Angie Sowell

This document outlines Echols County Schools' five-year facilities plan, primarily funded by the ESPLOST, aimed at providing modern, safe, and expanded facilities to enhance student learning and extracurricular opportunities. Key projects include a new high school (operational by August 2026), a girls fast pitch softball field, a soccer restroom and concession stand, a new performing arts center, a multi-purpose agriculture and show barn, and an indoor athletic practice facility. The plan emphasizes supporting student development in academics, arts, agriculture, and athletics, with significant advancements targeted for completion or approval in 2026.

This document outlines Echols County Schools' plan for utilizing American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER III funds to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan prioritizes addressing learning opportunity loss through evidence-based interventions, ensuring continuity of services with additional staff, and maintaining safe facilities. Key focus areas include implementing interventions such as class-size reduction, extended learning opportunities (school day/year, summer programming, high-frequency tutoring, virtual learning), and leveraging technology. The overarching goal is to mitigate academic, social, emotional, and mental health impacts on all students, particularly those disproportionately affected, by providing targeted support, enhancing educational resources, and ensuring a safe environment for in-person instruction.

The Echols County Board of Education is considering the tentative budget for all funds for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The budget includes revenues from state sources, federal sources, local taxes, SPLOST, other local revenue, interest on investments, and transfers from other funds. Expenditures are allocated for instruction, pupil services, improvement of instruction, educational media services, general administration, school administration, business support services, maintenance & operations, student transportation, central support services, school food service, capital outlay, payment on note and transfers to other funds. The budget will be considered for final adoption at the board meeting on May 13, 2025.