School board approves applying for $50,000 safety grant

School Safety Director Richard Herrin presented the Rural School Safety Grant during the Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, work session of the Cook County Board of Education.

The $50,000 Rural School Safety Grant will be funded by The Office of Rural Education and Innovation. No local match is required.

The grant funds will be used to promote safer schools in the district through the use of video monitoring technology. Building administration, along with School Resource Officers, District Safety personnel, and local law enforcement, has identified parts of the local campuses that are not presently covered by video surveillance technology.

The Cook County Schools Technology Department was used as a resource for designing a closed circuit camera system that will improve video monitoring of the buildings and campuses during and after school hours. Video surveillance is an important component of the school safety plan in identifying and locating threats to campus security.

During the BOE’s regular session following the work session, Board Member Brenda Moore made a motion seconded by Board Member Corkey Taylor, to approve the grant application. All members present voted in favor.

Other business during the Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, work session of the Cook County Board of Education:

Chairman Jeff Taylor Called the meeting to order, Board Member Chad Sumner gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tim Dixon.

Approval of Agenda

Board Member Corkey Taylor made the motion to approve, seconded by Board Member Moore. Unanimously approved.

Art fundraiser

Cook Primary School Principal Jeanne Dixon presented a request for approval of an Art fundraiser for Patti Franklin, Art teacher at Cook Primary School.

If approved, Cook Primary School students and families will have the opportunity to participate in the Square 1 Art fundraiser. In Art Class, students will “create masterpieces that will be transformed into unique gifts and keepsakes, all available to purchase online through Square 1 Art,” according to school officials. Items for purchase include (but are not limited to) the following: Keychains, trivets, canvases, stickers, water bottles, throw blankets, and coffee mugs.

Board Policy IKBC: Material Harmful to Minors Compliant Resolution Process 

Leslie Folsom presented this board policy, which addresses complaints submitted by parents or permanent guardians alleging that material that is harmful to minors or has been provided or is currently available to his or her child who is enrolled in the school system. (A copy of this policy is available on the Cook County Schools’ website.)

School Nutrition Bid

Libby Peters, School Nutrition Director, presented a low bid from Manning Brothers for a new walk-in-cooler/freezer, shelving, and flooring for Cook Middle School. This cost is included in the School Nutrition plan to reduce excess cash. The low bid was $195,479.33.

Financial Update

Jackie Sparks, Finance Director, presented a current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) update, fund balance comparison, and an updated financial report for the general fund, capital project funds, federal programs funds and school school nutrition funds for the month ending Dec. 31, 2022.

Mrs. Sparks also mentioned that in Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal, there is an increase in the employer’s health care coverage premium. The school system currently pays $945 monthly per person with the increase being $1,580 monthly per person. The plan currently covers approximately 332 employees.

Surplus property update 

School Board Attorney Danny Studstill updated the board members that the sale of the surplus property would be through an online auction with Derry Bennett of South Auction within 30 days, with a starting bid of $100. Studstill said the school board has the right to reject all bids. If school officials choose not to sell surplus property, the school system would only lose a $500 deposit.

Superintendent’s Report

• Appointment of Chair/Co-Chair positions: Dr. Dixon reminded the board members that it was time to appoint a new chair and co-chair for a two year term.
• Appointment of Board Attorney: Dr Dixon reminded the board members that it was time to appoint a board attorney for a two year term.
• Overnight field trip: Dr. Dixon presented the following overnight trip for approval: Cook High School Y-Club, Atlanta, GA-Feb. 26-28, 2023.

During the regular session:

Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order. Elder Elder Andrew Lily of Love Temple Church gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dr. Dixon.

Approval of agenda

Motion made by Corkey Taylor; seconded by Chad Sumner. Unanimously approved.

Consent agenda

Motion made by Brenda Moore; seconded by Corkey Taylor to approve the meeting minutes from the Dec. 12, 2022, work session and regular session. All voted in favor.

Action items

-CPS Art Fundraiser: Motion made by Corkey Taylor; seconded by Brenda Moore. Unanimously approved.

-Board Policy IKBC: Material Harmful to Minors Complaint Resolution Process: Motion made by Chad Sumner; seconded by Corkey Taylor. Unanimously approved.

-School Nutrition bid: Motion made by Brenda Moore; seconded by Chad Sumner. Unanimously approved.

-Surplus property: Motion made by Corkey Taylor; seconded by Brenda Moore. Unanimously approved.

Appointment of Chair / Co-Chair Positions

On a motion by Brenda Moore, seconded by Jeff Taylor, all board members were in favor of appointing Corkey Taylor as chairman and Chad Sumner as co-chair for a two-year term.

Appointment of Board Attorney

On a motion by Chad Sumner, seconded by Corkey Taylor, all board members were in favor of appointing Danny Studstill as board attorney for a two-year term.

Field Trip – CHS, Y-Club – Atlanta, GA – Feb. 26-28, 2023

Motion made by Brenda Moore; seconded by Corkey Taylor. Unanimously approved.

Other matters by board members 

Jeff Taylor reminded the board members to complete the Superintendent’s evaluation.

Other matters by Superintendent – Georgia Department of Education recognition

Dr. Dixon recognized Laural Heard for her response about the DRC BEACON assessment being published in the January 2023 GaDOE Assessment Update newsletter.