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Barrow County Board approves advertisement on HB 581 opt‑out; passes technology, curriculum and policy measures
Summary
At its Jan. 7 meeting the Barrow County Board of Education authorized public hearings on House Bill 581 opt‑out, approved a district wireless/network monitoring procurement using E‑Rate and SPLOST funds, and affirmed several board policies and purchases.
The Barrow County Board of Education on Jan. 7 authorized public hearings on whether the district should opt out of House Bill 581 and approved a series of budget, technology and policy items including a wireless/network monitoring purchase tied to federal E‑Rate funding.
Board members voted to publish the legally required advertisements and hold public hearings as the district examines HB 581, the statewide bill that would cap annual assessment increases on homesteaded properties at the prior year’s inflation rate and allow local governments one opt‑out. Business Services presented a multi‑year budget timeline and a breakdown of how property taxes and state QBE (Quality Basic Education) funds support district operations.
The board approved a technology procurement to replace and expand wireless access points and install new network monitoring tools. District staff said the project total is $546,000 (approx.) and that the district expects to draw down the remaining E‑Rate allotment for the five‑year cycle (about $273,000), leaving an estimated district out‑of‑pocket cost of roughly $272,400; the board directed staff to continue if E‑Rate funding is secured.
Other approved items included the purchase of decodable fiction and nonfiction readers for Auburn Elementary using L4GA (Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading) grant funds, and revisions to board policy JBCD (Transfers and Withdrawals). The board also affirmed Policy BH (Board of Education Code of Ethics) and approved routine personnel and committee authorizations.
Votes at a glance - Election of chair: Lisa Malouf elected chair (unanimous by voice vote as called). - Vice chair election: Paige Maddox elected vice chair (recorded as 8 in favor, 1 opposed during roll call). - Personnel report: Approved (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as in favor). - Policy BH (Board Code of Ethics): Affirmed (approved). - HB 581 public hearings: Board authorized staff to advertise and conduct public hearings on a potential opt‑out and gather feedback prior to a Feb. 25 final vote (motion approved). - Auburn Elementary L4GA purchase (decodable readers, $101,028): Approved; funded by grant (no local cost). - E‑Rate RFP / wireless and monitoring award (low bidder MXN of Woodstock, GA; project total ~ $546,000): Approved; recorded roll call reported as 9–0 in favor. - Policy JBCD (Transfers and Withdrawals) revision: Approved with additional references to federal/state special‑education provisions; recorded as 9–0 in favor. - Authorization for committees to meet: Approved.
The board did not take final action on HB 581 opt‑out; the January vote authorizes the statutorily required advertisement and public hearings so the board can receive public comment and legal guidance before the Feb. 25 decision.
