By Alicia Couch Payne
The Board of Education held their June meeting on June 11, 2018 at the Buford City Schools Central Office. The first bit of business was over technology where they surplused old tech items from the Academy and the Middle School. Infrastructure Upgrades, hardware purchases, as well as software and service renewals were approved.
Two pay requests pertaining to the new BHS to Charles Black Construction were approved. GRESCO Utility Company and CEDS Construction Company each had pay requests approved from work done on the new BHS. Breaux and Associates will be responsible for additional costs that will arise when it was decided that additional wall sections were needed in the classroom wing. They will also be responsible for more steel supports and exterior pilasters that were deemed necessary at the new BHS.
Tentative events coming to the Buford Arena include a soccer tournament as well as the GHSA Basketball Semifinals. The Board approved the FY19 system budget of $52 million, FY19 Liability & Worker’s Compensation Insurance Renewal, FY19 Student Insurance Renewal, and FY19 Board meeting dates. They noted that the October meeting was changed to October 22nd at 12 p.m. They approved a 6% FY20 TRS Employer Rate Increase for the staff. According to an article recently published, school systems will receive school safety money from the state of 25k for the first time since 1994. The Board held a preliminary FY19 Budget Hearing. No one had any input or objections.
Buford Elementary School reported that their enrollment at the end of the school year was 656 students of which just over 30 students were attending summer school. The Academy reported a school year ending enrollment of 1480. Buford Middle said their school year ending enrollment was 1,123 students of which 75 were attending summer school. The High School said that 312 seniors graduated at the Arena with an additional 4 graduating since then. They have hosted 11 various youth camps at the High School. Construction is underway on the front of the high school to help improve campus security.
