[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6577767,"mediaKeyId","3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988","parentId",3096693,"title","Oconee Board of Education approves vendor, facilities and personnel-related items in unanimous votes","audioSeconds",3103,"startMs",69000,"endMs",3172000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988&start=69&end=3172","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988/thumbnail_69000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577767/Georgia/Oconee-Board-of-Education-approves-vendor-facilities-and-personnel-related-items-in-unanimous-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577767-546e4b919731b769098682fc8afd0e52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771003018&Signature=ZZvh~qn5o-8PfRn7Sf3Xnw~vO3mFnIgQJyswlKMyiT2ZZkd99vAH2bAzhnLxv7ZhFNmsS6qEa7Zo1s32fsdfpEXnUtZuVry5yQa5bN97UbcGAYxBfCEpMcLU03ztdQcWMjLxqKL1YnbihBpWkEmt9C-aPANyBBYMO5DWYjDZJ~40D4RlS73HnU9AVf-MxRSL3jqJrsH7sv~Vyh-PmIQJYjcgpdq90DSDTJTT0Vej6-ksmQeGDvnsO074f4OytjE5gQP31Q4wl5BOoTBWun4hxMDbgZ-V3lCorhNhJsO9ZncXV85CUoT02flbHmanJgW-VOPtnH2w4lyYi2qV12IutQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-04-23T17:05:42.327Z","article","Oconee Board of Education members voted unanimously on a set of routine administrative and procurement items during their regular work session.

The board approved multiple motions by recorded voice votes of 5-0, including removing the advanced placement psychology curriculum item from the table and “placing it into the creek” as recommended by staff; awarding audio enhancement (intercom and classroom audio) from the state bid list for Oconee Middle and Malcolm Bridge Middle; approving a certificate for Rocky Branch Elementary School needed to accept state reimbursement funds; naming Mark 3 as the district’s new benefits broker; approving a group of field trips (agenda items f through j); and adjourning into executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Why this matters: These motions commit the school system to vendor contracts and administrative steps that affect district operations and budget implementation. The board’s unanimous votes finalize staff recommendations and enable next steps — procurement, contract execution, and reimbursement requests — to proceed.

Most important actions

- Approval of agenda and minutes: The board opened the meeting by approving the agenda and the minutes by roll call, each motion passing 5-0.

- Advanced Placement psychology curriculum (remove from table): The board accepted staff’s recommendation to remove the AP psychology curriculum item from the table and to place it “into the creek,” as presented by staff; the motion passed 5-0.

- Intercom and classroom audio (Oconee Middle and Malcolm Bridge Middle): The board approved procurement of audio enhancement systems from the state bid list for both Oconee Middle and Malcolm Bridge Middle, as recommended by staff; the motion passed 5-0.

- Certificate for Rocky Branch Elementary School: The board approved the certificate that allows the district to take state reimbursement funds for Rocky Branch Elementary; the motion passed 5-0.

- New benefits broker (Mark 3): Following a competitive process described at a prior meeting, the board approved Mark 3 as the district’s benefits broker; the motion passed 5-0.

- Field trips (items f through j): The board approved a slate of field-trip requests presented as agenda items f–j; the motion passed 5-0.

- Executive session to discuss personnel: The board voted to adjourn to executive session to deliberate personnel matters as described in the affidavit attached to the minutes; the motion passed 5-0.

What the record shows: Each motion was introduced on the floor and carried by unanimous vote. No motions recorded as failed, tabled, or postponed during the recorded session.

