[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6158927,"mediaKeyId","5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1","parentId",5457114,"title","Board approves multiple contracts and renewals, including $1.47 million SRO MOU and superintendent contract extension","audioSeconds",1102,"startMs",3601000,"endMs",4703000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1&start=3601&end=4703","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1/thumbnail_3601000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158927/Georgia/Board-approves-multiple-contracts-and-renewals-including-147-million-SRO-MOU-and-superintendent-contract-extension","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158927-578044a2b32692c5f12d6530b9d123af/orig.mp4?Expires=1775287534&Signature=DZMnjEiN8t3XNAspnvOPvQDujfNhaAqzlJO2EMLgRTmf4JPFwUbFrY7QuHLbFPJ4IhFhZqiBJEgSrpviSSKvdTLDMN~-QGrDJbYRICovezQBpvrh5ZWlZAV~JvHa017g1-y87kcj0R~Llah2faMonzK8n-ijgy3gYTGwUg7~HxhZkxLGBNoVIQh6iNvuMc7Jki4x~0baB90Tr6akOZecMYqw4HiRGF43lUFlWe18SEvN-AgnQwRQhbbE4qg9jyR0XiiVe6cAAPsCfEo8eZs4NO8a7tDNoa9nvSqnf8JzYNlToNLRt0TmVyhSW1zD0mLIYDilw3of2g3vzXXAttEATQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-23T12:59:26Z","article","The Newton County Board of Education approved a series of contracts, renewals and partnerships at its July meeting, including funding commitments for instructional resources, technology, vendor services and a renewal of the school resource officer (SRO) agreement with the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

Why it matters: These approvals commit district funds to programs, services and vendors that support instruction, student services and school operations for the 2025'26 school year.

Key approvals reported in the meeting record included:

- Renewal of membership in the Georgia School Boards Association, $25,325.
- Purchase of instructional resources from Imagine Learning, $446,211.81.
- Partnership funding for Teach for America, $32,000 (annual payments of $4,000 per teacher for up to two years per teacher).
- Partnership agreements to support teacher pathways with Georgia State University ($36,500) and Mercer University ($50,000).
- Absence and substitute management software from Frontline Education, $35,915.51.
- Annual renewable service contracts for students with IEPs: EduHealthcare LLC (estimated $300,000) and Illumina LLC (estimated $100,000).
- Headphones purchase from VertuCom to meet updated Georgia Milestones ELA assessment audio requirements, $165,200.
- CTAE computer and equipment upgrades (ByteSpeed desktops and Dell laptops) totaling $110,154.
- Annual renewable contract for electrical services (Osborne Electrical Services), estimated $100,000.
- Renewal of the SRO MOU with Newton County Sheriff's Office for SRO services and associated resources, $1,474,469.38 (the contract includes use of a department K-9; no separate increase was attributed to that component).
- School nutrition program contracts including Davis Ice Cream Georgia LLC ($50,000), kitchen equipment maintenance with Wilson Bryant ($250,000), and paper/cleaning supplies with Southeastern Paper Group ($575,000).
- Facility use agreement for Alcovy High School gym for Next Level Volleyball Club LLC (October 2025'April 2026) and various surplus declarations.

Several board members asked questions about specific items. Board member Trey Bailey noted that the Georgia Title II funding that helps underwrite teacher pathways might be uncertain and said: \"we might not be able to offer that if these funds go away,\" underscoring potential funding volatility for tuition partnerships. District staff confirmed funding sources for each contract were identified in the meeting materials.

