The Board Brief
July 21, 2022
This edition of The Board Brief is a summary of the information presented and actions taken at the Board of Education’s meetings on July 21, 2022.
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Actions
Board Approves Tentative Adoption of Rollback to Millage Rate
On Thursday, July 21, approved the District’s proposed rollback of the millage rate from 18.099 mills for Calendar Year 2021 to 16.720 mills for Calendar Year 2022 (CY22). The District will move forward with a recommendation for final adoption of the CY22 Millage Rate at a Called Board of Education meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 11. Final approval of the millage rate would make this the sixth consecutive year the District’s millage rate has been reduced.
“The Bibb County School District is excited to share this news about a rollback of the millage rate for the upcoming year. We have studied this topic closely while paying attention to our community. Due to inflation, the continued rising costs of everyday products – from groceries to basic home repair needs – have created a heavy burden for our community stakeholders. By rolling back the millage rate, we hope to reduce some of that burden on taxpayers and our beloved families,” said Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims. “Going forward, the District will continue to keep an eye on our fund balance and the bottom line as we monitor enrollment trends and assess operational expenditures. Monitoring the efficiency of our budget, implementing high-quality programming, and retaining the best educators in our system will be key to ensuring we are able to provide a top-notch education where every student in our District not only believes he or she can become something great, but that they also will have developed the tools to go out into the workforce and do so.”
A reduction in the millage rate from 18.099 mills to 16.720 mills will mean an average savings of $73.09 for a home with a fair market value of $150,000 in Macon-Bibb County. This is the average value of a home in Macon-Bibb, according to the Macon-Bibb Tax Commissioner’s Office.
The final recommendation for the CY 2022 Millage Rate will be set at a Called Board of Education meeting on August 11, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at the Professional Learning Center at the Martin-Whitley Educational Complex, 2003 Riverside Drive, Macon. For more information and to view the presentation, click here.
District to Continue Providing Homework Support through Tutor.com
On Thursday, July 21, authorized the District to enter into a contract with Tutor.com at a cost not to exceed $528,000 in ESSER Funds to provide student access to online homework assistance and tutoring services for 2022-2023. In March 2022, the District began utilizing Tutor.com. From March through June, students in grades K-12 have accessed over 3,000 homework assistance and tutoring sessions. Tutor.com provides personalized academic support in over 200 academic and test prep subjects, including math, science, social studies, algebra, chemistry, International Baccalaureate, SAT/ACT, ASVAB, biology, and essay writing. Through the Tutor.com online platform, students can connect to content-specific tutors 24 hours a day, seven days per week. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Gallup to Support Leadership Development
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into a one-year contract with Gallup for the 2022-2023 school year to not exceed $224,350, which will come from general funds, with an optional renewal for two additional years. For more information, click here.
Gallup is a global research and analytics firm that helps organizations solve their most pressing problems. Gallup findings support a growing body of research pointing to the individual principal and teacher as the most important school factors related to student engagement, wellbeing, and academic success. It has been shown that leaders and teachers who focus on students’ strengths and students who use these strengths daily show marked improvement across many academic and behavioral measures. As we redefine education after the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgency to value our employees and their strengths. Further this is an extension of #Built4Bibb and is a critical step in aligning our employees’ strengths with the needs of our students.
Gallup defines engaged employees as more than simply satisfied – they are highly involved in and enthusiastic about their work and workplace. Leaders are responsible for 70 percent of the variance in employee engagement. Gallup supports school districts by aiding leaders in identifying their strengths and measuring the engagement of their staffs. Leaders receive executive coaching on an on-going basis to leverage their strengths to increase employee engagement, effectiveness, job satisfaction, and retention. Gallup experts support leaders in developing talented educators and creating engaging learning environments which foster long-term student success.
Board Approves Maxim Staffing Services for Special Education Teachers
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into contract with Maxim Healthcare Staffing Inc. to support the District’s need for special education teachers at an amount not to exceed $425,600, from general funds. For more information, click here.
District Renews Staffing Contract with Kelly Services
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the renewal of the District’s contract with Kelly Services to provide substitute services and additional paraprofessional staffing for an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 for Fiscal Year 2023. Funding will come from a combination of general and federal fund sources. For more information, click here.
Next Phase of Network Switch Upgrades Approved
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into a contract and issue a purchase order to AiOS Group for the District’s upgrade of network switches for the first phase of upgrades in the amount of $3,267,299.84. The funding source is ESSER Funds. For more information, click here.
In order to maintain the integrity of the network built to serve our schools and district offices, the District must continue to upgrade network switches roughly every five years. This phase of the upgrade plan impacts 10 schools by providing them with new switches to ensure continued high-speed functioning of the District’s network. Over the course of the next year, the Technology Services Division will continue to upgrade switches at other schools with an anticipated total cost of roughly $10,000,000 for all three phases. With these upgrades, students will continue to have access to a reliable network that supports their ongoing growth as a 21st century learner.
Board Approves Cisco Webex Calling Platform
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into a contract and issue a purchase order to Cumberland Group for the District’s migration to Cisco Webex Calling in the amount of $238,269.91. The funding source is general funds. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Architectural Services for Thompson Upgrades, New Springdale
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into contracts to provide architectural services for Capital Programs. These two construction projects will be funded by the 2021 Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST), a one-percent sales tax approved by voters.
- Thompson Stadium Phase 3 Upgrades, including renovations of the former Appling Middle School: SP Design Group. For more information, click here.
