School Board discusses AC on buses, new splash pad and much more

The Baldwin County Board of Education held a meeting on the second Tuesday of this month. Several topics were discussed, and many awards were handed out.

Here are the highlights:

• Black History Month Resolution: The Board signed a resolution proclaiming February 2022 as Black History Month for its school district. The signed resolution states that the Baldwin BOE recognizes the African American community in American History and also recognizes that each student needs the opportunity to understand the common humanity of all people.

•School buses: After approval from the school board, $721,793 will be spent on upgrades to the district's school buses. Superintendent Noris Price noted that it is  important to the board members that route buses have air conditioning. An email from the district says that only four out of the 35 route-buses used daily currently lack AC. The new buses will have AC and are anticipated to arrive in October 2022. The district also said in an email, “Upon arrival of newly ordered buses and the retrofitting of AC on two 2011 buses, our daily route fleet buses with AC will be at 100%.”

• Spelling Bee Winners: The spelling bee district winners received their certificate. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Baldwin BOE recognized students with in-person awards at a meeting. The winners of the spelling bee are as follows:

• Lakeview Academy: Zoe Alexander (4th grade), Zach Ballesteros (5th grade)

• Midway Hills Academy: Natalyah Solomon - (4th grade), Aleeah Reed, (5th grade)

• Georgia College Early College: Brynne Jackson (7th grade), London Blash (8th grade)

• Oak Hill Middle School: Heaven Causey (6th grade), Yasir Jackson (7th grade), Zaniyah Thornton (8th grade)

• District Level Winner: Brynne Jackson (7th grade), Aleeah Reed – alternate (5th grade)

The spelling bee district winners received their certificate at last week's regular School Board meeting. From left to right are John Jackson, Board Chair; Alleyah Reed, Alternate Winner' Brynne Jackson, District Winner' Noris Price, Superintendent of Schools.

• Splash Pad: After almost a year-long delay, due to supply chain and weather complications, the splash pad will be open by the end of April, according to an email reply from the district. The new splash pad will serve the Early Learning Center and other Baldwin County School District students. The district added in the email, “Any plans for opening this venue to the public are yet to be determined at this time.”

• Tennis Courts: The sinkhole on the grounds of the Baldwin High School tennis court has been repaired but has left severe damage to one of the six tennis courts. Due to the required turnaround period and suggestion of the vendor, repairs to the damaged tennis court have been postponed until after tennis season. A deductible of $2,500 is required for the repairs, but not only will the damaged tennis court be repaired, but the vendor will also touch up the other 5 tennis courts to match the new tennis court. The repairs will take place May through July and by the end of the summer, the tennis courts should look almost brand new.

• What to look for next month:  The board will take a look at an update to IDBA Sex Education Policy and decide whether or not to approve it. The update states, “Sex education shall include annual age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in kindergarten through grade 9.” As well as a committee that will periodically review the sex education/AIDS prevention materials. The committee, who “shall be established by the Superintendent or Designee,” can make recommendations that would need to be approved by the Board of Education before implementing.