Giles County Board approves budget amendment, bus purchases and HVAC work; accepts health award and grants

The Giles County Board of Education on Oct. 2 approved a budget amendment that includes money for three school buses and a $71,000 fund-balance contribution to offset part of a rise in employee health insurance premiums, and voted to proceed with HVAC work at Bridgeforth Middle School and Giles County High School.

The action came during the board—s regular monthly meeting at the Rackley Education Building, where members also renewed the director—s contract through May 31, 2028; accepted a $1,000 Tennessee Healthier Schools Challenge award; approved the district—s TISA accountability report for submission; accepted a furniture donation for Bridgeforth Middle School; and approved several time-sensitive student field trips.

The board—s budget amendment ties together multiple items discussed earlier in the meeting: the planned purchase of one special-education bus and two 83-passenger buses, a $71,000 transfer from fund balance to cover roughly half of the projected insurance increase for staff, and the formal acceptance of grant funds and donations the district received. The board approved the amendment unanimously after motions and seconds.

During discussion of vehicle purchases (agenda item O), administrators said the recommended purchase is for three buses total: one special-education bus and two 83-passenger buses, with an estimated purchase cost of about $446,300. The board voted to proceed with the purchase.

Board members also considered renovation updates for HVAC units at Bridgeforth Middle School and Giles County High School. Presenters described a plan to swap certain components on existing units rather than full replacement, with per-unit prices that declined with recent…