Adairsville Schools Open, But Absences Excused

Bartow County Schools Superintendent issued a late-night statement on the decision to hold classes in the area a day after a tornado ripped through, killing one.

Bartow County Schools students in Adairsville won't be penalized for missing school a day after the area was devastated by a tornado. While Gordon County cancelled Thursday classes due to power outages and widespread damage, Bartow students and their parents have the option of attending classes. Superintendent John Harper late Wednesday night issued this statement: Parents and students in the Adairsville Community, We are devastated with the damage caused by the tornado today. I believe we should provide an opportunity for our students to attend school tomorrow. The elementary and middle schools currently have power and we are being told that the high school will have power by midnight. School will be in session at both the elementary and …

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Renovations, Additions on the Table for Several Bartow Schools

The Bartow County school board meets for a work session tonight at 6 p.m. in Cartersville.

Several Bartow County schools may be set for change. At Monday night's work session, the board is set to eye a recommendation from Superintendent John Harper it proceed with future projects, allowing construction designs to be finalized, including surveys, soil studies and architectural plans. Five projects, four of which would be funded with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax dollars, are on the table, according to the full agenda published by BartowPolitics.com and attached to this article. They are: The school board meets for a work session and regular business tonight, beginning at 6, at the Central Office in Cartersville. Agendas from the school system's website also are attached. For more on Bartow Schools, see our dedicated …

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2nd SACS Complaint for Bartow School Board, Superintendent

Two Bartow residents are asking the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to investigate Bartow County school board members and Superintendent John Harper for alleged policy and standards violations.

Updated Dec. 10 AdvancED Vice President of Communications Jennifer Oliver confirmed her organization received the second complaint. "The complaint has been forwarded to our Accreditation Team for review," she said. "They will assess it as to whether there is a violation of Accreditation Standards or policies." Original Report Discontent with the Bartow County school board continues, as two local residents have filed a second Southern Association of Colleges and Schools complaint this year. "We were told by the complaint and we have previously responded in length to the concerns outlined in the complaint," Superintendent John Harper told Cartersville Patch when asked if he or the board had a response. The first complaint of 2012 was filed …

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Ethics Complaint Filed Against School Board Member

Pine Log resident and candidate for chief magistrate of Bartow County, Paul Nally, asks Superintendent John Harper to impose sanctions against Vice Chairman Angie Cornett.

The content of recorded phone calls and text messages attributed to Bartow County Board of Education Vice Chairman Angie Cornett raises "serious questions" about her adherence to ethics policies and may "demonstrate an unlawful dissemination of confidential personnel information," according to an ethics complaint filed last night. Bartow resident and Democratic candidate for chief magistrate, Paul Nally, filed the complaint, which asks Superintendent John Harper to conduct an inquiry into the veracity of the calls and texts published on bartowforabetterboe.com. The communications have embarrassed at least one parent and outraged some local residents. Sanctions could include removing Cornett's authority to decide personnel matters, and her …

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3 Public Hearings on Millage Rate Hike, No Budget Yet

Bartow County Schools have recommended a 1.5 mill increase, and haven't released many details or board retreat minutes to which one member objected, citing procedural and communication problems.

Layoffs, More Furloughs OK'd in Budget Cut Plan

The Bartow County Board of Education approved the plan Monday night that also will reduce the number of instructional days.

The Bartow County Board of Education on Monday night approved a budget reduction plan that would increase the number of furlough days for all employees, reduce some high school course offerings and result in the termination of 25 to 30 employees. "It disheartens me greatly that we're looking at people and saying, 'You don't have a position with us any longer,'" Superintendent John Harper said. The revenues attained from the reductions total $3.15 million. Among the top money savers are cutting $672,052 in expenses by mandating that all workers except 236-day employees take seven furlough days; the elimination of S.T.A.R.S. Pre-K for $342,872.92; cutting $297,152.84 by eliminating media center clerks; and saving $299,873 by furloughing 236-…

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Bartow Schools' Budget Reduction Plan Draws Full House

Superintendent John Harper is expected to detail a $2.1 million cost-cutting plan, which includes eliminating some middle and high school programs.

Bartow Schools leaders are holding a special called meeting to decide on a proposed 2013 budget reduction plan that includes layoffs, program cuts and a shortened school year. See Bartow Schools Eye Layoffs, Cuts for the details.

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Should S.T.A.R.S. Pre-K Close?

Bartow Schools Superintendent John Harper said beginning in the fall, pre-kindergarten programs would be absorbed in Bartow's elementary schools.

With Bartow Schools' new Learning Center in the facility that once housed Cass High already operational and another hike in employee health care costs, administrators are looking at ways to further trim the system's budget. Next in that regard could be closing another of the system's facilities—S.T.A.R.S. Pre-School, which also houses its Ombudsman program, an alternative school for non-traditional students; traditional pre-school and six pre-school classes for special needs students; and a therapeutic school for students with severe emotional or behavioral disorders and autism, the Northwest Georgia Education Program. The school board at its Monday business meeting voted to cancel its $369,000 contract with Ombudsman, opting to move that …

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Harper to Remain Bartow Schools Superintendent Until 2014

A few of Allatoona Elementary's fourth and fifth graders drop by the board's monthly business meeting to give a very special message on the character education word, "citizenship."

John Harper plans to remain in his position as school superintendent for Bartow County Schools, after the board voted to extend his employment contract during its Monday business meeting. Harper said he very excited about the extension. “There was a 'Part B' to the agenda this evening, and I asked the board to extend my contract for another year,” said Harper. “[I] was very pleased with that.” Harper's extension will run until 2014. The board also hired Pankaj Daiya to replace Rick Little as the system's Construction manager. Harper said that Daiya would be adding the position to his current role as director of Maintenance. “Prior to Mr. Little, before we had a lot of construction, we had someone who was in charge of maintenance and …

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Matt Shultz

8:07 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Rick Little did a good job for the school system. I know he will do well back in Pickens.   more ›