By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
BOE may use fleet card as fueling alternative
Placeholder Image
Amber Pittman
Updated: Aug 24, 2011, 4:00 AM
Published: Aug 24, 2011, 12:00 AM

The school system may have a different way to fill vehicles and track fuel consumption by using a fleet card system for fueling alternatives.

The system has typically managed fueling needs at a central location, which has one unleaded pump and two diesel pumps. However, based on a recent audit of the transportation department, the recommendation to the school board was to go to the fleet card system.

"...The procurement and transportation departments analyzed how the school system received and distributed fuel to its vehicles," reads the recommendation. "The analysis consisted of three basic parts: review the school system's current fueling process; estimate the costs thereof; and compare both to neighboring school systems of comparable size. From this analysis, it was concluded there were opportunities to improve our methodology and reduce costs by using a fleet card system."

The way the new system works is that drivers will be allowed to refuel at designated and pre-approved sites along their route and within their district. The vehicles will have a fleet card assigned to them and the drivers will each have a pin number that allows the system to track the amount of fuel purchased for each vehicle and which driver purchases it. The data is reported online and in a real-time format so an administrator can keep track.

"With this fleet card system, administrators will be able to exercise the following safety measures," reads the recommendation. "First, administrators will be able to place restrictions on each fleet card, such as limiting the card to fuel purchases only, limiting the dollar amount of fuel that can actually be purchased or capping the amount of gallons purchased for a set amount of time. Second, only certain pre-approved fleet cards will be allowed to refuel at locations other than the [school system] service center. Third, real time data reporting allows administrators to oversee the entire process in as much detail as needed."

The fleet card system is to be phased in over the next year starting with the installation of a fuel card reader at the service center pumps. The transportation department will also conduct weekly and monthly reviews of data gathered and make adjustments as necessary.
NCS Announces Finalists for 2025 HERO Award
2025 NCS HERO finalists
Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department at the Central Office Chandra Mitchell (left), Clerk at Alcovy High School Kymberli Durden (middle) and Media Paraprofessional at Fairview Elementary School Cheryl Clark (right) are the three finalists for the 2025 Newton County Schools HERO Award. All three are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III. - photo by Newton County Schools
Staff Report
Published: Mar 11, 2025, 2:22 PM

Newton County Schools (NCS) announced Tuesday the three finalists for the district’s inaugural HERO Award, an annual recognition honoring classified employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment, performance and impact in supporting students from pre-kindergarten through high school.

The 2025 HERO Award finalists are:

  • Cheryl Clark, Media Paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary School
  • Kymberli Durden, Clerk, Alcovy High School
  • Chandra Mitchell, Administrative Assistant, Special Education Department, Central Office

These outstanding employees have been selected from a group of school and division-level HERO Award winners and will advance to the final stage of the selection process, participating in interviews with the award panel later this week.

Superintendent Duke Bradley and several district leaders surprised each finalist at their workplace Tuesday, delivering the news in front of their colleagues. 

“Our classified employees are the backbone of our schools, providing the essential services that enable teaching and learning to flourish,” Bradley said. “Recognizing their hard work is not just a celebration of individuals but a testament to the values that drive our district forward. These three finalists represent the very best of our classified staff, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions.”

The NCS HERO Awards were established to recognize classified employees who embody service, dedication, professionalism and community impact. Modeled after the state and national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Awards, the program highlights the invaluable work of employees in clerical and administrative services, custodial and maintenance services, food and nutrition services, health and student services, paraprofessionals, security services, skilled trades, technical services, and transportation services.

To be eligible for the HERO Award, employees must have worked at least three years in NCS and at least one year in their current school or division. They must also demonstrate excellence in job performance, leadership, teamwork and commitment to both their school community and the district as a whole.

The winner of the 2025 NCS HERO Award will be announced at the HERO Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Porter Performing Arts Center. All school and division HERO Award winners will be recognized at the event, and the district winner will go on to represent NCS in the Georgia RISE Awards program for potential state-level recognition.

School Board Chair Abigail Coggin praised the finalists and the impact of the HERO Awards.

“Recognizing the contributions of our classified staff through the HERO Awards is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude,” Coggin said. “These individuals are vital to the success of our students, and we are thrilled to celebrate their dedication and impact.”