Paulding County — At its Dec. 9 meeting the Paulding County Board of Education approved several contract and personnel actions, including an amendment to the Poole Elementary owner–architect contract and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for major renovations at South Paulding High School.

Doug Carey, the district’s executive director of facilities, presented a mandatory Georgia Department of Education addendum for Poole Elementary and said the architect’s updated cost estimate is $6,214,564.82, up from an original forecasted cost limitation of $5,400,000. Carey explained the district elected to restore rather than fully replace the school roof (restoration estimated at $200,000 vs. replacement at $1,200,000) and summarized the reimbursement adjustments, saying, "We saved $374,000." The board approved the amendment to the owner–architect contract (25-710-002) as presented.

Cole Crowder, the district’s director of procurement, presented an AIA contract with RK Redding Construction Inc. for the renovation/modification project at South Paulding High School and stated the presented GMP is $14,935,346. Crowder outlined work to include roof replacement, a new HVAC system, fire-alarm upgrades, interior LED lighting, flooring replacement, kitchen equipment, a weight-room expansion, a JROTC suite and a broadcast/video lab. Superintendent Barnett recommended approval subject to legal review; the board voted to approve the contract.

Also on the agenda, Cobb County School District agreed to transfer 15 security vehicles to the district for $1 each. Staff advised that accounting rules treat a nominal-acquisition item with higher fair market value as a bargain purchase and that board policy DFK requires board approval for donations with an assessed value of $50,000 or more; the board approved acceptance of the vehicles.

The board also approved the personnel report covering items 1 through 55. Earlier in the meeting the board approved regular-session minutes from Nov. 18 by a vote recorded as 6 in favor with 1 abstention; subsequent action votes on the Poole amendment, the South Paulding GMP, the vehicle donation and the personnel report were recorded as unanimous.

Votes at a glance
- Approve amendment to mandatory addendum — Poole Elementary (owner–architect contract 25-710-002): approved (unanimous).
- Approve GMP with RK Redding Construction — South Paulding High School, $14,935,346: approved (unanimous).
- Accept donation/transfer of 15 security vehicles from Cobb County School District ($1 each): approved (unanimous).
- Approve personnel items 1–55: approved (unanimous).

What happens next: Superintendent Barnett and staff will complete required paperwork and legal review steps for the contracts and report back as projects proceed. The full quarterly financial report is scheduled for February.