The Barrow County School System Board of Education held its Regular Board Meeting on July 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Winder. The meeting included routine board business, approval of prior meeting records, consent agenda items, financial reporting, an executive session, personnel-related matters, and action items involving facilities technology and the annual millage rate. The agenda and meeting materials identify the meeting as part of the district’s regular governance process.
The board approved minutes from several June meetings, including budget public hearings, regular board meetings, work session activities, and millage rate public hearings. These approvals finalized the official records of those prior proceedings. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Ms. Hendricks and seconded by Ms. Lord. The board also approved the meeting agenda.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included several operational and policy-related items. These items included affirming public participation policy provisions, approving the use of fund balance for teaching and learning materials, purchasing custodial equipment, and moving proposed employee leave policy revisions forward for public comment.
Financial information was presented by Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Houston. The report included June ELOST receipts, other fund financial information, invoice reporting, and fundraiser information. ELOST receipts for June totaled $1,886,168.10. The presentation noted that receipts were affected by timing related to a large prior audit adjustment, but year-to-date receipts were reported as 12.4% higher than the same period the previous year.
The financial report also reviewed year-to-date balances for several categories. Special revenue funds were reported with $23.2 million in revenues and $24.8 million in expenditures. Capital projects were reported with $21.3 million in revenues and $21.3 million in expenditures. Debt service was reported with $12 million in revenues and approximately $13.8 million in expenditures.
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters allowed under Georgia open meetings law, including employment, hiring, evaluation, compensation, disciplinary matters, dismissal, or superintendent applicant interviews. After returning from executive session, the board considered the personnel report. The meeting materials indicate that the superintendent recommended approval of the personnel report.
The board also considered action items related to district facilities and taxation. The superintendent recommended contracting with Formetco to provide digital boards at Apalachee High School and Winder Barrow High School gymnasiums. The superintendent also recommended approval of the FY 2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate.
No members of the public were identified as signed up to address the board during the request-to-appear portion of the meeting. The next scheduled meeting listed in the agenda materials was a July 28, 2026 work session at 6:00 PM.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes and Agenda
The board reviewed and approved minutes from seven prior meetings held during June 2026. These included budget hearings, millage rate hearings, a regular board meeting, and a work session/called meeting. The purpose of the action was to formally adopt the official records of those proceedings.
The motion to approve the minutes was made by Ms. Hendricks and seconded by Ms. Lord. The board then approved the July 7 meeting agenda.
Consent Agenda Items
The board considered multiple consent items together.
The consent agenda included affirmation of Policy BCBI and Regulation BCBI-R(1), which address public participation in board meetings. The item maintained the district’s existing public participation procedures.
The board also considered approval of the use of fund balance to purchase teaching and learning materials. The agenda states these materials would be purchased using a refund received during FY 2026.
Another consent item involved replacing custodial equipment. The recommendation was to purchase 23 Clean Core Caddy Power Caddies from Imperial Dade for a total cost of $119,840.
The board also considered proposed revisions to Policy GARH, Employee Leaves and Absences. The recommendation was to place the policy on the table for public comment at the July 7, 2026 regular board meeting.
Chief Financial Officer Report
Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Houston presented the district financial update.
The report included June ELOST receipts totaling $1,886,168.10. The presentation noted a monthly decrease connected to a prior large audit-related adjustment but reported that year-to-date collections were 12.4% above the same period from the previous year.
The district did not provide June general fund financial statements because year-end accruals and incoming invoices could significantly change the figures. The presentation indicated that the completed audit would provide the finalized information.
The report also included special revenue funds, capital projects, debt service information, and invoices between $10,000 and $74,999.
Executive Session and Personnel Matters
The board entered executive session to discuss confidential personnel-related matters permitted under state law. The motion referenced discussions involving employment, hiring, compensation, disciplinary matters, dismissal, evaluation, and possible superintendent applicant interviews.
After reconvening, the board considered the personnel report. The agenda materials identify the personnel report as an action item recommended by the superintendent.
Gymnasium Digital Boards
The board considered a recommendation to contract with Formetco for digital boards at Apalachee High School and Winder Barrow High School gymnasiums.
The project is part of district facilities and technology improvements. The available meeting materials identify the recommendation but do not provide additional project schedule, installation details, or funding breakdown.
FY 2027 / Calendar Year 2026 Millage Rate
The board considered approval of the FY 2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate.
The millage rate represents the property tax rate used to support district funding. The agenda materials identify the recommendation for approval and reference supporting property tax scenarios.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
- The board approved prior meeting minutes from June 2026 meetings. The motion was made by Ms. Hendricks and seconded by Ms. Lord.
