Oneida Special School District board approves bids, personnel actions and authorizes possible CD withdrawal for gym project

The Oneida Special School District board approved a series of routine administrative actions and heard updates from district staff at a brief meeting.

Board members voted to seek bids for pest-control services and for cafeteria food-service items (ice cream and produce). The board also accepted two resignations, approved a leave of absence, carried three routine budget amendments, and approved a dining-card fundraiser to support the OHS baseball program. Board members Dorothy Watson, Kevin Byrd, Dr. Nancy Williamson and Dr. Danny Cross were recorded as voting in favor on roll-call votes where noted.

In the meeting’s most consequential administrative decision, the board authorized district administrators to withdraw a debt‑service certificate of deposit at First National Bank if doing so becomes necessary to finish the gym project. Administrators discussed potential early-withdrawal penalties and timing; one administrator said the district’s goal was "to pay for the gym without having to go into debt," and the motion to grant conditional authority to withdraw the CD carried on a vote so staff would not have to return to the board for that specific permission.

The board approved three field trips for the Pathways group to the University of the Cumberlands, Aliso College and Berea College, and accepted Michelle Taylor Ayers as the district’s PSBA school volunteer nominee. The board also approved letters of resignation from Brandy Ball Smith and Britney Spraglin and a leave request for Brenda Coffey covering Feb. 23–March 6.

Director’s report and program updates

In the director’s report, district leadership reminded board members that the budget input deadline is March 13 and summarized ongoing legislative activity affecting economically disadvantaged students. The director highlighted recent and upcoming school events, including athletics and student recognitions, and noted a student award nomination and staff hires planned this month.

An elementary teacher reported that the district received an "Access for All Learners Network" grant for pre‑K totaling $60,000 over three years to support pre‑K teacher assistants and special-education professional development. A staff member described an upcoming STEM mobile lab visit and professional-development activities, and another staff member summarized a student survey on priorities for school improvements (36.1% of respondents prioritized more cafeteria/food options; 36.6% identified goal-setting as the top way to improve work ethic).

Votes at a glance

- Motion to seek bids for pest-control services — approved (roll call). - Motion to seek bids for cafeteria food-service (ice cream, produce) — approved (roll call). - Acceptance of Michelle Taylor Ayers as PSBA volunteer nominee — approved (roll call). - Acceptance of resignations from Brandy Ball Smith and Britney Spraglin — approved (roll call). - Leave of absence for Brenda Coffey (Feb. 23–March 6) — approved (roll call). - Three routine budget amendments — approved (roll call). - Dining-card fundraiser for OHS baseball equipment — approved (roll call). - Authorization for administrators to withdraw debt-service CD from First National Bank if needed to finish the gym project — approved (roll call). - Approval of three Pathways field trips (University of the Cumberlands, Aliso College, Berea College) — approved (roll call). - Motion to adjourn — moved and seconded.

What’s next

Board members agreed to move the April meeting date to April 16 because of spring break. Staff said the budget timeline will proceed with a March 13 input deadline and will follow up with board members if additional decisions are required.