Sharp Stadium may see a little bit more security, as officers with the Covington Police Department will now be able to use the facility for physical fitness purposes. The Newton County Board of Education approved the CPD’s request unanimously at its May 21 board meeting.
According to background information submitted to the board, CPD employees needed a facility to exercise by "running steps," and the best location is the stadium, using its bleachers.
School system officials will issue a key to CPD Capt. Phillip Bradford for all CPD officers to check out. The school system will have no responsibility for any accidents that might occur when an officer is in the stadium.
In addition, CPD personnel will assist the school system by ensuring that only local law enforcement personnel have access to the field. Officers will also question unidentified individuals who are inside the stadium, and will ask them to leave if they do not have approval from the BOE to use the facility.
In other business, the BOE approved the use of Clements Middle School for Rock of Salvation’s summer meal program and for Sunday church services for God’s Divine Outreach Ministries.
Clements Middle School’s kitchen will be used by Rock of Salvation June 3-28 with a rental fee of $1,100 and a utility fee of $1,600.
School system officials said school nutrition staff will be hired for Rock of Salvation to prepare the food and that the meals prepared at CMS will be transported to other sites for service.
God’s Divine Outreach Ministries will use Clements Middle’s band and/or chorus room for its Sunday services from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The church’s first service at the school was scheduled for May 26.
According to NCSS officials, board policy allows individuals or groups to complete an application for use of facilities. As long as the individual or group requesting use is in accordance with board policy, the principal of a school can grant approval.
Additionally, the BOE also voted unanimously to approve and renew several contracts.
The BOE approved a contract with U.S. Foodservice of Fairburn for the school system’s school nutrition program, for more than $2.7 million; and a contract with Dell Marketing of Round Rock, Texas, for Microsoft License Agreements, for $148,213.34.
The board renewed contracts with Softmart of Downingtown, Pa., for the purchase of antivirus software for $37,950; with Uniforms Unlimited of Athens, for the school nutrition program employees’ uniforms for $40,000; and renewed a contract with R & E Electric of Covington for electrical services for the school system for $200,000.
