[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6655704,"mediaKeyId","5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828","parentId",5374988,"title","Board approves personnel report and extends superintendent's contract","audioSeconds",513,"startMs",2599000,"endMs",3112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828&start=2599&end=3112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828/thumbnail_2599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655704/Georgia/Board-approves-personnel-report-and-extends-superintendents-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655704-8ace83f0926f3f9af34e7ab10330c142/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195065&Signature=D6VPHLxp3KSBzxxkAkdy8ChXdHtIjAMPITmNyhJcw8b-lxqjOl42eS~KtFq2g-gvr1ulVFqcGaRNCBku84oh5WHy55hqx9SYiSwynE2lWx1Hb593gIU5ly5MNZaC5gBtuRXgwbF5AEPv5ARMfvk7-w6jiHca3axq311DQ5UD8t9L7dZa-zd9VA1MGIIKUt~RVfaGQqfFjnA~nz~JrandwyxPNWCxcdLA9SDgSh1i1KL3u-oUV1-vVdJGEnxH4YOFYzOwkWcksiNYvoH6K3DIt4z~HJ2t7uxQJUpXAH0V45fmq8gSaEjaSLdbOgmX50pZ8IA6M3th5LLXmLI-AC4vFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-07-12T00:08:56Z","article","The Pickens County School Board approved a personnel action report on Monday and voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Thomas’s contract by two years.

A motion to approve the personnel action report passed on a voice vote. The board then moved and seconded a separate motion to approve the superintendent’s contract; a board member said the extension adds two years to the superintendent’s term. Board members offered public praise for Dr. Thomas’s leadership during discussion of summer projects and district initiatives.

Why it matters: Personnel actions and the superintendent’s contract set leadership continuity and staffing for the district going into the new school year.

Details and follow-ups
- The contract extension was described during the meeting as a two-year extension (the chair and board members confirmed approval); the administration said the extension will keep the superintendent in place for the coming contract period.
- The personnel action report was approved as presented on the consent/approval motions recorded during the meeting; the consent agenda also included several MOUs, surplus items and minutes from earlier meetings.

Board members congratulated staff and highlighted summer work across departments; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the minutes for the contract vote, which was taken by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pickens County Board of Education | July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pickens County School Board approved a personnel action report and extended Superintendent Dr. Thomas’s contract two years; members praised leadership during a series of summer project updates.","taxTitle","Pickens County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",59451,"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},6655707,"Pickens County outlines professional learning, safety, health center and cybersecurity initiatives ahead of school year",872,79000,951000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828&start=79&end=951","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6655707/Georgia/Pickens-County-outlines-professional-learning-safety-health-center-and-cybersecurity-initiatives-ahead-of-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655707-8569ba8dddbeb18f34ca28da89aaac9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195065&Signature=Q3v~p2UHEwDcJY74wvV~AbZkEmUi0856CFRoWWmLAqXZqNsk51LbOdMPuJTezc5EeiLGx6daJ1XnlE5HL7-ZhF7oh9gw-26249XctQfOW59A1vDRKH6xvjJy1X9AivlE110~8Wsow4H0YE18OPeQNX7Ct9iQKKntdNh1YdpPylBSGsIeUdKmX~grSglp-Wv3GV3TbPxmxiseCerErMyfcTG9HY6FrJ60Yf0d4SZzKfli3RiPGbS2NPWiwYxORpDLWciRw9SISoAP~EWIuZvzCNxq4L4IkhamBSxBS2c~8o-BHKFmAlfg742IMsoPpXNCgxfQBZciOUTaRitzfyWukw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders presented several operational and programmatic initiatives designed to support instruction and student services in the coming school year.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Abby May said the district will kick off the year on July 25 with a districtwide, teacher‑led curriculum day featuring three one‑hour sessions. \"Our theme will be 'great things grow here,'\" May said; she described a focus on consistency, collaboration and calibration in professional learning and said principals will work with their teams on building-level plans.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker and staff highlighted school safety work, including updated emergency plans, mapping improvements funded by a safety grant, and a full-scale safety exercise scheduled at Jasper Middle School on July 24 that will include law enforcement and fire partners. Parker also described a new LiveSafe-style app being rolled out to help respond to student mental health crises and multidisciplinary team meetings for student supports.

