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Operations update: district outlines high school remodel, track resurfacing, HVAC cycle and transportation recruitment
Summary
Officials described progress on the Pickens High School remodel and track resurfacing, an annual HVAC replacement cycle, and efforts to recruit and retain bus drivers. Staff also reported school safety assessments, the planned school‑based health center and summer project schedules.
Pickens County district operations staff briefed the board on several large construction and operations projects, ongoing maintenance cycles and a new focus on transportation recruitment at the board meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker delivered the quarterly operations report, describing active projects including the high school remodel, track resurfacing, HVAC replacements and several facilities upgrades. “They’ve already painted most of the schools outside the classrooms… they’re working from 4 to 10 in the evening or working on the weekend, trying to get things done while students aren't there,” Parker said, summarizing contractors’ progress on the high school work.
Parker said the track resurfacing is expected to be largely finished before graduation, with the final lane surfacing dependent on sustained warm weather for curing. He also described an annual HVAC replacement cycle that the district has begun this year; staff said the cycle is intended to reduce long‑term maintenance costs and that some state funding is being used to support HVAC work.
On student services and safety, Parker highlighted the district’s school‑based health center planning and routine screenings, noting that staff and community partners have supported health grants and screenings. He also described multi‑disciplinary site assessments completed with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and said the district has started six‑week multidisciplinary meetings at schools that include counselors, nurses and SROs to discuss student services and safety.
Transportation and staffing were a major focus. Parker said the district has launched a recruiting and retention committee for bus drivers and is making modest facility and morale investments—updated driver lounges and a requested flagpole—to encourage retention. “We’re updating the driver's lounge… just a little more exciting to work down here,” Parker said. He noted that recruiting is constrained by CDL and background requirements and that staff are collecting personal stories to use in recruitment outreach.
School nutrition and extracurricular updates included a note that the district served 4,443 Thanksgiving lunches during a community event and that all six school kitchens scored 100 on recent health inspections. Parker also reported the completion of several projects such as a live animal barn pad and accessory improvements at school sites.
Superintendent Doctor Thomas and Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith added context about budgets and audits: Smith said the district’s general fund revenue collected through February was 72.55% of budgeted revenue and that the FY24 audit is underway with the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.
Staff said they will return to the board with more detailed project schedules, contract details and procurement steps for time‑sensitive work.
