The Columbia County Board of Education concluded its final meeting of 2025 with student recognition, a major facility planning vote and a lengthy public participation period during its Dec. 9 regular session.
Evans High cross-country runner recognized
Evans High School junior Liliana Beemer was recognized for her standout season after finishing second in the GHSA cross country state championship. She crossed the line less than half a second behind the winner. Board members commended her competitive effort and encouraged her continued growth as a state contender.
Harlem High renovation contract approved after discussion
A major portion of the meeting focused on the upcoming Harlem High School renovation and modernization project. The board approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract, presented as an AIA construction document outlining the project’s scope, cost, and bid structure.
The contract approval followed a debate initiated by board member Katie Allen, who questioned whether the project should be rebid due to substantial changes made after the construction manager was initially selected.
“I think that this needs to be rebid given the substantial changes in scope of the project. Allen said.
Superintendent Dr. Steven Flynt responded that rebidding the contract would cause delays and result in increased costs.
“We would have to go back and pay them for the work they’ve done up till now. It would be an increase the next time we got here,” Flynt said.
The GMP contract was approved on a 4–1 vote.
Public participation highlights safety, transparency, and ORR concerns
Several speakers spoke to the board during public comment, raising core issues related to student safety procedures, curriculum inclusivity, book review transparency, and public record request response times.
Christine Floyd, a parent and disabled veteran, described the difficulty in navigating the district’s reporting process following incidents involving her son. Floyd challenged the board’s system and expressed frustration with communication barriers.
“Why aren’t there clear guidelines for advocating for our children?” Floyd asked the board. “How can someone advocate when they don’t even know the avenues to advocate? We are our children’s first line of defense.”
Karin Parham challenged the district’s character education wording. Parham said religious language should be revised to better include families with different beliefs.
“Our character curriculum should never imply that students who do not believe in a creator have a weaker character,” Parham said. “Public schools must remain inclusive so that every family, religious or not, knows their children are equally valued.”
Cara Parker spoke about book reviews and transparency in the media challenge process. She asserted that community members who oppose book removals often feel unheard.
“Parents have been speaking out against your book bans and outnumber the book banners,” Parker stated. “The entire district media review practice lacks transparency.”
Finally, Janet Duggan addressed delays in responding to Public Records Act requests. Duggan asked that the district meets the legally required response timeline under Georgia law. “
The expectation is that open records are to be produced for inspection within three business days, not up to two weeks,” Duggan said. “I did not get a response after reaching out privately by email regarding the delays.”
