The Columbia County Board of Education held another regular session on Tuesday evening at the Columbia County Board of Education office building.
The meeting opened with remarks from Chairman David Dekle. After Dekle opened the meeting, elementary 4-H presidents from River Ridge Elementary and Riverside Elementary were introduced and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lakeside student recognized
The district also recognized Vivienne Kim, a former Stallings Island student now a Lakeside High School student, for placing third in the 2025 Georgia State Finals of the National Civics Bee. Associate Superintendent Dr. Kristen Caroll recapped her path through local, regional and state competitions.Kim received an ovation from the audience as she received her certificate at the front of the meeting room.
Read more: Augusta Commission makes parking progress but stalls on budget decisions
Board approves switches, new buses
The board unanimously approved several major operational and capital items, beginning with a technology upgrade for Evans High School. The district will purchase 14 Cisco Meraki switches and peripheral equipment for a total of $164,599.96. The upgrade is necessary to replace the outdated network equipment that recent renovations removed.
The board also approved the purchase of two 54-passenger International school buses with handicap-access lifts at a total cost of $310,000. According to district documents, the state will contribute $176,220 in bond funds. This leaves the district with a net cost of $133,780.
Read more: Columbia County Board of Commissioners approves first reading of data center ordinance
Stallings Island proposes field naming to honor Brett Cooper
The board unanimously approved naming the Stallings Island Middle School football and soccer field Cooper Field, in honor of former teacher and coach Brett Cooper, who passed away in 2022.
Cooper taught math in Columbia County for 20 years. He also coached football and baseball at Riverside Middle and Stallings Island Middle School.
Associate Superintendent Penny Jackson said Cooper’s influence extended far beyond athletics.
“He was a fierce competitor, but his impact and his coaching record far exceeds wins and championships,” Jackson said. “It was always about the kids and giving time that boosted them in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.”
Bond package sparks heated debate
One of the night’s most contentious moments came during the board’s consideration of a $180 million general obligation bond resolution. The resolution will fund several major construction projects, including the rebuild of Harlem High School.
Board Member Katie Allen challenged the transparency of the financing process and raised questions about the long-term cost to taxpayers.
“Interest is going to cost taxpayers over a $100 and $112 million,” she said, arguing that the public deserved more clarity about the repayment timeline and why shorter-term financing models weren’t presented. The exchange grew tense as Allen pressed for more transparency, and Chairman David Dekle pushed back, saying the district had not withheld any information.
Allen countered that supporting school construction did not require accepting what she described as an unnecessarily expensive financing plan. Dekle argued that rejecting the bond would stall critical projects, saying the district could not afford to delay the rebuild of Harlem High School.
Read more: Mayor Garnett Johnson keeps tradition rooted with annual sweet potato giveaway
Book disputes continue
Public participation again focused heavily on the district’s handling of book removals in schools. Speakers raised concerns about transparency, documentation and committee procedures.
Among them was Karin Parham, CEO of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, who said the district’s process lacked adequate recordkeeping.
“The district produced no completed rubrics, no evaluation notes, and no documentation showing how criteria were applied.”
She added concerns about consistency. “Without defined standards of documentation, the process risks viewpoint-based removals.”
