The Carroll County Board of Education bid farewell to a 12-year member Thursday night, as Dr. Bernice Brooks attended her last meeting as a board member.

Brooks, who’s represented District 1 since September 2000, was given a plaque, clock and several kind words from her colleagues.

“Her experience at Carroll County Schools is unparalleled,” said board chairman Dr. Jon Anderson. “She has brought a unique perspective to every decision she’s made, and I value her service.”

Brooks lost her bid for re-election to Rob Cleveland in August.

The board unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Brooks for her 12 years of service, which will be entered into the written record of the school system and said the former Villa Rica Primary principal has “graciously given of her time” in her 36 years in the system.

Brooks got her start in Carroll County Schools 36 years ago as a title one clerk. She attended West Georgia College for her undergraduate degree and later got her doctorate in educational leadership and policy.

“I’ve enjoyed working with them, and I look forward to working with them in the future,” Brooks said of the board, telling them she would see them soon.

As for what she’ll do after her time on the board, Brooks said she’ll do what she’s always done.

“I’ll continue to support public education and work for children,” she said.

Superintendent Scott Cowart said Brooks has “done a lot” for the system.

“Board members are often not appreciated as much as they should be, but her time and commitment is something we treasure,” Cowart said.

Also during Thursday’s meeting, the board unanimously approved a bid for at Ithica Elementary.

The system has awarded a bid of $621,230 for the project, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Support Services David Goldberg said.

Seven general contractors submitted bids, Goldberg said, with Carrollton’s W.O. Kilgore Construction being awarded the bid. W.O. Kilgore submitted the lowest base bid.

The project will account for four more classrooms at Ithica Elementary, as well as a new gym floor and HVAC updates in the gym.

The board also voted to continue their meeting schedule for the last year for 2013.

The board members had two options for the structure of the meetings calendar, with Option A keeping the calendar the same and Option B spacing out the work sessions and board meetings more.

Option A was voted for unanimously.

In the current calendar, generally the third Mondays and Thursdays of each month are for work sessions and board meetings, respectively. Had the board voted for Option B, the work sessions would be held on the second Monday of each month, with the board meetings held on the following (third) Monday.

The second option was brought up a few months ago by board members who wished to have more time to consider board issues.

Board member Denise Askin-Pate raised a concern Monday that Option B might require staff members in the central office to do more work, sometimes on Sundays, to prepare for the board meetings.

“We need to be efficient, and you guys have other things you need to be doing,” Askin-Pate said. “You don’t need to be worrying about the board meetings for three weeks every month.”

The board members stipulated, however, that they receive their packets of information on Thursdays in 2013, instead of Fridays, to better prepare and ask necessary questions before the weekend and the Monday work sessions.

Also during Thursday’s board meeting:

• The board recognized 23 students who were chosen to participate in the Governor’s Honors Program next summer. The sophomores and juniors came from several of the district’s high schools, and came from a total of 12 different subjects, including social studies, mathematics and chemistry.

• The board also recognized the three schools that recorded the best attendance numbers for the calendar year. Each of the district’s schools were split into three categories based on student population, with a winner being recognized in each category.

For schools with 500 students or fewer, Bowdon High School was recognized for having 96 percent attendance. For schools with students numbering between 501 and 700, Sharp Creek Elementary School was recognized, with 96 percent attendance. And finally, for schools with 701 students or more, Central High School was recognized.

• Cowart shared with board members that the ribbon-cutting for the new gym at Temple High will be at 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 10.

The gym, Goldberg said Monday, is having its floor put in and the interior painting done now. The gym is expected to be completed in late December or early January.

• The board recognized 12 teachers who were selected as winners of the 2012 Bright Ideas grant from the Carroll EMC Foundation. The 12 teachers were were given a total of $9,393 earlier this month.

The teachers recognized came from Bowdon Elementary, Central Elementary, Central High, Ithica Elementary, Roopville Elementary, Temple Middle and Villa Rica Elementary.

Cowart said he was pleased that each of the 12 teachers had reached out to apply for the time-consuming grants and congratulated them on their achievement.

• The board also recongized Briana Harden, a Temple Middle student who was presented a 2012 John W. Harris Leadership Junior Award last week at the State Beta Club Convention in Macon.

Briana was one of 25 recipients across the nation, and she will be invited to attend a leadership program this summer in South Carolina.