“This is the fifth time we’ve discussed the budget in public meetings,” said Superintendent Matthew Cooper Monday night. Then it was “time to celebrate” the balanced budget attained by “a team effort,” he said, and the Board of Education gave the balanced budget its final vote of approval. “It’s a truly balanced budget,” Cooper said. “We’re not spending more than we’re taking in.”
The budgeting success moved the school system closer to achieving the Mission Statement posted on the wall of the meeting room: “Success for all Students,” Cooper said, “although I’m not sure there’s a finish line!” He also praised the success of the school leadership and staff for achieving a number one priority, Student Safety.
“Nothing happened to the seven thousand students” in the school system, he added. There were no safety problems in busses, in hallways, on playgrounds, in facilities …” he said. Cooper also complimented the school system for its accreditation through SACS (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), saying “we have the highest level (of accreditation) possible.” In the area of facilities, Cooper said the board’s decision to lease the old Cornelia Elementary building on Elrod Street to Pioneer RESA (Regional Educational and Service Agency) would make a positive contribution to the next budget of the school system. “These are just a few things,” Cooper said, speaking of budget and other2015 successes this year, and “it’s been a team effort,” he said.
In other business, the Board of Education:
- Approved an agreement for Waste Away to be the waste management company for the school system, at a cost of $68,723.20 – a decrease of $6,211.16 from last year.
- Approved the low bid of $59,750 from B & L General Contractors, for roof replacement in the administrative building, and approved the base bid of $25,800.00 from Environmental Monitoring, LLC, for asbestos abatement and encapsulating exposed roof panels, also in the administrative building.
