(The Pierce County Board of Education discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session, Thursday, January 8 and their regular monthly meeting Monday, January 12.
Construction manager for Patterson Elementary and Pierce County Middle additions: The board approved advertising for a construction manager to build additions at Patterson Elementary and Pierce County Middle School.
Closed session and personnel: The board adjourned into a nine minute closed session to discuss personnel Thursday and a one minute closed session to discuss personnel Monday night. After Thursday’s session, the board voted to hire Ashlee Crosby as a paraprofessional at Blackshear Elementary, Arianna Harrison as a nurse at the middle school, Swane Morris as a teacher at the high school, Edith Bratcher, Keith Hayes and Sonya Wynne as bus drivers. The board also voted to accept the resignations of Christin Nelson as nurse at Blackshear Elementary, Lori Taylor as a teacher at Midway, Paige King as nurse at the high school, Dana Daniels at cafeteria manager and Bonnie Hardee as a bus driver. The board also approved the retirements of Tammy Jeffords and Debra Lanier at Blackshear Elementary, April Hendley at Midway and Berrien Henderson and Cynthia Reddish at the high school. After Monday’s session, the board accepted the resignation of Nicole Sweat, paraprofessional at the middle school. The board also approved the retirements of Anja Evors, teacher at the middle school, Mysti Walker, teacher at the high school and Marie Dennison, paraprofessional at Patterson Elementary.
Board vice chairman: Third district board member Chip Griner was elected as vice chairman of the board.
PCHS portable storage buiding bids: The board opened bids on the sale of an 8’ by 10’ storage building at the high school. The high bidder was Beau Teston at $555. Third district board member Chip Griner abstained on the vote since Teston is his son-in-law. Six bids were received. Other bidders included Larry Walker at $496, Jamie Henderson at $400, Lamar Thigpen at $325, Mack Pitts at $127 and Gary Hardee at $111. The building had been used by the tennis program, but was replaced with a new one. The old one was declared surplus and put up for bids.
Mental health/school counselor: The board approved hiring a part-time mental health professional/ school counselor to serve students in grades 6– 12. The position will be funded by a state mental health grant.
Kitchen steamer, surplus bids: The board approved an emergency purchase of a new kitchen steamer for Midway Elementary. The steamer is urgently needed for the school nutrition program and was purchased from Mobile Fixture at a cost of $27,653.14. The board approved declaring a 1980 (estimated) Ford tractor at the high school and the old steamer at Midway Elementary as surplus and will advertise it for sale.
Recognition: The board recognized retirees Diane Griffis and Amy Evors, FFA National Champion Elizabeth Griner and competition cheerleader state champions.
Consent agenda: Several items were approved under the consent agenda. They include:
• approval of the school calendar for the 20262027 school year.
• approval for setting the qualifying fees for board chairman and board districts 2 and 4 candidates in the May non-partisan primary election. (See related story.)
• approval of a memorandum of understanding for the Coastal Pines Technical College’s dual enrollment program for 2026.
Reports: Finance Director Melanie Helms gave the system’s financial report. Revenue was at $13.46 million, while expenses were $17.32 million. The school system has a reserve of about $14.6 million. The system has been utilizing reserve funds for operations until county tax revenues begin coming in. The tax deadline day was delayed because Pierce County was late sending out bills this year. Helms pointed out the school system is generally at 41 percent collection of local taxes at this point in the year, but currently that rate is just one percent. Helms reported the system’s sales tax revenue was $266,209 in November down about $17,000 from October. The board approved the financial report. Facilities director Harbin Farr gave an update on repairs to cracks at the tennis courts at the high school. The BOE recently hired a contractor to repair the cracks, but they returned immediately after the repairs. The contractor brought in an engineer to take core samples of the court. The samples revealed the cracks go all the way through to the base of the courts. Farr said there is a theory that “seismic activity” may have caused the cracking to the base of the court. The “seismic activity” may have been related to the constant pounding of wrecking balls when the old PCHS was torn down. Farr said additional repairs will not correct the problem. The engineer advised the school system mill down the courts to the base and start over. Cost estimate is $250,000-$300,000. The board discussed undertaking the project after the tennis season and doing the work this summer. No action was taken at the work session or regular meeting to allow Farr to gather additional information.
Public participation: There was no public participation.
Minutes: The board approved minutes for its December meetings.
Information: Superintendent Dara Bennett announced all schools and the central office will be closed Monday, February 16 for President’s Day. Students will have a holiday Feb. 17, but staff will report for a professional development day.
Next meetings: The next work session will be at 8 a.m. Thursday, February 5. The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, February 9. Both meetings will be held at the central office.
