Regular Board Meeting - January 14, 2026

001Oh, nice. This is the first on the board. It just it just did not happen this year. >> Good afternoon. >> Oh, I love to hear that. Okay. So, welcome to the Wednesday, January 14th, regular meeting of the B board of public education for Savannah Chattam County. Uh, thank you all for being here. I love to see a packed room. This is great. >> Are you guys gonna say for the whole thing? >> Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Not either. >> Uh, so if we would all please stand for the national anthem. >> What? >> Roger the agenda. >> Oh, I did. I just did. >> While you guys were out, I hit the table and welcome everyone to the meeting. walking down. [laughter] >> G Elementary is here. >> Okay, they're

002on the way. >> You guys want to warm up back? >> [clears throat] >> Good afternoon everybody. It is my great pleasure to introduce to you the Gould Elementary fourth and fifth grade choir from Gould Elementary School. They are led by Mr. Danny Jones. their very capable and wonderful and musical director who has been in the district for 11 years. When you see an elementary chorus, please know that these children come an hour before school every Monday and Wednesday and their director volunteers his time every Monday and Wednesday, an hour before school starts and they work on these things. So, this is completely outside of school and it's very it's voluntary and um I don't know about you, but there's not much more joyful than a group of fourth and fifth grade elementary students singing

003for you. So, um we are very honored. Um after they sing, would you please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance? Oh, say [singing] can you see by the dawn early so proudly [singing] we held at the twilight last gleaming whose brush >> [singing] >> and bright stars through the perilous fight or the we [singing] were so gallently streaming and the rockets [singing] through the [singing] night there. All s [singing] are spangled as the land [singing] of the free and the home of the brave. >> Yeah. [applause and cheering] >> [applause] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. [applause] >> Oh my god. Let's hear it

004for Ghoul Elementary. [applause] >> That totally made my whole day. >> Motion to >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Oh gosh. Um I will have a motion to approve the agenda. I would like to uh approve the agenda with uh these correction that the board approved the motion to amend the agenda to item 9.10 Eastloss Georgetown K8 GMP as for a change order with Jun Construction. >> Okay. >> Then moved and seconded. All in favor? Thank you. All right, we have a few announcements. Soon as I find them. Here we go. All right. Uh, of course, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. uh uh day holiday and uh the board will be in the parade. Uh next, um but schools will be closed. Uh our on January 20th, we have our capital improvement committee meeting at 2:00

005here in Whitney. January 21st, we have academic excellence committee at 200 pm here at Whitney. Our board accountability committee meeting is here on January 27th at 3:30. January 29th, we have our audit committee meeting here at Whitney at 8:00 am. February 4th, um, a lot of us will be in Atlanta for Savannah Cadam Day [clears throat] and our, uh, February 18th, we have an informal board meeting, executive board meeting, and regular meeting uh, starting at 10 starting at 10:30. Okay. Um, our remembrances today, uh, Jasmine Ransom. She was a spad pair pair prayer at, uh, Windsor Forest Elementary. If we could all please stand for a moment of silence. And now I'm going to turn this over to our superintendent, Dr. Watts. >> Good afternoon and happy new year. It is exciting to see everyone

006here today. And um I am very excited to announce our December student of the month. Uh the superintendent student of the month for December is a fifth grader at Marsh Point Elementary School. Um this particular student achieved a perfect score on the English language arts arts section of the Georgia Milestone Assessment as a fourth grader and continues her stellar uh student status in this school year. Our honore is the morning anchor on MN4K, which is the news uh show at Marsh Point Elementary School, and she is also a Marsh Point student ambassador. She was selected for the Georgia Music Educators Honor Choir and is an active member of the sing community and is currently in her fifth year of private piano study. She also enjoys exploring the performing arts through drama classes at the Otis

007C. Johnson Cultural Arts Center. She was the grand prize winner in the Fair Bear Creative Writing Competition and an annual writing contest for young writers. Our student of the month is a passionate reader. Um, she has checked out an impressive, listen to this, 1,175 books from the Live Oak Public Libraries since March 13th, 2023. [applause] >> Current reader, future leader. This young scholar exemplifies what it means to be a model student, says Amy Peters, who recommended and nominated her. She consistently puts forth her best effort in all areas of her academic work. When faced with challenges or unfamiliar concepts, she demonstrates persistence and a strong work ethic, seeking understanding and striving for improvement. She is not only committed to her own success, but she also shows a genuine eagerness to support her peers. She collaborates

008effectively with classmates, offering help and encouragement to ensure collective success. Her dedication, resilience, and leadership make her a standout in the classroom. When asked about her academic success, our student of the month said, "It feels nice to know that when someone else didn't do it feels nice to know that someone else didn't do the work for me. I tried hard and I got it and I feel very proud about about what I did." Please help me congratulate Dorothy Dean, the students, the superintendent student of the month for December. And we'll ask her to please come up to the horseshoe to be formally recognized. And so [applause] [applause] Congratulations. [clears throat] Congratulations. [laughter] >> [applause] >> Dorothy will be taking home several gifts from our sponsors including Members First Credit Union, Advertising Specialties, Savannah Technical College,

009Georgia Southern University, Gulfream, and Savannah Schools Federal Credit Union. In addition, Dorothy and her English language arts class will receive copies of her favorite book and of Green Gables by Lucy Montgomery, donated by our sponsor, E Shaver Book Seller. Again, congratulations to Dorothy. And at this time, [applause] I'd also like to have her family stand to be formally recognized and celebrated. >> [applause] >> and the her nominator, Miss Amy Peters and principal, if they are present in the audience today. [applause] Thank you and keep up the good work, Dorothy. Uh, I'd like to continue with our calls for applause. The city of Savannah has a new customer service initiative that everyone should know about. A specialized truck that fills potholes at the expected rate of 2,000 potholes a year. This truck works uh a truck

010that works that hard deserves a name and the city held a contest to choose the name of the truck. Suggestions were solicited from students who attend our school district within the city limits and city employees chose the winner. Well, guess what? Congratulations to Hubert sixth grader Naima Williams for suggesting the winning name of, drum roll please, Uncle Phil. >> Oh, okay. Naima was surprised at school along with her parents, Savannah uh Mayor Van Johnson, city manager Jay Milder, and the board of education president Roger Moss. The class was treated to a demonstration of the truck filling a pothole right in front of their very own school. Well done, Naima. I'd like to also extend a huge thank you to the National Gypsum Corporation for their don donation of $27,500 to Groves High School. As a

011part of the company's Giving Tuesday philanthropic commitment, National Gypsum has made a $1 million commitment to schools across the nation and in Canada to advance steam education. Groves High School was selected by the employees at the local plant here in Savannah. Many thanks to the National Gypsum for their support of our scholars. Also excited to announce that the Georgia Historical Society named the Massie Heritage Center as its 2025 affiliate chapter of the year. Nearly 200 organizations were considered for this award, which celebrates Massiey's outstanding partnership and dedication to teaching Georgia and American history through field trips, the Georgia Day Expo, and its valuable archives. This award highlights uh Massiey's crucial role in public history, supporting the Georgia Historical Society's mission by bringing local history to students, educators, and the public in a meaningful way. Thank

012you to Mr. Steve Smith, who I believe is here with us today. If you please stand. >> Yes. [applause] >> [applause] >> who serves as the curator at Massie Heritage Center and his awardwinning staff for all that they do to support the mission of lifelong learning for our students and our community. [applause] Awesome. Thank you so much and congratulations. I'd like to extend a big thanks to the Hyende Motor Group and Genesis Motor America for hosting a steam workshop at Hubert Middle School last month. The workshop introduced students to new ideas in mobility while intertwining knowledge of the automotive industry and utilizing clean energy for transportation. Students explored how to build a futuristic mobility vehicle using upcycled or creative creatively repurposed materials. We appreciate the support of our business partners in developing and providing world-class

