Board approves ESSER federal-interest notices for four capital projects, amends audit schedule and accepts consent agenda

The Pitt County Board of Education at its February meeting approved several finance and administrative actions: the board voted to file notices of federal interest tied to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant-funded capital projects at four schools, approved a modification to the external audit contract deadline for the 2023-24 audit, and adopted the meeting consent agenda. Board members were also presented with an informational recap of teacher bonuses paid in January.

On the ESSER-related item, staff said a federal notice of interest is required when ESSER funds pay for capital items above the federal threshold. The four projects identified for filing with the register of deeds were HVAC renovations at the following sites with the amounts presented by staff: CMF (reported as $1,400,000), South Central (approximately $1,200,000), Farmville Central (a little over $4,000,000) and Ayden-Grifton (about $4,000,000). A staff member asked the board to approve filing the notices; the motion carried unanimously on a voice vote (names not specified in the transcript).

The board also approved one amendment to the current auditors' contract. The change adjusted the required submission date for the district—inancial statements to March 31, 2025; staff said there was no fee change, only an extension of the submission date because of additional compliance testing and turnover at the audit firm. That amendment was approved by motion and unanimous voice vote.

The consent agenda, which included minutes from January meetings, the academic calendar and personnel items, was approved by motion and unanimous voice vote. During finance staff remarks the board received a recap of bonuses paid in January that were funded by state-directed programs (teacher performance bonuses tied to growth measures, Advanced Placement exam bonuses, and career-and-technical education attainment bonuses). Staff clarified those bonuses are state-funded and that the board will receive comparative data at a future work session.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the February meeting agenda: passed (motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried). - Motion to approve the consent agenda (January minutes, academic calendar, contract personnel report): passed (unanimous voice vote; mover and seconder not specified). - Motion to approve filing notices of federal interest for four ESSER-funded capital projects (HVAC renovations at CMF, South Central, Farmville Central and Ayden-Grifton) and to file with the register of deeds: passed (unanimous voice vote; mover and seconder not specified). The amounts cited by staff were CMF $1,400,000; South Central $1,200,000; Farmville Central a little over $4,000,000; Ayden-Grifton about $4,000,000. - Motion to approve an amended audit contract submission date (financial statements submission date changed to 03/31/2025): passed (unanimous voice vote; no fee change).

Why this matters: The ESSER notices record a federal interest attachment to properties funded in whole or in part with federal COVID-relief funds; filing protects federal reporting requirements and notifies future property dispositions could trigger federal compliance steps. The audit date change reflects additional compliance work and staff turnover at the auditor and changes the district's timeline for final financial statements.

Board members asked for comparative data on teacher bonus recipients over prior years; staff committed to provide that information at a work session.