October 21, 2019 — Buford Board of Education Chairman Phillip Beard called the October meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7 p.m. at the Buford City Schools Central Office. Following the Pledge, the agenda and September 23, 2019, meeting minutes were approved.
The Board approved old technology from BES, BA, BSA, and BMS to be put into surplus. Three pay requests for the new BHS were approved to be payable to Breaux & Associates, Endless Pools, and FieldTurf USA Inc. Eleven field trip requests, four fundraiser requests, five community service projects, and one new club were presented to the Board. The Board voted to approve all of the requests.
In the principals’ reports, BES reported an enrollment of 375 and 75 daycare. They have been celebrating Wolftober this month and will participate in Red Ribbon Week next week. Next month they will have the theme of “Wolves are thankful in November.” BA’s current enrollment is 1,179. BA recently participated in CHOA’s Cape Day, the Fall Festival, testing, and International Night. Next week they will celebrate Red Ribbon Week and show their support of the bus drivers with bus safety. BSA has an enrollment of 805. They also participated in CHOA’s Cape Day, the Fall Festival, held parent conferences, and had plenty of testing. This week they will practice bus safety and next week will participate in Red Ribbon Week. BMS’s current enrollment is 1,222. They recently completed Benchmark testing, Iowa and PSAT testing, Overtime has started, basketball got started, CC will hold awards banquet, Comp Cheer will be at State on November 2, the band recently held their concert at the PAC. Chorus will put on a concert tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the PAC. BHS has an enrollment of 1,526. Fine Arts have been busy with the play “See How They Run” running for three days at the PAC, One-Act Competition will take place soon, the Fall Chorus Concert is on October 28, and 25 students will participate in Athens for Chorus. Buford was selected for the game show High Q. The Quiz Bowl team will compete on October 25 but the episode does not air until November 3. Athletics is moving into the postseason. Buford football is ranked #1 in all polls for AAAAA, Volleyball is region champs and will participate in the Elite Eight at home, Softball defeated Ola to make their 15th consecutive appearance at the Elite Eight in Columbus, and Comp Cheer will compete on October 26. Wrestling, basketball, and swimming all got started today.
The Board voted to purchase another school bus at the approximate cost of $72,000 from Yancey. Several major events have been booked for the Arena. On November 21, the Arena will play host to the Red, Blue, & You. First responders will gather to honor late cancer victims. Buford will host basketball playoffs in late February while Buford will host the GHSA State Gymnastics meet for all classifications. Dr. Lacrecia Smith gave a quick update for the Diversity and Inclusion Program.
Mr. Beard went around the room to see if anyone would like to stand up and speak. Four candidates for the two seats are Matt Peevy, Lien Diaz, Melissa Ferris, and Daren Perkins. They each gave a short speech asking for votes. With nothing further, Beard adjourned the October Buford Board of Education meeting.
— Staff Reports
