Committees approve Head Start refunding application, safety footwear contract and $1.775M Westview Middle roof award
Summary
During committee sessions Jan. 12 the board approved a Head Start refunding application and turnaround plans, awarded an RFP for district safety footwear to SR Max (initial year $60,000; potential five-year value $300,000), and recommended awarding the Westview Middle School roof IFB to AAR of North Carolina for $1,775,000.
Committee meetings held after the board's regular session on Jan. 12 advanced several administrative and capital items.
Academics & Innovation: Staff reviewed the Head Start budget expenditure and credit reports for November 2025 and explained the district's "refunding application" — an annual request that asks the federal agency to continue funding under the existing five-year grant framework. Staff told the committee the application is a routine federal process and that the district expects the same funding level unless a cost-of-living adjustment is applied. The committee voted to approve submission of the refunding application so it can be filed with the state by the Jan. 30, 2026 deadline (vote recorded 3–0).
The committee also reviewed 2025–26 continuous improvement turnaround plans required under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act / Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Staff said plans were developed with school leadership teams and must be approved locally before submission to the South Carolina Department of Education; the committee approved the identified schools' plans (3–0).
Finance & Human Resources: The committee considered out-of-state travel requests and approved them. Procurement presented RFP 74825-26 for the district safety footwear program; procurement director Lisa Ackerman recommended awarding a contract to Safeguard Safety Shoe (doing business as SR Max) after a competitive solicitation. Ackerman said the district received two responses, a district review panel scored submissions against RFP criteria, and SR Max was deemed the most responsive and responsible bidder. The committee recorded approval of the award; procurement noted an initial one-year term valued at $60,000 with potential total value of $300,000 over five years and an optional superintendent extension.
Capital Planning: Staff presented IFB 75325-26 for the Westview Middle School roof replacement. Construction procurement staff said eight bids were received and recommended awarding to the lowest responsive bidder, AAR of North Carolina, at $1,775,000. Committee members asked whether the contract amount included consultant fees; staff clarified the $1,775,000 figure is for the roof replacement only and indicated the contractor is expected to complete work within approximately 180 days of board approval. The committee approved the contract recommendation (3–0).
What’s next: The committee approvals move these items to the full board for final action at a subsequent meeting (the procurement items will proceed with contract execution as allowed by district policy).
