CCBOE 05.12.2026 Regular Meeting Notes
FY2027 budget hearing included
District 2 Board Member Kristi Baker was not present.
Call to Order: 5:30 pm
Invocation: Grace Baptist Church Senior Pastor Bill Hilley
Pledge of Allegiance by Brookwood and Westmont Elementary Schools 4-H Presidents
Approval of Agenda: Yay 4, No 0
Approval of Consent Items: Yay 4, No 0
Minutes of April 21, 2026 Regular Session and April 28, 2026 Special Called Meeting
Budget Amendments
Fundraisers
Employee Travel
Program/Camp/Employee Participation Requests
Lease/Use of Facilities
Special Recognitions
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Awards (GOSA CCRPI)
Greatest Gains:
Baker Place Elementary — Bronze
Highest Performance:
Greenbrier Elementary — Bronze
North Columbia Elementary — Silver
Greenbrier Middle School — Bronze
Riverside Elementary — Bronze
Stallings Island Middle School — Bronze
Highest Performance and Greatest Gains:
Lewiston Elementary — Silver
Parkway Elementary — Bronze and Silver
River Ridge Elementary — Silver and Platinum
Stevens Creek Elementary — Bronze and Gold
Columbia County School District Aspiring Principals Academy Graduates (2025-2026)
Marisa Forney — Grovetown MS
Thomas Holtzner — Evans HS
Whitney Quattlebaum — Cedar Ridge ES (also named principal for 2026-2027)
Kellen Smith — Euchee Creek ES
Lachandra Thomas-Mole — Grovetown ES
Kimberly Wall — Harlem HS
Rebecca Walls — Riverside ES
Zachary Watson — Grovetown HS
Jessica Williams — Blue Ridge ES (also named principal for 2026-2027)
Congressional Art Competition, Georgia District 12
First runner-up: Arianna Brunk, Columbia Virtual Academy
Third runner-up and People’s Choice Award: Nidhi Patel, Lakeside HS
Georgia Department of Education Award of Excellence
Charles Dykes, Evans HS
Georgia Governor’s Honors Program Finalists, Evans HS
Breanna Cannon — Agricultural Research, Biotechnology and Science
Bailey Pease — Dance (will participate in the program this summer)
Georgia Junior Achievement 19 Under 19
Iris Holberton — Columbia County Virtual Academy
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
Greenbrier High School:
First place: Charlotte Dye (Respiratory Therapy), Kathryn Fagan (Patient Care Technician), Cecilia Muro (Physical Therapist)
Second place: Isabelle Best (Student Nursing), Madelyn Lincicum (Community Emergency Response Team), Ella Pascual (Dental Science), Caroline Sidley (Pharmacy Science), Blake Sommers (Community Emergency Response Team)
Third place: Leah Borchardt (Respiratory Therapy), Lily Romagnoli (Medical Assistant)
Lakeside High School:
Second place: Charlotte Geisen (Sports Medicine)
Second place: Vansh Sarin (Prepared Speaking)
Third place: Aarav Gupta (Research Poster/Leadership Events)
Margaret Rogers Scholarship
Nicole Boyett — Greenbrier ES
Shira Martin — Parkway ES
JROTC — Grovetown High School
State placements:
First place, female armed platoon:
Takiyah Momon (Commander)
Aryianna Bates
Amayo Biyo
Jade Gantt
Amarah Hariston
Michaiah Hill
Aubrii Marshall
Destiny Moore
Divine Onoh
Jalyn Rentz
Lauryn Richardson
Mikaylis Slater
Skylar Walker
First place, female unarmed squad
Amaya Biyo (Commander)
Jade Gantt
Amarah Hariston
Takiyah Momon
Divine Onoh
Jalyn Rentz
Mikaylis Slater
Second place, Female Armed Squad
Takiyah Momon (Commander)
Aryianna Bates
Amaya Biyo
Jade Gantt
Amarah Hariston
Jalyn Rentz
Mikaylis Slater
Second Place - Male “Coed” Unarmed Platoon
Wyatt Reid (Commander)
Noah Brown
Trinity Colbenson
Alexander Colon
Mackenzie Gates
Jocelyn Graham
Isaac Harrington
Brianna Lester
Jioni Morales
Mariah Miller
Jaidev Pichardo
Logan Smith
Jake Tilson
Corri Towns
Tyler Warner
Second place, male armed squad
Tyler Warner (Commander)
Noah Brown
Alexander Colon
Jioni Morales
Jaidev Pichardo
Wyatt Reid
Logan Smith
Third place overall, Raider Coed Team
Kloe Lombardo
Sani Mahamane
Logan Smith
Khloe’ Tansiel
Arian Walker
Kiara Ward
Ariana Washington
Neriah Bates
Eliana Belt
Noah Brown
Alexander Colon
Pablo Colon
Kymberleigh Danner
Edwin Domaskin
National placements:
Fifth place, duo armed exhibition
Noah Brown (Captain)
Jaidev Pichardo
Seventh place, unarmed platoon regulation female
Amaya Biyo (Commander)
Jade Gantt
Jocelyn Graham
