(The Pierce County Board of Education discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session, Thursday, February 6 and their regular monthly meeting Monday, February 10.
Closed session and personnel: The board adjourned into a ?? minute closed session to discuss personnel at Thursday’s meeting. After the closed session, the board approved Amber Cyr as student information specialist at the central office, DeWayne Batten as grounds worker supervisor in the maintenance department and Robert Smith as a 77 percent time employee at the high school. The board also voted to hire Brian Herrin as a grounds worker for maintenance, Kandace Wheeler as a teacher and Nicole Johnson and Toni Preston as paraprofessionals at Blackshear Elementary, Christine Blackmon and Melanie Tuten as teachers at Patterson Elementary, Raygen Helmuth, Jessica Johnson and Kynlee O’Berry as teachers, Macy Tippins as a paraprofessional and Peyton Turner as a receptionist, all at Midway Elementary and Kimberly Crews as a teacher and Christine Rowell as a custodian at the middle school. Adam Hart was approved as a community coach for the soccer team at the middle school and Ben Tuten was approved as a community coach for the baseball team at the high school. The board approved recommendations for returning staff for all schools in the system. In separate votes, Board chairman Duward Boatright abstained in the vote for his daughter-in-law, Nancy Boatright, media specialist at Patterson Elementary, second district board member abstained on the vote for his daughterin- law, Virginia Tison and third district board member Chip Griner abstained on the votes for his wife, Julie Griner, teacher at Patterson Elementary and his daughter, Ella Griner, teacher at PCMS. All three votes were 3-1. Abstentions count as no votes for recording purposes. First district board member Kirby Malone was not present. The board also approved the resignations of Jennifer Morris as a teacher and Heather Coleman as a paraprofessional, both at Blackshear Elementary, Harriet Young as a nurse at the middle school, Swane Morris and LaCharles Pringle as teachers at the high school and Regina O’Neal as a bus driver. The board also approved the retirements of Amy Evors, student information specialist at the central office, Lynne Thornton, teacher at Blackshear Elementary, Jeanne Crawford as a teacher at Midway Elementary, Deanna Lewis as school nutrition assistant at the middle school and Henry Mackey as a custodian at the middle school.
Student tuition: The board approved the non-resident student tuition for next school year. (See related story.)
College and Career Ready Performance Index report : Superintendent Dara Bennett presented the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). (See story in Feb. 19 edition.)
Audit corrective plan: The board approved a corrective plan for an issue found during the state audit in 2023. Finance director Melanie Helms stressed no major finding were reported in the audit, but auditors recommended suggested changes to policy to strengthen security with the system’s technology. The corrective action includes reviewing user rights and permissions for technology twice annually, having the superintendent and finance director sign off on those rights and permissions, having journal entries signed off on during posting and having all journal entry changes documented. The corrective action plan must be approved by the board and submitted to the state and must be implemented in the next audit year.
Parent mentor application: The board approved the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership for 2026. Sarah McIntosh, Director of Student Services, told board members the parent mentor application must be submitted every year. The system receives a $14,000 grant, which must be matched by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds. Robbie Beahan serves as the local parent mentor.
Recognition: The board recognized the Class AA state competitive cheer champions.
Consent agenda: There were no items for the consent agenda.
Reports: Finance Director Melanie Helms gave the system’s financial report. The system financial report will be included in the February 19 edition. She reported the system’s sales tax revenue was $273,462 in December, up $4,100 from November. School activity accounts were also presented and reviewed. The board approved the financial reports as presented. Facilities director Harbin Farr gave an update on the renovations to the old high school gym.
Public participation: There was no public participation.
Minutes: The board approved minutes for last month’s meetings.
Information: Superintendent Dara Bennett announced schools will be closed Monday, February 17 for President’s Day. Schools will be closed for students for a professional development day Feb. 18, but faculty and staff will report for work. Report cards will be issued Friday, March 21.
Next meetings: The next monthly work session will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 6. The regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 10. All meetings will be at the BOE office.
