Board questions claims docket, ESSER funding and scope of HVAC/windows contracts

Several school board members at the Feb. 3 work session pressed McComb School District administrators for clearer documentation and contractor explanations after reviewing a claims docket that included payments tied to HVAC and window projects and raised possible ESSER-fund compliance issues.

Board members asked why invoices and contract documentation were not broken down by building and whether federal guidelines had been followed. "We need to make sure that we're paying them out the right money because what's gonna happen is we're gonna have to pay it back," a board member said, citing past auditor findings. The board repeatedly requested a clearer breakup of invoices by school and funding source.

Superintendent Dr. Hicks said the projects predated the current administration and that district staff are working to clarify payment sources. "This has been going on for 2 years," Dr. Hicks said, adding that finance staff were reviewing the records and that the district is trying to address potential protocol problems.

Finance director Miss Hall and other finance staff told the board the checks on the claims docket were tied to two categories: HVAC work and windows. Board members and staff discussed numbers that were included in the meeting materials: HVAC work with a reported total project cost of about $12,900,000, windows at about $3,700,000, and an outstanding contractor balance the board referenced of roughly $5,800,000. One claims docket item (front-docket number 2598) was discussed near $613,000. Board members requested that contractors come to a future meeting to present scope-of-work documents and invoice breakdowns.

Mister Brown in finance confirmed that the windows at McComb High School were complete and that any remaining work consisted of small fixture edits. "They have the windows are complete," Mister Brown said. Board members asked for confirmation that installation was finished and for information about cracked bricks and other punch-list items that a member had observed on campus.

Members also raised questions about specific vendors listed on the claims docket and purchases that appear to come from outside the county. One board member questioned expenditures on awards and trophies and asked whether those purchases complied with Mississippi Department of Education guidance; Dr. Hicks said he would review MDE policy and respond at the next regular meeting.

Ending: The board asked the finance office to produce a detailed breakdown of invoices by building and funding source, invited contractors to present scope and invoicing at a future meeting, and asked the superintendent to report back on MDE guidance for specific claims.