The Charlton County Board of Education meet on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. This was the first meeting for newly appointed Board members Brian Huling and Brian Kern.
The board quickly adopted the night’s agenda and moved onto the annual reorganization of the board. Matthew Sands was reelected as Board Chairman, Curtis Nixon was reelected as Vice-Chairman and Patrick Brooks was also reappointed as board attorney.
Under the consent agenda, the board approved the minutes from the December 13, 2022 work session and December 13, 2022 meting. The payment of accounts payable, field trips and the Coastal Pines memorandum of understanding were also approved.
Superintendent Dr. Brent Tilley presented the financial report. As of December 31, they are half way through the fiscal year. They have collected 49.9 percent of projected revenues, spent 55.7 percent of projected expenditures and a fund equity of $4.1 million in the general fund. Recently, money has been transferred to a construction account that has a balance of $9.3 million. The board approved the report.
The 2022 financial audit has begun. Tilley expects results to come in over the next several weeks. He does not think the results will come in by next month’s meeting since the audit also has to take into account additional funding that will be coming in.
Governor Brian Kemp released a proposed budget and the employer portion of insurance for noncertified employees. Tilley stated that the cost is increasing around $635 a month. Currently, the cost is $945 and could possibly jump up to $1,580. If this holds true and the county is responsible for the additional cost, then it would be a budget hit of around $400,000 per year. There is nothing for the board to do at this time, but it could be a potential budget consideration in the coming future.
Under information items, work has begun on the Folkston Elementary classroom additions. Work currently includes clearing land, busting up concrete and taking down fences. Completion is anticipated by this summer, and fourth grade will be moved there for the beginning of the next school year. Tilley mentioned that he met with teachers that afternoon covering the staff’s questions and concerns.
Also, the crisis alert badges will be up and running soon. The badges give staff the ability to notify the office of an emergency with the push of a button.
Tilley provided that the school had a lockdown drill n January 10 that involved the Folkston Police Department, The Charlton County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Charlton County Fire Department and Department of Homeland Security. The outside departments provided feedback on safety and if anything should be conducted differently. There will be a follow up drill on an unannounced intruder in the future.
There was just one action item, which was the FY24 School Calendar. The board approved the chosen calendar.
Under employment, the board approved Aubrey Cook as a part time bus driver and accepted Nedra Filmore’s resignation as bus driver and paraprofessional.
The board adjourned at 7:17 p.m. and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m.
