[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE PRODUCTIVE MEETING, ATTENDEES AT THE MEETING HAVE AGREED TO THE DECORUM EXPECTED OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. DISRUPTION TO CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF THE BOARD WILL RESULT IN THE BOARD MOVING TO RECESS, A VIRTUAL FORMAT OR SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING TO A LATER DATE. WE HAVE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING AHEAD AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND GOOD EVENING, HENRY COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MONDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7:01 P.M. AND IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE BEGIN BY STANDING AND JOINING ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[C. WELCOME]
THANK YOU. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO OUR WELCOME. AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR PACE FOR THAT. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.WELCOME TO THE MARCH MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. GEORGIA GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP PROCLAIMED MARCH 10TH THROUGH 14TH AS SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION WEEK ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK THE FIVE MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO UNIFIED GOVERNANCE AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR 43,000 PLUS STUDENTS AND 6000 PLUS EMPLOYEES. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR AWARD WINNING HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, WHO HAS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE AS A BOARD. THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD AND FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, AND WE CELEBRATE THIS YEAR'S THEME OF MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER WOMEN EDUCATING AND INSPIRING GENERATIONS, A THEME THAT CERTAINLY RESONATES RESONATES WITH THE WORK THAT IS DONE EACH AND EVERY DAY ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. NATIONAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER WEEK WAS OBSERVED MARCH 2ND THROUGH THE EIGHTH, AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE VITAL ROLE OF OUR SCHOOL. SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, EDUCATORS, PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. LAST WEEK, WE ALSO CELEBRATED, READ ACROSS AMERICA AND READ ACROSS HENRY WEEK. I WANT TO THANK OUR BOARD MEMBERS, DISTRICT LEADERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO TRAVELED TO SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HENRY COUNTY ON MARCH 5TH TO SHARE THEIR PASSION AND EXCITEMENT FOR LITERACY. I ALSO WANT TO OFFER A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE TALENTED FINE ARTS STUDENTS OF STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, WHO HELPED US CREATE A SPECIAL READ ALONG VIDEO THAT BROUGHT THE STORY OF A DRUM CIRCLE TITLED JAM TWO TO LIFE. WE ENDED THE WEEK WITH A READ A THON ON SATURDAY AT THE HENRY COUNTY LEARNING AND SUPPORT CENTER, SPONSORED BY RADIO PERSONALITY GREG STREET FROM V 103 AND THE HENRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR COOPERATION IN BRINGING LITERACY TO LIFE THIS SATURDAY FOR OUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WE KNOW FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS CRITICAL TO STUDENT SUCCESS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT WONDERFUL WELCOME, DOCTOR
[D. INSPIRATION]
PACE, AND WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO OUR INSPIRATION. I'M EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT OUR INSPIRATION THIS EVENING. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND I'M EXCITED TO HEAR OUR INSPIRATION AS WELL. OUR INSPIRATION TONIGHT WILL BE PROVIDED BY FROM LUELLA MIDDLE SCHOOL. OUR STUDENTS NAME IS ADDISON GOSSETT, AN EIGHTH GRADE MUSICIAN SINGER WHO WILL BE SINGING THE SONG TITLED I'M HERE. SHE'S ACCOMPANIED BY HER TEACHER, MISS CATHERINE MULLINAX, AND PRINCIPAL MISS MARY CAROL STANLEY. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S PLEASE WELCOME OUR INSPIRATION FOR TONIGHT, MISS GOSSETT.[00:05:23]
I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE ME. I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOVE. I'VE GOT. I'VE GOT. GOT MY CHILDREN.I CAN'T HOLD THEM NOW. THEY MAY NOT BE HERE, BUT THEY STILL. MINE. I. HOPE THEY KNOW I STILL LOVE THEM. GOT MY HOUSE IS STILL KEEP THE. COLD OUT. GOT MY CHAIR, THOUGH MY. BODY CAN HOLD UP. GOT MY HANDS DOING GOOD LIKE THEY SUPPOSED TO. SHOWING MY TO THE FOLKS THAT I'M CLOSE TO. GOT MY EYES THOUGH THEY DON'T SEE US FOR NOW THEY SEEM. MORE OF HOW THINGS REALLY. ARE. NOW. I'M GOING. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. GONNA HOLD MY HEAD UP. GONNA PUT MY SHOULDERS BACK AND LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE. I'M GOING TO FLIRT WITH SOMEBODY WHEN THEY WALK BY. I'M GONNA. SEE HOW.
