The Pickens County Board of Education approved a series of routine and fiscal items at its Dec. 11 meeting, including a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment that modifies 11 federal grants, the board’s 2026 meeting schedule and a personnel action report.

CFO Amy Smith presented the financial report, saying the district has collected 26.87% of its budgeted revenue and expended 31.47% of the budget year-to-date. Smith reported more than $7,000,000 in property tax receipts and described capital outlay collections of $777,706.95 for the month, expenditures of $1,226,097.37, and an ending monthly balance of $8,125,907.65. She said the district will submit a required reclassification in the general fund that does not change the overall general fund totals and noted a consolidation tied to federal grants as the principal driver of the amendment.

The board moved, seconded and approved the personnel action report, the 2026 regular board meeting schedule and the FY26 budget amendment as presented. The consent agenda — which included financial reports, an MOU with Piedmont University, an MOU with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, a collaborative partnership agreement with Valdosta State University, out-of-state overnight field trips, minutes of recent meetings, warehouse surplus and school bus surplus — was also approved.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker and staff gave updates on operations and construction projects and noted the district is debt-free for school operations. Parker highlighted a new mobile dental program, completed geospatial mapping of facilities to locate safety equipment and a Thanksgiving meal service that served 4,253 meals with about 1,600 visitors. The board closed the meeting after brief member comments and holiday greetings.

Votes at a glance
- Personnel action report — motion moved (speaker 6), seconded (speaker 7); recorded vote indicated four in favor and three opposed as reported during the meeting.
- 2026 board meeting schedule — motion moved and seconded; approved (tally not specified in transcript).
- FY26 budget amendment (includes amendments to 11 federal grants and one required reclassification) — motion moved and seconded; approved (tally not specified in transcript).
- Consent agenda — motion moved and seconded; approved (tally not specified in transcript).

The board announced the next regular meeting for Jan. 8, 2026, and a planning/virtual day for teachers on Jan. 5, 2026; students return Jan. 6.