# Board of Education Meeting - October 12, 2026

Cleveland County Schools Board of Education meeting, October 12, 2026: The board reviewed and approved the 2026–27 budget resolution amid rising personnel, utility, fuel, and school resource officer costs. The district reported receiving $1 million less in local operating funds and $1 million more for capital, and projected drawing more than $4 million from fund balances across its funds. The budget discussion cited an estimated $1 million diesel-fuel shortfall and the need to coordinate with county officials on future funding and capital priorities. The board also approved a student Chromebook purchase of $502,952.63 and a teacher MacBook refresh stated at $1,604,692; the Chromebook purchase will use primarily state funds, while funds had been reserved for the MacBooks. The board approved the employee bonus and supplement plan as well.

The board approved replacing seven aging maintenance vehicles—six vans and one truck—for $291,693.81 using capital funds, renewing the Synovia school-bus GPS service for $86,184 with no price increase, and approving listed surplus items and vehicles for disposal. The district also reported a $600,000 SRO grant award. Policy updates concerning board contracts and construction bidding were not approved: the vote was tied 4–4, and the items were returned to committee amid board concerns about spending authority and bid requirements. Other listed policy updates, school improvement plans, and Head Start items were approved. The meeting also included the swearing-in of Chris Bennett as superintendent.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 12, 2026

### Sources
- [Board of Education Meeting - October 12, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWdX9rM4V0Q) - Cleveland County Schools