[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6524892,"mediaKeyId","5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096","parentId",5022295,"title","Votes at a glance: Pickens County Board approves personnel, budget, construction manager and other routine items","audioSeconds",499,"startMs",1875000,"endMs",2374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096&start=1875&end=2374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096/thumbnail_1875000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524892/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Pickens-County-Board-approves-personnel-budget-construction-manager-and-other-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524892-1ff50a8d634410200cafce821561ff1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437830&Signature=KgmE79zefPYOx~A6zlznYpb3lPt-LglATc-gZVfQTgj-QB6zUZzPPhzUThGqGsYzU7X6PL6fAo1otBnONvqckMeeQMa6Mj3waOagxL4vlMBTkHidsodQfKWun9rEXjvXLlg-1wQH9OZh2FmOGB2U9CAai9CqWzZ-PAZOWcTkkRIBNRXsevusn-~wyQ3ZTqSoY-CrMrUdKFmI1deIlPZol2xpp5Kf5Aojn-YeJw-jGJGvXaHC3CMeksMyXpOiM-FEUHvvhegMpu1FJKzdtyeQF1B8kN4GgJ5MJG9IqNdUgu9rIWgqEhYEc-mzMUfB~FYfrW4eQMAnbVVivIFMKkVMDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-06-14T00:19:36Z","article","The Pickens County Board of Education approved a series of motions by voice vote during the meeting. The following is a concise listing of actions taken and outcomes as reported in the board transcript.

- Personnel action report: Motion to approve made by Mister Lam; second by Miss Lamley. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

- Approval of fiscal year 2026 salary schedules: Motion made and approved by voice vote (mover and seconder not specified on the record).

- Final approval of revised board policy JBCB (nonresident students): Motion by Miss Emily; second by Mister White. Outcome: Approved.

- Approval of fiscal year 2025 budget amendment: Motion by Mister Williamson; second by Mister Duncan. Outcome: Approved. Board clarified amendment moves categories and is not an overage.

- Approval of FY 2026 spending resolution (interim spending authority up to one‑twelfth rule): Motion by Mister Bartell; second by Mister White. Outcome: Approved. The spending resolution permits necessary July expenditures until the tentative budget is adopted.

- Approval of 2025‑26 school meal prices: Board approved a proposed increase of $0.10 for breakfast and lunch at most schools and a $0.05 increase for high‑school lunch so that middle and junior high lunches align at $2.75; free/reduced eligibility unaffected. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

- Approval of PHS engineering lab computer replacements: Motion approved by voice vote.

- Approval of construction manager for RFP 2025-001 (Hill City Elementary): Carol Daniel Construction selected as construction manager. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

- Approval of easements with Georgia Power (easement 0148 and 014B at 339 West Church Street): Motion approved by voice vote.

- Consent agenda: Included financial reports, internship agreements with Georgia Southern University, MOUs with Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, Brenau University, Dalton State College, Kennesaw State University, out-of-state overnight field trips, minutes of prior meetings and various surplus declarations. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

Ending: The transcript records actions as approved by voice vote with no roll‑call vote tallies recorded in the minutes provided. Where the transcript did identify movers and seconders, those names are included above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pickens County Board of Education | June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of motions and outcomes recorded during the Pickens County Board of Education meeting, including approvals for personnel actions, budget amendments, meal-price changes, technology purchases and easements.","taxTitle","Pickens County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",59451,"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},6524898,"Board revises nonresident attendance policy to allow certain out-of-county students",73,1914000,1987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096&start=1914&end=1987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096/thumbnail_1914000.jpg","/articles/6524898/Georgia/Board-revises-nonresident-attendance-policy-to-allow-certain-out-of-county-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524898-94288355e2efbc7667a7e0cbb9f784ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437830&Signature=bsa~TvtSQhSqb5RwgApxgz21fObZ0tw77abWpsP5FXIGeQsncR8rC6TI69~kqvOBB6PorSXKQEQgadPhdcYGfvrmlbWihDCLaJ3DF1UpDoXzyOzaGdzGu3aNDq9Xy8cFZZ1vTq0mwI1sUx9bwjMf3hAeyU6hdufUCYwfiD45~6pWn85-NUM8vqn5DsvzpSoGInYJ2IC4QjM9in4AyCv9D3SZt21lC0e9G5v~qd6kWxFTQ2gslILeaZVy8byTXwbsUDT7YPLVfLHvKA2mhra62isb9YAvMuZC-DpZdeO86bqLED6b3JRyonLtC1GUPwHtslq8TokBJ-DAzEzLnsKEIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Education voted to adopt a revision to board policy JBCB concerning nonresident students, the superintendent announced. Under the revised language, a student who lives out of Pickens County may attend Pickens County Schools if the student meets one of the following criteria: a parent or grandparent is an employee of the Pickens County Board of Education, or the student resides in Dawson County within the confines of Big Canoe. The policy change retains the provision that transportation will not be provided to students who reside outside Pickens County.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas outlined that the policy had been on the floor for the required 30 days and summarized the two criteria introduced in the revision. A motion to approve the policy was made by “Miss Emily” and seconded by “Mister White”; the board approved the revision by voice vote.