- New Springdale Elementary School: Robertson Loia Roof Architects and Engineers, PC. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Funds for Dairy and Milk Purchases
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to issue a purchase order to ITI Milk Distributor for milk and dairy purchases in an amount not to exceed $814,624. The projected amount is based off prior usage, anticipated needs, and pricing from RFP 22-050. The purchased order will paid using the School Nutrition Fund. For more information, click here.
District Renews Insurance Policies for FY23
On Thursday, July 21, Board members authorized the District to issue a purchase order to renew the Property, Auto Liability, General Liability, School Leaders Liability, and Cyber Liability Insurance policies with the GSBA Risk Management Fund in the amount of $950,406 for the period of July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023. The funding source will be general funds. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Personnel Items
On Thursday, July 21, Board members approved various personnel items. To view personnel items, click here.
Board Reviews Policies
Board members reviewed various policies for first or second reading on July 21. Policies must be read twice before they may be voted on for final action. To review the policies, click here.
- Policy KI - Free Materials Distribution in Schools (ACTION)
- Policy LDAF - Public Health Authorities – Rescinding (ACTION)
- Policy LEB - Parents Organizations (ACTION)
- Policy IKBB – Divisive Concepts – New Policy (ACTION)
- Policy EC – Equipment and Supplies Management – Rescinding (ACTION)
- Policy EDEA – Private Vehicles (INFORMATION)
- Policy KJ – Advertising in the Schools (INFORMATION)
Stakeholders are encouraged to review policies posted after first reading and make public comment via Simbli before the proposed policies are brought back before the Board for action the following month. Simbli may be accessed through the District’s website, www.bcsdk12.net, under “About Us” and “Simbli.” On Simbli, “Pending Policies” will appear on the right side of the screen.
Information
Bibb Students Participate in Getting Ready Summer Camp Program
On Thursday, July 21, Board members reviewed highlights of the District’s Getting Ready Summer Camp Program for students in grades K-8. Nearly 2,000 students participated in the summer program throughout the month of June. To view the presentation by Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Cleveland Johnson, click here.
Project AWARE Supporting Mental and Behavioral Health Services for Students
On Thursday, July 21, Board members received an update on Project AWARE – Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education – by BCSD Project AWARE Director Tajalyn Woodruff. The purpose of Project AWARE is to: increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; provide training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues; and connect school-aged youth, who may have behavioral health issues (including serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness), and their families to needed services (SAMHSA, Center for Mental Health Services, 2020).
BCSD Project AWARE is supported by funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the American Rescue Plan, with various aspects of the project tentatively expiring within the next 2-3 years. Project leaders and partners continue to collaborate on a plan for sustainability of some activities beyond the period in which the funding sources are set to expire (2024, and 2025 – respectively).
For more information and to view the presentation, which highlights the goals and key activities of Project AWARE, along with data from the previous year, click here.
Board Receives Report from GSBA Conference on American Rescue Plan
On Thursday, July 21, Board members received a report from Board member Daryl Morton, At-Large, Post 7, regarding American Rescue Plan funding as presented during the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Conference this summer.
Board Reviews Monthly Financial Report
On Thursday, July 21, Board members reviewed the District’s monthly financial report. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Presentation from Capital Improvement Program
On Thursday, July 21, Board members received a presentation in regards to the 2016 and 2021 Capital Improvement Program, including information on expenditures and encumbrances. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Investments, Investment Income and Bonds Report
On Thursday, July 21, Board members reviewed a presentation about the Investments and Investment Income report as well as the monthly Bond report associated with 2020 project accounts. For more information, click here.
Highlights and Recognitions
Board Meets New Leaders
On Thursday, July 21, Board members had the opportunity to meet new leaders in the Bibb County School District. The following new leaders were presented to Board members: Dr. Katika Lovett, Chief of Staff; Kevin Adams, Chief Information Officer; and Nelson Render, Executive Officer.
Dr. Katika Lovett, Chief of Staff
Kevin Adams, Chief Information Officer
Nelson Render, Executive Officer
Central High Senior Selected for Governor’s Honors Program
The Governor’s Honors Program is an annual summer opportunity for rising juniors and seniors. Students chosen for the program participated in a residential experience at Berry College, where they received enrichment based on the area of study in which they qualified for the program. These students are chosen in academic and fine arts areas based on a series of applications, interviews and auditions. This year, Central High School senior Wilson Bridges was chosen for this program in the area of mathematics.
Westside Graduate Receives Diploma; Two Recognized for Life-Saving Care
During this year’s Westside High School graduation, Class of 2022 senior Arzhjeon E. Curtis experienced a medical emergency early in the ceremony. He had to be transported from the Macon Coliseum for life-saving support, but after several weeks of medical care, he was finally able to receive his diploma in person.
Additionally, two individuals who played a key role in providing first-response care during the graduation ceremony also were recognized for their immediate response and support. Wanda Wright serves as a pianist for Bibb County graduations, but she is a nurse by trade. She helped administer live-saving care immediately for Arzhjeon until an ambulance arrived. Joe Hall with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department also arrived to assist with first-response care.
It’s also important to note that all District team members, including Campus Police, Safety and Security, and Student Support Services, jumped in to assist during the emergency, and the District is thankful to everyone for their quick support.
During the Board meeting on Thursday, July 21, Westside Principal Michael Horton presented Arzhjeon with his diploma to complete his status as a Westside High School graduate. Congratulations to Arzhjeon E. Curtis, Westside High School graduate, and thank you to all the individuals who helped make this celebration possible.