Savannah‑Chatham board approves grants, budget amendments and multiple contract renewals including East Plus revenue update
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Summary
The board approved a package of budget amendments, grant awards and contract renewals, including a $34.5M East Plus revenue recognition adjustment, a $460,000 student mental‑behavioral health grant, a $1.28M school security grant amendment, and construction and procurement contract changes.
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education approved a slate of budget amendments, grant acceptances and contract renewals recommended by staff.
Key financial actions approved by the board included:
• East Plus 4 revenue budget amendment: Staff presented an amendment to align East Plus 4 (educational special purpose local option sales tax) revenue and reimbursements; the agenda cited a change of $34,528,689 to reflect recognized revenues and reimbursements. Staff noted additional interest earnings may further increase available East Plus 4 funds.
• Godot student mental and behavioral health services grant: The board accepted a Georgia Department of Education allocation intended to expand on‑site teletherapy and tiered behavioral supports; staff reported a total grant amount of $460,000 and the board approved a budget amendment to receive and allocate the funds. Board members requested ongoing reporting and outcome metrics.
• School security grant (FY26): The Georgia Department of Education allocated an additional $1,276,465 to fund school security personnel and related safety items; the board approved the corresponding budget adjustments.
• Contract renewals and bid awards: The board approved the first renewal on RFP 25‑01 (educational interpreter services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing) as presented in the agenda packet; the annual estimated expenditure for the renewal period was cited in the packet. The board also approved procurement items including a bid award for oils, lubricants and antifreeze (bid 26‑22, estimated cost ~$1.15M) and the final renewal of custodial products and supplies (estimated $1M). Members discussed operational impacts of maintenance for diesel buses vs. electric vehicles and asked staff to evaluate product odors and volatile compounds in custodial supplies.
Board members asked for additional reporting on outcomes and ROI where grants are accepted and requested supportive documentation to make capital fund encumbrances and multiyear project spending clearer to the board.