Personnel and superintendent matters: The board approved personnel matters discussed in executive session and voted to extend the superintendent's contract for one additional year, including a 3.5% salary adjustment and minor clarifying changes to the agreement. The chair said the extension affirmed the board's \"commitment to strong, steady leadership for our district.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NCS Board of Education Combined Work & Regular Session Meeting 7/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a slate of purchases, vendor renewals and partnership agreements, including a $1,474,469.38 MOU with the Newton County Sheriff's Office for school resource officers, instructional resource contracts, workforce partnerships, technology purchases and a one-year superintendent contract extension with a 3.5% salary adjustment.","taxTitle","Newton County , School Districts, Georgia","taxId",72654,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6158933,"Board adopts norms and protocols; members request ongoing local tailoring",1512,3137000,4649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1&start=3137&end=4649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1/thumbnail_3137000.jpg","/articles/6158933/Georgia/Board-adopts-norms-and-protocols-members-request-ongoing-local-tailoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158933-ee351c8e5b06d0a583ff1bf0906f56dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775287534&Signature=AUm03fLptOSBacKkcLRZ1~F~zNKG~pVO8x8EjJPj0qmBSbGDe6Cm0W-sASQv8ifC5zGAKJo82rVqATSSDuOwwgouTLo5EKCqdhMPBocKQm48WRUaahaLO3-ZvrlKm9AARIQEgtRNJ7ZXVGVBnR1S6Sgk5LhX3C~zCUH4ufRZ00Y81ySH0EtHGzoGgjcCqycxuhcI9oVbYokBZyeZ8BVxvFZNUVdiJb9JiO2TVpSjFZXJ8wdYpgYt2Jb4thgrAeF~CNw85d7LKxYoGaBNP3AQrpZYBfdoeswuRxCaBFAE8feNMfIOJtxSu0iAwze8aM6uL6mOmaOlIiGVCUXW5-UV1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ben Rountree presented a set of board norms and protocols at the July meeting of the Newton County Board of Education; the board later voted to approve the document and make it available on the district website.

Why it matters: Norms define how the board operates, how members interact with staff and the public, and how the board meets its governance responsibilities under Georgia law.

Rountree said the norms were drafted using Georgia School Boards Association models and described them as a working agreement that \"can be amended, revised, or updated at any time.\" Several board members voiced support for adopting norms while also asking for ongoing review and a more in-depth retreat-style discussion to tailor the document for the local board. \"I would like for us to have continuous discussion on the norms and protocols so that we can cater them specifically to our board,\" one member said.

Action: The item was presented as eligible for board approval and later brought forward as a consent item during new business. The board adopted the FY26 board norms and protocols by voice vote.

Next steps: Rountree said the norms would be posted on the district's website, and board members asked that future sessions allow additional discussion and refinement.","The board approved a set of FY26 norms and protocols modeled on Georgia School Boards Association guidance and requested continued discussion and possible revisions to tailor the norms to the local board.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6158938,"Facilities update: roofing, flooring, playgrounds and new high school athletic sites progressing on schedule",388,2629000,3017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1&start=2629&end=3017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1/thumbnail_2629000.jpg","/articles/6158938/Georgia/Facilities-update-roofing-flooring-playgrounds-and-new-high-school-athletic-sites-progressing-on-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158938-2659ae5ca1af1f841f77acc5f149f751/orig.mp4?Expires=1775287534&Signature=PcvS9MJVwtNAPCriXXhjr8XtRuGaYLNC5QWrYaOTzzGvpwj5aHeyhSyUJ2JLRHbZX5bkfZLceYRvvvVaPudiFtCqcAL0~KBLTKzUIhHZF6Ze2XP4Xj52z6vIy5W4y-iqakM1HXxcrIE64eGPmtAyb9LDZLZR1zMN~uLbBeA9j6VdEs4ZG5Bf4p5jsySbb~rhZ0OxwvxdEYPDp3aSH2vcCWvrqzC1bnrhPWVMCqJ8O3i8CNsJr7tTcIfgWXlEaEo3jnKLgP9WTjsDptE6NsvDLmlqfZt4s0z2KvbX4DUnnT7a-aFIIBwsTGR3qVL7Xt9CZ4~3Ln6daJ~g-3UN4yxhEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","In a construction and East Blast report to the Newton County Board of Education, Dr. Mike Barr outlined completed and ongoing projects across the district and at East Pla 6 high school sites.

Why it matters: The timeline and completion status affect when classrooms, gyms and playgrounds will be ready for teachers and students at the start of the school year.

Barr reported roofing work at West Newton and Oak Hill elementary schools is complete and final inspections are scheduled. He said the last phase of districtwide carpet replacement finished before the 2025'26 year, and gym floors at Fairview, Oak Hill and West Newton were completed in July.