SEE? BUT MOST OF ALL. I'M THANKFUL FOR. LOVING WHO. I. REALLY AM. I'M BEAUTIFUL. YES.
MADAM CHAIR, THAT WAS THE RENDITION OF I'M HERE BY MISS ADDISON GOSSETT. CAN WE GIVE HER ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE? AWARDS. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SO NOW WE'LL MOVE TO AWARDS AND
[E. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS]
RECOGNITION. AND IF OUR BOARD WOULD JOIN ME IN THE FRONT FOR RECOGNITIONS IN THE AREAS OF LITERACY, SCIENCE AND MATH.EVERY TIME. WELCOME TO EVERYONE. JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS KYLE SEARS, AND WE'LL BE FACILITATING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. THIS EVENING WILL
[00:10:02]
BE RECOGNIZING EXCEPTIONAL WORK BY STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND LEADERS WHO HELPED SET AND MAINTAIN THE CONDITIONS FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING HERE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. UP FIRST TONIGHT, THE 22ND HENRY REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR PROVIDED ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCHERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A REGIONAL EXHIBITION. AFTER SUCCESSFUL SHOWINGS AT SCHOOL LEVEL FAIRS. THE REGIONAL FAIR, DEDICATED TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING WAS HELD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH. HOSTING OUR OWN REGIONAL FAIR OFFERS STUDENTS A DIRECT PATHWAY TO STATE AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS WITHOUT REQUIRING PARTICIPATION IN THE GRIFFIN REGIONAL FAIR. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS IS ONE OF JUST TEN DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, AND THE ONLY ONE WITHIN THE RESA, WHERE TOP COMPETITORS CAN ADVANCE DIRECTLY TO THE GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY K-5 SCIENCE FAIR. THE GEORGIA SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR AND THE REGENERON INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR. TONIGHT, WE RECOGNIZE FIRST PLACE WINNERS IN THE HENRY REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR. THEY INCLUDE FROM BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JULIAN BALLARD. JULIAN IS ACCOMPANIED TONIGHT BY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL DOCTOR TIFFANY WHEELER.ALSO FROM BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SIENNA MCNABB.
AND A THIRD FIRST PLACE WINNER FROM BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, JASMINE SHAW.
NEXT FROM FLIPPEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ZION LEE. ZION IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL VICTORIA GROVES. SECOND.
ALSO FROM FLIPPEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ETHAN BOWSER.
UP NEXT FROM PLEASANT GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CHRISTIAN FERNANDEZ. CHRISTIAN IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL ANDY PIKE.
ALSO FROM PLEASANT GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. CORDELL REEVES.
[00:15:02]
A THIRD FIRST PLACE WINNER. AARON WILLIAMS FROM PLEASANT GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, COULDN'T BE HERE THIS EVENING. UP NEXT FROM RED OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. TAHIRI. BARTELL LAHIRI IS ACCOMPANIED TONIGHT BY PRINCIPAL JERMAINE OSBORNE.UP NEXT FROM AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, SHAY SIMPSON. SHAY IS ACCOMPANIED TONIGHT BY PRINCIPAL LIBRA BRITTON.
ALSO FROM AUSTIN ROAD. MIDDLE SCHOOL. MIDDLE SCHOOL ANGELICA ABAIR.
ALSO FROM AUSTIN ROAD. MIDDLE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTHEW JOHNSON.
NEXT UP FROM AUSTIN ROAD, MIDDLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, INDIA, GRANGER.
AND A FIFTH FIRST PLACE WINNER FROM AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, SAMANTHA NELSON.
NEXT FROM MCDONOUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL TJ CASTILLO. PAIGE IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL KIMBERLY KESSINGER.
ALL RIGHT. THREE, THREE THREE FROM UNION GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, MELODY. FAN. MELODY IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL DWAYNE RICHARDS.
ALSO FROM UNION GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANNIE ACHEAMPONG.
