(The Pierce County Board of Education discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session, Thursday, March 5 and their regular monthly meeting Monday, March 9.
Construction manager for Patterson Elementary, Pierce County Middle School: The board approved R.H. Tyson Construction of Blackshear as construction manager for the new classroom and bathroom additions at Patterson Elementary and Pierce County Middle School.
Closed session and personnel: The board adjourned into an eight minute closed session to discuss personnel. After the session, the board voted to hire Katherine Dollar and John Smith as teachers at the high school, Mariah Crowe as receptionist at Midway Elementary and Nellie Cobb as custodian at the middle school. The board also voted to accept the resignations of Carly Kilgo, teacher at Midway Elementary, Melanie Tuten, teacher at Patterson Elementary, Tyler Rogers teacher at the high school and Robert Douberly, Lady Bears head basketball coach. Assignment and contract changes approved include Katelyn Carter at the high school, Lindsay Garren, bookkeeper at Midway and Patterson Elementary, Priscilla Walsh, instructional coach at the middle school, Amy Peavy special education early intervention coordinator for the system for five additional days and Jessica Hayes, bus monitor. The board adjourned into a three minute closed session to discuss personnel Monday night. After the session, the board voted to hire Nicholas “Cole” Walsh as principal at Midway Elementary. (See related story in next week’s edition.) The board also accepted the resignations of teachers Rebecca Middleton at Midway Elemmentary and Hannah Pitts at Patterson Elementary.
Surveillance video bids: Adapt-A-Server of LaGrange was awarded the bid for surveillance video at all schools. Adapt-AServer bid $83,186.78, but was not the low bidder. The apparent low bidder Pathway Technologies of Savannah bid $78,083.71, but was disqualified because it did not meet bid specs. Three other bids were received including Security and Energy Systems of Patterson in the amount of $103,800 Convergint of Macon in the amount of $107,156 and Securitas Technology of Uniontown, Ohio in the amount of $147,533.76. The surveillance equipment will be used for security purposes at all campuses. The board rejected bids received last month to revise the bid specifications to better match the system’s needs after it was determined the original bid specs called for more cameras than were needed.
College and Career Readiness Advisor: The board approved adding a 49 percent college and career advisor position at Pierce County High School for the 2026-2027 school year. South Georgia State College will provide $30,000. Pierce County Schools' local funds will cover the remaining funding for the position.
Surplus tractor bids: The board voted to re-advertise for bids for a surplus 1998 New Holland tractor. Anna Saucedo was the highest bidder at $3,500 at last month’s meeting and was approved for purchase of the tractor. However, Saucedo declined to complete the purchase.
Board policy revisions: The board approved first and second readings for policy changes to its charter school and internet acceptable use policies.
Consent agenda: Several items were approved under the consent agenda. They include:
• approval of two field trip requests including for the competition cheer team to the ACE Cheer Gym in Birmingham, AL May 2022 and for the PCHS Band to go to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, April 6-7. All out-of-state field strips must receive board approval.
Reports: Finance Director Melanie Helms gave the system’s financial report. Revenue was at $25.67 million for January, while expenses were $25.53 million. The school system has a reserve of about $17.86 million. Now that county tax revenues are coming in, the system reserves will begin increasing again. Helms reported the system’s sales tax revenue was $313,690 in January up $36,000 from December and the highest ever recorded. The board approved the financial report. Facilities director Harbin Farr gave an update on the painting of the fieldhouse at the high school and the installation of the new metal storage buildings at Blackshear and Midway Elementary Schools. Farr said painting of the field house is complete and it now matches the school. Farr also reported the contractor has been delayed on the installation of the metal buildings at the two elementary schools. “We have been delayed waiting on concrete to be poured for the slabs,” he said.
Public participation: There was no public participation.
Minutes: The board approved minutes for its February meetings.
Information: Superintendent Dara Bennett announced pre-k registration will be from 8 a.m-2 p.m. March 16-20 and kindergarten registration will be from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. March 23-27, at Blackshear, Midway and Patterson Elementary Schools. She also told board members report cards will be issued March 23. Bennett also announced Friday, April 3 will be an early release day with spring break April 6-10.
Next meetings: The next work session will be at 8 a.m. Thursday, April 2. The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 13. The meeting will be delayed a week due to spring break. Both meetings will be at the central office.
