School Board has split vote over personnel

Published 1:55 pm Monday, January 13, 2025

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The Sumter County School Board met on January 8. Patricia Harris-Barnes was unanimously elected Board Chair. Edward Jackson was unanimously elected Vice Chair.

Superintendent Walter Knighton gave the finance report. SPLOST collections for the month of December were $446,901.08, Georgia Power bill was $29,019.22, Sumter EMC bill was $40,014.36, water, sewer, and sanitation was $17,699.79, City of Americus energy bill was $1,807.17, and the cell phone bill was $1,717.91. He gave the millage rate for the year as 18.057, with one mill generating approximately $755,796. He gave the yearly budget at $54,323,288.

Board member Rick Barnes made a motion. “Madam chair, I make a motion that we approve the salary adjustment proposal that’s recommended for the Maintenance Supervisor by the Superintendent.” Sylvia Roland seconded the measure, with four yes votes for the measure in total. Vincent Kearse was against the measure, Carolyn Hamilton abstained, as well as Edward Jackson.

Barnes made another motion. “Madam Chair, I make a motion that we approve the transfer of Robert Walton from Lead Custodian to Custodian at Sumter County Middle School, effective 1/13/2025.” Roland seconded the motion. Harris-Barnes voted in favor, along with Hamilton.

Bivins gave the reason for her abstention. “There was no concrete explicit evidence provided.” Jackson also abstained.