013hands-on experiences for our scholars. A hats off to our finance team for selection for their distinguished budget presentation award from the government finance officers association. This award represents a significant achievement by our district and the finance group and reflects the commitment of the staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To be selected for this award, the agency is rated on how well the budget does serves as a policy document, a financial plan, and an operations guide and a communications device. I have, as you can see, a sea of pink out in front of me today. I love it. Um, and that is because we need to extend uh congratulations to the Savannah Arts Academy girls cross country team for their second straight championship. You may have already seen their story prominently displayed on

014our district's website on the news, but we wanted to further emphasize and extend our accolades here today um at our board meeting because it is the Panthers third state title in the last four years. Congratulations to our student athletes [applause] and a special heartfelt thanks to their coaches who put in many many hours beyond the regular day to help prepare our athletes. Um, and before I ask that team to come up to the horseshoe to have uh for us to shake your hands, um, I'd like to give uh board member Denise Gorbowski an opportunity to make a couple of comments. >> Thank you, Dr. Watts. So, um, some of you may have seen in the newspaper yesterday that the Savannah area greater, um, all-star team was announced and we have three Lady Panthers who were

015announced on that team, Francancy Tedar, McKay Bennett, and Ava Trice. And I think the rest of the girls team were all mentioned in honorable mention. And also they um the newspaper very deservedly recognized the efforts of coach Steve Ricardi in naming him the girls cross country coach of the year. So kudos to [applause] So I would love to invite the Savannah Arts Academy girls cross country team up um and further extend our congratulations to them and their coach Congratulations. [applause] >> Congratulations. >> Great job. >> Great to see you. Terrific work. >> Happy birthday. >> Congratulations. [laughter] >> Gonna make you come up here. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Great job. >> Appcate. >> Thank you. >> So appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for >> I know. [laughter] >> I don't know if

016we're bringing the pink hands up to We are. >> Okay. We're going to then. >> All right. And as we allow for the photo to be taken, we have one more acknowledgement at Savannah Arts Academy. Um, I am excited that the state champion students from the class 2A state Georgia High School association one act play competition. Um, we have representatives from that uh competition here today in the celebration of this accomplishment. The Georgia High School Association class doubleA one act play competition is a regional and state level event where high schools perform a fully stage play within a 55minute time limit. You may recall in last month's good news, we announced that students Tyler Shaw was named best actor. Asa Clark and Edward Austin Bradford were named to the Allstar cast. And we would now

017like to welcome the talented state champion one act play competition students, the entire cast to come forward to shake the hands of our board. [applause] Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Oh, thank you. >> So, so, so good job. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Happy Fantastic. very good. Congratulations >> so much all the >> So before they leave, I need to make an announcement. These kids are also doing a production of Greece beginning January 29th at at uh SP Arts Academy. They have a special star um making a cameo as the teen angel and that would be me. >> So don't shameless plug. January 29th, 30th, 31st >> and 1st. >> Okay. [applause] There's a lot to be proud of in the Savannah Cadam County Public School District. Um we do not have a professional Senate um report

018because we did not meet in the month of December. Um so we can proceed with the rest of our agenda. >> Okay. I will I will call on our vice president, Mr. Paul Smith for the election of officers. As my term as vice president of the school board system comes to an end. >> Here we go. >> I would like to [laughter] I would like to sincerely take a moment to thank my colleagues and district leaders and educators for an amazing year. It was great to serve alongside of each and every one of you. As we look ahead to 2026, I would like to submit the following nominations for board leadership. Mr. Sha Kashmar as the vice president and Miss Connie Hall for Pro Tim. Both have demonstrated strong leadership, commitment, and clear dedication to

019the success of this board and the school system. They will do an amazing job. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? >> Discussion. >> No. No discussion. [laughter] >> Okay. All right. Uh next we have our uh committee appointments. Um academic excellence committee. Uh Miss Denise Gowski will continue as chair. Uh members uh Dr. Bringman, Miss Campbell, Miss Hall, and Paul Smith. Board Accountability Committee, Dr. Dion Hoskins Brown will continue as chair. Uh uh Stephanie Campbell, Miss Hall, Mr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Smith, and our uh uh public citizen uh member will be M. Jamal Barrel. Uh our audit committee um Mr. George Woods will continue uh Dr. Dan Hoskins Brown Mlan Cwell uh Stephanie Campbell uh Mario Hillyard and our our new citizen member Miss Lydia Sed uh uh Gertude Robinson and Bryce Everett.

020Uh capital improvement committee Sean Katchmar will continue as chair Dr. Bringman Dr. Hall, Howard Hall, um, Miss Growski, and Miss Miss Connie Hall. Uh, the finance committee, Dr. Bringman, Miss Campbell, Miss Growski, Mr. Katchmar, and Dr. Howard Hall. Oh, sorry. And our uh, 2026 delegate and liaison appointments. Uh, Miss Grabows will continue. and I will be the alternate. >> Great. >> Moving on on your agenda, Mr. Board President, board officers, members of the board, we do have item 6.03, which is the facility naming. This is a recommendation that is coming before the board after a constituent had uh suggested a name. And I want to clarify that this is for a portion of the facility of Groves High School, the JOTC wing. We do stipulate that by board policy before adopting a name for a

021facility or a portion of the facility, the name shall be presented to the board at one meeting and then voted on the board at the next meeting. So we have a first reader here today. The committee has held their two required meetings and have unanimously agreed on the name. Exofficial of the committee, Dr. Howard Hall will now read you the recommendation and the rationale. >> Thank you. I first like to share some information about Sergeant Tyrone Elchism that was submitted by Major Henry Gibbs III, United States Air Force. Gro's alum alumnus [clears throat] Sergeant Tyrone Elch Chisum, class of 1987, affectionately known by his family and friends as Peanut Butter was a scholar student athlete all four years of high school. He competed in multiple sports, but he was decorated he was a decorated basketball

022standout. Sergeant Chisum was also selected to carry the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics in Georgia. However, tragically, Sergeant Tyrone Chisum paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country on November 11th, 2005. He was KIA killed in action in Iraq while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. Growing up in West Savannah, and these are the words of Major Gibbs, who is also from the West Savannah neighborhood. Growing up in West Savannah, we were told as young African-American men that you would either end up in prison, sell drugs, or be hooked on drugs before your 30th birthday. Tyrone did not make it on his 30th birthday, nor did he become a negative statistic. So following a comprehensive review and discussion, the committee determined that a suitable and impactful tribute would be to

023formally name the junior ROC wing in Sergeant Tyrone Chisum's esteemed honor. >> That is your first reader on facility naming. We will bring a recommendation to the board officially during the February 18th board of education meeting. Moving along on your agenda item 6.04. This is an action item for the board of education. This is the second reader on board policy GBA professional personnel compensation guides and contracts. Various revisions were brought to the board at the December 17th, 2025 meeting and we had made some recommendations for changes to address uh components for example uh adding additives addressing components of the areas of the policy regarding interim or acting assignments and uh a lot of feedback was received by the board during that particular read. We have made a couple of adjustments to the policy that came

024back for the board of education. Received a few uh queries on this one. So you have it in your board of education matters. Uh once again, this is an action item for the board subject to your discussion. Thus be it resolved that the board does now approve board policy GBA professional personnel compensation guides and contracts. >> I'll accept a motion. moved. Second. Okay. No discussion. Anyone? >> Thank you. Um, I asked that this item be pulled from the consent agenda because there are three areas that I had a concern with. Two of them were places where the narrative was just inconsistent around pay. And one of them was a change that I do not agree with. So, I'll point out the inconsistencies first. At the bottom of page one, um, interim or acting assignments. It

025says that employees temporary temporarily assigned to serve in an interim or acting capacity for a position on the administrative or principal salary schedule may be eligible for additional compensation upon working 20 consecutive days in the position. And then on page two under acting assignments it says under number three rate of pay the employee will be cons will be compensated according to the established salary schedule for the acting position. And so I'm I do not feel comfortable having someone have to interview for 20 days before receiving the compensation for the work that they have agreed to do in acting role. I just it and those two one seemed to say they're going to get it immediately and then one seems to say that they're waiting. So can can we get clarification on the the 20-day wait?

