Board approves consent agenda, E‑Rate resolution and vendor contracts; principals report awards and end‑of‑year events

The Cherokee Public Schools Board of Education approved its consent agenda, passed an annual E‑Rate resolution for school libraries and technology services, and approved recurring vendor contracts for student and staff testing and district services during the meeting.

The superintendent and school principals delivered routine reports. Highlights included selection of Cherokee Elementary as a national showcase school for the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program, several student state‑level speech and music placings, regional track qualifiers (the presenter said about 11 boys and 11 girls were expected to qualify pending official posting), and the high school receiving a technology grant described in the record as an "OATT k 20 grant" for $40,000 worth of technology. The meeting also included scheduling details for end‑of‑year events: awards assemblies, baccalaureate, and eighth grade and high school graduations.

On contracts, the board discussed and approved several vendor agreements. The record identifies Alcohol and Drug Testing Incorporated for random testing—district staff said student testing occurs monthly with 10 high school students selected at random each time and bus drivers tested about three times per year. The board discussed continuing a speech‑language services contract with the district’s current speech pathologist (referred to in the record as Shannery); the transcript notes the district historically contracted that service for about $65,000 a year and that the fee increased this year, but the meeting record did not provide a clear, confirmed numeric total for the new amount. The board also approved continuing district access to COSA district‑level services (recorded as roughly $1,500 a year) for administrator professional development and support.

The board approved the consent agenda (minutes, fund reports and routine recurring expenses) and then approved the E‑Rate resolution; the record states the E‑Rate approval is an annual action based on socioeconomic data (free and reduced lunch forms) to continue discounts that help pay for internet service and related hardware. The board then voted to approve contracts listed on the agenda items identified in the record as items B, E and G (the meeting record lists the vendor names associated with those letters). Recorded roll calls show the board members voting yes: Poe; Gibson; Collins; Parker; Michael.

Superintendent reported estimated fiscal year‑end balances: general fund carryover estimated at roughly $1,300,000 (expected to be $150,000–$200,000 lower than last year), a building fund balance near $250,000, and child nutrition carryover estimated in the $40,000–$50,000 range. The superintendent noted recent vehicle purchases (about $90,000) and some lost revenue from gross production as contributors to reduced carryover, and he described one maintenance issue: a water meter replacement that staff expect will cost a few hundred dollars rather than major line replacement.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved; E‑Rate resolution approved; contracts for items B, E and G approved. All recorded board roll calls in the meeting record showed unanimous yes votes among the five board members recorded.