Board of Education Call To Order: 5:30pm
Invocation: West Acres Baptist Church Senior Pastor Malone Morris
Pledge of Allegiance: Euchee Creek Elementary School 4H Presidents
Approval of Agenda: Yay 5, No 0
Special Recognitions
State Superintendent Woods Student Advisory Council 2026-2027
Rachel Lin, Greenbrier HS
Columbia County Retired Educators Association
Board Comments: Board member Katie Allen congratulated the students recognized during the meeting and thanked the retired educators for their years of service. Judy Teasley encouraged community members who support public education to join the Columbia County Retired Educators Association and mentioned an upcoming scholarship fundraiser.
Approval of Consent Items: Yay 5, No 0
10/13/2026 Regular Session Meeting Minutes (clarified that version 4 was approved)
September Financials
Budget Amendment and Transfer
Fundraisers
Employee Travel
Program/Camp/Employee Participation Request
Lease/Use of Facilities
Discussion Topics and Presentations
Inspiring the Promise of the Columbia County School District Columbia Middle School
Dr. Holly Barnes, Principal: highlighted Columbia Middle School’s academic growth, positive school culture, and expanded extracurricular opportunities.
Received state recognition for growth in math.
Small-group instruction allows teachers to provide remediation and enrichment based on individual student needs.
Teachers collaborate to analyze student performance data and improve instruction.
Added 2 robotics clubs and a drone club, along with its existing cybersecurity program.
Fine arts, athletics, and partnerships with feeder high schools provide additional opportunities for student engagement.
Julie Cunningham, Teacher of the Year: emphasized dedication of Columbia Middle School’s teachers and their commitment to student success.
Teachers differentiate instruction, build individual relationships with students, and use performance data to monitor progress.
Praised the school’s supportive staff culture, noting that teachers encourage and assist one another through both professional and personal challenges.
Kevin Holmes, Instructional Specialist: discussed instructional strategies and emphasis on student ownership of learning.
Teachers incorporate hands-on activities, real-world applications, collaboration, and critical thinking into instruction.
Small-group instruction helps teachers address individual learning needs while encouraging independent work and academic discussion.
Students participate in “data chats” to evaluate their progress, establish goals, and take responsibility for their learning.
Teachers collaborate across experience levels to share instructional strategies and improve classroom practices.
Staff Reports
Science Laboratory Curriculum Update
Dr. Brian Campbell, Exec Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Introduced district’s initiative to establish common science laboratory experiences across schools as part of strategic plan.
Goal to ensure all students graduate with consistent lab skills and prep for college or workforce.
Emphasized lab safety, reliable data collection, evidence analysis, and scientific communication.
Jannette Thomas, Science Curriculum Specialist
Consistency: District establishing minimum lab experiences for each science unit while allowing teachers flexibility to incorporate additional activities.
AUPartnership: Chemistry and biology teachers worked with university faculty to identify lab skills students need for college success and address deficiencies observed among incoming college students.
Chemistry: Teacher teams developed 16 common labs covering 12 chemistry units. Implementation began during 2026–2027 school year.
Instructional Resources: Each lab includes teacher and student guides addressing safety, procedures, materials, data collection, analysis, and assessment.
Funding: Schools receive annual instructional allocations to purchase lab equipment, chemicals, and consumable supplies.
Expansion: Common labs for biology and fifth-grade science are being developed during SY 26–27 for implementation in SY 27–28. Middle school science labs will follow.
Continuous Improvement: Teacher teams will evaluate implementation and revise materials based on classroom feedback.
Board Discussion:
Katie Allen: Asked whether the common labs could be adapted for students with disabilities or those struggling with math or reading.
Jannette Thomas: Confirmed instructional supports developed for students at different ability levels, along with enrichment opportunities for advanced learners.
Beyond Clean
Cliff Sanders, Director of FMO
Presented district’s new custodial training initiative, designed to improve cleaning standards, employee preparation, and consistency across district facilities.
District established custodial training center at former Columbia Middle School facility on Columbia Road.
Includes simulated classrooms, restrooms, a media center, different flooring materials, and equipment training areas.
Newly hired custodians complete eight-hour intro course covering cleaning procedures, equipment operation, and maintenance before reporting to their assigned schools.
Program emphasizes professional development, consistent cleaning standards, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Also intended to improve employee retention by ensuring custodians understand job expectations before beginning work.
Board Discussion:
Chairman Dekle: Praised initiative and asked why district hadn’t implemented a similar program sooner.
Cliff Sanders: Explained district reorganized warehouse ops and cleared space at former Columbia Middle School to establish training center. Described different training environments and 8-hour orientation provided to new employees.
Dr. Flynt: Reported receiving positive feedback from custodians during school visits. Praised improvements in equipment repair turnaround times and explained that training program helps address employee turnover by preparing new custodians for their responsibilities before they report to schools.
Data Center Discussion
Dr. Flynt: Discussed concerns about impact of growing property tax revenue on state education funding. District currently receives approximately $28 million in equalization funding, with potential combined funding impacts of $28–35 million as the tax digest grows. Changes to state funding formulas could further complicate tax relief plans.
Katie Allen: Asked how proposed legislation would work, how excess revenue would be calculated, and whether future boards could redirect funds away from tax relief. Expressed concern that legislation allows the board to return anywhere from 0% to 100% of excess revenue to homeowners. Argued that taxpayer protections should be written into the legislation itself, even if doing so delays its passage.
Mr. Fletcher, Legal Counsel: Explained proposal is modeled on Fayette County legislation and would establish a 2027 base year. Revenue exceeding that base would be placed in a separate fund, with the board determining how much to apply toward homestead exemptions in subsequent years.
Mr. Casado: Clarified that excess revenue could be used for school operations, property tax relief, or other authorized purposes, depending on future board decisions.
Philip Kent: Proposed establishing a board framework prioritizing property tax relief, including the possibility of eliminating homestead property taxes. Opposed adding restrictions to the legislation, arguing that doing so could delay implementation and reduce local control.
Chairman Dekle: Acknowledged discussion and emphasized board’s relationship with legislative delegation. No vote was taken on the proposed legislation.
Superintendent Reports, Dr. Flynt
National School Bus Safety Week (October 19–23)
Red Ribbon Week (October 23–31). This year’s theme, “Make a Difference, Be a Hero, Stay Drug Free.”
Progress Reports, Nov 10
Veteran’s Day, Nov 11
American Ed Week: Nov 16-20
Thanksgiving Holiday, Nov 23-27
Early Dismissal, December 18
Winter Break, Dec 21 - Jan 4
Professional Learning Day, Jan 5
First Day of 2nd Semester, Jan 6
Report Cards, Jan 8
MLK Jr Holiday, Jan 18