January 26, 2021 — The Buford Board of Education was called to order at 7 p.m. at the Buford Arena by Chairman Phillip Beard. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the agenda and the Dec. 7, 2020, minutes.
In the facilities report, the board was presented with BES and BA needing new roofs. Members voted to approve the necessary steps and costs associated with replacing the roofs at these two schools. Breaux & Associates and Charles Black Construction will be used for the roof replacements. The board expects some funding to come from the state.
The board voted to approve the expense of converting the field at Tom Riden Stadium to turf.
One fundraiser was approved for the boys and girls soccer teams.
Eight art tables will be placed into surplus. The board approved a modification to the FY 2021-2022 school year calendar. A teacher workday was moved up to Jan. 4 making it Jan. 5 when students return from winter break. BCS was awarded $1.6 million from the CARES 2 Act Relief Funds, although the funding has not arrived as of yet.
Dr. Lacrecia Smith gave an update on the Diversity and Inclusion Program. She went over the things the schools did to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. BCS is gearing up for Black History Month. Students may enter the new Black History Month Poetry Contest. Winners will receive gift cards, as well as read their poetry during the March Buford Board of Education meeting.
Mr. Graves gave an update on Buford Elementary School. The enrollment at BES is 393, 23 digital and 83 in the day care. BES recently celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the 100th day of school. Later this month, they will celebrate dads. BES had 134 applications submitted for tuition students for 2021-2022 and staff will begin to process those.
Mrs. Poole said the enrollment at BA is 1,192 with 116 digital students. Forty-two digital students were welcomed to in-person learning at the start of the semester. They had 91 students attend the first Saturday school of the year to receive additional help. They too celebrated the 100th day of school. On Monday night, students and teachers participated in digital BINGO.
Mrs. Pulley said the current enrollment for BSA is 860 with 83 digital students. Thirty-one digital students began in-person learning at the start of the semester. On Jan. 5, BSA hosted the BCS spelling bee, which fifth-grader Grady Lundy won. Students and teachers alike dressed like they were 100 years old to celebrate the 100th day of school. BSA had a successful first Saturday school session.
Mrs. Short said the enrollment at BMS is 1,316 with 98 digital students. BMS teachers have been helping more than 100 students weekly in their after school and Saturday school sessions. A team from Mrs. Castleman’s social studies classes came in first place in the Stock Market Game with the stock portfolio they submitted. Those students are Issac Menakumtima, Carsan Reeves, Christopher Alcott and Aiden Rice. Sixteen students made the District Honor Band. The eighth-grade boys basketball team ended its season 9-3. Fifth through eighth-grade girls basketball teams had successful seasons with the seventh- and eighth-grade teams wrapping up their seasons next week. They hope to win to maintain their first-place ranking in their league. BMS was set to host the Miss BMS pageant on Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Fine Arts Center. They are pre-selling tickets to allow for social distancing.
Mrs. Hagelthorn said the current enrollment at BHS is 1,648 with 294 students still learning digitally. BHS hosts the second annual Cookies and Cocoa 5k on Saturday. They currently have 268 participants signed up. Social distancing will be promoted during the event. DECA, FBLA, HOSA, Skills USA and FCCLA are currently competing at Region and State competitions with their eyes on doing well at Nationals. Mrs. Hagelthorn also gave an update on athletics, which can be read on page 14.
This concluded the Buford Board of Education meeting. The next meeting will be held at noon Feb. 22, 2021. Check the school website or Facebook page for the meeting location.
— Staff Reports
