001Call this March 9th regular session order. I need a motion to approve the agenda. >> So move. >> Mr. Tulle. >> Second. >> Mr. Hammond. All in favor. Passes 5-0. Need a motion to approve the minutes. >> So move. >> Mr. Tulle. >> Second. >> Mr. Hammock. All in favor. Passes 5. Recognition. Mr. C. >> Thank you, Mr. Ransom. Good evening, board members and Dr. Butler. We have several folks to recognize this evening. So, if you'll step forward and as you do so, I will note that the art display this month is provided by students of Malcolm Bridge Middle. Their instructor is Jessica Johnston. Their artwork will be on display at the instructional support center throughout the month. And we thank these talented students for sharing these pieces with us tonight. Board members, first this
002evening, I would like to note that March is school board appreciation month. Coney County Schools thanks each of you for your dedicated service. Your commitment to students, staff, and community is invaluable and is deeply appreciated. We appreciate your support and your efforts in shaping the future of our district. Thank you all and enjoy your tokens of gratitude from the schools. >> First this evening, we will the board will recognize Hillary Sanders of North Oone. Coach Sanders has led North Oak County to six consecutive state championships in gymnastics and she was recently named the 2425 National Coach of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. Go Titans. >> Next award will recognize the March Pursuit of Excellence Award winner from Colum Ferry Elementary, Aaron Copelan. She is receiving a $50 Visa gift card, a fleece blanket,
003a stainless steel mug and tote from Peach State Federal Credit Union, additional gift cards from Chops and Hops and Rosy's Hometown Meets, and a plaque from Okon County Schools. Miss Copelan, this is from your nomination form. Aaron goes above and beyond what a school nurse is required to do. She looks after the whole child. students know that they are cared for, heard, and loved when they visit nurse Aaron. Energetic, knowledgeable, and kind, she creates a welcoming environment where students feel safe and supported, and families trust her thoughtful communication and follow-through. She works collaboratively with staff, always maintaining a calm, respectful, and student centered approach. Through her leadership, compassion, and commitment to high standards, she represents the nursing profession with distinction and makes a meaningful impact on the entire CFES community. She consistently goes above and
004beyond and is an essential part of creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment. Aaron's dedication, integrity, and heart for service elevates our school community. The March Pursuit of Excellence winner, AARON COPELAN. NEXT, THE BOARD WILL RECOGNIZE the North Okone dance team that placed third in the state in palm and jazz. Taylor Dillard, Lowry Hodgson, Brooke Costigan, Ella Craig, Reagan Haron, Ally Howard, Khloe Merritt, Campbell Peters, Caroline Smith, Cara Anne Smith, Sarah Stansel, Finley Wall, Mia Claire White, Emily Moreno, Ryland Ward, and Coach Melissa Darnell. a little bit focus. Everybody can come up to the middle row if you want to get a better picture. Next, a board will recognize from Okone County High School Wrestling, the state champion in the 285lb weight class, Joe Roerte, and the runner up in the 106 pound weight
005class, Jack Dri. Their coach is Walker Daniel. Correction, North Oak County. I was afraid Joe was going to beat me up. Thank you. Next, a board will recognize North Okone students chosen as all state by the Georgia Music Educators Association. Zayn Taylor for chorus, Ashton York for jazz band, and Lean Liam Hamilton, William Howeth, Gabe Lim Emerson McMon, Ashton York, and Colin York. For band, the directors are Scott Smith and Renee Jackson. Next, the board will recognize swimmers and divers from North Oak County. First individual state champions Joseph Ryan in the 200yard freestyle and Tessa Stagger in the 200yard individual medley. Next, the silver and bronze medalists. Anna Lee Greer in one meter diving. Krenshaw Hallback in the 500yard freestyle. Joseph Ryan in the 100yard butterfly. and Ryan Sam Strickland, Nicole Karambaya, and Vadur Karambaya
006in the 200 free medley relay. There you go. And finally, the North Okone boys on their third place finish in in a team competition. Krenshaw Hallback, Nicole Karambaya, Vadur Kambaya, Joseph Ryan, Sam Strickland, Alex Huang, Sha Cunnan, Grady Price, and the coaching staff. And that concludes recognitions. What you got there? Start this way. Next we have points of pride with Malcolm Bridge Middle School. Welcome Miss Harrison. Mr. Jackson, >> good evening. My name is Sydney Stradlin and this is JP Porter. We are members of Family Career and Community Leaders of America, also known as FCCLA at Malcolm Ridge Middle School. Tonight we are excited to share about the Bridge Buddies mentoring program. Bridge Buddy Bridge is a mentoring partnership between Malcolm Bridge Middle School and Malcolm Bridge Elementary School. The program began in 2025 when
007Miss When Jenny Flebomb, a first grade teacher at MBEs, saw a need in her class. She recognized that some of her students would benefit from an extra one-on-one help, especially in reading. She shared the idea with Jana Hester, FCCLA adviser at MBMS, and together they created the Bridge Buddies program. At Malcolm Bridge Middle School, we focus on developing traits of leadership, kindness, and respect. Bridge Buddies is a perfect example of those values in action. As middle school students, we are learning that leadership is not just about being in charge. It's about serving others, setting a positive example, and showing up consistently. Going to MBES has been special to me because I really enjoy reading to and with the first graders. Each Tuesday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 to 8:00 a.m., FCCLA members from MBM MBMS
008travel to MBES to meet with the first grade students. During this time, we serve in many ways. We read to the children, listen as they practice reading to us. We help with help with weekly math problems and assist with computer activities and support seasonal classroom projects. I have personally enjoyed getting to help the kids with their morning work, help them with their computer work, and help the students with any questions they have. Here are Fain Miller and Lachland Joiner from Mrs. Quaddlebomb's class to help share their experiences. I like the bridge. I like the bridge buddies because they always come in and help me with my math, morning work, and read with me. I like the Bridge Buddies because they help me with my reading and my ST math. >> All right. Um, good evening.
