Board adopts multiple policy changes; narrows superintendent change‑order authority after debate

The Guilford County Board of Education approved several administrative policies and routine items and debated language about contracting authority and change orders before narrowly approving a revision to a contracts policy.

The board unanimously approved routine action items on the agenda including the 2026 traditional academic calendar, a school-safety policy update and a procurement policy revision. Those items were approved by roll call during the meeting without recorded opposition.

Policy committee work: Board member Diane Bellamy Small, chair of the policy committee, told the board the committee had published multiple policy revisions for a 30‑day public comment period and reviewed its 2024 activity. The committee recommended updates that reflect legal and operational changes, including revisions to facility naming, parental notification procedures and federal‑grant administration.

Contracts and change orders: A prolonged discussion focused on proposed language in policy titled “Contracts with the Board” that would authorize the superintendent or designee to approve contract amendments for certain design and construction services below specified thresholds. Board member David Coates raised concerns about the breadth of the language and the potential for large change orders to be approved without board review. Coates asked whether a $500,000 threshold for some amendments was appropriate and whether change‑order language was sufficiently clear.

Legal and staff clarification: Board counsel and staff explained that change orders and amendments have different technical meanings depending on contracting method. They noted existing policy 90‑30 governs change‑order procedures for construction management at‑risk projects and that statute sets bidding thresholds the district currently uses. Board members sought clearer linkage between the contracts policy and the change‑order procedures.

Amendment and vote: The board added clarifying language directing that change orders follow the procedures in policy 90‑30. With that amendment in place, the revised contracts policy passed by a 7–2 vote; two members opposed the amended language. Board members who supported the amendment said it created the desired linkage to established change‑order rules; dissenting members said the dollar thresholds still left too much discretion with the superintendent for high‑value projects.

Votes at a glance: - 2026 traditional academic calendar (item a): approved (unanimous) - Policy 15.10.4/427270 (school safety) revision (item b): approved (unanimous) - Policy 6400/8430 (procurement of goods and services) (item c): approved (unanimous) - Policy 8100 (budgeting and fiscal management) (item e): approved (unanimous) - Policy on Contracts with the Board (item d): amended to reference policy 90‑30 for change orders and approved 7–2

Ending: Board members said they will accept public comment on policy revisions during the 30‑day posting period and that several contested items could be revisited when the policies return for final board action.