Board of Education passes final budget, changes graduation date, at monthly meeting.

The Bleckley County Board of Education met in regular session June 18.  It was a busy meeting with two major things voted on.

The first was the FY27 school budget.  In a presentation by Superintendent Dr. Trey Belflower,  the beginning balance was set to be  $16,155,934., four percent more than last year’s budget.  A two percent salary increase for classified staff was added in at a called meeting held May 28.  The final budget included a two percent salary increase for certified staff.

The budget was approved unanimously.  To see the budget, go to

https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4014&AID=2035058&MID=136888

The other big thing voted on was a change in the date of graduation.  As part of the consent items, the board discussed and voted on the student handbooks for Bleckley Elementary, BCMS, BCHS, and the Success Academy.

One of the changes in the high school handbook was to move the date of graduation to the Saturday before the last week of school, May 22.  Things such as senior week, senior finals would be adjusted accordingly.  The reasoning behind the change was to get graduation away from being the same weekend as Memorial Day.

Another big change in the high school handbook was an updated device policy that would mirror the recently passed state law regarding cell phones in the classroom which takes effect in 2027.  There were numerous other things discussed in the handbooks such as updates and clarifications to the dress code for various schools.

To see all the approved handbooks, go to

https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4014&MID=136888&Tab=Agenda&enIID=TZXV8N5hpNNmkyiVjDgWsg%3D%3D

Approved was renewal of the Georgia School Board Association Risk Management Fund for property/casualty/auto insurance in the amount of $165,645, plus $7,500 for Cyber Risk Liability coverage, for a total premium of $173,145..  In that same vote, approved was the GSBA RMF workers’ compensation insurance policy in the amount of $87,822

To see the information regarding the renewals, go to

https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4014&MID=136888&Tab=Agenda&enIID=gOao3PFrtRvDNCs8Mbofrg%3D%3D

From the executive session: Kyle Studdard was added to the BCHS Athletic Staffing Plan as an assistant tennis coach. and to the middle school athletic plan as a community football coach.  Kyle Dennard was also added to the high school athletic staffing plan as an assistant tennis coach.