The Pickens County Board of Education on Jan. 9 approved a guaranteed maximum price of $7,808,660 with Carol Daniel Construction for phase 2 of the Pickens High School renovation, approved a $63,292.40 change order on a recently completed field‑house project, voted to raise the local senior property tax‑exemption cap from $25,000 to $40,000 and elected Amy Gibson chair and Joe Wigginton vice chair for 2025.

Board Superintendent Dr. Thomas read the board’s governing policy before the chair election, saying, "Board policy BBA states that Pickens County Board of Education shall elect by majority vote a chairperson and vice chairperson annually at the first meeting of the board each calendar year," a procedure the board followed at the meeting.

The board elected Amy Gibson as chair by voice vote; the superintendent reported "4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention" for the chair vote. The board also elected Joe Wigginton as vice chair; the transcript records his nomination and subsequent announcement of his election but does not include a roll‑call tally for the vice‑chair vote.

On capital projects, Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker described the high‑school work as "a massive project," telling the board the renovation covers interior systems across most of the 1997‑era building — paint, floors, ceilings, bathrooms and classroom renovations — and that roughly 75–80% of the building will be addressed this summer with remaining work scheduled for the following summer. Parker said the construction schedule relies on short windows (including winter and spring breaks and an eight‑week concentrated period) and acknowledged "some minor inconveniences" to the campus while work proceeds.

The board approved the GMP with Carol Daniel Construction for phase 2 as presented. A separate change‑order motion for the Pickens High School field‑house — described by staff as a positive closeout that reduced the previously authorized cost — was recorded as $63,292.40 and was approved.

The board also approved a proposal to increase the local senior property‑tax exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for residents age 62 or older. Board members noted the measure has been in place since 1997 and that the school board’s vote is the local education body’s approval; the proposal still requires approval by the county board of commissioners and subsequent action in the state legislature before taking effect.

Other routine business approved on consent included the personnel action report, monthly financial reports, minutes from recent meetings, declared surplus items and several out‑of‑state student trips (Pickens High School honor band and swim team, and PHS and PJHS FFA events). The consent agenda passed without recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance
- Election, Chair: Amy Gibson — elected (board reported 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention). Motion and second recorded; outcome: elected.
- Election, Vice Chair: Joe Wigginton — elected (vote tally not specified in transcript). Motion and second recorded; outcome: elected.
- Senior tax‑exemption: increase cap from $25,000 to $40,000 for residents 62+ — board approved its proposal; final implementation requires county commission and state legislative approval.
- GMP: Approve GMP with Carol Daniel Construction for Pickens High School renovation phase 2 — $7,808,660 — approved by the board as presented.
- Change order (field house): Approve change order with Carol Daniel Construction for Pickens High School field house — $63,292.40 (credit/adjustment reflected) — approved by the board.
- Personnel action report — approved.
- Consent agenda (financial reports, minutes, surplus, overnight/out‑of‑state student trips) — approved.

Why it matters: The GMP commits the district to the largest construction phase of a multiple‑year renovation that staff said is needed to update a large 1997‑era high school building; the senior tax exemption change is intended to increase local tax relief for older residents but will not take effect until reviewed by the county commission and possibly the legislature. The construction approvals and financial items will affect district capital budgeting and scheduling in 2025.

What’s next: Project staff said they will return with any final change orders reflecting cost underruns; the senior tax‑exemption proposal will be submitted to the Pickens County Board of Commissioners for its approval and then to the state as required by law.