically and intentionally utilize digital resources when it is appropriate," Schofield said.

The policy includes all schools and grades K through 12; originally it was approved only at the high school level.