Davie County Board elects W.G. Potts chair, approves 2025–26 calendar and $89,847 Pine Brook gym floor replacement

The Davie County Board of Education, at its regular meeting, swore in incoming members and elected W.G. Potts as board chair and Marie Helms as vice chair. The board approved several administrative items including the 2025–26 school calendar (option 1), authorized a contract to replace the Pine Brook Elementary gym floor for $89,847 and set Davie County High School graduation for June 14 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting concluded with a vote to enter closed session for attorney-client and personnel matters.

Why it matters: The leadership vote sets who will steer board meetings and agendas through the coming term. The calendar approval and the Pine Brook floor contract affect classroom scheduling and facility safety; the board’s closed-session motion indicates personnel matters remain under internal review.

The vote for board leadership was uncontested: W.G. Potts was nominated and affirmed by the board, after which Potts said, "I will commit to you to do the best I can, and together we'll make good decisions," addressing board members after the vote. The board then took nominations for vice chair and approved Marie Helms by show of hands.

On calendar selection, the board considered two draft calendars that had been circulated to staff. Board member Marie Helms and Joe Caudle served on the calendar committee and reported that 460 staff ballots were returned; 398 votes (about 87%) favored option 1. The board voted to adopt option 1 for the 2025–26 school year by a voice/show-of-hands vote recorded as "motion carries 7–0."

Facility work: Facilities staff presented an emergency recommendation to replace the gymnasium floor at Pine Brook Elementary School after staff found a large crack and identified a moisture issue beneath the existing surface. Facilities presenter Jeremy Whitaker said the slab will receive a moisture-blocking treatment before a new surface is installed and described the situation as an "emergency" timed to minimize student disruption over the holiday break. The board approved hiring Royal Wood and Associates Inc. to remove the existing floor, apply moisture blocking and install a new floor system for $89,847. Whitaker told the board the proposal includes a one-year installation warranty and a five-year material warranty. The motion passed by the board and was recorded as "motion carries 7–0."

Graduation date: Superintendent Jeff Wallace recommended — and the board approved — holding Davie County High School’s graduation on Saturday, June 14 at 8:30 a.m. at Wriggle Stadium. The motion carried by voice vote (recorded "motion carries 7–0").

Other procedural items: The board approved the minutes from the prior regular meeting and a special-called Nov. 26 meeting and adopted the consent agenda; both carried by unanimous voice vote. Before adjourning to closed session for attorney-client and personnel matters, board leaders told the public no further action was anticipated after the closed session.

Votes at a glance: • Approval of Nov. minutes (regular + Nov. 26 special): motion carried, 7–0. • Election of board chair (W.G. Potts): elected by voice/show of hands; vote recorded as carry 7–0. • Election of vice chair (Marie Helms): elected by show of hands; vote recorded as carry 7–0. • Consent agenda: approved, motion carries 7–0. • 2025–26 calendar (option 1): approved (recommendation based on staff vote 398 of 460 in favor); motion carries 7–0. • Pine Brook Elementary gym floor contract (Royal Wood and Associates Inc.): authorized at $89,847; motion carries 7–0. Warranty: 1-year installation, 5-year material. • Davie County High School graduation date (June 14, 8:30 a.m., Wriggle Stadium): approved, motion carries 7–0. • Motion to enter closed session for attorney-client privilege and personnel matters: approved; motion and second recorded, board entered closed session.

The board’s minutes record the votes as unanimous on the listed items; no board member statements opposing these specific approvals were recorded in the transcript. The board’s planned closed session was described by chair Potts as limited to attorney-client and personnel matters.