The July 7, 2026 regular meeting centers on several operational decisions with long-term effects on Barrow County schools. The board is scheduled to consider significant facility and equipment purchases, approve the FY2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate, review district financial reports, and begin the public review process for revisions to employee leave policies.
Among the largest proposed expenditures are approximately $155,000 for new digital gymnasium display boards at Apalachee High School and Winder-Barrow High School, partially offset by a $50,000 donation following the September 4, 2024 tragedy at Apalachee High School, and approximately $119,840 for replacement custodial cleaning equipment funded through SPLOST. These investments focus on facilities, operations, and district infrastructure.
The meeting also includes the Chief Financial Officer's monthly financial update covering ELOST receipts, other fund balances, invoices between $10,000 and $75,000, and district fundraisers. In addition, the board is expected to approve the annual millage rate after multiple public hearings held during June.
Personnel matters will be considered in executive session and through a formal personnel report after reconvening. The packet also proposes updating employee leave policies to reflect recently enacted Georgia laws affecting personal leave and creating a new maternal birth leave category.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Gymnasium Digital Boards
The board is asked to approve a contract with Formetco to install large digital display boards in the gymnasiums at Apalachee High School and Winder-Barrow High School. Each display would measure roughly 11 feet by 19 feet.
District leaders state the displays will improve visibility for athletic events, district communications, school programs, and community sponsors while maintaining consistency with recently installed stadium display systems.
The project totals approximately $155,000. Formetco has agreed to contribute $50,000 toward the Apalachee installation, reducing the district's remaining responsibility to about $105,000. Electrical and data work will be completed separately. Funding will come from SPLOST and the general fund.
FY2027 Custodial Equipment Replacement
The district recommends purchasing 23 Clean Core Caddy Power Caddies from Imperial Dade for approximately $119,840.
District staff report that existing EDIC CR2 cleaning machines are at least five years old, experience increasing downtime, and require separate cleaning chemicals. The replacement equipment uses aqueous ozone generated from ordinary tap water instead of traditional chemical disinfectants.
Following a competitive procurement process, Imperial Dade submitted the lowest qualified proposal and previously supplied equipment successfully to the district. Funding is proposed through SPLOST.
FY2027/Calendar Year 2026 Millage Rate
The board is scheduled to adopt the FY2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate after completing the required series of public hearings during June.
The packet references property tax scenarios supporting the recommendation. While the extracted materials identify the action item, they do not include the specific millage rate or tax calculations.
This decision directly affects local property tax collections that support school operations.
Employee Leave Policy Revisions
The board will consider placing revisions to Policy GARH on the table for public comment.
The proposed changes primarily update district policy to comply with recently enacted Georgia laws. Key revisions include:
- Increasing the number of accumulated sick leave days employees may use for personal or professional purposes.
- Creating a new Maternal Birth Leave benefit.
- Clarifying critical workday language to better reflect operational needs across schools and departments.
The draft policy also continues provisions governing sick leave, unpaid medical leave, paid parental leave, bereavement leave, military leave, jury duty, organ donation leave, and other employee leave categories.
Financial Reporting
The Chief Financial Officer's monthly report provides informational updates rather than action items.
Topics include:
- June 2026 ELOST receipts.
- Status of other district funds through May 2026.
- Review of June invoices between $10,000 and $75,000.
- District fundraiser activity.
These reports provide transparency into district revenues, expenditures, and financial operations.
Personnel Actions
Following executive session, the board is expected to consider the superintendent's personnel report.
Executive session is authorized to discuss employment, hiring, compensation, evaluation, dismissal, and superintendent applicant matters under Georgia law. After reconvening, the board may vote on personnel recommendations presented by the superintendent.
Financial Matters
The packet contains several meaningful financial items:
- Approximately $155,000 proposed contract with Formetco for two gymnasium digital boards.
- $50,000 donation from Formetco toward the Apalachee High School installation.
- Approximately $105,000 remaining project cost funded through SPLOST and the general fund.
- Approximately $119,840 purchase of 23 Clean Core Caddy Power Caddies from Imperial Dade, funded through SPLOST.
- Competitive procurement showed Imperial Dade submitted the lowest qualified proposal compared with a substantially higher competing bid.
- Monthly financial reports summarize June ELOST receipts, other fund balances, invoices between $10,000 and $75,000, and district fundraising activity.
- Approval of the FY2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate represents the board's annual property tax decision supporting school funding.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
Policy GARH is entering the public comment process before final board adoption.
The revisions are intended to align district policy with newly enacted Georgia legislation regarding employee leave benefits, including expanded personal leave flexibility and creation of maternal birth leave.