[00:20:17]
THANK YOU. UP NEXT FROM WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL, CAMERON BELL. CAMERON IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL MICHELLE WILKERSON.ALSO FROM WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL, ARDEN NG.
FROM DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL. WHO COULD NOT JOIN US HERE TONIGHT? MAYA MOHAMMED. NEXT FROM IMPACT ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. TRENT. CONRAD. ALSO FROM IMPACT ACADEMY. JALENA ARROYO.
FROM. AND A THIRD FIRST PLACE WINNER FROM IMPACT ACADEMY. BROOKS. GRIMWOOD. MOSS.
LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL HAD TWO FIRST PLACE WINNERS WHO COULDN'T JOIN US THIS EVENING. RAYMOND MACRO. AND KATELYN WIGGINTON. FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. CARSON CARTER. CARSON IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL LATANYA RICHARDS.
AND. ALSO FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLIE FIFIELD. CONGRATULATIONS.
AND. OUR NEXT TWO WINNERS FROM UNION GROVE COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT. SOPHIA CHAVEZ AND BRYSON HUGHAN. AND A FIFTH FIRST PLACE WINNER FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, EMMANUEL VARIAN.
UP NEXT FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, CHLOE BROWN. CHLOE IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL PERVIS JACKSON.
[00:25:14]
JUNIOR. NEXT FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, ELISE FERGUSON.UP NEXT FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, ALLISON BENTON.
OUR NEXT TWO WINNERS FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL COULDN'T BE HERE THIS EVENING. MONICA NAGO AND HANNAH TRAN. AND A SIXTH FIRST PLACE WINNER FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, SAMANTHA DALBY.
THANK YOU. UP NEXT, THE GRIFFIN RESET LITERACY DAYS COMPETITION IS A REGIONAL COMPETITION AMONG ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE EIGHT COUNTY GRIFFIN REGION. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAD WON FIRST PLACE INDIVIDUAL AND ONE FIRST PLACE WINNING GROUP IN THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION, WINNING FIRST PLACE FOR THIRD GRADE. POETRY RECITATION WAS ZAHRA WILD FROM UNITY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SARAH IS ACCOMPANIED BY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL LEAH COCKFIELD.
THANK YOU. AND WINNING FIRST PLACE FOR DRAMA WAS AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S PRODUCTION OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, FEATURING CAST MEMBERS SEBASTIAN SALAZAR DURAN, AMANDA ROBERTS, NAOMI ALBINO, KAYLEIGH GRAHAM, AND ATARA CARTER. THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL LOIS BARNEY AND DRAMA COACH TANYA BROWN.
FINALLY, TONIGHT, THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS OFFICE OF MATHEMATICS HOSTED THE SECOND ANNUAL HCS ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS COMPETITION ON FEBRUARY 8TH. A TOTAL OF 22 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE EVENT, WHICH INCLUDES A WRITTEN TEST AND CIPHERING EVENT.
WINNING FIRST PLACE AMONG INDIVIDUAL COMPETITORS WAS ALEXANDER GRISPI OF HICKORY FLAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
AND WINNING FIRST PLACE IN OVERALL SCHOOL AWARDS WAS THE TEAM FROM EASTLAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING LUKE BELL, SKYLER POLLARD, CARSON POWELL, DUSTIN TRAN, AND SOPHIA WIGGS.
THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED TONIGHT BY PRINCIPAL DANA FLOWERS, COACH DIANA BROWN, AND COACH MICHAELA PHILMAN. THANK YOU, KIDS, FOR. THAT. YOU SEE RIGHT HERE? YEAH.
[00:30:35]
ONE MORE. ONE MORE TIME. WE GOT A LOT OF CAMERAS. WE GOT A LOT OF FAMILY HERE. RIGHT NOW.DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENING OF CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION OF EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOMES BY OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND LEADERS.
ALL RIGHT, THAT WAS WONDERFUL TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THOSE INCREDIBLE STUDENTS AND STAFF.
