Board approves local facilities plan and multiple contract renewals; E-SPLOST projects near completion

The Newton County Board of Education voted to approve the district's local facilities plan and adopt Resolution 2026-1 so the package can be submitted to the State Board of Education for consideration for state capital outlay funding.

During the meeting district facilities staff reported E-SPLOST and construction progress: monument sign installations and site elevation work at Newton College and Career Academy; paving, lighting and landscaping nearing completion at Alcovy High School; ticket booth, concessions and field-house finishes at Eastside and Newton High Schools; exterior and interior work at several middle schools; and summer renovation preparations at East Newton Elementary. The district noted that certificates of occupancy were anticipated pending the fire marshal's final walkthrough for some sites and that photos and project details were posted on the E-SPLOST tracker on the district website.

The board also approved a slate of contract renewals and purchases presented by the superintendent and staff. Approved items, as listed by staff, include:

- Dell Marketing: Microsoft licenses — $179,332.63.
- SureLock Technology: email security system — $90,632.00.
- IncidentIQ: asset management software — $53,375.30.
- System-wide technology projects (switches, cabling, tech support, firewall software) with total solicitations amounting to $1,358,186.79; district share expected $203,728.01 after estimated E-rate reimbursements of $1,154,458.78.
- K12 Solutions Group (student information system) — $270,958.40 (effective July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027).
- Oucha Software (funding analysis connected to SIS) — $52,516.68.
- Special education provider renewals (combined estimated contract value approximately $6,000,000) and purchase of an online special education curriculum from Everway LLC — $135,006.19.
- Genuine Parts Company doing business as NAPA Auto Parts: integrated business solution for parts management — estimated $1,100,000 effective April 26, 2026–April 25, 2027.
- HVAC services from ARS Mechanical — estimated $300,000.
- License plate recognition camera renewal from Flock Group — $151,200 (procured via Omnia contract).

Board members asked for caseload ratios for speech-language pathologists in relation to special education renewals; staff agreed to provide that information. Contract documentation and funding source identifications were provided for board review during the meeting. Several items were approved by voice vote as listed on the agenda.

The board also approved a facility use agreement allowing the Newton County Sheriff's Office to use Indian Creek Middle School for a summer youth program June 1–30, 2026.