Administrators reported a partnership with Good Sam to establish a school-based health center at the junior high that will provide primary care, mental health, dental and vision services for students and family members. The district said the center would cost the district $0 to establish under the partnership and expected delivery in late July with a target to be operational by Aug. 1 and grant reconciliation by Sept. 1.

Technology staff said a GSBA cybersecurity audit and a voluntary federal vulnerability assessment placed district cybersecurity in a positive category; administrators said they were acting on the limited items the assessments identified and had budgeted for additional camera and security upgrades.

Why it matters: Professional learning and health, safety and technology initiatives affect classroom readiness, student support and school security going into the new school year.

Details and follow-ups
- Professional learning: planned teacher-led conference-style day on July 25 with choice sessions and local facilitators.
- School-based health center: partnering with Good Sam to host an on-site clinic intended to reach students and family members lacking primary-care access; district said rollout will begin late July/early August and be tied to a grant schedule.
- Safety and drills: July 24 full safety exercise at Jasper Middle School with law enforcement and first responders; use of safety grant funds for better mapping and signage.
- Cybersecurity: GSBA assessment placed the district in the \"green\" quadrant, and a federal vulnerability assessment noted a few areas to strengthen that the district already plans to address.

Administrators said they will return with more communications to parents about the professional‑learning schedule, the health center, safety preparations and cybersecurity improvements.","District leaders previewed the 2025–26 professional learning calendar, school safety exercises, a new school-based health center and cybersecurity assessments. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Abby May described a July 25 districtwide teacher-led curriculum day and staff outlined safety and health partnerships.",{"_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},6655713,"Board moves to adopt new cell-phone policy in response to state law; approves district code of conduct",103,2882000,2985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828&start=2882&end=2985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828/thumbnail_2882000.jpg","/articles/6655713/Georgia/Board-moves-to-adopt-new-cell-phone-policy-in-response-to-state-law-approves-district-code-of-conduct","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655713-a7f2d8937970962c1969658427df0bd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195065&Signature=UNsi5AMZp4GlcQvIScrJ0eKqZFayvT-DR0rMAvaMHctED4IezKqaYYNZ9N9Id~TLwStxHxo6mdGC6sX8iRGLoDsbaWlegW2l3EXdtcUTEB-SMaFuFiWtuBUtYa1UWSTsBpkZUzvRJuPQuYhENRd2DFxh8EBt32AgrEQDwMnJG89gipIBxwSjSy4UP4d1j6t0LXCjgyc0ps7Ihvu8lb~7lbnGnEeqTtyYNqeKPCCrVO~gT1YtjBl23a41Otu4cvcKbZQpElhWdquBHHldwzr3rghjG0gcNYxg-bQZZnk5jcP-r7M-uYhI8~uJu3UFRj6ny3EF4-mKxqHcGM7adO0csA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County School Board took two policy steps related to student conduct and electronic devices after the Georgia General Assembly enacted the Distraction Free Education Act (House Bill 340).

Superintendent Dr. Thomas briefed the board on HB 340, which he said \"prohibits cell phones and electronic devices in grades K–8 in all public schools, Georgia.\" Citing the statute's deadlines, the administration proposed adding policy JCDAF to the district policy manual and asked the board to formally place the proposed policy on the table until the August meeting for final adoption; the motion to hold the policy until August passed on a voice vote.

In parallel, the board approved the district's 2025–26 code of conduct, which administrators said would operationalize expectations for students. The administration also stated an intent to begin implementing the device restrictions this fall in K–8 even though the state law requires districts to adopt a conforming policy by Jan. 1, 2026 and implement it by July 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The policy change moves a common local practice in elementary schools into formal policy and creates new compliance obligations for K–8 students and families. Administrators asked for parental support enforcing the device rules.