[F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 10,2025]
WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO F THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025? I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE MINUTES. THANK YOU, DOCTOR NUTT. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FOUR ZERO MINUTES ARE APPROVED. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO G. PUBLIC[G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION]
PARTICIPATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY THIS EVENING? MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN. GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS ON THE POSTED AGENDA, OR OTHER SUBJECTS PERTINENT TO THE BOARD AND THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMUNITY. AS A REMINDER, THE WINDOW TO SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FROM 6 P.M. TO 6:55 P.M. IN THE LOBBY. FOR THOSE VIEWING AT HOME, PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE SUBMITTED AT PUBLIC COMMENTS AT HENRY K 12 GA.US. THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAVE AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS GOVERNING THEIR PARTICIPATION. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.UNUSED TIME MAY NOT BE GIVEN TO ANOTHER SPEAKER. SPEAKERS MAY NOT USE VULGAR OR INSULTING LANGUAGE. NAME A STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE INDIVIDUALLY OR DISCUSS ANY CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE PARAMETERS WILL RESULT IN A COURTESY REMINDER. ANY FURTHER VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN THE SPEAKER'S TIME BEING FORFEITED. SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER THAT THEY SIGNED UP UNTIL THE LAST SPEAKER IS CALLED. THE FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING IS MARIO RICHARDSON, FOLLOWED BY BELINDA BAILEY. AND MR. RICHARDSON AS YOU APPROACH. SORRY, ME KEEP COMING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GREEN LIGHT AT THE BASE OF THE MICROPHONE IS ON. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY. GOOD EVENING. BOARD. HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? I'M HERE WITH A MATTER THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK CONCERNING MY CHILD. MY SON AT HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL. HE WAS INSULTED BY A SCHOOL PERSONNEL. HE WAS CALLED WORDS. THAT'S UNDESCRIBABLE. BE.
A N AND S T F U. BY ONE OF THE PEOPLE Y'ALL HIRED FOR THE BOARD. IT'S ACTUALLY TWO TWO PEOPLE FROM HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. AND I I'M I'M. I CAME UP HERE LAST WEEK. THREE DAYS STRAIGHT. THREE DAYS STRAIGHT. I CAME UP HERE. I CAME UP HERE AND I WAS UNABLE TO TALK TO ANYBODY.
WHEN I TELL YOU ANYBODY, ANYBODY CONCERNING THIS MATTER WITH MY SON, I'M VERY UPSET WITH THE
[00:35:03]
BOARD. I'M VERY UPSET WITH THE WHAT? WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT TOOK PLACE. I'M NOT SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME. WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE TWO TEACHERS? WE'RE LOOKING AT A YOUNG BLACK MALE SAYING THIS TO ANOTHER YOUNG BLACK MALE. TWO. I'M VERY APPALLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SCHOOL AND IN THIS WHOLE SYSTEM. YOU HAVE FAILED. MY SON FAILED HIM TREMENDOUSLY. HE DID THE BOOK TO THE T. EVERYTHING CORRECT? DIDN'T SAY NOTHING BACK TO HIM. THEY IT'S BATTERY. IT'S LITERALLY BATTERY TO WHAT THEY SAID TO HIM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. NOTHING WAS DONE. HOW CAN I TELL HIM THAT? PUT YOUR FAITH IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THEY GOT YOU AND Y'ALL FAILED HIM. THEM? PLEASE TELL ME Y'ALL NEED TO TELL HIM, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW HE WANTS TO KNOW. I CAME UP HERE THREE DAYS BACK TO BACK, 8:00 IN THE MORNING. MISS LACEY. WHOEVER UNABLE TO TALK TO ANYBODY? NOBODY. THREE DAYS. IS JOHNSON IN THE FRONT? SHE CAN TESTIFY. SHE SENT EMAILS OUT THERE. NOT ON CAMPUS. SO WHO MAKES DECISIONS LIKE THAT? WHEN MY CHILD IS HARASSED AND UNABLE TO PRETTY MUCH DEFEND HIMSELF? THAT'S ALL I GOTTA SAY. THANK YOU, MR. RICHARDSON. