The specter of COVID-19 was evident at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting. Just four chairs were in the audience to enforce social distancing. Member chairs were spread further apart, several wore masks. Still, there was business to be conducted.
Much of it revolved around the bond issue which will be used to fund the new primary school and other athletic projects. Among them were the passage of the passage of the bond resolution which included opening bank accounts at State Bank of Cochran as well as a Georgia Fund 1 money market account. Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Trey Belflower are authorized signers.
The moves were done to increase earnings on the construction funds. Plus, by depositing money into Georgia Fund 1, it would clear the bank of having to produce collateral and remove any liability should the district default. Other moves included entering into the bond purchase agreement as an issuer and asking Commissioner Bob Brockman to execute the tax levy resolution (he could issue taxes should the school default on the loan.)
You can read the full list of motions passed by going to https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4014&MID=84935 and click on “new primary school.”
Another item regarding the new primary school was a small change in leasing the modular units that will house Bleckley Pre-K during construction of the new primary school. Per a recommendation from Smith, the board agreed to lease Mobile Modular units through E&I rather than BuyBoard. Smith said their approvals through the Georgia Department of Administrative Services made the process easier.
In other news: the board still plans to hold their May 19 meeting in the high school auditorium so that Teachers of the Year can be recognized. Smith reminded members that graduation for both BCHS and the Success Academy had been moved to June 13. High school graduation at 8 am inside Royal Stadium followed by BCSA graduation at 10 in the auditorium.
Smith presented different preliminary budgets, one of which factored in COVID-19 stimulus money which will be received. But he said it was difficult to form a budget because of the many unknowns such as whether schools would be back in session plus the chance a state budget may not be completed by June 30. He still plans to present a tentative budget at the May meeting with the understanding it may need amending once the final state FY21 budget is presented.
From the executive session: The board accepted the resignation of teacher and coach Sean Patrick, effective June 30. Patrick came to Cochran when Von Lassiter was hired in 2017. He accepted the head coaching job at Trion High School last month. Also resigning on June 30 is BCHS teacher and FBLA assistant advisor Julie Lane.
Returning to coaching is Kayla Warren. The Bleckley Elementary teacher and former cheerleader will resume her role as assistant coach for the football and competition cheer squads. Warren was an assistant in 2017-18.
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