026>> Yes. Um so the 20 days is is 20 days passes but it's retroactive back. So I see where you're those two languages can be confusing but it's it's it's not until you work 20 days that we go back and retroactively pay you forward is kind of what that is. Why do we retroactively pay someone rather than just having them get paid for it? >> Um, one is payroll, one is processing, making sure that person is going through the process. It's just a a timing issue. This gives us a time frame to look look 20 days to make an action as opposed to day one, day two, day three. It's just a it's just something to help us have a have a date to look at so that we know we can look at this

027date and we can retroactively do something. >> Okay. So procedurally, individuals will will see compensation no later than 20 days after assuming the position. >> Correct. >> Procedurally, employees who take an interim or acting position will see full pay for that position from the day of their start, no later than 20 days afterwards, >> which typically in a payroll cycle is the month. So you have two we have two payrolls. So that's that's what that's kind of lining up. So we make sure we have it by the time that month passes they will get it on that next check. >> Okay. So this language says you may be eligible for additional compensation upon working 20 days but they actually >> they will I mean if they're doing it they will as may as if they're

028actually doing it maybe we if they're doing it. Yes. >> Okay. But you you see my concern with it. >> Yes we can. >> Okay. Can we tighten it up? Yeah we can tighten up so that people know that they're going to get paid if they're doing the work. I get it. I see what you're saying. >> Thank you. Um the area that I have cons that I don't agree with is that we've added a change under one two three four five under sal fourth paragraph under salary schedules. It says the superintendent shall review and recommend to the board any, and it did say major changes, and now it says district-wide changes um in salary schedules, salary administration procedures or job classifications, including the establishment of new classifications, elimination or reclassification of existing positions. Routine

029or minor adjustments may be managed by the office of talent and human re human resources. I'm perfectly comfortable with routine and minor adjustments being managed by the office of talent and human resources. But there's a very big space between routine and districtwide. There's like division and unit and directorate and unit level um changes reclassifications may need to come to the board. Some of the complaints that we get about policy um have been have been classificationbased. So I'm a little concerned that the only changes to salary schedules, administration procedures, and classifications that they're only going to come to us if they're applied across the entire district. I think that we may need to see things that are at smaller units, maybe not, you know, a tiny unit, but I I'm I'm concerned about that. Is there

030some thinking about why it was changed from district from major to districtwide? >> Let me go to why it was put in. It was put in because of the um evergreen conversation. So that was a full you know overhaul of everything that we did. So the context was we've made changes throughout. Um we've had other um from year to year there have been u board there's been reorgs by departments. superintendent approved reorg come you know board sees them they may not see the dollar amounts but they see what's happening >> and so those happen this was really written to say okay if we have something that's like another compensation study that's kind of what's driving the districtwide but the superintendent still can make changes throughout to units um because we're going to do it equitably

031across I guess that just goes to what we've been doing but Evergreen introduced another thought which is that we do need to have something that kind of tells us there may be something that's district-wide or haven't fully happened because normally we don't do anything district wide. Normally we're doing something in pockets, not districtwide. >> Thank you. >> But what but I guess what I want to make sure I'm hearing from you is you're fine with the district-wide but what you're saying is the board may also need to give input if it is less than districtwide. That is my concern because reorganizations of units like foram example reorganization of the academic team is not districtwide. It's a unit >> but it is still a significant change >> but it's a big change. And so when we've

032had reorganizations that large, the board has been made aware, hey, there's going to be a reorganization in this area. The way this policy is written, you don't have to tell us about that. So, uh, I guess the guidance I need from the board is to what what would you consider a unit? What's what's significant enough if it's impacting a whole department or a whole set of employees? We just need to know what the bar is for when it needs to come to the board versus when um an administrative leadership decision can be made. I think guidance >> for me the language should stay major or districtwide >> what's major >> and I trust the superintendent to know what major is when they align it with what the strategic plan is or what our strategic activities

033have been. So, as we're moving in, as we look at our board accountability um plan or as we're looking at the strategic plan that are being developed, if there's a major change that is changing emphasis or alignment with one of those, then to me that's more than operational. That is a directional change. But you have eight other people who will tell you what they think >> sure >> major is. That's what I'm worried about is that what I may think is major, someone else may not or you all may think something is major that I don't think is major. So, I just need definition. >> Mr. Kabowski, >> well, and I'm the one who raised the major point at the last the board meeting of what does major mean? So, um it would it and

034this may still not be enough, but would it be sufficient to say any major change um such as or including but not limited to district-wide changes blah blah blah blah or is that still too nebulous? >> I personally think that's too nebulous. >> Can Can we Can we give a number of employees impacted >> impacted? Yeah, >> that that's closer to what I need. >> No. No, because you could you could impact 20 pair of professionals and it wouldn't be the same as moving three highlevel administrators. >> Why don't we make it a cost? >> Yeah, I got you. >> I I'm not asking for a cost. I aligned it with strategic alignment and major operations. Somebody else said cost. >> I mean major. If we're going to define major though, maybe we do it

035based on pay, based on amount. I still think that people's lives are not defined by what their salary is. We're when we're talking about major changes, we're talking about a major change in direction of a very large ship. So when you're changing a group in a large ship, I want to know how that change is moving the ship in the direction that it needs to go. I'm thinking programmatically, not not dollar, not number of people. If if if the agreement was that the ship is going in this direction because literacy is important or attendance is important or financial reconciliation is important and and it necessitates a major reorganization. I would want to know that to know how are we reorganizing such that we're going in the direction that we want to go. It is a

036is it is a strategic thought process, not one to it's not the same as what's the dollar amount of the contract that the superintendent gets to sign. >> So can I just use a more recent example? We did some significant reorg to operations and capital projects. Is that falling under the criteria that you're naming right now as an opportunity for us to bring So that would be an example. Yes, because there were symptoms that necessitated reorganization that you shared with the board. I am fixing some of the symptoms that are making us not work well. >> So, in order to eliminate some of these symptoms that are not aligned with where we want to go strategically, I am reorganizing this area. Got it. That is how I received that information. >> Okay. >> Because >>

037that's helping me. Thank you. >> Great. I just need to codify it for myself and I don't know how much of it needs to be in policy, but I don't want to be the person making the decision about what's major and what's not because then I'm going to miss something and then I don't, you know, I don't want to be >> Exactly. So, I need to figure out what the criteria is and give that back to you and get feedback on it. But if I but it helps me to know that an a good example was is what we just did with operations because then I can extrapolate the criteria from that. So if you're telling me that's a good example then I can use that as a starting place. >> Is there anyone discomfortable

038with that example? >> No, that's okay. >> Okay. That Mr. Catchmar makes a point. He says that's an obvious example and the the gray area that you may fear are the less obvious examples. So, um because that is the this is the policy. Um yeah, we can try and come up with with some more language. Um, >> if the board is comfortable, we could add a blurb in there that says districtwide as defined by an administrative procedural document. And we will share that with the board and draft and get some alignment on what that is. And then that's really what we're operating from from an administrative standpoint. >> Well, districtwide is intuitive. We know that it's the definition of major that that administrative document would need to define. But I'm very comfortable with that if

039if the team could come up with that. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> So, do we want to delay this until >> motion to table? >> That is done. >> Motion. Motion to table. >> Motion. It's been motion seconded to table this. Uh, all in favor? >> Okay, thank you. All right, >> that concludes your board of education matters. Now on to the consent agenda and other matters of today's agenda. >> I will take I will accept a motion to to uh accept our uh consent agenda. >> I would like to make a a motion that we amend the consent agenda to add item 7.25-m 25-m25405-R registered behavior technician services. Uh amend amendment two. >> What like for us to review the Thank you. >> Okay, hang on. >> Mr. President has been properly amended.