Amarah Hariston
Michaiah Hill
Mariah Miller
Takiyah Momon
Destiny Moore
Divine Onoh
Jalyn Rentz
Lauryn Richardson
Mikaylis Slater
Skylar Walker
NJROTC Academic Team — Greenbrier High School
First place, Area 7A Team
Eve Nevarez
Joseph Puskas
Yamil Soto
Alice Vile
Second place, Academic “B” Team
Tristan Bender
Owen Lambert
Tierra Parker
Lauryn Riviera
Jasmina Yarasheva
Tenth place overall
Tristan Binder
Eve Nevarez
Joseph Puskas
Yamil Soto
Alice Vile
Personnel Recommendations — New Assistant Principals Approved unanimously.
Amber Bentley — Greenbrier High School
Erica Wilson — Harlem High School
Scott McClintock — Lakeside High School
Heather Thickpin Stefani — Cedar Ridge Elementary.
Brittany Brown — Cedar Ridge Elementary
FY2027 Budget Presentation and Public Input
CFO Alex Casado and Superintendent Dr. Flynt presented the FY2027 proposed budget. Third presentation of the same document with no changes from prior sessions. Final budget approval is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
Key figures in the proposed budget as presented:
3% cost of living adjustment for all employees, combined with step increases expected to bring most employees to approximately 6% total
Addition of 13 custodians, returning staffing to pre-pandemic levels
Special education enhancements approved in February (planning time, stipends, reorganization) included
$10.6 million in general fund improvements total
$20 million general fund transfer to the building program
Proposed lunch price increase from $3.50 to $4.00 for paid lunches, generating an estimated $660,000 in additional school nutrition revenue
Board member Katie Allen (District 4) proposed increasing the employee raise to 5%, at an additional cost of $5.5 million over the proposed 3%, arguing the district’s consistent surplus history makes it sustainable without a tax increase. She asserted that the district has run annual surpluses ranging from $18 million to $30.8 million since FY2021. She cited FY2025 surplus of $30.8 million and a projected FY2026 ending surplus of $17.3 million. Allen also raised concerns about the $20 million general fund transfer to the building program, noting that without the $180 million Harlem High School bond proceeds, the building program fund balance entering FY2027 would have been $9 million, which combined with anticipated E-SPLOST revenue would have left the program $4 million short of covering Lakeside and Evans project costs alone. She argued the transfer is unsustainable at the current pace and called for a separate discussion on the building program before budget approval.
Board member Philip Kent (District 1) expressed support for a 5% raise and called for a pause and reassessment of the building program, saying taxpayers would prefer employee raises over building expenditures given changed economic conditions since 2022. He suggested cutting the transfer to $10 million.
Judy Teasley (District 3) also indicated support for the 5% raise.
Chairman Dekle expressed support for the CFO’s proposed 3% budget, citing the ongoing nature of salary increases and the absence of state appropriations for raises. He also defended general fund transfers to the building program as necessary given the age and number of district facilities.
Dr. Flynt cautioned against spending projected surpluses before they are realized, citing equalization dollars as a significant variable, and disputed Allen’s analysis of the building program funding gap.
Tentative budget vote: A motion by Chairman Dekle to table the tentative vote failed, with Dekle the only vote in favor.
A motion by Allen for tentative approval of the budget as presented failed. Dekle voted in favor; Allen, Kent, and Teasley voted against.
Public Speakers Budget:
Jessica Fisher: Questioned the cost-benefit of the iReady program, district-level award spending while teachers reported to her that they are lacking basic supplies, and summer school costs. She noted that percentage-based raises benefit higher-paid administrators more than teachers in dollar terms, flagged the addition of another Title One school as a sign of economic stress, and suggested bonuses rather than raises if sustainability is a concern.
