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The Sumter County School Board met on June 20^th. Superintendent Walter Knighton addressed the Board. “And so as we transition into our dashboard report, for the month of May, our splost collections, we collected $458,437.07. Our Georgia Power bill for the month of May $34,849.12. Sumter EMC bill, $35,115.79. Our water and sewers and sanitation bill, $25,642.31. City of Americus energy bill, $6,836.69. Cell phone bill for the month of May, $2,618.59. For us in terms of Sumter County, our millage rate is 18.069, which one mill generates for us approximately $734,613.” He gave the budget as $45,478,845 concluding the report.

The following students were recognized: Walter Carter, Pre-K student in Sumter County Primary School, Tylan Sims, Kindergarten student in Sumter County Primary School, Sawyer Baker, 1rst grader in Sumter County Primary School, Averee Pierce, 2^nd grade student in Sumter County Elementary School, Laethyn Williams, 3^rd grader in Sumter County Elementary School, Woodensky Selion, 4^th grader in Sumter County Intermediate School, Samuel Morgan Cuevas, 5^thgrader in Sumter County Intermediate School, Anijah Bagwell, 6^th grader in Sumter County Intermediate School, Shalomi Lewis, 7^th grader in Sumter County Middle School, Levi Umanzor, 8^th grader in Sumter County Middle School, Austin Davis, 9^th grader in Sumter County High School, Kaelyn Nance, 10^th grader in Sumter County High School, Cecilia Luna, 11^th grader in Sumter County High School, and Faith Gary, 12^th grader in Sumter County High School.

The following staff were recognized: Cheryl Clemons as district staff member of the year, and Natacha Merritt as district director of the year.

Knighton mentioned a few highlights. “We’re proud to say on this particular year we were able to provide custodial supplements in the amount of $1,000 per custodian.” He mentioned raises for teachers as well. “We were also able to provide to our teachers and our support staff a retention supplement that was a total of $833,000 through our ESSER.”

Craig Walker addressed the Board during citizens comments. “I stand before you with some concerns from several parents.” He mentioned meeting with 17 parents who had concerns, stating “why is the school system promoting sale items?” He listed details: “I understand there a lot of food trucks on the premises at certain times. All during the weekend and month, the children are being asked to purchase T-shirts, candy, and other items, other trinkets.” He detailed how they appeared to be related to school events. Walker made further claims: “And then there are also accusations that some of the teachers are selling personal items that they’ve made themselves. So now the question comes up, okay, where is this money going?”

He also claimed water was sold to the children: “And also, when you know you’re having Field Day, the kids are going to be outside all day, and there’re asked to buy water. The bottled water is being sold to the children.”

Walker mentioned that he wished for a written response. Chair Patricia Harris responded: “We listened to your concern and will respond in a timely manner.”

When asked after the meeting whether she had any comment on Walker’s allegations, Harris responded: “Not at this time.”