The Gordon County Board of Education made final approvals for acquisition of land to construct the planned Gordon County College and Career Academy Monday during a regularly scheduled meeting.

Listed on the agenda as a “modification of land,” the board reconvened from executive session and approved two tracts of land for the new Gordon County College and Career Academy.

The first tract of land at five acres will be purchased by the school system at $15,000 an acre for a total of $78,315.

The second tract of land was donated, at no cost to the school system by the Technical College Foundation for the career academy.

Also at the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Susan Remillard recognized the board members in celebration of March being board appreciation day. The board was presented with certificates and a dinner in appreciation for their work.

“Thank you so much for your diligence and willingness to serve our schools and do what is best for our children,” said Remillard to the board. “Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you for the rest of this year.”

FFA Alumni and parent, Judith Arnold was present at the meeting Monday, and spoke on behalf of the advisors and students of Gordon County FFA, in an address to the board.

Due to a recent denial of funds for the FFA group to travel to competition, Arnold requested the board consider allocating more funds to FFA to enable students to attend state and national awards ceremonies to be recognized for their achievements.

“Some of those students are here tonight and I ask you, could you look at those students and choose which one of them will not be able to go and compete? They can’t go and receive their recognition and awards that they rightfully deserve and that Gordon County rightfully deserves,” said Arnold. “As a mother I sincerely hope that it will not be my child that was chosen who couldn’t go and compete and as an advocate I wouldn’t want it to be any of these other students that are here tonight that would be told they couldn’t go.”

Board chair William Tyner informed Arnold her words would be taken into consideration and she would be contacted by the superintendent’s office at a later date.

In other business at the meeting:

In other business, the board:

approved several field trip and fundraiser requests

approved several technology contracts for service including a contract with Verizon Wireless for district internet access, a new WAN link service provider for the College and Career Academy, a renewal for supplemental internet and cell phone service, and a contract for a new web hosting service.

approved superintdent’s recommendation for several bus usages for Gordon Hospital to use for the Run for your Life 5k event, Shriners Circus trip for 5th graders to travel to Marietta, and for the Sheriff’s Honor Guard to travel to Atlanta to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 16.

approved a continuation of classroom supply, printer cartridge and repair bid from the School Box.

approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for SHS and SMS band equipment at a cost of $69,036.50 per year for three years.

approved an MOU between the Gordon County school district and SHS Band Boosters for construction of Concession stand at a cost of approximately $133,000.

approved an MOU between the Gordon County School District and Gordon Central High School regarding the track agreement at a cost of $71,202 per year for 10 years.

set dates for spring facility visits on the April 16 an 23.

agreed not to send a delegate or alternate to a Georgia School Board Association conference.

agreed on the dates of April 16 and 23 for spring facility visits from the board.

 announced spring break April 1 – 5.