Chair Elizabeth Williams called the June 27, 2024 Bulloch County Board of Education work session to order at 6:30pm, and the pledge of allegiance was led by Representative Lehman Franklin. The agenda was adopted as it was presented. Board member Donna Clifton was not present.
Old Business for Approval
APPROVED: FY25 Budget
With no further discussion, the board adopted the FY25 budget as it appears above. In comments made after the adjournment of the work session, Superintendent Charles Wilson thanked the community for their feedback that was expressed in public comments during previous meetings.
Wilson says this feedback is what helps the board make decisions for the future and allows them to revisit their priorities in decision making.
“Their concerns and comments are something for the governance team, the board, and the Superintendent to take into consideration as we go forward,” said Wilson.
Wilson stated that while some of the initiatives that are in place right now have been bold, in response to the fallout of the COVID pandemic, these services are not all meant to be sustained indefinitely and they will hopefully be ‘tempered’ out.
New Business for Approval
APPROVED: Ratify Superintendent's Emergency Decision re: Southeast Bulloch Middle School Gym Floor Repair
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Brad Boykin’s email to Superintendent Charles Wilson was included in the agenda packet and included reasoning and updates to the issue of the flooring at SEBMS.
The original scope of the project was to adequately adhere new flooring to the subfloor, around the play court, to remedy damages and prevent future tearing. However, upon demoing the top level of the floor, extensive water intrusion was found below the subfloor and it could not be salvaged.
The water had spread under the play court, necessitating its demo and replacement.
Complete removal of both the top layer and subfloor of the entire gym was recommended, to expose the concrete slab so that a slip sheet can be installed that will allow moisture to move beneath the flooring without damaging the new top layer.
The original project at SEBMS was quoted at $85,023.75. The new cost of the project, which includes demolition of all existing flooring and new floor installation, is quoted at $156,350.
This item appeared on the agenda as a means to increase the funding of the original project. Superintendent Wilson asked to change the scope of the project and its budget through the ratification of the emergency decision that was made so that the timing schedule would adhere to school opening back up in Fall.
Work Session
State Assistance for School Construction: Discussion with State Representative Lehman Franklin
Superintendent Wilson began by describing the issue that the BCS is facing with cash flow timing and the needs of the schools. For these reasons, he has been pursuing alternative funds and state assistance, especially in regards to the slated new Southeast Bulloch High School
Wilson says the board has had to consider alternatives such as building two smaller schools; this would not be cost effective. He says it is also a possibility to ask voters to support the funding through taxes, but given the current attitude towards taxes in Bulloch County, this is not likely to win favor.
“I want to tell you here that I am going to do everything I can to try to meet these needs,” said Representative Franklin, adding that, at the same time, his authority is limited.
He says from the state's perspective, the data from BCS does not show a need for this funding, as only an additional 35 students have been served by the school system in the past year. He says that legislation dictates that funding cannot be released to the school based on projections, but actual percentage growth will be needed for the demand to be met.
Franklin alluded to a similar situation in Fayette county, where projected growth prompted the construction of a new school, which was later sold when the population growth never materialized.
Chair Williams acknowledge the potential for Bulloch to end up in a similar situation, but asked if plans for new subdivisions would support the board position in trying to secure funding, for which Franklin replied that more data of all kinds is encouraged so that he can plead their case.
It is the intention that with this data, he will make a case to the state that the county is experiencing exceptional growth and that an exception should be made.
Board member Glennera Martin asked what a significant growth rate would be for this funding to be granted, for which Franklin replied he was unsure; this case is somewhat unique.
Board member Glenn Womack says he wouldn’t be comfortable asking voters for loans if there has only been an increase in 35 students over the past year. Womack errs on the side of caution considering this projected growth; he recalls that four years ago, population projections in Bulloch county for the coming 5-10 years was estimated at 150,000. Currently the population is only 84,000.
Chair Williams shared that several constituents in the Brooklet area have commented on several occasions that they do not believe that the county is going to experience growth that would warrant the construction of such a large school.
Board member Stuart Tedders commented that everyone is working based on the same information; the future is unpredictable.
The board can continue seeking this funding by submitting all the growth data that is available for the next session, so that Representative Franklin can plead this case.
There was no need for an executive session and the personnel recommendations (found below) for June 27, 2024 were approved. The work session was adjourned at 7:11 pm.
Archived Board of Education meeting live streams
Agenda
APPROVED Personnel Recommendations
