The Bibb County Board of Education convened on July 17, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focused on school nutrition contracts and budgetary matters for the upcoming fiscal year.

The meeting commenced with a recommendation from Mr. Bush to tentatively adopt a millage rate of 14.674 mills for the 2025 calendar year. The motion was unanimously approved and will be included in the consent agenda.

Next, the board discussed the School Nutrition Chemical Contract, presented by Dr. Wilson Beverly. The proposal sought approval for a purchase order not to exceed $150,000 for the fiscal year 2026, aimed at procuring necessary chemical products for school nutrition services. The board approved the motion unanimously, ensuring that these funds would not be impacted by any withheld federal funds.

Following this, the board addressed the School Nutrition Paper Contract, which involved a request for $1.4 million for paper products from Southeastern Paper Group. This motion also passed unanimously, with assurances that the funds would come from the School Nutrition budget.

The discussion then shifted to the School Nutrition Produce Contract, which proposed a budget of $1.4 million for produce items from two vendors, The Common Market and What Chef Wants. The board approved this motion unanimously, confirming that the funds would not be affected by any federal funding issues.

The board also approved a blanket purchase order for SmartMouth Pizza, a sole vendor providing pizza products that meet USDA nutritional requirements, with a budget of $950,000 for the fiscal year. This motion was met with enthusiasm from board members, who noted the popularity of the product among students.

Additionally, the board approved a request for temporary staffing services in the School Nutrition Department, allocating $425,000 to two vendors for staffing needs. This motion was also unanimously passed, with clarifications that these would be additional staff to fill vacancies.

The meeting continued with discussions on a multifunction copier contract, custodial supplies, and food contracts, all of which received unanimous approval. Notably, the School Nutrition Food Contract was set at $7.15 million for the fiscal year, marking an increase from the previous year’s budget.

Finally, the board addressed contract supports for special education services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech services, with a total estimated cost of $1.3 million. These motions were also approved unanimously.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the board's commitment to maintaining and enhancing school nutrition services while ensuring fiscal responsibility. All motions discussed will be included in the consent agenda for final approval in the upcoming board meeting.