[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6326186,"mediaKeyId","2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49","parentId",2325685,"title","Board to consider painting, mechanical and easement contracts; consent agenda set with one item removed","audioSeconds",1074,"startMs",6721820,"endMs",7796235,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49&start=6721&end=7796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49/thumbnail_6721820.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326186/Georgia/Board-to-consider-painting-mechanical-and-easement-contracts-consent-agenda-set-with-one-item-removed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326186-37431c0b0cff9d5f3a94e8249143f271/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157488&Signature=eq8fmpLYdg2BN-uSgAWCKPay8U3VenyDjKzEkoMs88C-lYIL1hzp-W0C-5UwzCob-bdRHycH~dLM0bMGr3uudqiKJiwR9HaxdHhV-h97FOa4-3z1nE24H85aCg2xx3O5XGR5p0PMd9lvXapCX3ZJ8BDfrTIuDs2ru99xUFuWiUyfQyBo8rgXTc117riQXWrTa4dzV9z10Ce0rHTKR-KYhpIS1mspMYmHUHwy75CV04VmOcHlS6WdMWzTFZ-t9Kv-lZbUBfv1e4Z7RynqG3wyM4z5Kgz89ovjOYmIfuHndcTtsStvGpIV8geoQ5y7p4L~8YLhGFRfm-W58WNdCM2PHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockdale County Public Schools","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Rockdale County superintendent’s cabinet presented a package of facilities and procurement action items that the board agreed to place on the next regular meeting’s consent agenda, with one item removed for separate consideration.

Chief Operations Officer Jack Salette summarized bid recommendations from the district’s February 4, 2025, competitive process: A and D Painting, Inc., as the recommended contractor for Sims Elementary repainting for $70,000 and for Rockdale Career Academy repainting for $155,000; DC Colors Inc. as the low bidder for Hightower Trail Elementary repainting for $42,000. Salette also presented an emergency purchase recommendation to replace a kitchen water heater at Rockdale Career Academy for $89,689.70 under the district’s emergency purchasing policy (cited in the presentation as policy DJE/RVC 1 and 2), describing a major leak and the need to avoid instructional disruption.

Georgia Power Company presented (through the administration) a line-easement request affecting the central office property at 960 Pine Street NE (tax parcel C260010002) to convert overhead distribution to underground service adjacent to a funded project next door; the district’s legal and superintendent approval were listed as contingencies. Finally, Salette said the superintendent will recommend approval of the required five-year local facilities plan and associated tax-resolution documents the state requires; that plan updates additions, renovations and other capital projects and must be filed with the Georgia Department of Education by the statutory deadline.

Board action on agenda placement: Board member Heather Duncan moved to place the superintendent’s action items on the next regular session consent agenda; Akita Palmer seconded the motion. Board member Justin Kenny asked that item 2 be removed from the consent agenda and taken up separately; the board agreed. The consent agenda as revised (items 1 and 3–9) was placed on the upcoming meeting’s consent calendar for a recorded vote next week.

Why it matters: These are capital and maintenance projects that the district uses to keep buildings on a multi-year maintenance cycle. The emergency purchase notice flagged a near-term risk to food service operations if the water heater failed, and the Georgia Power easement affects central-office utilities at no anticipated cost to the district.

What’s next: The listed items (except the removed item 2) will be voted on at the board’s next regular meeting. Item 2 will be discussed separately per the board’s request; the administration indicated those details will be available at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-13-25 BOE Hearings and Work Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent’s cabinet recommended multiple maintenance and procurement items — painting contracts, an emergency kitchen water-heater replacement, a Georgia Power easement and the five-year facilities plan — and the board placed most on the next meeting’s consent agenda while removing one item for separate review.","taxTitle","Rockdale County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15315,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326190,"Rockdale public hearing on HB 581 draws large turnout; board tables final vote to continue hearings",2638,31820,2670520,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49&start=31&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49/thumbnail_31820.jpg","/articles/6326190/Georgia/Rockdale-public-hearing-on-HB-581-draws-large-turnout-board-tables-final-vote-to-continue-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326190-0d3e309760eb3f4811889bfd66804e42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157488&Signature=PnEPet6h7Sew3Ut-BsIDfHhPypo28Eq-lL5~aqDBVuLYsL6psI7qDGi6KCGpshUsY4rLQLxssye-pbv-Lb4rR8b7LrSJv8VqJfPvhwE0fvRBxlDxhX4aDjJ2oJKgsgjAms6hjDR4ZNi9Kliyn~5DNW4zbZjuMXDS2XuRBtfsFeXKK2kvgBv9IUEbc4rZmosfT0A6yQDJpW3WtWToaE1CIKlHb7ISThu9jyj613o6w4MaW78qlfCk3zNbJqv7CZ3DEcRD7~rnRIQEEJuOfJrzv~6UdZnVVDVLCdKam~QrgdxVAEttw8D0sOShqSXoYc~xhX3pK~ni5IAHNsPjHNH2ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockdale County Board of Education members heard extensive public comment and a district financial briefing Tuesday evening during the second of three required public hearings on House Bill 581, and then voted to table any final resolution so the public may continue to speak.

The board’s chief financial officer, Joy Smith, told the board HB 581 caps annual assessed-value increases for homestead properties at the prior year’s inflation rate and that local governments have until March 1, 2025, to opt out. Smith presented examples showing a homeowner with a 2024 fair-market value of $150,000 would see a $6,000 exemption and an annual tax savings of about $120; a $420,000 house would see a $16,800 exemption and $336 annual savings. Smith said Rockdale Public Schools could lose an estimated $61,700,000 in revenue over five years if the district remains subject to HB 581 and highlighted rising employer and benefit costs, including a cited increase in starting teacher total cost from about $63,000 to $85,000 in recent years.