Next steps: Staff may now finalize purchases and contracts tied to the approved procurements, submit required documentation to receive state reimbursement for Rocky Branch Elementary, implement the broker transition, and execute approved field-trip plans. The board moved into executive session to consider personnel matters; any subsequent actions related to that session will be recorded in the minutes and the affidavit attached to the minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oconee County Board Of Education Regular Session • April 21 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Oconee Board of Education members voted unanimously on a set of administrative and procurement items during their regular work session, approving audio systems for two middle schools, a certificate to secure state reimbursement for Rocky Branch Elementary, a new benefits broker, a set of field trips and a motion to move into executive session to discuss personnel.","taxTitle","Oconee County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",72822,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6577758,"Business services summarizes tentative FY26 general fund and March financials; district reports 5‑star state financial efficiency rating",314,1956000,2270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988&start=1956&end=2270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988/thumbnail_1956000.jpg","/articles/6577758/Georgia/Business-services-summarizes-tentative-FY26-general-fund-and-March-financials-district-reports-5star-state-financial-efficiency-rating","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577758-0203efe4b7794d02e920c540065ad6a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771003018&Signature=PTOaPjAP3mWgAaVb0frtc-Y7Ja2zfNaAIWXbrnxQii6S~RlDsvR6gKpJ93MjIGsGzfpHF5yhD6tE2j4CT6UT~HZr923EIG7rpAKIzg8KDpjTiIZJlZ~Es9A5ltSwDMpm-YKVrNodt1x4TW1l2K~umwSJBQuziPDrgKS9~aq88Z34B2DgojnHtIaaKK4Qj7EMjOu5qMn8nHVREPb38IhxDZIfbpe38ZhXgyfKKYok19pwTZ-CEkuJwmzc7nD2LXO64MsoTfgk59w1ZtDgkK6qubeSJDYq~OTuQMpI-kjzialB0CbCXhkBjjA48WwTJ3JE66rbhb~jxI538lBBn3q9EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business services presented the district’s March financial reports and a tentative overview of fiscal year 2026 general fund expenditures at the Oconee Board of Education work session.

Mr. Adams, presenting the business services report, said the district’s March closing cash balance represented a 3.87% decrease from the previous month but described the balance as strong and said state funding projections remained stable. The report recorded payments to 473 vendors totaling $10.9 million for March. Year-to-date, revenues and expenditures were near expected pacing: revenues and expenditures were reported at roughly 74% of the fiscal year to date against an expected 75%.

The report noted increased collections: an increase of 1.89% over the prior month and a 5.10% increase compared with March of the prior year. The presentation also reviewed federal funds (reimbursement-based timing), ELAS 6 collections, and other monthly financial metrics.

A district highlight: Oconee County Schools was reported as the only system in the state to earn a 5-star financial efficiency rating from the Georgia Department of Education for fiscal year 2024, supported by per-pupil expenditures and the district’s CCRPI performance; Mr. Adams said the district’s FY24 per-pupil expenditure was $10,514 and that all 12 district schools earned an “A” in CCRPI.

Tentative FY26 general fund figures presented by business services included a total expenditure projection of $120,500,000, with 88.5% of the total budget — $106,500,000 — allocated to personal services (salaries, TRS, health insurance and retirement) covering approximately 1,100 employees. The operational portion of the budget was presented at $13,800,000 (11.5% of the total), which the presenter said covered utilities, repairs and maintenance, curriculum and transportation.

Functional-category highlights presented (tentative FY26 expenditures as presented): instruction, $84,100,000 (roughly 600 teachers, 100 paraprofessionals, technology staff and 21 counselors); pupil services, $3,700,000 (nurses, psychologists, social workers and contracts with Northeast Georgia RESA and Lighthouse Georgia Network/GNETS); improvement of instruction, $1,100,000; educational media services (school libraries), $1,400,000; maintenance and operations, $8,900,000 (including 43 district custodians and $80,000 civic-center contract); school safety and security, $2,700,000 (SRO program, traffic control and after-hours access officers); student transportation, $6,500,000 (including $525,000 for fuel, $360,000 for maintenance and $114,000 to retrofit 53 buses with illumination bus signs and stop arms); and a $31,000 contribution to the Oconee County Library to extend student hours.