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MISS BELINDA BAILEY. AND MISS BAILEY, AS YOU APPROACH, I'LL TELL YOU THE SAME THING. IF YOU'LL JUST MAKE SURE THE LIGHTS ON AT THE BASE OF THAT MICROPHONE. OKAY. YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. SUPERINTENDENT PACE AND HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS BELINDA BAILEY, AND I'M AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT IMPACT ACADEMY. I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS SINCE 1996, WITH A TWO YEAR STINT IN HOUSTON COUNTY FROM 2016 TO 2018. I WILL BE ENTERING MY 30TH YEAR OF WORKING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, STARTING WITH THE 2526 SCHOOL YEAR, AND HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS WITH THE BOARD. EXCUSE ME. AS YOU KNOW, STEP RAISES FOR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS EMPLOYEES STOP AFTER THE 22ND YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT FOR SUPPORT STAFF AND AFTER THE 25TH YEAR FOR CERTIFIED PERSONNEL. THIS HALT IN STEP RAISES HAS BECOME A REAL CONCERN FOR FACULTY AND STAFF WHO HAVE REACHED THAT POINT IN YEARS OF SERVICE WITH HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE PRIMARY BREADWINNERS FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WITH THE CURRENT SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT AGE NOW AT 67 FOR MANY OF US, WE WILL BE WORKING UNTIL THAT TIME AND GOING WITHOUT STEP RAISES EACH YEAR WILL BE TOUGH CONSIDERING THE CURRENT AND SEEMINGLY ONGOING STATE OF THE ECONOMY. IN MY CASE, I WILL BE WORKING FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN PAY. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE SUPPLEMENTAL $60 PER MONTH THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING TO HELP OFFSET INCREASED INSURANCE COSTS, THAT DOESN'T MAKE UP FOR WHAT WE WOULD RECEIVE MONTHLY FROM A STEP RAISE. ALL OF THIS IS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT HENRY COUNTY'S EXCUSE ME, SALARY SCHEDULES FOR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF STILL LAG BEHIND MOST METRO ATLANTA DISTRICTS. IT IS TIME THAT THIS POLICY BE REVIEWED AND CHANGED TO ADAPT TO THE NEEDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES. LONG TIME EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE SHOULD CONTINUE TO GET STEP RAISES FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON. THE PRIMARY REASON IS DUE TO THE CURRENT AND PERSISTENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE. AS I STATED BEFORE, WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION, INCREASING COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, AND CONTINUED INSURANCE INCREASES, IT IS VITAL THAT COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEES FOLLOW SUIT TO ASSIST IN COMBATING THE PROBLEMS. SECONDLY, LONG TERM DEDICATED AND LOYAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE SAME COMPENSATION COMPENSATION BENEFITS AS THOSE WITH LESSER YEARS. EVEN MORE SO, IN MY OPINION, IT SHOULD BE THE GOAL OF THE BOARD TO ENSURE THE RETENTION OF LONG TERM EMPLOYEES, AS THEY HAVE MORE THAN PROVEN THEMSELVES WITH THEIR LONGEVITY. THE EXPERIENCE THAT LONG TERM EMPLOYEES HOLD IS INVALUABLE, AND IN ADDITION, THEY ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED BELOVED MEMBERS OF SCHOOL FAMILIES BY THE COMMUNITY. HAVING SEEN MULTIPLE CHILDREN FROM THE SAME FAMILY COME THROUGH SCHOOLS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS PLEA BEFORE THE BOARD FOR YOUR REVIEW, AND HOPEFULLY CHANGE THIS ANTIQUATED POLICY SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE HENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, MISS BAILEY. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR THIS EVENING, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MISS RIDDLE. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO H, WHICH IS[H. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)]
OUR CONSENT AGENDA. AND I WILL REMIND EVERYONE THAT THESE ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED DURING OUR 4:00[00:40:04]
STUDY SESSION. SO IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND THAT MEETING, I WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND HEAR THE DIALOG AROUND EACH OF THESE ITEMS. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ITEMS H ONE THROUGH FOUR WOULD BE ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING? I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS H ONE THROUGH FOUR. THANK YOU. MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER.ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FOUR ZERO CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. CAN I GET A MOTION,
[H.5. Personnel]
PLEASE, TO APPROVE H FIVE PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H FIVE, AS RECOMMENDED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR[I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS]