The board is also scheduled to reaffirm Policy BCBI governing public participation in board meetings. The policy continues existing expectations that citizens provide advance notice before speaking, maintain civil conduct, and understand that the board generally receives comments without taking immediate action.
The Chief Financial Officer's report focuses on district financial health rather than requesting board action. It reviews education sales tax receipts, fund balances, significant invoices, and fundraising activities.
The Chief of Staff also provides project updates covering district athletic improvements and renovation work involving Haymon Morris Middle School, Winder-Barrow High School, and Bear Creek Middle School. These updates allow board members and the public to monitor ongoing capital projects before additional decisions become necessary.
District fundraising reports demonstrate continued support from booster organizations, parent groups, and school organizations across the system for extracurricular programs, classroom needs, athletics, fine arts, and student activities.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel matters are scheduled for executive session followed by public action after reconvening.
The board packet also includes a contract list and personnel report for approval. Individual employee privacy is maintained within the packet, and the public agenda indicates only that the superintendent recommends approval of the personnel actions presented.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facility and operational improvements remain a major focus.
The proposed gymnasium digital boards continue broader athletic facility modernization efforts already underway across district stadiums and campuses.
Replacement of custodial cleaning equipment supports the district's Barrow BOLD cleaning program while reducing reliance on aging equipment and chemical-based sanitation methods.
Monthly construction updates for athletic improvements and renovations at Haymon Morris Middle School, Winder-Barrow High School, and Bear Creek Middle School provide ongoing oversight of capital improvement projects.
The board is expected to place revised Policy GARH on the table for public comment before final adoption.
Multiple budget and millage public hearings were conducted throughout June before the July meeting, satisfying required public participation for the district budget and annual millage rate.
Citizens may also request to appear before the board in accordance with Policy BCBI and its accompanying procedures governing public participation.
Residents and taxpayers should pay particular attention to the annual millage rate decision because it affects local school property tax revenue.
Students and families may benefit from continued investment in athletic facilities, cleaner school environments through upgraded custodial equipment, and ongoing renovation projects at multiple campuses.
District employees are directly affected by proposed leave policy revisions, particularly expanded personal leave provisions and the addition of maternal birth leave.
Community organizations, athletic supporters, and school partners may benefit from improved digital display systems capable of highlighting school programs, community events, and sponsorship opportunities.
- How will the new gymnasium display boards be used beyond athletic events?
- What long-term maintenance costs are expected for the digital boards?
- Why was Formetco selected as the preferred vendor?
- How much of the digital board project will ultimately be paid from SPLOST versus the general fund?
- What measurable operational improvements are expected from the new custodial equipment?
- How do the proposed leave policy revisions compare with previous district policy?
- What feedback is the district seeking during the public comment period on Policy GARH?
- What were the major trends in June ELOST collections?
- How are current renovation projects progressing relative to schedule?
- What factors influenced the recommended FY2027 millage rate?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 7, 2026: Regular Board Meeting with action on facilities, equipment purchases, personnel matters, policy actions, and the annual millage rate.
- Following July 7 meeting: Public comment period begins for proposed Policy GARH revisions if the board approves placing the policy on the table.
- Summer/Fall 2026: Planned installation period for the proposed gymnasium digital boards if approved.
- July 28, 2026: Scheduled Board Work Session at 6:00 p.m.
- Future board meetings will consider final adoption of revised employee leave policy following the public review process.
Key Takeaways
- The board will consider two major operational purchases totaling more than $270,000 before donations.
- Formetco proposes a $50,000 contribution toward the Apalachee High School gymnasium display.
- Custodial equipment replacement would modernize cleaning operations using aqueous ozone technology.
- The annual FY2027/Calendar Year 2026 millage rate is scheduled for approval.
- Financial reports include ELOST revenue, fund balances, invoices, and fundraising activity.
- Employee leave policies are being updated to reflect new Georgia laws.
- Personnel actions will follow executive session.
- Ongoing renovation and athletic facility projects continue across multiple schools.
- Public participation policies remain under board review and reaffirmation.
- The next scheduled board 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
Barrow County School System, Barrow Board of Education, July 7 2026, Regular Board Meeting, Winder Georgia, FY2027 budget, Calendar Year 2026 millage rate, SPLOST, ELOST, Formetco, gymnasium digital boards, Apalachee High School, Winder-Barrow High School, Imperial Dade, custodial equipment, Clean Core Caddy, Policy GARH, employee leave policy, maternal birth leave, public participation policy, personnel report, Haymon Morris Middle School, Bear Creek Middle School, athletic improvements, renovations, fundraisers, CFO report, property taxes, executive session
