BanksNewsTODAY

Banks County students and teachers have a lot to be proud of.

The Banks County Board of Education met last Thursday to discuss the schools’ progress report. Superintendent, Chris Erwin, and Assistant Superintendent, Donna Reed, shared how pleased they are with the academic accomplishments of Banks County’s four schools.

Students are still waiting to receive their testing scores, but Superintendent Erwin anticipates the results will be even better than they have been in the past.

Over the past nine years, the schools’ CRCT scores have greatly improved. The percentage that did not meet standards in 2003 was approximately 30 percent. In 2012, that percentage decreased to six percent.

In 2003, the percentage that exceeded was approximately 11 percent. In 2012, that percentage increased to 43%.

“That ‘exceeds’ category is so important to us,” said Superintendent Erwin. “We want to get that percentage as high as we can.”

While the CRCT is only administered to two of Banks County’s schools, there have been improvements in all the schools.

This year, the school system piloted the new College and Career Ready Performance Index. This new measurement system will replace Georgia’s Adequate Yearly Progress.

According to the results, Banks County schools have all surpassed the state average.
Banks County Elementary School received 95.2 points out of 100. The average in Georgia was 83.4.
Banks County Middle School received 93.7 points, compared to Georgia’s average at 81.4.
Banks County High School received 72.9 points, compared to Georgia’s average at 72.6.

The CCRPI measures the school in four categories: achievement, progress, achievement gap closure and exceeding the bar.
The CCRPI was implemented halfway through the school year. The BOE anticipates that once the program is fully implemented, and the criterion is more fully developed, Banks County schools will have even higher scores.

All four Hispanic males in the I-85 and exit 154 area who were the focus of a man hunt Wednesday are now in custody.

Ten other people from the same vehicle were brought to the jail for questioning, according to officials.

“ICE has been notified,” Sheriff Carlton Speed said. “The Banks County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all law enforcement and concerned citizens for their help.”