The Effingham Board of Education has agreed to spend $825,000 to purchase new English/Language Arts books and supporting materials for students in all grades.
The money was budgeted from proceeds of the education special-purpose local-option sales tax.
Some of the books students are using are 14 years old, board members were told at their June 4 meeting.
Last year, the board agreed to spend $690,000 for new math books.
Also at the meeting, board members were told results of end-of-course tests for high school students.
The school system scored higher than the state average in every category.
The district scores were higher than state scores by: 10 percent in ninth grade English/Language Arts; 6 percent in 11th grade English/Language Arts; 17 percent in U.S. history; 6 percent in economics; 21 percent in biology; 13 percent in physical science; and 16 percent in coordinate algebra.
Math scores could stand some improvement, both in the district and statewide.
“These are certainly great results for both high schools,” said Superintendent Randy Shearouse. “Math scores aren’t good pretty much everywhere.”
Also at the June 4 meeting, board members agreed to tweak the school dress code, something they do every year to address concerns that arise.
Shearouse called the changes minor.
“We know that students will push the limits sometimes to see what they can wear,” he said.
The changes include a limit on the size of insignias or emblems on tops to no larger than a standard credit card.
A new sentence reads: “Clinging, revealing, immodest or overly form-fitting garments are not allowed.”
Also, wearing leggings or tights does not provide an exception to the length requirement for dresses or skirts.
And matched pair, fastened, closed-toe and closed-back shoes are required.
At the same meeting, board members agreed that the winner of the District 4 race, Beth Helmly, should begin serving her term right away.
Helmly will replace Mose Mock, who resigned so he could spend more time with his son, who has cancer.