Staff Reports
December 10, 2018 – Buford Board of Education Chairman Phillip Beard called the December meeting to order at noon on Monday at the Buford City Schools Central Office on Sawnee Avenue. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the approval of the agenda, BHS Principal, Ed Shaddix stood up to recognize the high school’s One Act Play led by Ms. Kimberly Staples for winning the GHSA State AAAAA One Act Play. https://www.northgwinnettvoice.com/bhs-one-act-play-wins-state/
The November 12th minutes were approved. The financial report was given showing an operating balance as of 10/31/18 was $7,154,527.09. Five pay requests pertaining to the new BHS were approved: Charles Black Construction – $1,273,007.00, Charles Black Construction – $484,616.00, Breaux & Associates – $24,320.58, Field Turf – $552,575.60, and GRESCO Utility Supply – $65,830.00. General maintenance items were approved to be paid. $3,485.00 was approved to screen and recoat gym floor in the green gym at Buford Academy. In BA’s gold gym, the carpet will be cleaned for $762.00. Cafeteria tables are being ordered for $49,896.00 for the new BMS (old BHS). $15,955.00 was approved to order custodial supplies. A change order for the new BHS was approved for Cain Electric for $14,923.00 for four light fixtures in the main front lobby.
Two field trip requests were approved. Track will be going to Texas for Texas Relays and the BHS Band will be going to Athens to attend the UGA Honor Band/JanFest. A fundraiser request from the Riflery team was approved.
The principals gave their reports to the board. Buford Elementary School’s current enrollment is 723. Ms. Prince was pleased to announce that students donated 50 pairs of shoes which they gave to students at BES in need. Ms. Pulley announced Buford Academy’s current enrollment is 1,532. BA just wrapped up their spelling bee and will begin benchmark testing. Buford Middle School’s current enrollment is 1,174. Ms. Reed bragged about how amazing this year’s system wide holiday concert was. Junior Thespians had a performance on December 5th. BMS basketball teams are doing well and benchmark testing will begin soon. Mr. Shaddix reported BHS’s current enrollment at 1,457. For the first time in school history, a student will be part of the All-State Region Chorus. Quinn Conrad has earned that honor. Basketball and riflery are both currently undefeated.
The Student Council Bylaws and Guidelines were reviewed and updated. A pay request for $4,300.00 to 1st Stop GA Teen Driving Academy for the fall session was approved. Dr. Cantrell reported that BES, BA, and BMS were awarded Title I Distinguished Schools. The Board approved the FY20 Budget Adoption Calendar. First hearing will be May 19th and second hearing June 19th. Dr. Cantrell was called upon again to report that all four schools received “Beating the Odds” awards. This is the first time that all four schools achieved this in the same year.
Lacrecia Smith gave an update on the Diversity and Inclusion Program. Due to the large number of applicants, there will be two councils. One comprised of community members and another one comprised of twelve school system teachers and staff. Twenty five applicants were selected for the community council and were notified Monday afternoon by email. The councils will begin meeting in January.
Former Buford City Schools Superintendent, Ms. Beauty Baldwin who heads up the search committee for the new BCSS Superintendent reported that they have received a total of 92 applications for the position of which, 61 are from Georgia and the other 31 are from outside of Georgia. She is pleased with the number of applications as well as, the diversity of the applicants. The committee has been meeting every Monday, sometimes from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Their final meeting of the year will be on December 17th and will resume their meetings in January.
The official system-wide enrollment number is 4,883 students.
Chairman Beard went asked Board members and meeting attendees if anyone had any further business to present. No one stepped forward. Meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Education meeting will be on January 28, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the Buford City Schools Central Office located at 2625 Sawnee Avenue in Buford. All Board of Education meetings are open to the public.
