LCS Board of Education approves baseball field renovations, bus camera improvements
Dec. 6—VALDOSTA — Lowndes County Schools families should see an improvement at the district's middle schools' baseball fields and bus camera equipment following the Board of Education's approval Monday evening.
Randy Hughes, the district's maintenance coordinator, introduced the baseball field renovations early in the consent agenda. The renovations are set to take place at Hahira Middle School, Lowndes Middle School and Pine Grove Middle School.
Hughes explained over years the baseball fields have developed lips, which are raised bumps of soil along the turfgrass edge. The lips are caused from weather conditions and need repair at all three schools.
Interim Superintendent Sandra Wilcher clarified that Hahira Middle School and Lowndes Middle School have begun the repair process. The district wanted to add Pine Grove Middle School to the repair list due to its need. She explained they needed the board's approval before beginning the Pine Grove Middle project due to the addition exceeding the previously approved budget expense.
Shared documents said the cost of all three field repairs totals $52,000.
Director of Transportation Matthew Deal approached the podium seeking an upgrade to the district's bus camera systems to help modernize and make their fleet more efficient.
Documents shown said the recommended GateKeeper System is to be paid from SPLOST funds in the total of about $362,662.57.
Wilcher added the new system will help give ready or timely access to the camera footage and storage once the buses return to the school campuses.
Board member Fred Whetherington of District 2 asked, "Is this using new cameras and old cameras or is this just using our old cameras?"
Deal said the new system will be used with the district's currently installed cameras with a special attachment. The district is waiting on its submitted bus order with the current cameras, but any new bus they purchase after its delivery will have the new system's camera installed on it.
The upgrades are tentatively scheduled to be completed within the first two weeks of the Spring 2024 semester.
The board approved the baseball field renovations and the bus camera with a vote 7-0. The approved consent agenda also listed the finance report and the FY 2025 Budget Calendar as presented by Ken Overman, the assistant superintendent of finance.
Co-Director of Technology Jeff Harrell made a presentation on technology purchases including new desktops and a UPS — uninterruptible power supply — for network closets was also approved. The consent agenda was amended to remove the Erate Purchase for FY 2025 item due to it being presented for information prior to adjourning for executive session.
The next scheduled Lowndes County Schools Board of Education meeting will be a called meeting to vote on the finalist for the position of superintendent on Monday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in the boardroom chambers.