009My name is Jenny Quaddlebomb and I teach first grade at Malcolm Bridge Elementary School. At MBEES, it is very important to us that all of our students feel loved and supported, not only by their teachers and school staff, but by their peers as well. Our principal, Mr. Eric Watson, there somewhere, starts each school day on the intercom encouraging students to show kindness and to take time during their day to help and support their fellow Eagles. The Bridge Buddies program has shown that even after our students leave Malcolm Bridge Elementary, their willingness to help and support others in their school community continues. When Miss Hester created the sign up for Bridge Buddies, an overwhelming number of Malcolm Bridge Middle School students volunteered to help us. In fact, so many middle schoolers volunteered that we actually had
010enough students not only to serve my first grade class, but to also serve all 10 of the kindergarten and first grade classrooms on our hallway. These middle school students, they wake up an hour earlier. They arrange for their own transportation to Malcolm Bridge Elementary, and they show up with smiles each time and positive attitudes to mentor our youngest students. Even when our school district was on a two-hour snow delay back in January, students still showed up at at the start of our school committed to helping us. As a teacher, of course, I'm so proud of all the academic success of both our Malcolm Bridge Elementary and Malcolm Bridge Middle School students. But what makes me most proud is seeing how our students are growing up with a heart to serve others, how they are building
011relationships with each other, and how they are lifting up others in this community. Thank you. >> Yeah. Good evening. I'm Jana Hester and I work at Malcolm Ridge Middle School in the family consumer sciences teacher and I'm also the FCCLA advisor. And just to kind of piggyback on what Jenny said, it's just been such a blessing to see um both kids, the middle schoolers and the um elementary schoolers partnership and just really form those relationships. Um they I've I've been excited to see my middle schoolers take the initiative and really when they come into the classroom they go right and sit with a buddy and help them with their work. They're not they've kind of gotten over that shyness and they're really doing a great job. Um during the Halloween week my kids dressed up
012in fun outfit fun costumes to surprise the little ones and so that was a fun time too. But just so neat to see those relationships and the community service aspect that they're really enjoying. Um, and I love that it's called Bridge Buddies. Not only do we bridge between the elementary and the middle, but my middle schoolers are also forming a bridge to high school and beyond. And the students that find a passion for working with elementary schoolers can continue on at North Okone in the early childhood education pathway and just continue serving. Um, there's so many avenues that our school system offers. So, I'm so proud. I'm thankful to Jenny and Malcolm Ridge Elementary for allowing us to come and I'm excited to see our program continue to grow in the future. As FCCLA members,
013we are encouraged to make a difference in our schools and communities. Bridge Buddies allows us to practice leadership, kindness, and respect while making a real impact on younger students. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this program, and we're excited to continue building these relationships and growing beach buddies in a f in the future. Thank you for your time and for supporting programs that connect and strengthen our schools. >> Dr. Butler board members. Um I'm the proud principal of Malcolm Bridge Middle, Kristen Harrison. And as you can tell from our teachers and our students, um we are really focusing on our leadership traits in action. And Bridge Buddies was a perfect example of that. So they shared with you all about it after we practiced. I knew that I didn't
014need to say very much based on all the amazing things that they share. And and they're the ones putting um all the work in for this. And I just want you to help me thank our staff members and our parents that are pouring into our students and making these kind of activities possible in our school and in our community. So, thank you parents and staff. >> Got time for picture? >> Yes, we do. Ready for a picture? Thank you. Oh, next we Presentations and discussions technology Mr. McCullers. Thank you, Mr. Ransom. Good evening, board members. Dr. Butler, County Schools technology services report for tonight. Includes one item of information and one action item. Our first item of information is the access control panels. Access control is the system of physical door hardware and software used
015to manage and monitor door access throughout our schools and district facilities. As with all technology systems, these tools must be regularly evaluated and updated to ensure that they remain reliable, secure, and capable of meeting our needs. Based on the age and capabilities of our current access control system, we are recommending a refresh of our access control panels along with improvements to to the supporting software. Technology services department has been researching options for several months now and is recommending the purchase of new handwah equipment. One of the advantages of the handwo system is the ability to integrate with our existing camera system which will provide additional functionality and efficiency for managing building level security. This project addresses an organizational technology need while also strengthening overall security across the district. Which brings me to the action item.