040>> Okay. It's been >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion on that? No. All right. All in favor? Good. Okay. All right. All right. So, okay. Um All right. Um Okay. So, what are we doing with this? >> Vote on consent. >> Okay. No. Okay. So, all in favor of accepting the consent agenda with that exception. [clears throat] Amendment >> with that amendment. >> All in favor? >> We need a motion, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So move. >> Okay. >> Move and seconded. All in favor? >> Okay. So we're going to talk about this. Okay. >> Good afternoon. No. >> Item 8.01, RFP25-01, educational interpreter services for the deaf annual contract first renewal. On January 15, 2025, the board approved the award of RFP25-01 to the six vendors listed on your agenda item.

041On December 17th, 2025, the board approved the amendment of RFP25-01, Educational Interpreter Services for the Deaf, to amend the contract with the Stepping Stones Group LLC, secondary award for four additional educational interpreters in response to support needed for students that have been identified as deaf or heart of hearing. The contract was qualifi with qualified vendors will continue to provide support to students that have been identified as deaf or heart of hearing who require specialized communication assistance to assess the instruction and fully participate in the educational environment and to maintain compliance with the with the IDEA and section 504 while ensuring equitable Access staff recommends board approval to exercise the first amendment, excuse me, the first renewal option with all terms and conditions remaining the same. The annual estimated expenditure for the first renewal period February

0423rd, 2026 through February 2nd, 2027 is 623 $623,680. The funding source for this contract would be our general fund. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the final renewal of contracts under RFP25-01 educational interpreter services for the deaf annual contract with the vendors listed at a total estimated annual cost of $628,680. like accept a motion to approve. It's >> been moved >> by Dr. Howard Hall. >> Seconded by Mowski. Uh any discussion? >> There being no discussion. All in favor. >> Thank you. Item 88 8-02, budget amendment, GDAU student mental behavioral health services grant. The Georgia Department of Education has allocated $20,000 per identified middle and high school in the school system to provide direct mental and behavioral health support to students in grades 6 through 12. While

043GDAU allocated funds based on the school's designation as a middle or high school, the district has the option to distribute funds to schools and programs serving students in grades 6 through 12 as it determines. As such, the district will ensure all schools with students in grades 6 through 12 have access to mental health services. Flexibility is provided in determining the best way to maximize the funding. The district seeks to increase the number of middle schools and high schools with the access to the on-site tea therapy access. Number two, increase the number of students receiving tier 2 and tier three sitebased support by licensed mental health professionals. And number three, increase the number of students receiving behavioral support services through evidence-based wellness and violence prevention programming. The total received for this program was $460,000. The funds

044will be budgeted as expenditures under contract services under counselors. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the receipt of GDAU's student mental behavioral health services grant and the associated budget amendment in the amount of $460,000. >> It's been moved by uh Miss Hall seconded by Dr. Hoskins Brown. Any discussion? >> All right, let's [laughter] just go down the road. Miss Kowalsski Brown, Miss Hall, and Miss Campbell. >> Didn't expect that you um so this is great that we are receiving this support from GDAU and um I appreciate that there's information included about how the district plans to utilize the funding um as we would certainly love to get regular updates about this, but I'm curious on the heels of our discussion this morning with ROI. So, this is

045a grant that's coming to us. Um, are we still when we receive a grant like this, are we still putting the processes in place to evaluate the ways in which we are utilizing the dollars for an ROI even though it's not out of our general fund because we have flexibility in the way in which we can use it. Are we still evaluating it through that ROI lens or how do we evaluate the way in which we're using these state funds and their effectiveness? Does that make sense? >> Yes, it does. Um, so a lot of these grants do come with metrics already tied to them and a reporting structure. I'll need to look at this one specifically that we have to provide a report back to the agency to say this is the return on

046investment. Um, so I would not say we're evaluating those things necessarily with the same rigor we are think but I think it naturally is inherent within a lot of the grants that we do receive that you report back some measure of impact. >> That is correct uh madam superintendent and we certainly will have to report back uh to the state as we would with most of our grants. In this particular case, uh we have established uh some metrics uh and we'll share that with the board as part of a a larger plan for how these funds will be utilized. Uh you heard that uh these funds will be uh used to expand services uh to more on-site services uh to our middle uh and high schools. uh considering that we received as you recall a

047couple years ago uh from the department of behavioral health a grant for our hazel health services. So this is an opportunity for us to expand those services. Those are data points that we do have in terms of uh the number of services that are provided. Uh so we'll continue to utilize that as one metric. Uh and then we'll share some of the additional updates as well on how those funds will be utilized. >> Brown. Thank you. I'm I appreciate the leadership pulling this from the consent agenda. I pulled this because I wanted to highlight us doing some really good decision- making um very pro- studentent decision-m. So this action um as I read it is that uh as was read that the district will ensure that all students in grade 6 through 12 had access

048to mental health services because when this was sent um it it identified middle and high school and I'm assuming not K8 and that's why we are shaping in in this way. They're not anticipating that we had K K8. So, I really wanted to point out the fact that we were doing something that was prochild with this resource resource and that we were um making really really good decisions in support of wellness for our children. And so, I didn't want that buried in consent. I wanted everybody to see this is what we're doing and I'm very happy for it. Miss Hall. Um >> the fact that it's say that all children will have access of course means that there's going to be a lot of operational uh uh methodology to do this. Who gets to have

049access? Who delivers? You know, will this be under our counselors? Will it be under academics? Or uh just how do I get this service that I need? and is, you know, is my condition worse than Sean's or how how does that all get? So, if we could hear more about that in the future, that would be good. >> Absolutely. And uh we'll make sure that the full uh plan uh is included in the upcoming superintendence report uh for the board. Uh but please note that our schools uh currently uh with our Hazel Health our partnership uh they are able to make those referrals um for students and families. Uh our students our families also may make those referrals uh as Hazel Health is available to all schools and all uh students and families uh virtually.