Janet Duggan: Argued Dr. Flynt is misrepresenting the district's financial picture, specifically on the relationship between millage rate reductions and actual tax relief given digest growth. She challenged the assertion that general fund transfers to the building program were publicly known, noted $510 million has been allocated to three high schools in a program originally scoped at $493 million for 31 schools, and called the capital projects list used to justify the $20 million transfer "political theater."
Max Brown: A parent of four CCSD students, supported the 5% raise, noted the district's general fund balance is running $23 million higher than projected, and argued the budget is a policy document reflecting priorities — warning that failing to close the 10.4% inflation gap signals to teachers they are undervalued.
Final budget vote is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
Inspire School Spotlight — Lewiston Elementary Presented by Associate Superintendent Dr. Kristen Carroll and Principal Sherry Allen
Lewiston highlighted two focus areas: co-teaching and student goal setting. The school uses a co-teaching model across general education classes, pairing general education teachers with special education, EIP, and gifted teachers for shared planning and instruction. Students maintain data folders tracking iReady and assessment results, meet individually with teachers for data chats, and set measurable goals for reading and math growth. Lewiston’s CCRPI has increased steadily in recent years, and the school recently received a state award for math achievement.
Board member Teasley asked about the data folder process; Principal Allen confirmed it draws from iReady diagnostics, post-tests, and other classroom data, with students monitoring their own progress throughout the year.
Board Policy JN — Awards and Scholarships. Approve: Yay 4, No 0 Change adjusts valedictorian and salutatorian determination to the first semester grading period.
Board Policy BCBI — Public Participation in Board Meetings Not voted on. Presented for discussion based on new case law guidance from the University of Georgia Law Center. Proposed changes clarify maximum speaking time, speaker selection process, and registration window. Board will review further before a vote.
Strategic Plan Annual Update
Goal 1 — Maximum Achievement and Success for Each Student (Chief Academic Officer LeAnne Gregg)
refinement of ACE instructional guides across all courses and grade levels
a new writing assessment in grades 4, 7, and 9
expanded CTAE offerings including a new culinary arts class and a construction equipment operator pathway under development
a successful pilot of the Strings Academy
integration of Next Gen standards into ACE course documents
an AI tools pilot for teachers and students
redesigned credit recovery and summer school programs with a new platform for all EOC courses.
The PSAT 8/9 is now administered to 8th graders to identify candidates for AP courses in high school.
Board member Allen asked how the board tracks progress against the strategic plan’s baseline percentages. Gregg confirmed a tracking document exists and that an annual student achievement presentation (typically in September/October) provides the detailed update.
Goal 2 — Community Engagement and Support (CFO Alex Casado)
expansion of the Columbia County School District Foundation (established 2023)
growth in work-based learning placements from approximately 26% to 40% in high-skill, high-wage opportunities
a partnership with Augusta University allowing Teaching as a Profession students to earn college credit while in high school.
The district also overhauled its website and continued its monthly employee newsletter.
Goal 3 — Consistent and Supportive Culture (Associate Superintendent Steve Cummings)
implementation of behavior threat assessment teams at each school, with administrator training scheduled during post-planning
launch of the ACES elementary counseling curriculum
first-year implementation of the Signs of Suicide program at middle and high school levels.
Board member Katie Allen raised concerns about the Signs of Suicide program. This is transcripted:
Last fall, my daughter is a senior, and she had gone through the Signs of Suicide program at Harlem High School. I have some concerns about when I opted her out and viewed the slides, the materials that were sent weren’t the actual student materials, and so I kind of went through a process to where I ultimately had to go to the school to view the student materials. And then when I did, I found that the third video was a scenario that really with the teacher’s script discussed the student dealing with a sexuality issue. The opt-out form to the parents didn’t really communicate the fact that this is a suicide program be addressing students struggling with sexuality, and also part of the problem was the video. Their solution was oriented around ‘don’t talk to mom. It hurts when your parents don’t understand or don’t accept you for who you truly are.’ And so I kind of was concerned that we would be showing a video that directed students away from their parents and paired it with a script that says, “Note to facilitators: Students may discuss how Luke, the character in the video, may be struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity. This could be a good time to mention resources available in your school or community.'“
Associate Superintendent Penny Jackson responded that the facilitator note has since been removed and that the district has improved the parent materials access process. Parents will now receive direct links to student materials rather than having to visit the school in person.