Mr. Adams said the tentative general-fund budget will be presented to the board at an upcoming work session (the presentation and the slides referenced a tentative presentation on May 5). He closed the report by inviting questions from the board; board members asked clarifying questions about SRO program costs and scope.","Business services presented March financials and a preliminary view of the district’s tentative FY26 general fund budget, including a $120.5 million tentative expenditure total and staffing-related personal services comprising most of the budget. The district also reviewed March cash balances, vendor payments and federal fund timing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6577763,"Parent asks Oconee Board for independent mold testing at Oconee County Elementary School",473,2644000,3117000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988&start=2644&end=3117","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096693-eac769ab3bb1ee6b1c5e2c47ab851988/thumbnail_2644000.jpg","/articles/6577763/Georgia/Parent-asks-Oconee-Board-for-independent-mold-testing-at-Oconee-County-Elementary-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577763-affb74127716c6a0dd2af7ee5d3c4866/orig.mp4?Expires=1771003018&Signature=bgWhEZ7NjwSC2xfqtl5z3FJ3idyg9AyO9yp53VLC5hPGv0MvNBasCM-10QQtbkr3ljzUzeeRVGtins0WjZDhwbO9kURDW1snoBvxJ7LlNLnuoNdLfsOAa2GeTcVTm6JeFs6BVooo9XkFUg-iExWHSTmTDGtZeTUHjO85SVDMLCOKSS~pS4DshtVION5waaMx5ET3bZc0-7PHjjQUrQOWk5UmZCj7k8mWIPe8ZCnHNrALdOzFuwkW0UrG67v4c2KkFJJJNWGkWvV9-gcWFrvMj7p1VzMx9~fVF4wLPjAGBaPDhcBJEzLo~Ix1w9pD5JVUtK68FCTWYqa-cXurSDrFGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A parent told the Oconee Board of Education that parents and teachers remain concerned about possible mold at Oconee County Elementary School (OCES) and asked the district to conduct independent professional mold testing before replacing flooring.

Mandy Moriera, a parent of students at Oconee County Elementary School and Oconee County Middle School, told the board that “dozens of parents were notified of potential mold in the gym floor and the outside pod, third grade, where my child is,” and said teachers had reported illness and provided photographs showing what they believe to be mold. Moriera said a petition authored by another parent had been signed by 74 parents and community members asking for independent testing prior to any construction or floor replacement.

Why this matters: Parents said they fear that replacing flooring without confirming and, if necessary, remediating an underlying mold issue could leave students and staff vulnerable to ongoing health risks. The petitioner requested transparency, professional testing and remediation if required.

What the record shows: Moriera said she had contact with district staff. She reported that Mr. Ryan White told her the district’s process included two tests — an HVAC-based humidity test and a concrete slab moisture test — and that those district tests found no mold. Moriera said parents were not satisfied with those results and asked for independent, third-party testing before the district proceeds with floor replacement. She also said a classroom carpet replacement two years earlier had been linked to contractor residue, and that previous concerns about mold had arisen at other district schools in earlier years.

Board policies and response: Mr. Colquitt read district policies BCBI and BCBIR aloud earlier in the meeting, noting that only Oconee County residents and employees may speak and outlining the three-minute public-comment limit; Moriera spoke during public comments and the board did not provide an on-the-record response before time expired.

What was not decided: The board did not vote on testing or remediation at this meeting. Moriera asked for independent testing and for the district to share results with staff and families. The transcript does not record a commitment from the board or staff to commission outside testing during the meeting.

Next steps listed by the speaker: Parents requested independent professional mold testing prior to floor replacement, transparency on results and remediation steps if testing indicates contamination.","A parent told the board of alleged mold in Oconee County Elementary School gyms and classrooms and presented a petition signed by 74 people asking for independent professional testing before flooring work continues. District staff said preliminary humidity and slab moisture tests did not show mold.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oconee Board of Education approves vendor, facilities and personnel-related items in unanimous votes

Business services summarizes tentative FY26 general fund and March financials; district reports 5‑star state financial efficiency rating

Parent asks Oconee Board for independent mold testing at Oconee County Elementary School