Board hears safety, roofing and COPS grant updates; trustees question contingency on bid

At the Nov. 10 meeting the Safety & Operations committee summarized several operational items for board approval and oversight. Committee chair Walter Sperling said the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office obtained a federal COPS grant that will fund two additional officers; the district will coordinate placement with Captain Humphreys and the sheriff’s office.

Sperling also reported a recommendation that high school athletic events adopt a clear-bag policy beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and that the district will provide signage and public notice ahead of implementation. The committee recommended accepting the lowest base bid for repairs to Mountain Intermediate School’s hail-damaged roof by Gutter Guys at $618,000 (including contingency and gutter maintenance). Board members pressed staff on procurement practice after one trustee noted a $45,000 contingency line that is added internally rather than presented to bidders; trustees asked that exit interviews and clearer bidding disclosures be reviewed in future committee discussions.

Trustees approved committee recommendations on these items without recorded opposition in the meeting minutes.