Person County board approves contracts, laptop refresh and budget amendments

The Person County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a slate of contracts and budget actions at its meeting, including facilities work, curriculum and food service updates, and year‑end budget measures.

Board members approved awarding Comfort Mechanical the contract to replace the boiler at Southern Middle School, an item described by staff as a replacement for a 35‑plus‑year‑old unit with an estimated impact of $252,240, to be funded with lottery dollars. The approval came by voice vote after a motion to award the bid.

The board also approved a recommendation to refresh Chromebooks at Person High School, accepting a Vision 21 quote for up to $314,668.98 for replacement devices four years old or older. Dr. Peterson responded to a board question about statewide conversations on limiting technology in classrooms by noting that the district uses laptops ‘‘as the conduit to our material, our instructional material’’ and that removing devices would require significant investment in textbooks. He also confirmed an incentive tied to CTE teacher targets: "If 90% of their students met this target they would get a $1,000 bonus at the end of the school year." (Dr. Peterson)

Curriculum and student supports were included in approvals. The board renewed the Curriculum Associates contract (K‑8 math and i‑Ready diagnostic) and approved the district’s Career & College Promise dual‑enrollment agreement and the Person Early College memorandum of agreement with Piedmont Community College. The summer feeding contract amendment and the 2026‑27 food service contract were approved; staff said the amendment raises the reimbursement rate to $3.77, roughly a 3% increase over the prior year.

Finance staff presented final budget amendments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and an interim minimum operating budget resolution for 2026‑27 to permit payroll and ongoing expenses until the state budget is enacted; both measures were approved by majority voice votes. Insurance renewals were also approved after staff reported a 2.37% increase in property/liability costs and a 13% decline in workers’ compensation costs.

The meeting concluded after a closed‑session discussion on student and personnel matters and approval of superintendent consent items. The board then adjourned.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting were by roll‑call voice vote and, where the transcript records a tally, were carried by majority/ unanimous votes as noted in board motions.