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Board approves personnel recommendations, budget amendments and capital award; votes to seek GSBA support for pension option
Summary
The board approved executive‑session personnel recommendations (including Dr. Lynette Hadley as Mount Zion Primary principal and Dr. Keith Colbert as senior chief of staff), accepted multiple budget amendments (including donations and a $1.47M school security grant), approved a capital contract recommendation for Fountain Elementary and voted to ask GSBA to consider allowing school board members to opt into a pension after two terms.
The Clayton County Board of Education approved several formal actions at its meeting, beginning with personnel items agreed in executive session.
Chair called for a vote on the superintendent’s recommendations to appoint Dr. Lynette Hadley as principal of Mount Zion Primary and to appoint Dr. Keith Colbert as senior chief of staff for academics and district operations; both recommendations were made, seconded and carried with the attendance and abstention pattern noted by the chair (Miss Williams absent). The board paused briefly to take photos with the appointees.
Finance staff presented a package of budget amendments the board accepted, including donations totaling $17,781 to support various student competitions and events; a $4,910 amendment for a Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration; $7,500 in donations to cover vendor costs for a retirement celebration; a $1,471,180 state school security grant (for weapon‑detection devices); an $80,663 grant for three student advocacy specialist positions from the Georgia Department of Education; and a $54,000 award from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for cybersecurity improvements.
Construction staff recommended awarding RFP 26‑03 (new Fountain Elementary and Unidels Elementary projects) to Winter Construction Company for $77,586,830, and the board discussed project delivery methods and factors beyond lowest price—quality and timeliness were identified as additional evaluation criteria.
The board approved personnel and procurement motions on the consent agenda and then addressed governance: board member Goree moved that the board support a GSBA (Georgia School Boards Association) position seeking a change in state law to allow school board members to opt into a pension after two terms; the motion passed with one abstention (Bowles) and one no vote (Hill), the remainder voting in favor.
On compensation, the board approved an employee salary supplement tied to a state one‑time QBE settlement. Finance staff explained the state provided a $2,000 one‑time settlement targeted to specific earned positions; the district is supplementing that allocation so that all full‑time employees receive either $2,000 or $1,500 depending on the funded position. Staff said distributions would be processed and employees would receive payments the following Thursday.
Board chair adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