Details and follow-ups
- The policy addition will be presented again for a binding vote in August; the administration requested local parents and guardians help enforce the change in the interim.
- The board approved the 2025–26 Code of Conduct at the meeting by motion and voice vote.

The board chair recorded the votes as \"all in favor\" for both the motion to table the policy until August and the motion to approve the code of conduct. Administrators said they will notify families of the device rule and the Code of Conduct implementation schedule.","Following passage of Georgia's Distraction Free Education Act (House Bill 340), the Pickens County School Board placed a new policy (JCDAF) on the table for August action and approved a district code of conduct for 2025–26. The board voted to implement a K–8 electronic-device prohibition this school year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6655717,"Pickens County board hears progress report on summer construction, completes several project approvals",2442,603000,3045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828&start=603&end=3045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828/thumbnail_603000.jpg","/articles/6655717/Georgia/Pickens-County-board-hears-progress-report-on-summer-construction-completes-several-project-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655717-6faf9534cae4c7a3efcd1b1fad64e2c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195065&Signature=lpqZF3NoOjaUHrXBlT7po3eHT9WsPj~-r0-MmuyCYGGItRCxCdmJfQFuU~WF7NFvU5mMvaSHT6-auSqpbRhv3BCZhvn~b9FZgNPvXOZKfvwi4bBvm~6TJlmCXxTp176~j40mS09s4kfjGpiYyiaiQKrBjglE2eHi~m2A0Kl7ChANjYSltCT~GpnlUu96r4wFloT1FZ5TIjyzpMgfjGn89b4kfFnHrPVO2qhpkaS1xzwh15F7GO~PCjVz-IlXEuvBi-LagU-l37h8tc2lU~vo~JZ8c2yAcaKd~juFnLMjQGM1SVKe6~~EL19pRqUMssUtx5x1pVJsSBvytgGYvcYcgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County School District administrators told the board they are largely on schedule with summer construction and maintenance projects, and the board approved several project-related motions, including awarding a construction contract for an elementary playground.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker led an operations update that listed work across campuses: a high‑school remodel with new LVP flooring and LED lighting, resurfaced track and field, gym floor restorations, camera upgrades in all six schools, upgrades to bus cameras, and an agricultural building and animal facility completed behind the high school. Parker said many projects were finished ahead of a tight schedule and that several came in under budget.

The board voted to award the Tate Elementary upper playground contract to Southeast Outdoor Solutions after the district completed the bid process; the lower playground at Tate had been completed earlier. The board also approved a Capital Outlay project application to the Georgia Department of Education; the application encompasses roof replacement and HVAC work at Harmony Elementary, PJ, and JMS. The approvals occurred by motion and second and were carried on voice votes with \"all in favor\" recorded.

Why it matters: The projects affect building safety, daily operations and extracurricular facilities used by students. Administrators highlighted investments in energy efficiency (LED lighting and automatic dimmers), security camera upgrades, and bus-camera replacements.

Details and follow-ups
- Park and athletic projects: the resurfaced track is now a seven‑lane, college‑level surface, and the field-house project delivered usable practice space for the band and athletics.
- Technology and safety: every school received or will receive camera upgrades; the district completed a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment and said it was \"in the green\" on a GSBA assessment.
- Facilities schedule: the high‑school remodel work began May 24 and was expected to run through July 22–23; staff reported the campus should be ready for teacher return.

