School board changes job-experience policy

The Columbia County Board of Education changed the way new employees will be credited for their years of job experience.

Before the policy change Tuesday night, employees earned vacation and sick leave based on their years of employment with the Columbia County School System. With the change, the school system will now recognize years of comparable experience an employee may have had with another school system or private employer.

"For example, a custodian who came to us from MCG (Medical College of Georgia) and went into a role that was almost identical, we would give him credit for those years," School Superintendent Tommy Price said.

Board Member Regina Buccaffusco said she believes the policy change will help strengthen the system's recruiting efforts.

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"I think that it shows we are open to people from other systems, that we are open and welcoming," she said.

The move received overwhelming support from all the board members, including chairman Wayne Bridges.

"It would be tough to give up 15 days vacation to go to another system," he said.

Personnel Director Connie Davis said 69 employees, including nine administrators, will be impacted by the change this year.