HAND FOR ZERO. PERSONNEL IS APPROVED, AND WE ARE NOW TO OUR BOARD. SUPERINTENDENT, CLOSING REMARKS FOR THE EVENING. DO YOU WANT TO GET US STARTED THIS EVENING, MR. MCDANIEL? SURE, MADAM CHAIR, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY ON THIS EVENING. I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER APPRECIATION MONTH, WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, YOUTH ART MONTH, AND READ ACROSS AMERICA, WHICH WAS FUN TO DO AT DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SO MANY OTHER THINGS. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT IT WAS A PLEASURE BEING AT DUTCHTOWN, BUT IT WAS EVEN. IT WAS JUST AS FUN BEING AT THE HENRY LEARNING CENTER WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND OUR CHAIR, AND COLLABORATION WITH THE SHERIFF OF HENRY COUNTY, AS WE DEFINITELY MAKE SURE THAT WE ATTEND TO THE READING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO EAGLE LAND AND HIGH SCHOOLS, MISS JEANETTE YOUMANS. IF I MISPRONOUNCE YOUR NAME, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. ON BEING NAMED HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS MEDIA SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR 2025. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR REACHING THE CLASS FOUR A FINAL FOUR. THEY WERE THE ONLY HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL TEAM TO ADVANCE THIS FAR TO THAT LEVEL. SO GREAT JOB MEN AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL BACK THERE NEXT YEAR.CONGRATULATIONS TO LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL'S LATOYA BROWN ON BEING NAMED THE REGION FIVE THREE. A GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AMAYA HARRIS AND HER COMMITMENT TO WESTLAND AND HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CHRISTIAN DUNCAN FOR HER COMMITMENT TO REINHARDT UNIVERSITY. CONGRATULATIONS TO LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL'S COURSE ON THEIR SUPERIOR RATING, AND BEST OF LUCK TO THE MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL LITERACY TEAM AS THEY COMPETE FOR ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. AND FINALLY, CONGRATULATIONS TO EAGLE LANDINGS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR OCTAVIA GRANT FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. MISS CARTER. CONGRATULATIONS TO EAGLE'S LANDING HIGH SCHOOL'S COUNSELOR, DOCTOR NATASHA HODGE, ON WINNING THE DISTRICT'S ADMINISTRATORS OR CHOICE COUNSELORS AWARD. AND THEN CONGRATULATIONS TO OLA HIGH SCHOOL'S VEX ROBOTICS TEAM FOR WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. THEY'RE MOVING ON TO THE WORLD WORLDS COMPETITION. AND AS WE HONOR READ ACROSS AMERICA, I WANT TO THANK MISS HUDSON, THE LIBRARIAN AT TIMBER RIDGE ELEMENTARY, FOR INVITING ME TO READ TO MISS HUDSON'S KINDERGARTEN CLASS AND MISS SCARBOROUGH'S THIRD GRADE CLASS. IT WAS TRULY FILLED MY BUCKET AND MADE MY HEART SMILE. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MISS JANET WESLEY AT OLA ELEMENTARY FOR INVITING ME TO READ TO ALL THE KINDERGARTNERS ON THURSDAY. THEY TRULY KNOW HOW TO THROW A PARTY.
IT WAS REALLY FUN. SO AMAZING. AND IT WAS THE BEST WAY TO START MY DAY. AND I WANT TO THANK HOLLY WILLIAMS AND CARRIE EDWARDS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AT TIMBER RIDGE. AND OLA, THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS CARTER. DOCTOR NETT. WE'VE HAD A BUSY MONTH THIS MONTH. I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MR. ERIC WATSON ON HIS RETIREMENT. HE WAS THE HEART OF STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL AND HE WAS ALSO HERE IN THE COUNTY OFFICE. SO CONGRATULATIONS ON MR. WATSON. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK HE'LL BE BACK. I BET HE WILL. CONGRATULATIONS TO UNITY GROVE SCHOOL. MISS ERIN PRINGLE ON BEING NAMED THE NATIONAL AGRISCIENCE TEACHER OF THE YEAR BY THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU. AND THANK YOU TO GEORGIA FARM BUREAU FOR PLANNING SUCH A WONDERFUL FESTIVITY FOR HER. AND HER STUDENTS WERE JUST SO EXCITED. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BLACK STUDENT UNION OF LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL ON ORGANIZING AND SPONSORING THEIR THIRD ANNUAL HBCU COLLEGE FAIR. THERE WAS $1.75 MILLION WORTH OF SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN DURING THIS EVENT, AND IT WAS AMAZING. IT WAS GREAT. CONGRATULATIONS TO LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL COACH CAMERON CLAYTON ON BEING NAMED REGIONAL TWO TRIPLE. D A AA BOYS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH
