Sumter County Schools Superintendent Dennis McMahon announced at the Board of Education’s regular meeting Thursday that Americus-Sumter County High School will be moving from class 4A to 3A. McMahon commented, saying that the classification change “is a double-edged sword,” referring to the heightened competitive element in athletics versus losing enrollment.

Athletics was also an area of concern for Sallie Watts, a parent who requested to appear before the Board Thursday. Watts stated her concern “that there is not a checks and balance system in place to ensure that student athletes are academically on track.” Watts also commented on “limited opportunities for talented student athletes whose academic status indicate that they were capable of succeeding at the next level.”

Thursday the Board announced approval of a proposal to spend AARA funds. McMahon stated that the proposal will allow for “spending half of the stimulus this year and having half for next year.”

The revision of the GBKA policy code that deals with personnel layoffs was adopted by the board at Thursday’s meeting. The old policy, which applied only to professional personnel, called to “reduce the number of employees when seeking to cope effectively with program changes or financial exigency.” The new adopted policy, GAKA, calls for reduction in force rather than professional personnel lay-offs, and encompasses all employees of the system.

The Board also announced a forum to be held Tuesday at Sumter County Middle School concerning the search for a new Superintendent. The forum, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is intended to engage the public in a discussion of qualifications for the next superintendent. Of the forum, Board chair Donna Minich said, “We have done this before and it worked really well.” The Board also reminded those in attendance that there is also an online survey on the school’s website www.sumterschools.org in order to receive community feedback.

The Sumter County School Board meets for a work session at 7 p.m. Dec. 7.