MoCo BOE Prepares For Future Projects
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Montgomery County Board of Education members recently prepared for future projects, as they voted to move money from the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) fund to the Capital Outlay fund during a called meeting on Tuesday, January 27.
At the beginning of the meeting, Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Ronda Hightower told the Board that she recommended moving $500,000 from the SPLOST fund to the Capital Outlay fund to earmark the money for capital outlay projects. Hightower explained that the SPLOST fund recently had reached $1 million, and after consulting with a school finance expert, she felt that moving the funding would help in paying for current and upcoming projects. She reminded board members that SPLOST funding could not be spent on personnel; thus, using the funding for projects was more than appropriate, and could be used to fund the current baseball field renovation project and additional projects to come in the future.
The Board unanimously approved this transaction, which will keep the funds’ bank and interest rates the same.
During the called meeting, the Board approved the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS)/Distance Learning Technology Grant agreement, which authorizes the district to receive $927,000 of federal funds to upgrade technology and provide distance learning and telehealth services for students. The school system first announced that they had received this grant in December, and were required to complete this agreement, which states that the district will abide by all grant guidelines, before moving forward to receive the funding.
Board members also accepted the resignation of Montgomery County High School Teacher and Head Football Coach Kaream Hess. Hightower commented on the coach’s resignation. “He and I have had many conversations since his resignation. I told him my heart is heavy and sad for us, but my heart is very excited for him. I understand the opportunity that he is being given elsewhere and that I will always be one of his biggest fans,” she remarked.
Lastly, the Board authorized the transfer of Bus Driver Destiny Dixon to a blended position, where she will serve as a bus driver and the Montgomery County Middle School Secretary/Registrar.