Ending: The revised policy JBCB will take effect per board rules; parents and guardians seeking nonresident enrollment under the new criteria must follow district application procedures and arrange transportation, the board said.","Pickens County Board approved a revision to board policy JBCB allowing students who live out of county to attend Pickens County Schools if a parent or grandparent works for the district or if the student resides in Dawson County within Big Canoe; the district will not provide transportation for out‑of‑county students.",{"_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},6524903,"Board greenlights Hill City construction manager; updates show Pickens High remodel on schedule",391,1276000,1667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096&start=1276&end=1667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096/thumbnail_1276000.jpg","/articles/6524903/Georgia/Board-greenlights-Hill-City-construction-manager-updates-show-Pickens-High-remodel-on-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524903-f676c4627d58e1746cfe62fa0c39c614/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437830&Signature=U6dVwr-boelnrKNF5X83C-noOHuQPQgR75mj8d3E26NN4ZgvQFCP7jv-7Cwbobjyjo32E-XKQTRKbf76F4kN710G1tJA5NV5-IKl8G7BJgF39cG0iC5k8I8Cpe3i~r58C935Tmgc1vADl2QLfasjze6jERlztOtrc3MYnOUxeFUWmduiNLEen9lFQerc8~8Q0jB35757XQPLJqPwXxK6Tg8I5Ub8oWhOuSvxwDEjVfkj4H1QszKk18fY79DgMlcoC8jPLJHkYHSg2lxQ9-gYCb1BaBpEbvridaOJpbQdhMDpgRhGWCJzs1yzx9-SJmoUSjJXV7cvaIaQH9xXeV~MRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County School Board approved Carol Daniel Construction as the construction manager for RFP 2025-001, the renovation and modification project at Hill City Elementary, and heard detailed construction and operations updates from Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker and Operations Director Stacy Williams.

Parker told the board the committee recommended Carol Daniel Construction as the lowest bidder and that the district has used the company previously. The motion to approve the construction manager passed by voice vote.

Operations Director Stacy Williams provided schedules and current statuses for several projects: the track surface installation is underway but requires seven consecutive sunny days to complete the surfacing; Grove facility punch‑list items remain and Williams expected the facility to be finished by the following Wednesday pending transformer work; and the Pickens High School remodel is progressing, with demolition expected to finish the following Tuesday, about 38–40% of the interior project complete, and the upstairs scheduled for furniture move‑in the week of June 23. Williams said bathrooms will be finished except for partitions, which are due in July, and the district expects the overall high‑school project to be wrapped up and ready by July. He also said the district will seek a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) from the architect and hoped to present a GMP for the Hill City work by October, no later than November.

Williams described the high school remodel as “the biggest project we’ve probably ever done” in the district and said additional renovations at Harmony and Pickens Junior are on a multi‑year schedule.

Ending: With the construction manager approved and timelines presented, the district will return to the board with a GMP and additional contract approvals as the projects advance.","The board approved Carol Daniel Construction as construction manager for Hill City Elementary and received timeline updates for multiple capital projects including the Pickens High School remodel, track and Grove facility.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6524907,"Pickens County board hears strong fiscal update; approves budget amendments, spending resolution and salary schedules",1206,879000,2085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096&start=879&end=2085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096/thumbnail_879000.jpg","/articles/6524907/Georgia/Pickens-County-board-hears-strong-fiscal-update-approves-budget-amendments-spending-resolution-and-salary-schedules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524907-bd202e193e7df04a3ce8bde6eb504675/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437830&Signature=gyBC9nxwsIm7~faU519bvVt4ZvBmD7aj0mWD1l1ZHy0vQjgVrxDuy~JGcty2dGUlJh0LWicR6kRlIEP5vhgeWz~u1azpLosxNki1GvDaJPPp6L5oPDpKe~YyCkHuC38xoSRht1QM3XlRCu3KStciya1S-e-aV5lgqwsNOzAq~T7LYYC66Bm6M0OG34JelJOfnED4xhN9x6AXqKQWq6x6Ur2RyIagVm2Z2IzrzQv6abMQ7rgrZfIir3FbrHp6Gooxx8KgIOcPMsszyv5l1uOGVseJw-V4IanX6WUW9v4VZHNgbEATNXVIluiiKJXXbf2hdZn9gT326vNxCP2w1apXHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County School Board members approved several fiscal measures after a financial update from Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith, who told the board the district has collected roughly 88.16% of budgeted revenue through May and expended about 75.31% of budgeted expenditures for fiscal year 2025.

Smith said the district still expects to collect additional property‑tax revenue through the summer months and anticipates coming close to or surpassing 100% of budgeted revenue when accruals and supplemental July/August collections post. She projected a likely year‑end general‑fund balance near $12 million and described the district’s general fund and special revenue fund positions as “in an excellent place.” She also reported receiving $11,241,957.98 in GSFIC funds for phases 1 and 2 of Pickens High School renovations and that the district sold surplus assets totaling about $25,000.

Smith said the audit closeout is underway with the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and that the district had no findings; she noted the county had not seen an audit finding since 2009. The board was reminded that the FY26 budget process is ongoing and public hearings will follow.

