Board approves policy corrections, 2025–26 budget resolution and arts-in-education week

At its Sept. 8 meeting the Chatham County Board of Education approved multiple formal actions by voice vote.

Policy corrections: The board approved two corrections presented by Kelly Batten. The items were character edits and legal-reference corrections to existing policy language — including fixing a heading to correctly reference 'service animals in schools' and updating errant legal citations in communicable-disease policy. A board member moved to approve the corrections and a second was recorded; the board answered 'aye' and no 'no' votes were recorded on the transcript.

Budget resolution: Interim CFO Britney Smith presented the 2025–26 budget resolution, reporting funding composition (state funds roughly a little over 50%, local about 38%, federal roughly 1.5% as currently posted) and describing controls such as a 25% holdback on non-payroll nonessential spending and elimination of 10 central-office positions. A board member moved to approve the budget resolution, the motion was seconded and the board answered 'aye' on the voice vote; no opposed votes were recorded on the transcript.

Arts in education: The board approved a resolution recognizing National Arts in Education Week (Sept. 14) and noting district partnerships with the Chatham Arts Council and AmeriCorps teaching artists. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote as recorded.

Procedural notes: Several earlier procedural motions (entering and exiting closed session, adoption of the agenda, and consent items) were also made and carried; the meeting adjourned after a final voice vote and members answered 'aye.'