Barrow County board approves lease for Branch resiliency center and OKs Dell computer purchase

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — The Barrow County Board of Education voted 7-1 on Oct. 14 to approve a property lease arrangement for the Branch Resiliency Center, a community recovery hub created after the Sept. 4, 2024 incident at Apalachee High School. In the same meeting the board awarded a purchase contract for 250 Dell desktop computers at $519 each, a $129,750 procurement.

The Branch — short for the Barrow Response and Needs Center for Healing — will be run in partnership with the Ministry Village, a local nonprofit serving as the fiscal agent for the federal Anti-Terrorism Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) grant that is funding the center’s startup. Scott Dakin, chief executive officer of the Ministry Village, told the board the Branch is intended as a long-term, trauma‑informed resource providing counseling, case navigation, group supports and expressive therapies. “Barrow response and needs center for healing, which is where Branch comes from,” Dakin said. “This is not a year. This is not 2 years. This is years of work ahead of us.”

Why it matters: The Branch is intended to centralize long-term recovery services for students, staff and community members affected by the September incident at Apalachee. The AEAP grant covers a three‑year startup period; board members and outside presenters said sustainability beyond that period will depend on additional grants and fundraising.

Support and scope: District staff summarized services already in place at Apalachee High School. Dr. Bowen (district staff) said two AEAP-funded behavioral health clinicians were hired and are serving scheduled cases plus walk‑ins, and a full‑time recovery coordinator is in place to coordinate internal and external recovery efforts. The Ministry Village currently employs eight licensed clinicians and four interns; Dakin said partner organizations add roughly 15–20 additional counselors available under contract.

Board concerns and clarifications: Several board members pressed for details about governance, fiscal separation and the Branch’s staffing model. Board members asked whether the Branch would be independent of the Ministry Village and how money and contracts would flow. Dakin and district staff said the AEAP grant requires a fiscal agent; the Ministry Village is acting as that fiscal agent while the Branch maintains its own advisory board. Dakin said counseling services at the Branch will be provided via contracts with clinicians and partner agencies rather than hiring all clinicians as Branch employees.

The board also sought clarification on the Branch’s service area. Dakin said the AEAP grant is designated to respond to Apalachee and nearby neighborhoods affected by the incident; teachers and district staff could use the Branch’s services even if they live outside the immediate service area. The board asked about space, lease terms and sustainability. Dakin said the Branch currently has a director and two navigators in place and is seeking a long-term facility; AEAP startup funding runs three years from the incident, and the Branch is pursuing additional funding sources and partnerships to extend services beyond that period.

Action and votes: The superintendent recommended that the board consider a property lease for the Branch resiliency center. Board member Kelly moved the motion; board member Maddox seconded. The motion passed 7–1. The board also approved a superintendent recommendation to purchase 250 Dell desktop computers from low bidder Dell of Round Rock, Texas, at $519 per unit (total $129,750) and authorized use of the RFP for additional purchases through Dec. 31, 2025. That purchase motion was made by Dr. Carey and seconded by Ms. Maddox and carried with one dissenting vote.

What comes next: District staff will negotiate lease terms on an arm’s‑length basis and return recommended lease language and fiscal terms to the board for review, the superintendent said. Board members asked for written clarifications about fiscal oversight, partner contracts, utilization metrics the grant requires and contingency plans if AEAP funding is not renewed.

Votes at a glance

- Consideration and approval of a property lease for the Branch Resiliency Center — motion by Ms. Kelly; second Ms. Maddox; outcome: approved 7–1 (one opposed). The AEAP grant designates Ministry Village as fiscal agent; scope is Apalachee and surrounding area per grant guidance.

- Purchase of Dell desktop computers (250 units at $519 each; total $129,750) — motion by Dr. Carey; second Ms. Maddox; outcome: approved with one dissenting vote.

Reporting and oversight: Board members requested that future reports include (1) a proposed lease or memorandum of understanding for the Branch, (2) a list of contracted counseling providers and supervision/training provisions, (3) utilization and outcome metrics required by the AEAP grant and (4) a sustainability plan beyond the three‑year grant period.