Why it matters: The projected revenue loss, Smith said, would reduce the district’s ability to recruit and retain staff and could affect programs that parents and students described as essential. Residents, business and civic groups, and students told the board they face competing priorities — rising property taxes for long-term homeowners and potential program cuts in schools.

Public comment reflected sharply divided views. Multiple residents, including retired educators and parents, urged the board to remain in HB 581 so the measure’s homestead exemption would reduce homeowners’ tax increases and protect seniors and long-term residents from rising bills. Michael Joyce, a 10-year resident and retired educator, said, “I urge you to vote no to opting out of 581. We need 581.” Several parents and students from Heritage High School and other schools described fine arts, STEM and extracurricular programs they said would be at risk if revenue falls.

Others argued the board should lower the millage rate instead of relying on HB 581. John Bowers and members of the Rockdale County Democratic Committee told the board that lowering the millage rate is the correct tool to reduce taxes and cautioned against permanent limits on assessed values. Alex McDonald and other speakers accused the administration of using alarmist language in public materials and urged the board to honor the voter-approved exemption.

Board discussion and action: Board member Larry Koss moved that the board vote to opt in to HB 581 (a motion to eliminate the need for the third hearing); Justin Kenny seconded that motion and discussion followed. After extended public comment and board debate, board member Justin Kenny moved to table any formal vote and continue the public hearings so more speakers could be heard; a second was recorded and the board voted in favor to table the vote. No final opt-out or opt-in resolution was adopted at the meeting. The administration indicated a formal resolution on whether to opt out will be placed on a future board meeting agenda for a recorded vote.

Context and specifics from the district: Smith noted the district’s local tax share has risen from about 34.3% of total revenue in 2019 to roughly 48% in 2025 and cited a decrease in state equalization funding. The CFO referenced data from the Rockdale County tax commissioner and provided a chart (on file with the district) used to model revenue impacts. Smith also noted the deadline for local governments to act is March 1, 2025, and that HB 581’s statewide exemption took effect January 1, 2025.

What remains: The board will hold the third required hearing and is scheduled to consider a formal resolution regarding HB 581 at a future meeting before the March 1 opt-out deadline. The public record presented at this hearing — the CFO’s slides and multiple public-comment letters — will be part of that consideration.

Ending: With the vote to table, the board preserved time for additional public testimony and deferred a binding decision until a later meeting on the published agenda.","Rockdale County Board of Education members heard public testimony and a five-year financial projection tied to House Bill 581 and then voted to table a final resolution so more public hearings can be held.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326181,"Board approves legal representation, accepts superintendent retirement and names acting superintendent",74,16238604,16312995,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49&start=16238&end=16312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325685-1b63affefd4e784df7551d7d213bee49/thumbnail_16238604.jpg","/articles/6326181/Georgia/Board-approves-legal-representation-accepts-superintendent-retirement-and-names-acting-superintendent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326181-4f8a6d53aa906b1ef3d6cc67d524224d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157488&Signature=bpjepPr8heidhqGm0vJva33yyBIv7JC-QNA8QA80TMsEgGsVtboaUWyxAZLVchBYJvsZAaiTVM2vFuS4WO6LoWcO5K-xQ7WJGZ5IATu3SZhGnbU3SvaqN2gH4z5JqVX2s1WjPNebveRI10-IJlwflVzISVZpNGLuWR~Suz-Wx2xK-jXGF4XfoEEXhmMuTO8zfCDpTpKKSk5jYPJ32QIO3hPW9baCwQVB2Fk9ubSTPoax9HKzssNR2erwtchTNCYuL08Wwy40oY~XltFiIW6BIWX8ePwAlAUDyFOBLnPssUc-8Uqpg~YmIP67jbQ35~E-8D-1hgR0todh6~AiJqINqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a closed executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation, the Rockdale County Board of Education returned to open session and took three recorded actions: approving legal representation for named individuals in pending litigation, accepting the retirement of Dr. Theriault with a short-term consultancy appointment, and naming the chief academic officer as acting superintendent.

The board voted 7–0 to retain the listed counsel/representation for pending litigation matters; the motion to approve representation was moved by Janie Jones and seconded by Larry Cox. The board then voted to accept the retirement of Dr. Theriault, effective February 2025, and to appoint him as a special consultant to the active superintendent from February 14, 2025, through March 31, 2025; the motion was moved by Jamie Jones and seconded by Heather Duncan. Finally, the board voted 7–0 to name Shirley Chester, the district’s current chief academic officer, as acting superintendent immediately; that motion was moved by Justin Kenny and seconded by Jamie Jones.

Why it matters: These are formal personnel decisions resulting from executive-session deliberations. The retirement and short-term consultancy change superintendent-level leadership and establish an acting superintendent during the transition period.

Details and next steps: The board’s open-session motions recorded the effective dates for Dr. Theriault’s retirement and consultancy and set Shirley Chester in the acting-superintendent role; the district will publish any subsequent administrative assignments or transition plans in board materials and meeting minutes.","After an executive session, the Rockdale County Board of Education approved legal representation in pending litigation, accepted a retirement and appointed an acting superintendent. All three motions passed by recorded voice vote 7–0 in open session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board to consider painting, mechanical and easement contracts; consent agenda set with one item removed

Rockdale public hearing on HB 581 draws large turnout; board tables final vote to continue hearings

Board approves legal representation, accepts superintendent retirement and names acting superintendent