Goal 4 — Facilities and Operational Excellence (Associate Superintendent Penny Jackson and CIO James Van Meter)
transition from EdLog to Transportation Finder for routing
integration with ParentSquare for a single parent communication app
enhanced custodial training; continued installation of Cormax key locking systems (two schools remaining); and the Safe and Epic alert/digital mapping system now used by the sheriff’s department.
Van Meter reported a $2.5 million edge network switch upgrade proposal coming to the board, which would complete the district’s network infrastructure overhaul. He also noted the district identified and shut down an email sniper attack without data compromise or downtime.
Goal 5 — Talent Optimization (Chief Human Resources Officer Tony Wright)
updated recruiting strategy balancing in-person and virtual/social media outreach
continued focus on employee benefits education
and a planned comprehensive review of all salary schedules (the first since 2021-2022) with attention to South Carolina competition, specifically Aiken County.
Building Program Bid Results
Ice cream products (school nutrition): Approve Yay 4, No 0. Hershey Creamery Company, estimated $165,504 for first year. District has held contracts with Hershey since approximately 2020.
Multipurpose copy paper: Approve Yay 4, No 0. CPG, $220,374 estimated for 7,560 cases. CPG and Perimeter Office submitted identical bids; CPG recommended based on existing successful contract and working relationship.
Network switches: Approve Yay 4, No 0. DSI, $2,836,809. Lowest bidder Questivity, a California-based company with no documented presence in Georgia, received a lower score on the evaluation matrix. Funding: approximately 60% e-rate, 40% E-SPLOST technology funds (~$1.1 million from E-SPLOST).
Chromebooks: Approve Yay 4, No 0. $513,578 for approximately 1,125 units at $456.50 each. Supply chain issues with Intel processors prompted a bulk purchase. Funding: mix of Title 1, general funds, and E-SPLOST.
Superintendent Reports
Dr. Flynt highlighted:
Arts in the Plaza Fine Arts Showcase (April 25): 1,384 students and four guest musicians performed; over 1,000 pieces of artwork displayed; 670 frames sold; 3,443 tickets sold; two graduating seniors received $1,000 fine arts scholarships. Save the date: April 24, 2027.
National School Lunch Hero Day (May 1) and National School Nurse Appreciation Day (May 6) recognitions.
District nursing director Lisa Lyles is retiring.
Teach at the Peach signing day: 47 graduating seniors committed to pursuing education careers; five received $1,000 scholarships from Georgia’s Own Credit Union.
The first three graduates of the Teaching as a Profession program from the Class of 2022 are returning to CCSD as teachers next year.
New Teacher End of Year Celebration: Outstanding First Year Educator named as Victoria Van Natta, Baker Place Elementary.
Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 at Evans Towne Center Park. Tickets required. Inclement weather plan moves ceremonies indoors to the Columbia County Performing Arts Center with limited tickets.
Summer school registration open through May 22 for middle and high school students.
Kindergarten Kickoff: May 14, 5:00-6:30 pm at each school.
Last day of school: May 20 (early dismissal).
Public Participation
Jason Myers: asked the board to consider partnering with Georgia Appalachian Pineland Services (GAPS) to offer world language instruction beginning at the 8th grade level, noting the program costs approximately $500 per student compared to roughly $60,000 for a teacher. He highlighted Chinese, Japanese, and other language offerings as relevant to community employers including Augusta National and Bridgestone.
Janet Dugan: Thanked board members Allen, Kent, and Teasley for their positions on the 5% raise and building program reassessment. She challenged the district’s assertion that general fund transfers to the building program were publicly disclosed prior to this year’s budget hearings, noting transfers of $23 million (FY2025) and $10 million (FY2023 or FY2024) were not listed or discussed during those budget presentations. She stated that $510 million has been allocated across three high schools in a program originally scoped at $493 million for 31 schools over ten years, and called the inclusion of routine maintenance items on the capital projects list justifying the $20 million transfer “political theater.”
Jessica Fisher: Expressed general support for prioritizing classroom funding and affirming that the Lewiston Elementary spotlight presentation accurately reflected what is happening at that school based on her daughter’s experience as a fifth grader there.
Executive Session The board retired to executive session to discuss personnel and real estate matters. Upon returning, the board approved an administrative contract and the personnel sheet, both unanimously.
Adjourn
Next Regular Session: June 16, 2026