Columbia County Board of Education hears update on milestone scores

The Columbia County Board of Education received a brief summary of the Georgia milestone results for the 2023-2024 school year during the meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Superintendent Dr. Steven Flynt told board members that a full breakdown of the results of the milestones is Georgia’s assessment system, will take place at a future meeting. 

For elementary schools, the overall ELA increased 2.6% in distinguished. Flynt said that out of the Georgia public schools with over 1,000 students tested, grades 3-5 ELA ranked 2^nd and grade 5 science ranked 2^nd in the state in percent proficient and distinguished.

“A 2.6% increase is very good, very strong,” Flynt said.

At the middle school level, the overall ELA increased 2.03% in proficient and distinguished, Flynt said. Out of all the Georgia public schools with over 1,000 students tested, grades 6-7 ELA ranked 3^rd, grade 8 high school physical science ranked 5^th  and grade 8 in social sciences ranked 3^rd in the state in percent proficient and distinguished.

For the high schools, Flynt said American literature increased 6.7% in proficient and distinguished and U.S. history increased 5.6% in proficient and distinguished. Compared to public schools with over 1,000 students tested throughout the state, American literature ranked 6^th, biology ranked 3^rd and U.S. history ranked 8^th in percent proficient and distinguished.

“We’re proud of all of our levels, but our elementary …you have approved a number of curriculum enhancements over the last couple of years and we’re seeing that play out in our results on our assessments,” Flynt said.

Project updates

School board members also received an update on several building projects, including Westmont Elementary, North Columbia Elementary, Evans High School, Lakeside High School and Greenbrier High School.

For North Columbia Elementary, Flynt said they are ahead of schedule and have had many meetings with the contractor and architect to make sure things are going smoothly. 

At Greenbrier High School, Flynt said the contractors are finishing the duct work on the roof for the energy recovery units. He added the school started without any delay in instruction and that the A.C. is working well.

For Lakeside High School, Flynt said there is a lot of working happening at the campus. The slabs are poured and the footers are in for where the performing arts center will be located. The steel for the performing arts center will be erected later this week. As for parking, students are parking at the park and at the additional facilities on the campus. He added they hope to have the back parking lot open in the second semester. 

At Evans High School, construction has just started, Flynt said. Parking is also an issue at the high school, but there is parking available by the old tennis courts. The detention pond that is being built will be underground and a parking lot will be put on top of htat when it’s done. Flynt also thanks The Sanctuary Church for letting the school use some of their parking spots. 

Student recognition

Ryan Schluter, a senior at Evans High School, was recognized for being invited to join the Georgia Schools Boards Association Youth Advisory Council.

Beta Club students from Columbia Middle School and Lakeside Middle School were recognized for their achievements at the National Beta Club Convention in June.

Kathryn Lawrence, an 8^th grader at Columbia Middle School, received 8^th place in visual arts, recyclable art for making a sea turtle project from items she collected from family and neighbors.

The Lakeside Middle School students took 2^nd place in the Meeting of the Minds, 5^th place in engineering and 5^th place Lead Outside the Box. The students who were recognized were: McKayla Benjamin, Adain Cox, Emma Cox, Logan Cox, Arya Doshi, Peter Kenny, Isabelle Pendley, Madeline Smith, Emery Smitherman, Zavier Voigt, Vash Wahley and Grace Williams.