[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE 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, MISS RIDDLE, AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WOULD LIKE TO NOW CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:02 P.M. ON MONDAY, JUNE 9TH. AND IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE BEGIN BY STANDING AND JOINING ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HAPPY SUMMER TO EVERYONE. I WILL BEGIN
[C. WELCOME]
OUR MEETING BY TURNING OVER TO DOCTOR PACE FOR HIS WELCOME. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY. WELCOME TO THE JUNE MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO, WE HELD OUR ANNUAL SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR SCHOOL AND DISTRICT LEADERS AT THE MCDONOUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND THE ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, WHERE WE SPENT TWO DAYS COLLABORATING WITH THE SHARED FOCUS ON ACCELERATING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. OUR STUDENTS SHINED BRIGHTLY, STARTING WITH OUR AMAZING ELEMENTARY HONORS COURSE, WHO KICKED OFF THE CONFERENCE ALONG WITH LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT SHARED COMPELLING TED ED STUDENT TALKS. THE TWO DAYS WERE FILLED WITH POWERFUL SESSIONS, INCLUDING OUR EDUCATORS AND LEADERS LEARNING FROM RENOWNED SPEAKERS LIKE AUTHOR SEAN COVEY AND PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST BLAKE LEEPER. OUR SCHOOL LEADERS ALSO LEARNED FROM ALUMNI, ALUMNI THAT HAVE GONE ON TO PROMISING CAREERS IN ARCHITECTURE, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS AND EDUCATION RIGHT HERE IN HCS, AND THAT HELPED US TO LAUNCH OUR NEW CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS IN THE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SLC, WE CELEBRATED THE CULMINATION OF A WONDERFUL SCHOOL YEAR WITH 12 COMMENCEMENTS OVER SEVEN DAYS.WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE GRADUATED NEARLY 3700 STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED $94 MILLION AND COUNTING IN SCHOLARSHIPS. LET, LET. LET'S REPEAT THAT. $94 MILLION AND COUNTING. WE'RE STILL COUNTING FOLKS IN SCHOLARSHIPS. SO AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SCREEN FOR A VIDEO. HIGHLIGHTING THE CLASS OF 2025 STANDING HERE TODAY. BUT IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US WHO FOUGHT, STRUGGLED, CRIED, PRAYED, AND KEPT SHOWING UP.
BECAUSE LET'S BE HONEST, THE ROAD HERE WASN'T EASY. SOME OF US WALKED IN OUR FRESHMAN YEAR FULL OF DREAMS AND CONFIDENCE. OTHERS WALKED IN CARRYING HEAVY LOADS. ANXIETY, FEAR, SELF-DOUBT, OR FAMILY STRUGGLES. SOME OF US DIDN'T THINK WE'D MAKE IT THIS FAR, BUT HERE WE ARE. THAT ALONE. THAT'S STRANGE. EVERY SINGLE YEAR SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR, I PUT MYSELF OUT THERE AND I RAN FOR STUDENT GOVERNMENT, AND EVERY SINGLE YEAR I LOST. I GOT THE REGRET TO INFORM YOU EMAIL OR I DIDN'T HEAR MY NAME ON THE ANNOUNCEMENTS. IT STUNG. IT HURT, I FELT EMBARRASSED, AND I QUESTIONED MYSELF, AM I NOT ENOUGH? SHOULD I STOP TRYING? BUT SOMETHING IN MY HEAD SAID, NO, KEEP GOING. SO I CAME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN. JUNIOR YEAR, I FINALLY BECAME YOUR JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND THIS YEAR EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT. NOW, I'M NOT TELLING YOU THIS TO BRAG. I'M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND ONE THING. IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING, YOU CAN'T JUST WISH FOR IT. YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT. YOU MUST PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE EVEN WHEN IT'S SCARY, EVEN WHEN THE WORLD TELLS YOU NO. YOU HAVE ADVOCATES LIKE YOUR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, TEACHERS LIKE MISS CARPENTER AND MISS HOOKS TO PUSH YOU AND TO KEEP GOING. HOWEVER, WE ALSO NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR OURSELVES. TOO MANY OF US WANT THE WIN WITHOUT THE WOUNDS. BUT THE TRUTH IS, EVERY L I TOOK SHAPED ME INTO THE LEADER I BECAME. EVERY TIME I WAS KNOCKED
[00:05:01]
