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The Covington County Board of Education approved the system’s 2025 fiscal year budget and also purchased two properties during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The budget, which reflects total revenues and expenditures of approximately $41.8 million, was approved following the second hearing. Public hearings were held at the central office on Tuesday at noon and 5:30 p.m.

Of the funds budgeted, 64 percent will be for instructional and instructional support services, nine percent for operation and maintenance, 14 percent for auxiliary services, one percent for general administrative services, and 12 percent for capital projects, debt service, and other expenditures.

The system’s budget represents a total of 420 employees. It will go into effect with the 2025 fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, and ends on Sept. 30, 2025.

The board approved the purchase of approximately 50 acres adjacent to Florala High School at a price of $4,900 per acre plus closing cost.

“The land borders the school on the north and west sides. By purchasing this property, it will increase the footprint at Florala High School,” Superintendent Shannon Driver said.

The board approved the purchase of property adjacent to the Covington County Schools Track Facility at a price of $150,000 plus closing cost. The property is located across the street from the facility’s parking lot on Highway 55.

“There are two fully functional buildings located on the property as well as two open lots to the south and north. We feel like this will be advantageous to us having the property and the buildings. The open lots will expand our footprint to the track facility for parking and other matters,” Driver said.

Board President Dr. James Barton said he felt it was great to purchase the two properties.

“You have to seize property when it becomes available. You never know when you will need it, and both properties meet our criteria for expanding and keeping all of our options open. The track facility is already heavily utilized, and parking is a problem when we have buses occupying some of the parking lot. By the purchase of this property, it opens up avenues for even greater potential,” Barton said.

During the meeting the board approved the following personnel matters:

Retirement

• Deborah Ann Watson as bus driver at Red Level School effective Oct. 1

Resignation

• Jonathan Scott Pennington as intervention teacher at Red Level School retroactive to August 13
• Laura Summer Jones as band director at Red Level School retroactive to July 27
• Johnathon Golden as bus mechanic with Covington County Schools effective Sept. 6

Employment

• Margaret E. Cook as band director at Red Level School retroactive to August 5, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Katrina Fowler as special education teacher at Red Level School retroactive to August 14, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Garrett Spivey as bus mechanic with Covington County Schools effective Sept. 9, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Donna Shipp as paraprofessional at Red Level School effective immediately, pending verification of new or existing background reviews

In other business:

• The board accepted a bid for a weight room to be built at Red Level School at a bid price of $175,330 from Moore Builders. The weight room will be constructed on the north end of the school campus behind the library adjacent to the current weight room.
• The board granted permission for Superintendent Driver to enter into a contract with McKee and Associates to design plans and bid for a storm shelter at Red Level School. The multi-purpose building will hold approximately 600 occupants and serve additional use as a physical education facility, but the primary focus will be as a storm shelter. Driver said the board has a goal to erect a storm shelter at each school in the next three to five years, as funds are available.
• The board approved executing a preliminary TEAMS contract effective the date of qualifying certification to Kellie Ann Powell.
• The board heard a report from Chief School Finance Officer Ressie Gray on the distribution of financial reports that have been reconciled to most current bank statements.

The board set the next meeting for Tuesday, Oct. 1, 5:30 p.m., at the central office.