Griffin‑Spalding board approves $2,000 staff supplement, ThinkPad purchases and $5.34M school renovation

The Griffin‑Spalding County Board of Education on March 17 voted to distribute a state $2,000 supplemental payment to full‑time, benefit‑eligible employees, approved large ThinkPad device and warranty purchases for staff and teachers, and awarded a not‑to‑exceed $5,341,000 contract for renovations at Jordan Hill Elementary.

Board Chair Sue McDonald convened the meeting and led the board through a series of motions that included suspending rules to add the supplement to the agenda so the funds could be distributed before the state’s March 26 deadline. "We did not learn of these monies until late last week... the state really has wished that these monies are distributed before March 26," McDonald said when explaining the timetable. The board approved adding the item and later approved the supplement payment on a voice/hand‑raise vote.

Byron Jones, presenting the proposal, said the district expects about $2,000,000 from the Georgia Department of Education and an additional allocation from DECAL; he recommended covering eligible employees who were actively employed as of the state budget signing date. Jones said any district overage would be covered from general fund, nutrition funds and applicable grants and that the proposed payment date was March 31. "It is recommended that the Griffin Spalding Board of Education approve the payment of $2,000 to employees of GSCS related to the governor's amended FY26 budget proposal," Jones said.

On technology spending, Lonnie Harper presented procurement recommendations: up to $220,324.50 to buy 225 ThinkPad laptops for administrative staff and up to $807,856.50 to buy 825 ThinkPad laptops for teachers, both from Robinette Consulting. The board approved both purchases. Harper also recommended buying 1,050 accidental‑damage warranties from CDW for not more than $84,000; the board approved the warranty package.

The board approved a construction contract for Jordan Hill Elementary renovations after facilities staff presented the bidding process and alternates. The district recommended SRS Incorporated as low bidder and asked the board to approve a not‑to‑exceed $5,341,000 amount for base bid and selected alternates. Work is expected to begin in summer 2026.

In other business, the board adopted two district policies—BBBE (board member compensation and expenses) and GBU (professional ethics and conduct)—on second reading, accepted the consent agenda (which included two Griffin High School overnight trip items), and heard a budget overview and fiscal update from Jones that outlined fund balances, SPLOST 7 collections and upcoming budget deadlines.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to amend agenda/add two Griffin High School overnight trips and executive‑session timing: approved (board voice/hand‑raise) - Suspend rules to add $2,000 supplement: approved (board voice/hand‑raise) - Approve $2,000 supplement for eligible employees (proposed payment March 31): approved (board voice/hand‑raise) - Approve 225 admin ThinkPad laptops (≤ $220,324.50): approved (5‑0 hand‑raise) - Approve 825 teacher ThinkPad laptops (≤ $807,856.50): approved (5‑0 hand‑raise) - Approve 1,050 ThinkPad warranties (≤ $84,000) from CDW: approved (5‑0 hand‑raise) - Award Jordan Hill Elementary renovations (SRS Inc., ≤ $5,341,000): approved (5‑0 hand‑raise) - Adopt policy BBBE (second reading): approved (5‑0) - Adopt policy GBU (second reading): approved (5‑0)

The superintendent and finance staff said the district will use available fund balance and specific revenue sources to cover any unfunded portion of the supplement and will deliver the FY27 budget book to board members on April 3, with public hearings scheduled in April and a final budget vote expected in late May. "You will get your budget book on April 3," Jones said, and reminded members the district must present a balanced budget by law.

The meeting also included ceremonial items—student pledge, 4‑H recognitions, valedictorian and salutatorian acknowledgments—and two executive sessions addressing personnel matters. The board set the proposed supplement payment date for March 31 and directed staff to follow up with implementation details.

The board adjourned into a second executive session later in the evening to continue personnel deliberations.