The board directed staff to finalize punch‑list items, complete playground installations when equipment and pens arrive, and proceed with state grant filings tied to the capital outlay application.","Superintendent and operations staff reported summer projects including high‑school remodel, track resurfacing, new animal/ag facility and multiple campus upgrades. The board approved a construction manager for Tate Elementary’s upper playground and approved a capital outlay project application to the state.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6655722,"Pickens County schools approve FY25 amendment and tentative FY26 budget amid rising benefit costs",2650,219000,2869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828&start=219&end=2869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374988-1c843f30ba51ace060f75cce53bab828/thumbnail_219000.jpg","/articles/6655722/Georgia/Pickens-County-schools-approve-FY25-amendment-and-tentative-FY26-budget-amid-rising-benefit-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655722-f11dd83e2b0f252fb51703de9d253b39/orig.mp4?Expires=1777195065&Signature=MjzvZaNIPB-pYXgCZ58UBYSQMkRRUP2wNPmzBangL6ncItqWZwnWeotwmMXE7rAnRaOYyUkyGSwma0G~QJNXjonlJvLmIJa3frdHKkoaClwHCLuVfZ8No0gBrVSNtNr0ccYhoF9uaiJuj~hS7HUMiS2XqpYdN8ksGHZigR9LDfvz-t3wD9BvkQ3FDJtVlFZcTo2CqNzeO0mhTju5PcJjTIoAnc5sd5Y1rs68HTVIVQDkCicFZcm-oi8EtmB3~KBvyo2McPB8vObVkCehk~6FBRfWTUpoFpDAv0-FjxJ4z9LQfwSzsfPZj1nCw3uQccrJNbNu8nFrIOCoj8j3nwYy5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County School Board on Monday approved a FY25 budget amendment and voted to adopt a tentative budget for fiscal year 2026 after a financial update from Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith.

Smith told the board the district had collected roughly 99.56% of its budgeted general fund revenue to date and that, at the moment of her report, expenditures were about 93.44% of budgeted amounts. \"The total general fund expenditure total is 63,000,000, $809,822,\" Smith said during the presentation. She cautioned that the June report was not final and that some late bills would be posted in July.

The budget presentation stressed two mandated cost increases that drove much of the FY26 pressure: a 1.13% rise in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) employer contribution and a larger, two‑phase increase in the state health insurance contribution. Smith said the district’s share of the state health benefit increase for participating employees is about $762,000; combined with the TRS rise, she said the district faces “over a $1,000,000 increase” in employer costs driven by state actions. Smith said the district nevertheless limited overall general fund spending growth to 0.95% over the current year.

Board members moved and seconded motions to approve the FY25 amendment and to accept the FY26 tentative budget as presented; both motions passed on voice votes with \"all in favor\" called by the chair. The meeting included a public hearing on the FY26 budget; no members of the public spoke.

Why it matters: The budget sets teacher supplements, benefits and operating plans for classrooms, and Smith said maintaining a 1% certified employee supplement remains part of the FY26 proposal. The board and administration said they trimmed operating costs and reviewed software and salary lines to absorb mandated increases.

Details and follow-ups
- Smith reported the district collected $794,003.47 on average per month and a total collections figure reported as $30,401,645.67 to date.
- The district expects additional tax and grant receipts (property taxes, intangible transfer taxes, special revenues) over the next two months that will change final year totals.
- Board discussion noted a potential delay in the county digest because of recent state changes (House Bill 581) that could push property valuation notices a few weeks later than usual.

The board also approved a personnel action report and several consent agenda items that administrators said were routine; details on personnel actions were included on the consent agenda. The board set a final vote on the FY26 budget after required public notice and hearings later in the adoption cycle.

The board chair closed the financial items and directed staff to continue monitoring late June invoices and state notices affecting the digest and revenue estimates.","The Pickens County School Board approved a FY25 budget amendment and the tentative FY26 budget after a presentation from Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith that highlighted rising state benefit costs and near-complete revenue collections. A public hearing on the FY26 budget drew no speakers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves personnel report and extends superintendent's contract

Pickens County outlines professional learning, safety, health center and cybersecurity initiatives ahead of school year

Board moves to adopt new cell-phone policy in response to state law; approves district code of conduct

Pickens County board hears progress report on summer construction, completes several project approvals

Pickens County schools approve FY25 amendment and tentative FY26 budget amid rising benefit costs