HCBOE reflects on end of school year

This month’s regular meeting of the Houston County Board of Education (HCBOE) took place on Tuesday, May 12, with board members physically gathering in a designated conference space and practicing social distancing with at least six feet between each member’s seat. The meeting was streamed live for the public to view in real time, and afterward, it was archived on the HCBOE official website for those who might want to view it at a later date.

After the official adoption of the afternoon’s agenda, the board went on to unanimously approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Following that, Chairman Fred Wilson opened the floor for members of the board to share any comments. While others had none, Wilson expressed his own words of appreciation.

In part, Wilson said, “I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has carried our school system the way that we have to this point. We still have a few days to go, but you guys have been true professionals. You’ve done everything that’s needed to benefit our students, to benefit our employees; so, again, thank you.”

During his report, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Scott mentioned—among several other things—that by the end of the school year, Houston County Schools, through its nutrition program, will have given out nearly one million free meals to children since the schools closed their doors as a result of COVID-19. He praised the nutrition program, the workers, and the volunteers for their dedication in fulfilling the undertaking.

In addition, he gave special recognition to the Class of 2020 graduates across the county. Regarding the way COVID-19 altered the final months of the 2019-2020 school year, he stated, “[It’s] certainly not the way we anticipated ending their high school career with us. We know that they will go out and do great things and make us proud of them. We’re so very proud of all their hard work and dedication up to this point.”

Scott also took the time to acknowledge the educators who were retiring at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, mentioning how they, too, had been affected by the unplanned pandemic that forced the discontinuance of on-campus schooling. “We go into this business because we love the engagement that we have with students,” Scott pointed out. “Certainly, my heart goes out to those people who are ending their careers without the ability to be around their students.”

In further business, the board unanimously approved all department reports for May 2020 to include the Student Services Report, the Teaching & Learning Report and lastly, the Technology Services Report. New business followed, and began with a Memorandum of Agreement with Robins Air Force Base and the Development Authority of Houston County. Dr. Scott requested that approval and authority be granted for him to sign off on the document on behalf of the board. The signing would come with no financial obligations, Scott assured. All other required signatures had been received, and his was the last outstanding. The board motioned, seconded and unanimously agreed to grant the necessary authorization for Dr. Scott to sign on the board’s behalf.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Operations Stephen J. Thublin presented the March 2020 Financial Report. The report displayed a General Fund balance of $50,356,265.91, a Debt Service Fund balance of $6,542,909.58 and a Capitol Project Fund balance of $10,431,820.09. It was motioned and seconded that the March 2020 Financial Report be approved as presented, and that was unanimously agreed upon by the board.

The May 2020 Purchasing Report was also presented by Thublin. The financial impact showed as follows: General fund – $57,562.79; Title IV Grand Funds – $110,179.18; ESPLOST Funds – $190,632.62; Various School Funds – $60,199.78. The total financial impact shown was $418,574.37. The May 2020 Purchasing Report was unanimously approved as presented.

During the Declaration of Surplus Vehicles, Thublin requested the approval to surplus seven buses, three of which were deemed total losses by the insurance company and have been removed from the fleet. The remaining four buses, according to Thurblin, were out of service due to mechanical issues. After brief discussion the request for the seven buses to be approved as surplus received unanimous approval by the board.

The request for approval of The Young Group’s pricing to provide Voluntary Student Accident Insurance was introduced next. According to Thublin, they were the only company to submit a proposal. Based on his presentation, the request was being made at this time so that the insurance would already be in place and available to parents once football practices began. Prices would be the same as last year, and there would be at no cost to the school system. This request was unanimously approved.

Thublin then presented the approval request for a contractual agreement between Flint Electric and HCBOE for an underground right of way easement at Huntington Middle School FFA Greenhouse. The board unanimously approved this request.

In his next presentation, Thublin requested the approval of Amendment #13 to contract between Design Professional Altman and Barrett Architects the design of Houston County High Competition Gym. The financial impact is set to be three and a half percent of the cost, and with a cost limitation of nine million dollars, the total impact could be up to $315,000. After a brief discussion, this request received unanimous approval from the board.

Thublin went on to present Amendment #17 Parrish Construction – Northside High School Auditorium Roof Replacement. He requested approval from the board to use $166,426 of ESPLOST funds for the replacement of the roof, which was having consistent leaking issues. A short discussion followed his request, during which, Thurblin offered necessary clarification. The request was unanimously approved as presented.

Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services Cindy Flesher carried out the presentation of the Personnel Reports. Among the “certified” positions, the report showed 18 resignations/retirements, 18 transfers, 42 new hires and 33 vacancies. Among the “classified” positions, there was a showing of 12 resignations/retirements, 10 transfers, one new hire and 100 vacancies. According to a notation on the report, classified positions are defined as “any positions NOT listed as clerical, maintenance/custodians, paraprofessional, school nutrition or transportation.” The Personnel Report was unanimously approved as presented.

The final item of new business on the day’s agenda was the request to approve waiver of Board Policy IHAA – Final Examinations. Dr. Scott requested that due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, final exams not be administered for the 2nd semester of the 2019-2020 school year. The board unanimously approved.

The board members agreed to enter an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at the request of Dr. Scott. Upon return, the board unanimously approved of the following appointments made by Scott: Dr. Tina Nelson Jackson as assistant principal of Houston County Winning Academy, Mr. James Wood as assistant principal of Northside Middle School and finally, Ms. Melissa Hunt as assistant principal at Perry High School.

Following these approvals, the meeting was officially adjourned.

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