Playground installations at Livingston and Rocky Plains were completed during the school year, and installations at Herd Mixon and Middle Ridge were on track to finish before school starts. Barr described restroom upgrades at Herd Mixon Elementary and the STEM Building at the Newton College and Career Academy as progressing with plumbing, electrical and resinous flooring work in place.

On the Ramway pavement project, Barr said the paving binder and top coat are complete and that a third-party inspection confirmed the work met bid specifications. He said soil amendments and contract requirements were used to mitigate earlier water-related pavement issues.

For East Pla 6, Barr reported that utility relocations are complete at Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high school sites and that crews have moved into pad formation and slab pours; Newton High already had vertical block wall construction underway. He said the school-level renovations at East Newton Elementary'including remediation after a cafeteria fire'are in finish phases and expected to be completed before teachers return.

Board questions included whether paving is inspected over time to account for weather impacts; Barr said soil additives were used and third-party inspection had been completed. A board member asked whether the fire at Newton High delayed construction; Barr said there were no construction delays related to the fire.","Facilities director reported completion of roof replacements and major flooring projects and provided progress updates on playground installations, restroom upgrades and the East Pla 6 high school athletic facilities; mitigation and repairs following a fire at East Newton were also described.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6158943,"Newton County launches \"Ready, Set, Go\" initiative: free meals, ParentSquare rollout and transportation updates ahead of start of school",711,1815000,2526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1&start=1815&end=2526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1/thumbnail_1815000.jpg","/articles/6158943/Georgia/Newton-County-launches-Ready-Set-Go-initiative-free-meals-ParentSquare-rollout-and-transportation-updates-ahead-of-start-of-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158943-e8dfd551d9172c2e4666a4d82f892e29/orig.mp4?Expires=1775287534&Signature=TiICgdwbvLzUSC~OaPpx7GUfOxlzV-w-xUxPUVc32YDVEX5kQ4vhY6RROgIgJVmHMbCrItHt5NdQ3HPNppLKwUZfk07tzZ0ZFay0yhNTsp3anfQHFXN5ajUv5f4NF-WIkh4w5LND4UbvjbK6iI1KNF2~ahZzG7KA06d4D6Be~CudrVBlQbgEh~r10o9j5aTcxxqTaN3iZGJzncH5pyXmg8Fu72CkPWDdKKtiVGPUXHehvN65ydv0fQ2553yn0-UU9TR158kxKUdDQFJiuwZNgwxibccwaORQyRAMBgphT9-usnbpU3eAvieMhhpDe0B53Ib7HXg43l7P5p1le-1o-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tracy Blackburn told the Newton County Board of Education that the district's Ready, Set, Go initiative will guide families and staff through preparations for the 2025'26 school year, with a focus on communication, enrollment and student supports.

Why it matters: The rollout affects how families receive school communications, access student data, and obtain meals and support services as school opens.

Blackburn said the district will transition from Remind to ParentSquare as its primary classroom communication tool, and she described ParentSquare as \"a robust platform designed to boost family engagement, streamline school wide messaging, and facilitate seamless 2 way communication between parents, guardians, teachers, and school staff.\" She said parents are required to sign up for ParentSquare this year.

On nutrition, Blackburn announced that all schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision for 2025'26, providing free breakfast and lunch to every student without applications. She also described updates to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and the availability of the My Stop app for real-time bus tracking, with updates every five seconds.

Blackburn said special education staff will be centralized at Palmer Stone to improve family access and that the district will increase signage and expand mental health resources across school buildings to make services easier to find. She invited families to the Parent Connect podcast series starting July 29; the first episode will feature Dr. Robin Cartwright, English language arts program manager with the Georgia Department of Education, discussing new ELA standards.

Board questions: A board member asked whether the ParentSquare transition would cover extracurricular groups and athletics that historically used Remind; Blackburn said she would follow up with the rollout team. Another board member clarified the district's bus inspection and pavement questions related to a construction item; that discussion was handled by facilities staff.