016Greybar's Omnia contract number EV2370 for security and related products, services, and solutions includes these handwo access control panels and related services. Under this contract, Okone County Schools plans to purchase 120 access control panels. The proposal includes removal of the existing equipment, installation of the new panels, configur configuration for each location, and the required product licensing. Superintendent's recommendation is that the board of education approved grreybar with a bid of $18,128.65 for the purchase and installation of these new handwo access control panels. This project will be funded using East Bloss and general fund dollars. And with that, that will conclude my report unless you have any questions. >> Thank you. >> Business services, Mr. Adams. >> Good evening, board members and Dr. Butler. The business services report contains six items of information and no action items for
017tonight's board meeting. The first item of information is our February cash balance report. As of February 28th, the closing cash balance rep represents a 2.87 decrease over last month. Our state funding projections are currently stable, but we are still monitoring the session and any changes to funding levels in the coming months. Our cash balance for February was strong and we are well positioned to meet our financial obligations. The second item of information is a list of all vendors payments in February. We paid 431 vendors $2.3 million for the month. The third item of information is the budget report for February. Revenue for Advalorum tax collections is at 97.2% for the month and 80.7% overall. Revenues and expenditures would expected to be at 66%. Our monthly report shows us at 66.1. This indicates that we are
018on target for the per period maintaining a balanced financial position and we will continue to monitor these figures closely as we move forward towards the year-end close. The fourth item of information is the east loss collections report. We experienced a decrease of 23.09% in collections over last month, but we did have a 6.2% increase over February of last year. And that's the first time we've hit a million dollars each month consecutively now since that month. The fifth item of information is our east 6 report. Revenues and expenditures have been updated through the end of February. Our last item of information is an update on our federal funding allocation and expenditures for the month of February. These funds are reimbursement based and we'll see these funds continue to be paid out to us throughout the fiscal
019year. And that concludes my report unless there are any questions. >> I just have one quick question. When I'm looking at the East Plus 6 report, I see we're at 39.2 million in collections and a cap of 48.5. >> Yes, sir. >> So that gives us just slightly over nine million. So we're looking at probably about eight and a half months or so before we cap out. >> Right. And that's why we early so we'll be okay. Okay. >> Going forward. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Adams. >> Communications to the board. Mr. Cwood. Do we have anybody signed up? >> Mr. Ransom. No one has signed up this evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For item A, waste disposal. We would recommend the approval of rolloff systems with a proposal cost
020of $93,840 for Aona County Schools waste disposal services. This project will paid for using general fund dollars. >> Motion a motion to accept the proposal. >> Mr. Hammock. >> Second. >> Mr. Hammond. All in favor? >> Passes 50. Item B, we would recommend the approval of All About Asphalt with a proposed bid of $27,891 for the Malcolm Bridge Elementary School track. This project would be paid for using funds from the school's principal account. >> Need a motion? >> So moved. >> Mr. Tulle second. >> Miss Parish. All in favor? Passes 5. >> Item C is the High Scholes Elementary School radio enhancements. We would recommend the approval of greybar with a proposal cost of $84,182.82 for the radio enhancements and this project we paid for using general fund dollars. >> Need a motion? >> So
021moved. >> Mr. Hammock. >> Second. >> Mr. Tool. All in favor? Passes. 5. >> For item D, access control panels. We would recommend the approval of gray bar with a total cost of $18,128.65 65 cents for the purchase and installation of new access control panels. This project will be paid for using east blast and general fund dollars. >> Made a motion. So moved, Mr. Hammond. >> Second, >> Miss Parish. All in favor? >> Passes 5. >> Item E is the board policy IBFG internet acceptable use policy. We would recommend taking this policy off the table for public review and approving it as presented. >> I need a motion. Mr. Tulle >> second. >> Mr. Hammond. All in favor. Passes 5-0. >> And if it pleases the board, we can take items F, G, and H
022together as they are all out of state field trips. And we would recommend those trips to be approved as presented. >> Butler need a motion. >> So moved. >> Mr. Tulle. >> Second. >> Mr. Hammock. All in favor? Passes. 5 Z. If you have a need to discuss personnel and land matters, we need a motion to enter executive session to do so. >> The board will adjourn to executive session to discuss or deliberate upon personnel matters and real estate matters as described on the affidavit to be attached to the minutes. >> Need a second. >> Second, >> Mr. Tulle. All in favor? Passes 5. We are journ to executive session.