- The board approved the July 7, 2026 meeting agenda.
- The board approved the consent agenda. The motion was made by Ms. Kelly and seconded by Dr. Carey.
- The board entered executive session following a motion by Ms. Kelly and second by Ms. Hendrix.
- The agenda materials identify approval recommendations for the personnel report, gymnasium digital boards contract, and FY 2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate.
- Individual vote totals were not available in the provided meeting materials.
Financial Matters
The Chief Financial Officer reported June ELOST receipts of $1,886,168.10. The presentation noted that collections were affected by timing associated with a prior audit but were approximately 12.4% higher year-to-date compared with the previous year.
The district reported year-to-date special revenue fund activity with $23.2 million in revenues and $24.8 million in expenditures. Capital project activity showed $21.3 million in revenues and $21.3 million in expenditures. Debt service activity showed $12 million in revenues and approximately $13.8 million in expenditures.
The district also reviewed June invoices between $10,000 and $74,999.
A custodial equipment purchase was included on the consent agenda. The recommended purchase was 23 Clean Core Caddy Power Caddies from Imperial Dade at a total cost of $119,840.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board affirmed Policy BCBI and Regulation BCBI-R(1), which govern public participation in board meetings.
The board also considered revisions to Policy GARH regarding employee leaves and absences. The recommendation was to place the policy on the table for public comment, allowing community review before further action.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
The main informational presentation was the Chief Financial Officer report. Topics included ELOST collections, fund balances, capital projects, debt service, invoices, and fundraiser reporting.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The board held an executive session regarding personnel matters and later considered the personnel report. The available materials do not provide individual personnel details beyond the public agenda description.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The board considered digital scoreboard-style boards for the gymnasiums at Apalachee High School and Winder Barrow High School through a proposed contract with Formetco.
The consent agenda also included replacement custodial equipment, supporting district maintenance operations.
The request-to-appear portion of the meeting did not include any identified speakers.
The board also addressed public participation policy through the consent agenda by affirming existing procedures for public participation in board meetings.
Questions and Answers
The available meeting materials document questions related to financial reporting during the Chief Financial Officer presentation. Board members were given an opportunity to ask questions about the reported financial information.
The materials provided do not include a complete transcript of every question and response after each presentation item.
- Students may be affected by future purchases of instructional materials and technology improvements.
- Families and community members may be affected by changes to public participation procedures or employee leave policies.
- Taxpayers may be affected by the FY 2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate.
- School facilities users may see changes from planned gymnasium digital board installations.
- District operations may benefit from replacement custodial equipment.
- What instructional materials will be purchased using the FY 2026 refund funds?
- When will the digital boards at Apalachee High School and Winder Barrow High School be installed?
- What funding source will support the gymnasium digital board project?
- When will the finalized audit results be available to the public?
- How will the FY 2027 millage rate affect property owners?
- What changes are proposed in the employee leave and absence policy revisions?
- How will the district measure the impact of new technology investments?
- What additional capital projects are planned for the upcoming fiscal year?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- July 28, 2026: Work Session scheduled for 6:00 PM.
- Policy GARH revisions were scheduled to be available for public comment following board direction.
- The district will continue financial reporting and complete the annual audit process.
Key Takeaways
- The Board of Education met on July 7, 2026, for its Regular Board Meeting.
- Prior June meeting minutes were approved.
- The board approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda.
- Consent items included public participation policy affirmation.
- The board approved consideration of teaching and learning material purchases using FY 2026 refund funds.
- The district recommended purchasing 23 Clean Core Caddy Power Caddies for $119,840.
- Policy GARH revisions were placed on the path toward public comment.
- ELOST receipts for June totaled $1,886,168.10.
- ELOST collections were reported as 12.4% higher year-to-date compared with the previous year.
- The district reported $23.2 million in special revenue fund revenues and $24.8 million in expenditures.
- Capital projects were reported with $21.3 million in revenues and $21.3 million in expenditures.
- Debt service was reported with $12 million in revenues and approximately $13.8 million in expenditures.
- June general fund financial statements were deferred until audit completion because of year-end adjustments.
- The board held an executive session for personnel-related matters.
- The board considered the personnel report after returning to open session.
- Digital boards were proposed for Apalachee High School and Winder Barrow High School gymnasiums.
- The board considered the FY 2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate.
- The next scheduled work session is July 28, 2026.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Barrow County School System
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Winder, georgia
- County: Barrow
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
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