The Cumberland County Board of Education voted Tuesday to provide funding for the development of a blueprint for the future redistricting and consolidation of schools.
They also voted against a motion that would require their OK for purchases under $90,000. Here’s what happened.
Redistricting and consolidation proposal
MGT Impact Solutions LLC, an education consulting firm, was approved earlier this year to help put together a timeline for the collection of data needed for the plan. The cost of work is estimated at $208,675. The first step in the proposal, as part of the consent agenda approved Tuesday, will include getting input and data from parents, teachers, staff and the community.
The school facilities will be assessed to determine capacities, the condition of buildings and to project enrollment trends. Using the collected information, a potential proposal for consolidation and redistricting will be developed.
It will then be made available for the public to provide feedback. At that point, adjustments as needed will be made before it is presented to the board in about six months.
Building repairs
The board also approved a request for the use of $800,000 from Lottery Distribution Requests from the Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund for paint projects at three schools: Douglas Byrd High School, Mac Williams Middle School and Westover Middle School.
The work is scheduled to start June 10 and be completed by Aug. 22.
Purchasing requirements policy
Board members also rejected a motion seeking to revise its policy for purchasing equipment, materials and supplies.
The policy allows the superintendent to award contracts and approve purchases that do not exceed $90,000. Any purchase over that threshold must have board approval.
The motion was made by Mary Hales, who cited a concern that board members wouldn’t know the cost of the purchases nor which pot of money in the budget would be used.
If the policy was revised, the board would be required to review and approve the purchases under $90,000, which other board members expressed could be time-consuming and could delay purchases of needed materials.
“If you drop below $90,000 [threshold], it would [be seen] as micromanaged,” Board Member Greg West said.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Board Member Terra Jordan said.
Those voting to keep the policy as is were Board Members Jacquelyn Brown, Susan Williams, Delores Bell, Jackie Warner, West and Jordan.
Voting in favor of revisions were Board Members Deanna Jones, Judy Musgrave and Hales.