050Uh but we have designated in the original um uh grant 20 schools. Again, this gives us an opportunity to expand those services uh and access for all of our students uh or for those additional middle and high schools for those in-person and on-site services. >> Miss Campbell, >> that was um sort of my question what Miss Gowski said about outcomes because is this a renewable um grant or is this one time? >> So, at the moment, this is a one-time grant. We have not received any any indication that this is a grant that will be renewed. >> Okay. And I like the outcomesbased metrics and I'm glad we're doing that. Um hopefully a little bit above and beyond just so we know if we want to keep it going once the grant funding dries up

051if it does. Um but I my question was more in line with what you just said with our last audit. We talked about our um health services that we provide and that tellaalth is already available to everyone. I think this is great. I got no problems with this at all. Um, I'm just trying to understand now, how are we increasing the reach if we already offered it? I know people didn't know about it and maybe weren't using it as much as we would like, but how is this grant helping us with that? Does that make sense? Okay. So again, what I'll say about this particular grant, what it does is it gives us an opportunity to provide access for in-person inhome services. So that is the piece that uh will be different from what is

052currently available in terms of access for all of our schools and all of our families, those teles health services. So this gives us an opportunity to expand on those in-person on-site uh inhome services. Okay, that makes more sense. When I see teleaalth, I think you're on the computer. You're doing what we already have the capability of doing. So, that is helpful and that's great. So, nice work. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. Uh, yes, it was moved and seconded and uh there being no more question. All in favor? >> All right. >> Item 9.01, our financials. The financials that were included in your packet this month covers us through November 30th, 2025. And that's 30% of our school year. Our general fund revenues, um, local property taxes, we are at 55% of the budget. Um, and

053this is exactly where we were around this same time last year. Um, overall, our general fund revenues were at 40 48% of the budget um through the first five months. Our general fund expenditures are actual teacher expenditures. We're at 33% of the budget and 28% for the par profofessionals and that's within the range that we would expect at this time of the year at 30%. Um total general fund actual expenditures 38% of the budget and which is a little bit higher than this same time last year. Um and I think that's because of the efforts that we've been putting um we put in place as was said earlier in this morning's finance discussion with us looking at the budgets and getting um with the departments and the schools and just um letting them know the

054monies are available. We're at 38% this year compared to 31% the same time last year. um in our capital projects funds, funds 307 and 308, that's where we have a lot of our um facility repairs and small capital projects that are not included in our east plus. We have um currently $16 million in incumbrances and that just tells us that we've got contracts out there with vendors to do work throughout the district. Um and as of November 30th, there were $16 million worth of work out there um being done on our facilities. Our east block spendings um we're at $103 million out there in um purchase orders and contracts that are that are actually um committed through November 30th. um fund 600, that's our school nutrition program. School nutrition, we have year to date, we're

055showing a loss of $1.4 million. We at this point have not um transferred any of our um operating funds that from the general fund to cover the costs with um school nutrition. We have a budget of 3.1 million out there for the year that can be transferred at any given time. Uh that's an overview of um some of our funds through November. Stop at this point to see if we have any questions. >> Dr. Hoskins Brown. >> Thank you. Um, I just I looked at account numbers 308 and 312 and for building is that building acquisition and improvements item 44. We're way over the amount that we budgeted for those. Let me see. Um, so we have, for example, in 308 we have $4.5 million spent. We have almost $9 million in incumbrances, but that

056wasn't our revised budget. We had actually trimmed that budget down significantly. And the same is true in the same category for East Plus 3. We are at 12.9 million more than we budgeted. So can you just tell me why those lines are looking that way that we are we are encumbered we have encumbered or spent so much more than we planned in the budget for those two lines. >> Yes ma'am. I'm going to take you to page 309 to page 40. That's your 307 funds. the 307 fund. This it's uh an accumulative account or fund where we're looking at from year to year. What you were looking at on the other page was just our activity for this year. But if you look at this page, we have totals that have been transferred from our

057general fund and maybe some other funds into fund 307 of $20 million since this fund was set up maybe three or four years ago. I'm not sure exactly. >> Bless you. You mean 07 or 08? Cuz I was looking at 08 08 and 12. >> You're looking at 308. I'm sorry. >> That's all right. Okay. So, >> but the same thing applies. >> Same thing applies. Okay. I flipped to 308. Okay. >> So, here in fund 308, we have a budget total from inception of our 308 funds, $118 million um was what was budgeted and we have an actual of $117 million that's been transferred there to be used on um capital projects. It started out just being small capital projects, but it ended up being any type of capital projects that has been approved

058by the board um and the superintendent that is not in east using eastot that's hasn't been approved through the the um referendums for those east projects. So over the years we've had $17 million of actual revenue in those accounts and you have there the different funding sources. You see we got almost $8 million from selling some land and buildings and some rental properties and all of the different revenue sources there. The expenditures there are all that has been done. So when you look at the other page that you were looking at and you saw it looked like a negative for the year. Mhm. >> Look at this page. This tells you that the monies were are there. >> Um but um you just couldn't see it on the other page. Yes, ma'am. >> So, I

059appreciate that. I wasn't worried about the negative because I know the negative just means did we plan for that or not? Is it different from what we planned? Is it more than what we is it more than what we planned? My question about this is more the planning process. Why do we have two categories that the spending was not like we spent so much but it wasn't planned? It wasn't because if it was planned so the the revised budget the column three on any of the fund numbers that's what we approve in our June our July budget. Right. >> Correct. >> Okay. So if it's really really different than what we budgeted that means we're spending something that was not part of our budget plan. So, that's what I'm wondering. Why are we why are

060we so off from our plan? Like, what was unplanned that we didn't know that we were going to spend $13 million different in these two areas? >> I would defer to Miss Davidson, but I would expect the answer to probably be unexpected things like HVAC systems that don't operate. You know, they're emergency type things. >> That That's correct. And I just want to clarify and Miss Roslin can help if I'm saying this correctly. I I think the way it's uh it's confusing in that it says a a budget, but that's not necessarily what was planned. The expenses may come in in this fiscal year, but the original budget was in last fiscal year. So the you won't see the budget in this year, right? So it shows a negative on that other page and it

061gives the appearance that the expenses are greater than what we had anticipated but that's not the case. It's just because the expenses are coming in on a a different fiscal year. >> So but but we know if we could go to slide four if we can go to page four. Why are we not budgeting for expenses in the same year? Why are they falling in a different year? Like we know for title one, no title seven like I this is the question I normally ask Miss Roslin. Why are we not reflecting these numbers? And she says look it's reimburseable. We get reimbursed at you know the next year but this is building improvement and acquisition. Why are we Why is it not happening in the same fiscal year? Cuz it's not negligible. It's not a

062million dollars. Like an HVAC is like a million. >> If you think >> both of these are 13 million each. >> I'm sorry. Um our projects don't all end in one fiscal year. >> Okay. >> So when you look at the 308 fund, if you were at the CIC meetings or any of those or we have some detailed reports that gives you a list of every single project that makes up this money in 308. Okay. >> So when you look at that report, you can see when a project starts and when it ended. So they cross over from one year to a >> a good example. Uh Pilaski modulars were something that we utilize 308 for. Uh audio enhancement is another project that's been multi-year multifase and it just it it crosses fiscal years. A

063lot of the projects could not be completed within one fiscal year. But multi-year, multi-phase means you planned it, which means it ought to be somewhere close to the budget. So, it's either unplanned or it's planned. And I I won't I won't beat this much more. But if you're telling me it's multi-year, that means you planned it to be multi-year, which means it ought to be budgeted. If you're telling me it's unanticipated, then it's an unanticipated cost. If you're saying that it's a delayed cost, then that's not multi-year. that just means it's going to fall the following fiscal year. So it this is the kind of fiscal uncertainty that I think we're trying to work on and I'm just trying to fix my mind to the real time fiscal accountability that we talked about this morning

064in the finance committee. That that's all I'm trying to do is I'm trying to look at that and and see that in um see that's in mind. I think we can can help by pulling in that other report because this original appropriation budget is only for this fiscal year but what we have done is we have broken out the plan through multi-year so that is I think causing confusion. So I think we can correct that by providing additional supportive documentation. >> Thank you. continue. >> Oh, wonderful. >> Was there more questions? >> Any other questions? All right. >> Okay. 9.02 02 budget amendment E+ for revenue collections of educational special fund purpose local option sales tax for and operating transfers in TAVIC have concluded. However, related interest earnings and state capital outlay proceeds may continue

065to be received. In addition to federal e-ate reimbursement revenue has exceeded the amount originally budgeted. The operations division now requests a budget amendment to east plus 4 to adjust the revenue budget to reflect the actual recognized amounts for eslos collections and tavic proceeds and to increase the e-ate revenue budget to account for the reimbursements received in excess of the approved budget. On the your agenda item, the total shown for the change is 34,528,689. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board of education approve the east plus 4 revenue budget amendment to align the revenue budget with the actual recognized revenues for final east plus 4 collections and operations collections and increased federal rate reimbursement as presented. And be it further resolved that the board of education approve the corresponding program