[00:45:09]
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR PLAYING HARD DOWN AT FORT VALLEY. YOU KNEW AND I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT THEY KNEW THAT THE WARHAWKS, OLD AND YOUNG, WERE IN THE HOUSE. SO WE MADE SOME NOISE. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE STAR STUDENTS AND THEIR STAR TEACHERS. WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF YOU GUYS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HONOR SOCIETY AWARDEES. AND THERE ARE ABOUT 15 OF THEM.CONGRATULATIONS. AND LOOKING FORWARD. LOOKING FORWARD. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE HAMPTON SENIOR PROM THIS FRIDAY. AND AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE HOW I'M A SENIOR, BUT I'M GOING TO CROWN THE QUEEN AND QUEEN. KING AND QUEEN OF THE HAMPTON HIGH PROM SENIOR PROM. SO THIS OUGHT TO BE SO. IF YOU'RE A SENIOR IN HAMPTON, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE PROM AT HAMPTON HIGH THIS SATURDAY AT 6:00. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WAIT. I'M SORRY. AND THANK YOU TO MISS MELISSA WOOD AND HER CERAMIC STAFF AT. R.A.S FOR THE LOVELY CANDY DISHES SHE PROVIDED FOR US FOR SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION WEEK. THAT IS REALLY. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO HOME AND FILL IT UP, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, DOCTOR ANNETTE. DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT MADE THE READATHON AND LITERACY HAPPEN FOR OUR FAMILIES THIS PAST SATURDAY. I KNOW IT WAS LED BY A FAMILY AND STUDENT SERVICES SUPPORT DEPARTMENT, BUT THERE WERE SO MANY, SO MANY MORE DEPARTMENTS THAT COLLABORATED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND I DON'T HAVE THE LIST OF NAMES, BUT I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL THAT MADE THAT HAPPEN. IT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL TO SEE AND JUST TO SEE THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHICH WE KNOW IS SO CRITICAL TO OUR STUDENT SUCCESS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FROM WHEN THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON PERSONNEL. THIS IS FROM THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ON FEBRUARY 24TH AND TONIGHT'S MEETING. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE WELCOMING DOCTOR, CLEVELAND CHIP JOHNSON, AS THE CHIEF LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OFFICER. AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME MR. NICK ELLIS AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS, SYSTEMS EFFECTIVENESS AND SUPPORT.
CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN YOUR NEW ROLES WITH US IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE.
THERE ARE ALSO EXCITING THINGS GOING ON ACROSS OUR DISTRICT AND IN DISTRICT FOUR. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY ON THEIR FIRST PLACE REGION WIN AT THE SECOND ANNUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS COMPETITION. ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO EAGLE'S LANDING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR MAYA WELDON ON HER FIRST PLACE WIN IN THE 2025 CRAIG HARDING MEMORIAL COURT ARTISTS COMPETITION FOR REGION 12. MAYA'S ART WAS ALSO CHOSEN TO BE ON DISPLAY AT THE ATLANTA HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION AT THE DOGWOOD FESTIVAL IN APRIL. GOOD JOB MAY, AND THEN GOOD LUCK TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL'S RIFLERY TEAM AS THEY ADVANCE TO THE STATE FINALS COMING UP NEXT WEEK. IT WAS ALSO SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO GET TO BE IN SCHOOLS LAST WEEK FOR RITA CROSS HENRY AND READ ACROSS AMERICA, A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO FLIPPIN ELEMENTARY AND EAST LAKE ELEMENTARY FOR YOUR INVITATIONS TO COME READ. IT IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE THING TO DO TO GET TO SIT WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND READ WITH THEM. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND REMEMBER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH. YOU CAN INVITE US TO COME READ ANYTIME. IT'S WONDERFUL. THIS WAS A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING AND SEEING AS THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD, I WILL NOW ADJOURN OUR MEETING AT 7:49 P.M. BE SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT. THE CHAIR HAS ADJOURNED THE MEETING AND ATTENDEES CAN BEGIN TO EXIT AND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.