“It’s just such a fulfilling experience to see the advantages that our students in Fannin County have,” Fannin County Board of Education member Terry Bramlett said during a board meeting Thursday, October 10. “It took me at least a year to understand all the moving parts of this system whenever I was elected to this board. This is a massive, massive undertaking. This board has a fiduciary responsibility for an annual $38 million budget. We evaluate, select and negotiate the contract for our CEO, our superintendent, the leader of our organization. We develop policy that creates the framework for our teachers, administrators and all of our departments to do this marvelous work that they do.
“There are a lot of moving parts here that are not readily apparent to you folks and until you sit on this side of this table, I don’t think you’ll have a full appreciation for that. … I say all of this and every bit of it has been worth it.”
Multiple members agreed with Bramlett’s sentiments and also reflected on the board retreat they took earlier in the day to discuss “Experiencing Challenges of Low Income Families” and “Facilities Planning for Boards of Education.”
Board member Bobby Bearden discussed seeing the new Pre-K class in action at East Fannin Elementary School during the retreat stating, “To see those four-year-olds in there doing what they did, that was most exciting. … Children are where it’s at, period. Without education nobody is going nowhere.”
Director of School Nutrition Candice Sisson told the board that the annual Realizing Education and Achievement Can Happen (REACH) program has selected their next class of REACH scholars. Seventh grade students were nominated in March, applications were reviewed, interviews were conducted in April and the students were informed of their selection in September.
The students will be announced and honored during the signing day ceremony Tuesday, November 12 at 10 a.m. at Fannin County Middle School.
According to Director of Finance Susan Wynn, the school system brought in $518,884.88 in SPLOST funds for the month of August, which was an increase from the $482,723.88 brought in during August of 2018.
Director of Instructional Technology Heather Finley requested to purchase 14 View Sonic ViewBoard Interactive Flat Panels with onboard computers and four motorized stands from CDW-G for $52,556. The purchase was approved by the board and will be purchased using SPLOST funds.
The board also approved the purchase of 112 Chromebooks for teacher use at the elementary schools for a total of $30,548.
CTAE Director Patti DuBois requested the purchase of a Kubota tractor for the Agricultural Program for $29,680. The purchase was approved and includes the 4x4 diesel tractor with R4 tires, a front loader 72” with a bucket, pallet forks and a bale spear.
Director of Transportation Denver Foster requested and was approved to have 15 transportation vehicles be declared as surplus and sold at auction at Govdeals.com.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Larry Joe Mull spoke against allowing the Gay Straight Alliance club at Fannin County High School, David Yard spoke for allowing the club.