066budget adjustments and transfers within East BLOS floor to appropriately allocate the increased revenues to approve capital project contingencies and un unallocated reserves as detailed. >> Can I just offer for clarification that's the money that we just received that we didn't know we had. So earlier today when we were talking about the Woodville Tommpkins and that funding, I didn't know that we were getting more funds until very recently. >> So when I said I didn't have funding to do Woodville Tomkins, it was because I didn't know I was getting this. >> Okay. Uh it's been moved. Uh second uh moved and seconded. Uh now discussion anyone else? >> Yes. >> What is the Garden City contingency? >> It's to for Garden City Elementary School. >> Elementary school. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And then the unallocated, a

067portion of that unallocated would go towards the pooler Bloomingdale. we would bring forth another um board agenda item for request to transfer funds from the unallocated to Pooler. Today was just the discussion, but we would bring forth another agenda item in the February. >> Thank you. [snorts] >> Anyone else? >> All right. There being no more discussion, all in favor? >> Wonderful. Oh, uh, Dr. F is abstaining. >> Oh, continue. Um, I'd like to add to this that um agenda item that they there will be some additional funds in this esplast 4 as the months continue simply because we have funds in an account that are earning interest. So, as long as the monies are there in the bank in the in the account, we will continue to earn interest. That will be additional revenue

068for Eastwash 4. >> Thank you. >> 9.03 budget amendment FY25 amended school security grant fund 100. The Georgia Department of Education has allocated the Savannah Chattam County Public School System an additional 1,276,465 to continue funding for approved school security personnel positions and other security items related to the school's safety and security. To align the budget to the grant allowed, the budget must be adjusted by the following amount of 1,276,465. The schedule on your item details out the revenue and the expenses intended for the the budget. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve FY26 budgeted revenue and expenditures by 1,276,465 as shown in the above table to align the local budget with the amended school security grant allocation as approved by the Georgia Department of Education. >> Moved and

069seconded. discussion. Sorry, >> Miss Hall. >> Just very glad to see it and very much needed. >> Anyone else? All right. There being no discussion. All in favor? >> Great. >> N excuse me. 9.04 04 East BL 4 Gamble Road Maintenance Transportation Design Goodwin Mills Cow with Change Order number six. A contract under RFQC25-04 on call design professional services was awarded to Goodwin Mills Cowwell in the amount of $80,500 for master planning services for the site at Gamble Road. Subsequent change orders for design phases one through three have increased the contract amount to 631,320. The change order amount of $822,000 lump sum fee plus a reimburseable expense of $30,000 for a total amount of $852,000. The total contract amount included all phases of design will be as followed um detailed in the in the table

070that is provided in the in the agenda item. Staff have reviewed the scope of services and design proposals and recommend them for approval and the superintendent supports the recommendation. Funding for the next two phases of the contract will be allocated from east plus 4 unallocated funds and that would be $852,000 from east plus 4 unallocated to that project under the architectural fees. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the the design change order number six in the amount of $852,000 to Goodwin Mills Cowwell LLC for design of [clears throat] phase 4 maintenance facility and phase five storage building and a total contract amount of 1,43,320 as required. provide for the additional for the additions and renovations to Gamble Road maintenance and transportation buildings. And be it further resolved

071that the board approve the budget transfer from East Splash 4 unallocated account to East 4 Gamble Road maintenance transportation design account as described. Move >> and seconded. Uh discussion. [snorts] Okay. Are there being no discussion? All all in favor? Item number 9.05, bid 26-22, oils, lubricants, and antifreeze annual contract. The purchasing department received four bids in response to bid 26-22, oils, lubricants, antifreeze annual contracts. The intent of the solic solicitation was to establish a contract to supply oils, lubricants, and antifreeze for the transportation department as outlined in bid 26-22 and all related documents. The performance period for this bid is for an initial an initial one-year period with the option to renew for two additional one-year terms. Staff now recommends that this bid be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder which was deser

072determined to be Safety Clean Systems Inc. at a total estimated cost of1,147,339. The funding source for this contract would be our general fund. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the contract with Safety Clean Systems Incorporated for bid 26-22 oils lubricants and a freeze annual contract at a total estimated cost of 1,147,339 and second discussion Miss Kowski. So I assume this is for our bus fleet. Correct. >> A big >> I said I assume this is for the bus fleet. >> Yes. >> And our EV buses don't have this need. Correct. >> To my knowledge they do not have the need. I would have to confirm with the maintenance. >> So I I just want to elevate that. >> They do need >> maybe they have antifreeze that

073this is over a million dollars that we are spending to maintain a conventional fleet. So as we are thinking about the way in which we are spending our dollars and uh thinking about our transportation fleet just don't want us forget about operations and maintenance of diesel buses over EV buses. >> All right, Dr. Albert Hall, does he have something? >> All right, Dr. I was I was going to follow up um Miss Grabowsk's green initiative, but I kind of wanted you don't need to answer this now, but I would love to know how many oil changes we do a year because I was just trying to think like how often and how many would be it would be awesome to know that number. Um but then do we actually, this is Denise's comment here, that

074she gets for free from me. What do we do with our used oil and do we have some way that it might be being um recycled? So, thanks. doesn't need to know now. >> Anyone else? >> All right. All in favor in favor of it. [laughter] >> All right. >> Item number 9.06, 06 bid 24-03 custodial products and supplies annual contract second and final renewal. On January 10th, 2024, the board approved the award of bid 24-03 custodial products and supplies annual contract for an initial one-year period with two additional annual renewals remaining. And on February 5th, 2025, the board approved the first renewal with one additional year term remaining with the eight vendors listed. Staff recommends exercising the second and final renewal option to provide the purchase and delivery of custodial products and supplies throughout

075the district for an additional one-year term with the following with the vendors that were listed. The estimated cost of the second and final renewal is $1 million. Um, and the funding source is from the general fund. Uh, thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the second and final contract renewal of bid 24-09 custodial products and supplies annual contract to the eight firms del listed at the annual estimated cost of $1 million. >> Moved and second. um discussion of course. Mowski, >> I'm sorry. I I wasn't even going to bring up the comment the last one, but this one I was because um so I just have a question uh for Miss Davidson. Do we order the supplies for the custodians or are custodians able to order their own

076supplies through this contract? >> No, we order the supplies for the custodians and then supplies are dispersed out to the school sites. when we are selecting um the cleaning products that we are using, are we evaluating the um volatile compounds that are in them? Because I know that um many people have reactions, me being one of them, to the really really strong smells that some of the chem and when I go into some of our schools, um there's a really and some people associate that with the smell of clean, but it's really very unhealthy. So, I hope that that's something that we are evaluating as we're selecting the chemicals that are being used to clean our schools. So, I'm happy to have a sidebar with you, but >> yeah, I I honestly can't tell you,

077but I'm happy to look into that. One thing that we do not order is, for example, Clorox wipes. They have a very strong odor. They um but they are often on a supply request list from a teacher. So, there are some products that are in a school that may not be purchased through um operations, but I'm happy to go in and look and make sure what our review of was that we conducted, especially if there smells. And >> well, and I appreciate you bringing up the Clorox wipes because as a parent, I see that, you know, on the list, and I've often wondered why that's the case. And that might be a matter of educating our school staff why we don't order Clorox wipes and what and more importantly what healthy alternatives exist um instead

