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Lee County Board approves school‑safety software, five‑year facilities plan and repurposing of Middle School East courts
Summary
At its April 11 meeting the Lee County Board of Education approved purchases of Centix and SchoolDogg for district safety, adopted a five‑year facilities plan after a state review, and approved repurposing unusable tennis courts at Middle School East into pickleball courts; all motions passed unanimously.
The Lee County Board of Education on April 11 approved purchases of two school‑safety software systems, adopted its five‑year local facilities plan and voted to repurpose unusable tennis courts at Lee County Middle School East into pickleball courts.
Board members unanimously approved the purchase of Centix — a crisis‑alert badge system with digital mapping for first responders — and SchoolDogg, a facilities and safety‑issue tracking tool. Kevin Dowling, assistant superintendent for human resources, family and student services, recommended the purchases, saying Centix provides both quick press alerts for assistance and a longer press that triggers a campus‑wide lockdown and digital mapping for emergency responders. “It will send out notices that there’s a campuswide threat,” Dowling said when describing Centix’s capabilities.
The packet and staff presentation described Centix as the district’s preferred crisis system and reported a multi‑year payment option. Staff reported the Centix cost as presented in the board packet (transcribed approximately as $426,000) with the option to spread payments over five years and additional annual payments noted in the packet; SchoolDogg was presented with a FY26 cost transcribed as $13,315.50. Gary Kelly, executive director of finance and operations, said additional funds the state allocated for school safety will cover the purchase. The board approved the purchase by a 5–0 vote.
The board also adopted the five‑year local facilities plan resolution after a recent facilities review with the Georgia Department of Education. Superintendent Dr. Tru said the plan covers ongoing maintenance, equipment replacement, classroom additions at the high school campus, expansion of Pre‑K space and potential outdoor covered practice areas for band, athletics and physical education. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Separately, trustees approved a renovation project to convert unusable tennis courts at Lee County Middle School East into five overlay pickleball courts with a click‑and‑lock surface, repairs, poles and nets and wind screens. District staff described the project as a $61,300 estimate to cover the full renovation and noted the proposal includes hiring supervisors (for example, college students or extended‑day staff) to manage community hours, school use and tournaments. That motion passed 5–0.
Votes at a glance - Approve purchase of Centix and SchoolDogg: approved, vote 5–0; Centix cost reported in packet (transcribed approximately $426,000) and SchoolDogg FY26 cost transcribed as $13,315.50. Staff said state school‑safety funds will cover the purchase. - Adopt five‑year local facilities plan resolution: approved, vote 5–0. - Approve renovation/repurposing of Lee County Middle School East tennis courts: approved, vote 5–0; project estimate transcribed as $61,300.
The board’s packet and presentations include additional payment and implementation details; staff said final budget allotments from the state will be incorporated in upcoming budget hearings before the June adoption. The board scheduled further budget hearings following receipt of official allotment sheets from the Georgia Department of Education.