Timing: Blackburn said online registration opened June 23 and in-person assistance is available July 24'August 1. The first day of school was announced as Monday, August 4.","District staff briefed the board on the Ready, Set, Go campaign to prepare families and staff for the 2025'26 year, including a districtwide ParentSquare transition, community eligibility for free meals, bus-tracking app details and mental health resource expansion.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6158947,"Newton County Schools lays out four priority areas for 2025–26 school year",896,633000,1529000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1&start=633&end=1529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5457114-7d36f1760e56ea3a095876b4a3d419f1/thumbnail_633000.jpg","/articles/6158947/Georgia/Newton-County-Schools-lays-out-four-priority-areas-for-202526-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158947-1ee9cb29d8fad7a198903193f35e4c0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775287534&Signature=iZ1IxjJ33mXFaeQJhAVyIg5hjKwi3yu2KUbhLPxurog0Umnzz59-Zkzf57mizAmDzXOdXYzif0soTxLQ7-pQqm1f56hYP2QEc~~Xy~dh2MTK8jgdbfhwiMXCPg6mj1N3TEdfLVOzayBEkX2i8~Lmerx0nx6iT5AxOwzNYr98vGsrKlCh5f9JLO3jicZn7AcO-eqSYE3exjnOmwE09niXSZWsy6z2TWk1EDQwGaENLBbDeVNDD~9OWuxy3sfFCLlFwAaJmLta~FjFZO5WWqtz89sEAaq0o~~UA2XYoQHhr49jO2sFTSQsepuKM81UU8s9BiYA4TwnkK-xOyGMW2nm0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a July meeting of the Newton County Board of Education, Ben Rountree presented the district's organizational priorities for fiscal year 2026, emphasizing literacy, instructional consistency, operational effectiveness and workforce development. Rountree said the priorities were chosen based on a review of district needs and the board's vision.

Why it matters: The priorities guide district planning and budgeting and shape professional development, facilities work and community engagement for the coming school year.

Rountree told the board the district will \"strengthen the district's literacy foundation\" and \"strengthen the instructional core,\" describing a move to \"go narrow and deep rather than broad and shallow\" on strategies that have produced results. He said the literacy work continues from last year and the instructional focus will include \"consistently applied interventions and a balanced assessment system.\" He described instructional improvement as \"not robotic teaching practices void of creativity,\" but as an effort to ensure a reliable student experience across classrooms.

On operations, Rountree identified safety, a multiyear strategic plan, operational efficiencies and facilities evaluation as priorities. He said the district would pursue \"weapons detection technology as part of our safety enhancement strategy\" and would align facilities work with enrollment and instructional needs.

Rountree also presented a new focus area, \"advancing innovation and organizational stability,\" with priorities that include strengthening workforce-development pathways in partnership with the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and the Newton County Industrial Development Authority; modernizing policies; and investing in leadership development. \"We are laying the groundwork to generate more expansive opportunities and experiences,\" he said, framing the effort as both student preparation and organizational resilience.

Discussion: Board members asked for additional presentations and clarification. Board member Miss Henderson Baker said she was not yet confident about the district's \"excellence in teaching\" framework and requested a future briefing. She also pressed for an updated strategic plan and noted the district's posted plan dates to 2018, before major changes such as 1:1 device distribution and pandemic-era shifts. Rountree and the board agreed to additional stakeholder engagement and follow-up briefings.

Next steps: Rountree said the priorities would guide work across the district and that staff would remain available for questions. No formal board action was required for this informational presentation.","District staff presented a four-part set of organizational priorities focused on school improvement and student supports, operational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement and innovation, with an emphasis on literacy, instructional consistency and workforce pathways.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves multiple contracts and renewals, including $1.47 million SRO MOU and superintendent contract extension

Board adopts norms and protocols; members request ongoing local tailoring

Facilities update: roofing, flooring, playgrounds and new high school athletic sites progressing on schedule

Newton County launches "Ready, Set, Go" initiative: free meals, ParentSquare rollout and transportation updates ahead of start of school

Newton County Schools lays out four priority areas for 2025–26 school year