After the report the board voted to approve several items on the agenda: the personnel action report; final approval of FY26 salary schedules; a FY25 budget amendment (which board members characterized as category transfers, not an overage); and a FY26 spending resolution that authorizes the district to spend up to one‑twelfth of the previous year’s budgeted expenditures beginning July 1 until a tentative budget is adopted. The spending resolution is required by state law to permit July expenditures when the next year's tentative budget is not yet approved.

Board members approved the consent agenda, which included financial reports and multiple memoranda of understanding with local universities and service providers.

Ending: The board set public budget‑hearing dates during July and will return to finalize the FY26 tentative budget in the coming weeks.","CFO Amy Smith reported the district has collected about 88% of budgeted revenue and expects about $12 million in fund balance; the board approved the FY25 budget amendment, FY26 spending resolution and FY26 salary schedules among other fiscal items.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6524911,"Pickens County Schools earn six-year Cognia accreditation; district reports test-score and graduation gains",270,586000,856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096&start=586&end=856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022295-fe42778acab2132b4b95b466c188e096/thumbnail_586000.jpg","/articles/6524911/Georgia/Pickens-County-Schools-earn-six-year-Cognia-accreditation-district-reports-test-score-and-graduation-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524911-e36f38e8c465114b0595612e4447bf26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437830&Signature=oKMYOZ5dAzSeo3HzCPwxiQCMYbbEYaGIR~FuZJoDaPA0LiyZznu7N4X6IFP3dw8Avdqh2Zi1MovJNAAv8oZoscx9AWEGpllsxUGre6K6M9Q0BFBoJDtcWNYD2e9M8dL5bfbTs4G2vrPF0Jor1xUB0FrzwaTZGX8mc3dWLSnkuK~O63XmpR2m49qAvYTuhJAn4-~5rbzrVJPE0D~zzA~gdIhEp25d9xhm~GfxlVV2A2E2ZPlk7cT3KJPFNzoL8qEZp4yvpQLIG1ZTpFfJ3-aHP6edsSyHMua6EgXiu~JMD2IH4vLoTR1r~cEz05ObXrpsoU2GGML~-4aI6a8pbNYzPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County School District announced it earned a six-year accreditation from Cognia and reported notable recent gains in student assessments and graduation outcomes, district officials said at the June board meeting.

District Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Abby May told the board that the district’s engagement review in May resulted in accreditation valid for six years with a two-year check-in. “We are fully accredited,” Dr. May said, and the district’s overall score rose 11 points from 2019, she added.

Dr. May highlighted areas the review praised: student services and counseling, teacher and administrator perceptions of school safety, the district’s instructional framework, and partnerships with community stakeholders. She also flagged areas for improvement that Cognia recommended, including professional learning tied to instructional practices, a more focused districtwide professional-learning plan, stronger professional learning communities (PLCs) and instructional technology use as a teaching partner rather than the primary instructional tool.

On testing, Dr. May provided several cohort gains the district recorded this year: an 11 percentage-point increase in eighth-grade math from one year to the next; Tate Elementary’s jump of 21 points in the share of students scoring at levels three and four in math and ELA from third to fourth grade; Harmony’s 12-point increase in those categories for math from third to fourth grade; Hill City’s 10-point gain in ELA from third to fourth; a 2-point increase at Jackson Middle in the share of students scoring three and four in math from fifth to sixth grade; Pickens Junior’s 11-point increase in seventh-to-eighth-grade math; and Pickens High’s 12-point increase in biology three/four scores. Dr. May cautioned that testing updates are not “official” until July but said she wanted to share the district’s celebrations with the board.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas reported on graduation and post‑graduation outcomes for the class of 2025. The district had 302 graduates. Of those, 145 were reported enrolled in further education, 103 employed, and four enlisted in the military; 46 graduates were both enrolled and employed, and four were both enrolled and enlisted. Those counts sum to the full class, which Dr. Thomas reported as 100% of the class of 2025 being enrolled, enlisted or employed based on information available at the time of the meeting. The district anticipates a four‑year graduation rate of 95.4% (to be finalized in the fall), up about four percentage points from the prior year, and said the class earned just under $800,000 in scholarship offers.

Board members and district leaders framed the accreditation and student outcomes as validation of ongoing strategic work but also emphasized continuing investments in professional learning and instructional technology to address the areas Cognia noted for improvement.

Ending: The district will report official state test results and the finalized graduation-rate release later in the summer and fall; the Cognia accreditation requires a two‑year check‑in to document progress on the review’s recommendations.","Pickens County School District received a six-year accreditation from Cognia and reported across-the-district test-score gains and a strong class of 2025 outcome, officials said during the board meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Pickens County Board approves personnel, budget, construction manager and other routine items

Board revises nonresident attendance policy to allow certain out-of-county students

Board greenlights Hill City construction manager; updates show Pickens High remodel on schedule

Pickens County board hears strong fiscal update; approves budget amendments, spending resolution and salary schedules

Pickens County Schools earn six-year Cognia accreditation; district reports test-score and graduation gains