Community News
Vote on millage rate delayed, BOE votes to use ESPLOST funds for construction projects.
By Dave Whitaker
Oct 8, 2021, 21:20

The Bleckley County Board of Education had planned to set the final millage rate at last night’s regularly scheduled meeting. However, an ad which ran the previous week announcing the vote had the wrong year (2020) listed.

The law requires a one-week in advance advertisement of setting the millage rate. So the final rate will be set at a called meeting October 14 at 6 pm. There were things of interest discussed and voted on.

During discussion of OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) report, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith said the contractor had requested central office staff be located to a temporary location so demolition and site work could be completed more efficiently. According to meeting minutes, the advantages and disadvantages were discussed.

Following the discussion, it was decided they would continue to look for office space. There were also some large-budget items in the OAC report. Following discussion, the board approved using $500,000 in ESPLOST funds for the following purposes

1. Approximately $182,000 for parking lot lighting to avoid a long-term lease with Georgia Power, and the district owning the lights. 2. Approximately $183,000 for milling and repaving the BCHS track, which is currently unsuitable for rubberizing, and 3, Using the remainder for any contingency shortfalls for the remainder of the projects.

The only grant accepted was the 21st Century Community Center Learning Grant for FY22 in the amount of $335,970. Several proclamations were signed. One recognizing National 4H Week (October 3-9), one for National School Lunch Week (October 11-15) and one for National School Bus Driver Week (October 18-22.)

Smith announced that himself and the board were once again finalist for GSBA Governance Team of the Year. The winner will be announced at the GSBA Conference in December.

Bleckley Elementary Economics teacher Suzanne McWhorter was recognized for being featured by the Georgia Council on Economic Education, named to the Out Teach Professional Learning Community, and was a featured teacher two weeks ago. She received a certificate and Dairy Queen gift cards for herself and family from Smith.


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