• Two Columbia County Alternative School students went before the school system hearing officer on Feb. 29 for an accumulation of offenses and were expelled for a year.

• A Columbia County Alternative School student went before the school system hearing officer on Feb. 29 for an accumulation of offenses and was expelled for the remainder of this school year and the first semester of next year.

Twitter @DonnieFetter

The Columbia County school board unanimously gave tentative approval to cutting more than 40 educator positions and nearly 70 teacher aides for next school year during a Tuesday meeting.

The teacher cuts represent just a fraction of the school system’s more than 1,600 certified educators but the vote eliminates more than one-third of the system’s paraprofessionals. Just 131 teachers aides will remain next school year in elementary grades.

Warmer temperatures inevitably mean that sprinklers will begin to start spraying lawns across the county as homeowners strive for lush, green lawns throughout the spring and summer.

For homeowners who are considering having an irrigation system installed, one expert suggests doing so before any landscape work.

“Put a sprinkler system in first and then do the landscaping,” said Bill Harley, owner of the Bill Harley Co., a landscaping business. “Many people want to do landscaping first and then put in the sprinkler system.”

Twitter @JennaNMartin

Tickets are on sale for a country concert featuring Lakeside High School graduate and musician Josh Kelley during Masters Week at the Evans Towne Center Park.

Country group Little Big Town is headlining the April 5 show, dubbed Par Tee @ The Park, at Lady Antebellum Pavilion.

During the show, Kelley will be present for the dedication of Lady Antebellum Pavilion’s stage, which is named for him. Kelley’s brother, Charles, and fellow Lady A band members Dave Haywood and Hilary Scott performed at the pavilion in October.