078because I think that's something that impacts an awful lot of children. It can be triggers for asthma and all sorts of other respiratory issues. So um anyways just appreciate you looking into that. Thank you. >> Uh anyone else? Okay. All in favor >> fabuloso. Yes. [laughter] >> Mr. Clean. item number 9-07, bid 25-14, small construction services for projects under $100,000 annual contract first renewal. On December 18th, 2024, the board approved bid 25-14, small construction services for projects under $100,000, painting, framing, drywall, fire doors, flooring, electrical, ceiling grids, roof repair, masonry, bathroom, cabinetry, and fencing. The performance period included an initial one-year period with the option to renew for two additional one-year terms. Uh there were five vendors that were approved under this bid. Staff recommends exercising the first renewal option to provide as needed small

079construction services throughout the district. The performance period is for a one-year period with the option to renew for one additional one-year term. The estimated cost for the first renewal period is $5 million. Uh the funding source on this will be um fund 308 and our east bloss um funds. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approves the first renewal of bid 25-14 small construction services for projects under $100,000 with the five vendors that were listed at an estimated cost of $5 million. Move >> and seconded. Uh discussion. >> All in favor? >> All right. >> Item number 9.08, furniture, fixtures, and equipment for Meyers Middle School fund 307. On April 9th, 2025, the board approved an extension of the annual contracts for district-wide furniture, fixture, and equipment bid C19-05,

080Mason's, Inc., and RFPC23-01, Georgia Specialty Equipment LLC. Staff now recommends approval to purchase furniture for Meyers Middle School utilizing district contracts and statewide contracts with HNI Workplace, Krueger International, and OFC Brands. The estimated cost of the furniture is $932,997.80. Um the funding source is multiple um um multiple projects in the uh 307 fund. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment for Meyers Middle School using bid C19-05 and RFP 2C23-01 districtwide FFN contracts Masons and General Georgia specialty equipment and statewide contracts using HNI workplace Krueger International and OFC brands will be used for the purchase of Meyers Middle School's FFN. The estimated cost of the furniture is $932,997.80. >> It's been moved. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? All right. All in

081favor? Item number 9.09, RFQC25-04, design services for new Windsor Forest Elementary School replacement. This is East Bloss 5. On December 17th, 2025, the board approved the first renewal of RFQC25-04 on call professional services annual contract. The board awarded the this bid to all of the vendors listed um in as outlined. At this time, staff is requesting approval for Croft and Associates, Inc. to proceed with design services for the new Windsor Forest Elementary School replacement project. The services will include demolition documents, redevelopment of the site to address the flood flood plane issues, design documents for the replacement school, and assistance with Georgia Department of Education site approval. The initial stated cost limitations for the project is $36 million. In accordance with the board policy regulation FGC-R bids and quotation, the design professional fee for this SC

082is $2,242,250. In the future, if the state cost limitation changes as a result of the scope change to the project, policy will allow for a corresponding fee adjustment. In addition to the lumpsum fee of $2,242,250, a $20,000 re reimburseable expense cost to be paid out for the actual costs incurred will be added for a total contract of amount of 2,262,250. Staff have reviewed the proposal and now requests board action to approve. The funding source on this is E5 funds. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the contract with Croft and Associates for design services for the new Windsor Forest Elementary School replacement project for a total design professional fee of $2,242,250 with a $20,000 reimburseable expense cost for the total contract amount of $2,262,250. $50 >> and seconded

083discussion. Dr. Howard Hall. >> Oh, no. Do this. Okay. Uh >> catch mark. >> Um so I this came up last meeting. Um, I just wanted to clarify that we're doing the first few E5 projects with our on call services that were approved a few years ago, but the goal and intent is to put out for bid the majority of future E5 projects. And this is just one of the early ones, but the majority of the E5 projects moving forward will put out for bid. Correct. >> Correct. >> All right. Thank you. >> Anyone else? I missed that meeting, but I'm still, and I would have asked this then, still slightly confused. I'm I'm happy to get things moving, but I'm slightly confused that we're moving things forward when we still haven't even put out

084an RFP for our project manager and we haven't had I wouldn't I would I would think they'd want to be at the table in some of these processes, but I mean, I'm not a person that does construction, so somebody tell me why I'm thinking incorrectly. >> I think we also said It's going to be shared management, some district staff, some program manager. So everything is not being turned over to a program manager. >> Davidson, can you provide an update on where we are with the RFP for the project manager? >> Yes. So the team finalized the wording uh maybe yesterday or today. It's been a long day. I couldn't tell you for exact. And so we will be sending that over to procurement and legal for their review. And then we hope for it to

085be able to go out for posting. It generally takes procurement and legal um two weeks a piece at most to review them. So, but this is a a large contract and it's a a very uh important item. So, I would rather not rush it and make sure that we get it right. Then once it goes out, we'll allow for bids to come in. Uh the committee will be a uh high level committee and uh so we'll ensure there is uh representation from different parts of the administrative sides and then uh selection can move forward. We are working through this architect so that we can uh honor our E5 commitments to try to move forward. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Uh, I'm sorry, Dr. Hoskins Brown. >> Do we need this approved today? Like, is this time

086sensitive? >> It it is time sensitive to be able to move forward with the start of that project. >> So, what's the timeline for this project? >> I'm going to defer to my uh capital programs and maintenance team. >> Yeah. What are the what are the next what's the next step that necessitates us voting on this today before the RFP? >> The RFP would delay this at least uh three months. So that would mean that any so Windsor Forest Elementary then would likely be delayed looking at a timeline maybe another year uh by the time you start the design and pieces. >> So what's the first step that needs to happen that necessitates approving this today? What's what's waiting on this that makes this time sensitive? I mean the next step the next step is

087to kick off the project. If we delay >> it's going to delay it potentially for a whole >> it impacts the project schedule. >> I I understand but nobody has said the first thing in your project schedule. I'm asking what's your because I don't know it. >> Yeah. This delay >> Dvon Jones come to the podium. So the first thing that we will do once the project kicks off is to start with the architect and establish the programming. Um the programming is the first thing before we can even get into our schematic and uh design development. So once the architect comes on board, we'll have them meet with all of our staff to include academics to ensure that uh that we're going to be able to fit everything into the school, all of the academics

088that's necessary. Um the project schedule is contingent upon the architect finishing the both the programming and the design. Once those are complete, uh we'll go into construction, but we'll be up against a schedule to ensure that the construction is complete before that following school year. Um it could if we delay the architects getting on board, it could also delay the construction being complete. Uh which could push us getting into the school another year >> and the swing site strength. >> Right. Right. And and that impacts our swing sites. So we have >> that that Thank you. That makes sense. I know that's the process and this is my own maybe misunderstanding of what we were doing with the project manager. Um, I don't know. And I might have missed the bus completely because I thought

089we were going to have them come up with that timeline, but it's sounding now that we have some projects that we're getting going because we're making money and we're going to come up with our own timeline and then hand that off to the project manager. >> I know we have a timeline, but we definitely had a meeting where we were debating that timeline and having a project manager come in to change that timeline. >> It will take us time, I hope. and I've spoken with uh Miss Nathaniel and other leaders at the uh fi in the finance department that we have no delay on the legal review of the RFP and the procurement side. So that process is moving along but if we stop everything and wait for that process to play out our whole

090E5 schedule [clears throat] is >> I'm not trying to stop anything. I'm just trying to better understand and I think I've just missed the bus and that's my own fault. So I will talk to people offline. Thank you. So, we're just trying to go down two simultaneous paths at the same time. >> Thank you for that. It moves the needle. I'm just I feel like I was under a rock. So, my bad. >> Yes. It seems to me that I remember us discussing that the program management mainly deal with esports projects costing $15 million and above. >> Right. And those projects below that would be handled more by our in-house project management team. Now, did I make that up or is that did we say that? >> No, that's that's correct, Miss Hall. That is

