School board elects Hulsey chair, names Dodgen vice chair; approves construction manager recommendation for Goodyear renovation

The Glynn County School Board opened its first meeting of the year with a memorial for Dr. Delacy Sanford before conducting its annual officer elections and routine business.

During nominations from the floor, Miss Lee nominated Mark Hulsey for chair; after Hulsey confirmed he would serve the board voted by a show of hands and Speaker 1 declared the result unanimous. Miss Lee then nominated Jeff Dodgen for vice chair; Dodgen accepted and the board again voted unanimously. Speaker 1 told the newly elected officers, "I'll get you the gavel soon." (Speakers and transcript identify the nominations and votes.)

In opening remarks summarized by a board speaker, the board was told the district is "in great shape," with graduation rates described as "through the roof," and the board agreed to sign the annual board ethics policy; the speaker noted the form is "sort of required by law."

The board heard its monthly financial report. A presenter said there were no budget amendments for November; general fund revenues were at 62% of budget, expenses at 37.6% of budget and the district's budget position at 41.6%. The presenter reported October sales tax collections of $3,135,524.68 and investment interest earnings of $453,727.11 for November.

Facilities director (Speaker 8) briefed the board on multiple projects. The BHS Fieldhouse was described as having rubber flooring, 24 weight stations and a turf area about 30 yards by 15 yards, with paving and gates recently completed. Progress at the performing arts center includes installed projection and audio equipment, drywall and lighting in the main lobby and provisions for 1,000 retractable seats. On the Glendale replacement site, Speaker 8 said Tyson Construction has taken the project into phase 3 with transformers and sitework underway. Board Office Wing 4 is nearing completion with roof work done, AC paths poured, and furniture deliveries scheduled ahead of a planned move-in by month-end.

On capital projects, Speaker 8 presented a recommendation to select Pope Construction of Statesboro, Georgia, as construction manager for the Goodyear Elementary 2026 renovation. The RFP was advertised on the Georgia procurement registry and the district website; three firms showed interest but Pope Construction "was the only 1 to actually submit the proposal," the presenter said. The board was told a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) will be developed and returned for approval; Speaker 6 said the firm's fee is 8%. The presenter also noted state capital outlay funding will attach to the project. Board members asked whether the Goodyear cafeteria will be reconfigured; Speaker 8 said architects and school nutrition staff (Shelley Daniel and Paul O'Brien) planned two serving lines to speed service.

After routine items the board moved into an executive session for land, legal, personnel and tribunal review; the motion (moved by Mr. Madala and seconded by Mr. Jackson) passed unanimously and the board returned to open session as recorded in the transcript.

Back in open session, the board approved a workers' compensation settlement agreement on a motion from Mr. Jackson; the vote was unanimous, 7–0. Mr. Jackson also moved, and Mr. McBay seconded, a motion to hire Doctor Byron Slack as a teacher and coach; the board approved the hire unanimously, 7–0. The board then adjourned.

What happens next: if the board approves the GMP from Pope Construction when it returns to the board, the Goodyear renovation will move into the construction phase; the timeline given for other projects included a May 2027 target to turn over Glen Now/Glen replacement and first-day readiness for students in August 2027.

Quotes used in this summary are drawn directly from the meeting transcript and are attributed to the speakers as recorded in the assembled meeting record.