Board approves administrative appointments, reviews paraprofessional staffing changes, and hears updates on student achievements and district initiatives
by Karin Parham
Evans, GA – The Columbia County Board of Education held its March 24, 2026 working session, opening at 5:30 pm with an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by 4-H student leaders from North Harlem Elementary School.
A proposed amendment to the Agenda from Board Member Katie Allen to add discussion on parental notification and consent related to the “Signs of Suicide” curriculum did not advance after failing to receive a second. The board then approved the agenda in a 4–1 vote, with Allen casting the sole opposing vote.
Leadership Appointments Approved
The board unanimously approved two administrative appointments:
- Kelly Robertson as principal of Stevens Creek Elementary School
- Jessica Williams as principal of Blue Ridge Elementary School
Both candidates were presented by Superintendent Dr. Steven Flynt and recognized for their experience in elementary education and leadership within the district.
Student Achievements Recognized
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to student recognitions across academics, fine arts, and career and technical education.
Students honored included:
- Evans Middle School CyberPatriot team, which placed third in the state
- Greenbrier High School CyberPatriot teams, which won state championships in multiple divisions
- Dozens of students selected for Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Music Technology Showcase
- SkillsUSA state competition winners in areas such as criminal justice, automotive technology, and electronics
- Columbia Virtual Academy students recognized in the Savannah College of Art and Design Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Board members noted the range of student accomplishments across both academic and extracurricular programs.
Budget and SPLOST Discussion
Financial discussion occurred early in the meeting after Allen requested that February financials be pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration.
Allen raised questions about a discrepancy between the $800,000 budget for a central warehouse project and a lower contractor bid. District officials explained that architectural and engineering costs are not included in contractor bids and account for the difference.
The board later approved the financials.
Columbia County School Board Reviews Robotics and AI Initiatives
District staff presented an update on the “NextGen Cyber” initiative, which includes expanded robotics and artificial intelligence instruction across grade levels.
The program is currently in its second year and includes:
- Robotics instruction in elementary media centers
- A 45-day robotics and engineering curriculum in middle school
- Plans to expand into classroom integration, competitions, and additional technology such as drones over a five-year rollout
Board Member Katie Allen raised concerns about balancing technology instruction with core academic performance, particularly in literacy and math. She also expressed interest in developing a more formal data privacy policy outlining how student data is collected, used, and protected.
Board Member Philip Kent also expressed interest in strengthening data privacy measures. He asked additional questions about safeguards and oversight.
District officials responded by stating that student data is not shared with third-party vendors and that all software tools undergo a vetting process through the Technology Department, before classroom use.
Columbia County School Board Discusses Paraprofessional Staffing Proposal
Chief Human Resources Officer Tony Wright presented a proposal to transition paraprofessional staffing to an outsourced model through natural attrition.
According to district data presented at the meeting:
- The average salary for a paraprofessional is approximately $24,000 annually
- When benefits are included, the total cost per position is about $54,000 per year
- Under a proposed outsourced model, the projected cost per position would be approximately $29,000, resulting in an estimated savings of about $24,000 per position
District officials said the proposal would apply only to future hires as positions become vacant, with no current employees losing their jobs.
Wright stated that the district loses approximately 80 paraprofessionals per year through attrition, which would allow for a gradual transition if implemented.
District leaders said potential savings could be redirected toward hiring additional certified teachers. Officials noted that while a teacher costs approximately $110,000 total (salary and benefits), a significant portion of that cost is covered by state funding, unlike paraprofessional positions, which are largely funded locally.
Board members raised questions about turnover, training, and continuity for students. Concerns were also discussed regarding the impact on classroom support and long-term relationships between paraprofessionals, teachers, and students.
District leadership stated the proposal would be implemented in phases and could be reversed if outcomes are not satisfactory.
Columbia County School Board Votes on Capital Projects
The board approved a resolution amending the FY2025 capital outlay application for Evans High School. District officials said the amendment was required by the state to align the application with planned HVAC system changes and would not impact overall project costs or state funding eligibility.
The board also considered an owner-architect agreement and mandatory addendum for the Greenbrier High School project, a required step to receive state capital outlay funding.
During discussion, Board Member Katie Allen asked procedural questions about the approval process, including when the board reviews architect contracts and how cost estimates are determined prior to final design. She also questioned the relationship between the stated project cost in the addendum (approximately $82.7 million) and a higher figure included in district financial documents.
District officials responded that the figure in the addendum is a preliminary estimate required for state submission and does not represent the final project cost. They explained that the total project budget includes additional expenses such as architectural and engineering fees, and that final costs will be determined later through the construction manager at-risk (CMAR) process after design work is completed.
The measure passed on a 4–1 vote, with Allen voting in opposition.
Allen has previously raised concerns in board meetings regarding aspects of the district’s building program and has frequently voted against related items.
Additional Updates
The superintendent highlighted several upcoming district events and initiatives, including:
- Media Specialist Appreciation Week, March 23–27, 2026
- Special Olympics, scheduled for March 27, 2026 at Lakeside High School
- Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, March 30–April 3, 2026
- National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, April 1, 2026
- Spring Break, April 6–13, 2026 (district offices closed April 8–14)
- Summer school registration, April 27–May 22, 2026
Executive Session and Adjournment
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel and real estate matters. Following the session, members approved personnel actions and a settlement agreement.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