091the plan. Um, so your generally your larger projects like this will be handled by the third party. We are working to continue so uh we can move forward because some of our our babies when you walk through the schools we feel like they deserve for us to move forward and then it takes time once we get the third party they can't just move very quickly. So to make sure that we integrate them well as a partner that will likely take six months at a at a very fast pace. It may take a year to get them fully on board. So that's why we're continuing to move forward a few projects. >> Well, Miss Davidson, let me ask this. Is everybody working with this in the mode of let's execute and not spending more time than

092necessary on, you know, things that drag projects down. >> Is yes ma'am, they are we are moving on the execution. It did take us longer than we had originally anticipated to make sure that we wrote the RFP in the way that was uh best worded. We're trying to be very clear. We tried to go back review the feedback from the board members and just speak to individuals that were part of it last time to make sure that we don't go down a path or make the same mistake twice. So, we took a little bit longer intentionally to make sure we're doing it right. and hopefully the first time. >> Okay. Um, Mr. Breeman, I know you've probably heard from that community. I I've heard a lot and I'm in district three, but that we had

093lots of problems with plumbing and all. Dr. Watt, I um think you addressed that at some point. So, I know this place is in kind of bad condition and we need to get whatever we can do. >> It is in terrible condition. >> And and that's why I don't want to slow anything down. I'm just trying to get myself up. I I feel like I am the deficiency, >> not the district. And I'm happy that in here it talks about flood plane issues and that's actually part of this >> this art because that's one of the big problems and there will probably be a lot of site work that needs to be done um so that we ensure that in the future when it pours the school doesn't flood and that we don't negatively impact

094the residents that are around that school um with us needing to abate more water away. So, I'm happy that that is a part of the plan. I don't want to slow down the plan. I'm just trying to figure out how it's all coming together. So, >> so Miss Davidson, is the plumbing situation better than it was? >> It is better, but this is one of our sites that our young people some put times put things down the commode that should not go. So, toilets get stopped up. When you put pencils or other things down, children have learned that when I stop up toilets, sometimes that means that I get to go home. So it is something that the while we did what we could with plumbing is very old. We also have to work through

095human behaviors >> and of course that has to do with supervision. >> You know >> it does. Yes ma'am. It it's hard. It is very challenging to be honest because we can't go in the restroom with the young people. Um but it's just trying to educate and change that behavior. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any more? Yes. >> Dr. Dr. Hos. >> Yeah. I'm I'm with Dr. Bringman. I'm not trying to delay the project. I just wanted to ask questions because like him, I was not up to I was not up to speed. So, I'm glad we got to the answers of what, you know, where we needed to be. Um and um yeah, I agree. This is a school that that needs to work. So, I don't have any problem with moving forward

096on it. I just wanted to get an idea of what your thought process was. Thank you. Right. >> Anyone else? >> All right. All in favor? >> Item number 9.10 East 4 Georgia Georgetown K8 GMP change order number one Jun construction. On August 13th, 2025, the board approved GMP for RFPC25-05 for CMR services for Georgetown K8 renovation to J Dunn Construction Company Incorporated in the amount of 29,887,983. Certain changes are proposed to the project scope that will result in a change to the GMP. These are summarized on your agenda item. We have kitchen upgrades, exterior improvements, interior upgrades, renovations, and additions to the CTE program. Um the total added to the GMP for these changes include CMR general conditions and fees is 3,899,754. The total revised contract will be $33,787,737. The new GMP contract amount

097is fully funded and no budget transfers is needed. Staff has reviewed the GMP change order and recommends board approval and the superintendent supports this recommendation. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve GMP change order number one in the amount of 3,899,754 an increase in the GMP to the amount of 33,787,737 for RFPC25-05 CMR services for Georgetown K8 Renovations and two Jed Dunn Construction Company. >> Move and second. Any discussion? >> Can Can I just get somebody on record to tell me that we're still on on schedule? >> We are we are working with the contractor to make sure that they stay on schedule. It is very early in that project. So if we anticipate a delay in any of our current projects, we will um review that by

098March, April time frame and bring back an update. >> Okay. >> Any other discussion? >> All right. All in favor? >> Wonderful. Thank you. Item number 9.11, RFP21-20, office supplies catalog discount annual contract extension request. On October 7th, 2020, the board approved the initial contract to PAL palpui LTD doing business as computer supplies of San Diego. um school specialties of Greenville Staples um contract and commercial LLC VIP office supplies Hinesville to provide office supplies to various sites and departments throughout the district. The initial contract was for two years with the option to renew for an additional three oneyear terms. The board approved the final contract renewal on November 4th, 2024 for the final one-year term. Staff now request a contract extension for an additional 6 months to allow for the evaluation and award of the

099new solicitation project under RFP26-15 office supplies catalog discount annual contract. Excuse me. The all terms and conditions will remain the same during the six months with an estimated cost of $600,000. Um the funding source on this will be various funds throughout the district. Thus be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board approve the request to extend RFP21-20 office supply catalog annual contract to the vendors that were outlined at an estimated cost of $600,000 for a six-month period with all terms and conditions remaining the same. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> [snorts] >> Brown. >> Thank you. I asked that this be pulled because I just wanted to know why the RFP didn't go out before now that we need a contract extension. >> It's a timing issue. We've had in

100purchasing uh several other contracts and this one just did not get fulfilled um in a timely manner. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone else? All in favor? Thank you very much. Thank you. Yes. All right. Uh we have three people to speak before the board today. Um and welcome. And um you will have three minutes. And the first person will be uh Miss Smith. Chenikwell Smith not here. Okay. Next we have Lorraine Bowers. >> Good afternoon. How's everyone doing today? >> Well, how about yourself? >> Awesome. Awesome. I am Lorraine Bowers and I am the president of CAE. We have our spelling be coming up on January the 27th at Savannah State University. So I invite all officials to come show your face so kids can see you. We love you and we think you're

101awesome. And that is all I have to say. Please come out and support the swing be Savannah State. [applause] >> All right. Uh next uh Angelisa Bryant. Good afternoon as well. Happy new year. >> Happy new year. I come today for our students because I care deeply as a parent and because I believe you care too about this district and about ensuring policies and procedures are followed with integrity. I want to share an example of leadership and explain why I began advocating more doing a safety concern involving an orange cone, holding open a doorway at a school. A leader responded acknowledging the concern and acting immediately closing the door to ensure safety of all children. That moment demonstrated to me leadership through presence, communication, and guess what? Accountability. That response showed me what works. When

102concerns are acknowledged early and addressed properly, trust is built and everyone remains focused on student safety and solutions. As a little girl, I learned how to read because of a kind adult who welcomed my mother into her home. but through the front door. And she used to read to me. The message she gave to me was simple. And guess what it was? Reading is everything and it leads to everything. That lesson stayed with me. It's why I read policies carefully, why I reread them, and why clarity and truth matter so much to me today. I would like to publicly thank one of your leaders, Mrs. Artha Bush for being that guiding light that day for safety and for all our children. I followed the proper chain of command. She responded all she responds at knowledge

103immediately to my emails. I would also like to thank all board members for bringing and being a guiding light for all our students and our children because accountability is what we all are here for. Family engagement is what we all are here for. So if we work together as a team, I think our children and my daughter is back here today. She sees all the leaders. So I want all of us to lead. I want all us to be engaged. I want all us to respect each other. And I want all of us to love our children and to keep them safe. Thank you for your time and happy new year. >> Happy new year. >> Thank you. >> I will now accept the motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? Okay. Yes.

104>> Thank you very much. Happy New Year everyone. >> See? >> Oh, I'm sorry.