DOWN, I HAD TWO CHOICES. STAY THERE OR GET BACK UP. STRONGER, SMARTER. LOUDER. SEE, IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES LIFE SAYS NO. IT'S ABOUT HOW STRONG YOU COME BACK WHEN YOU SAY YES TO YOURSELF. MY MAIN MESSAGE TODAY IS LOST IN COMING BACK FOR EVERYTHING YOU WANT. THAT'S NOT JUST A PHRASE, IT'S A WHOLE LIFESTYLE. IT MEANS WHEN THE WORLD TRIES TO COUNT YOU OUT, YOU START COUNTING YOURSELF IN. WHEN THEY TRY TO BURY YOU, YOU REMEMBER YOU'RE A SEED. AS WE STEP INTO ADULTHOOD, LET'S BE REAL. LIFE IS GOING TO LIFE. BILLS, BREAKUPS, FAILURES, MOMENTS THAT WILL TEST US LIKE NEVER BEFORE. BUT PLEASE, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST. DO THE BUILDING, DO THE DREAMING, DO THE HEALING AND DO THE PRAYING. BECAUSE WHEN THE STORM PASSES AND IT WILL, YOU'LL LOOK AROUND AND YOU'LL SEE EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU LOST. IS NOW EVERYTHING YOU'VE BUILT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE PERSISTENT. YOU JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU'RE BECOMING. YOU MAY FEEL LOST SOMETIMES. YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOUR LIGHT IS DIMMING. BUT NEVER FORGET. YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK. AND WHEN YOU DO COME BACK FOR EVERYTHING, COME BACK FOR THE DREAMS THEY SAID WERE TOO BIG. COME BACK FOR THE SPACES THEY SAID WEREN'T MADE FOR YOU. AND COME BACK FOR THE LIFE YOU KNOW YOU DESERVE. CLASS OF 2025. THIS IS NOT THE END. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR COMEBACK SEASON. KEEP YOUR HEADS HIGH, YOUR HEART FULL, AND YOUR MINDSET UNSHAKABLE. AND WHEN LIFE KNOCKS YOU DOWN. DON'T JUST GET BACK UP, GET BACK UP BETTER. CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025. GO GET EVERYTHING THAT HAS YOUR NAME ON.ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025. AS I CONCLUDE MY WELCOME, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND OUR COMMUNITY THAT ALL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, JUNE 19TH AND CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH, AS WELL AS THE WEEK OF JUNE 30TH THROUGH JULY 4TH. IN CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY. BOTH FEDERAL FEDERAL HOLIDAYS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE FOR THAT. AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM FOR THAT WONDERFUL VIDEO. IT WAS SO INSPIRING. I FELT LIKE I WAS RIGHT BACK THERE AT THOSE GREAT CEREMONIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON
[D. INSPIRATION]
TO D INSPIRATION. DOCTOR PACE, WHAT'S OUR INSPIRATION THIS EVENING? YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE INSPIRATION TONIGHT COMING BY WAY OF LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL. WE WILL HAVE A DUET FROM MORGAN BURNS AND CHELSEA MAXWELL. GET READY TO BE INSPIRED. THEY WILL PERFORM A DUET ON CLARINET AND FLUTE. THE SONG HALO BLENDING A TALENT, BLENDING TALENT, EMOTION, HARMONY. THEIR PERFORMANCE IS A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER OF THE POWER OF MUSIC TO UPLIFT AND CONNECT US ALL. SO AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR PERFORMERS TO THE FRONT, TO THE LIGHTS AND TO THE BRIGHTS. MORGAN BURNS AND CHELSEA MAXWELL.[00:12:09]
LET'S GIVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR MUSICIANS. MORGAN BURNS SHAQUILLE MAXWELL, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KENYANYA CURSE CHORUS TEACHER AND COURTLAND SMOOT, BAND DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL MISS BRANDY HARTNETT. LET'S GIVE THEM ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INSPIRATION. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. THAT[E. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS]
WAS INCREDIBLE. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. AND I SEE WE HAVE QUITE A FEW THIS EVENING, DOCTOR PACE. YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS, AND I WOULD LOVE TO ASK OUR BOARD TO JOIN. JOIN ME UP FRONT AS WE PRESENT OUR MANY AWARD AWARDEES.WELCOME TO EVERYONE. JOINING US TONIGHT. I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, KYLE SEARS AND WILL BE FACILITATING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. THIS EVENING. WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING EXCEPTIONAL WORK BY STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND LEADERS WHO HELP TO SET AND MAINTAIN THE CONDITIONS FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING HERE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. UP FIRST THIS EVENING, WILLIAM HANNA FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL EARNED THE STATEWIDE POSITIVE ATHLETE AWARD FOR ADAPTED SPORTS. HE WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE OF HOW POSITIVE ATHLETES OPERATE, WHICH STANDS FOR OPTIMISTIC PUTS TEAM FIRST, ENCOURAGING, RESPECTFUL ADMITS, IMPERFECTIONS, TRUE HEART FOR OTHERS, AND EMBRACES SERVICE. WILLIAM WAS SELECTED AMONGST A FIELD OF MORE THAN 6400 NOMINATIONS, REPRESENTING 440 HIGH SCHOOLS. CONGRATULATIONS, WILLIAM. UP NEXT, WE RECOGNIZE ONE OF THE WORLD'S PREMIER VEX ROBOTICS TEAM, WHICH ORIGINATES FROM RIGHT HERE IN HENRY COUNTY. SCHOOLS. OLA HIGH SCHOOL'S GREMLIN ROBOTICS TEAM EARNED THE COVETED EXCELLENCE AWARD AT THE VEX ROBOTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS HELD IN MAY IN DALLAS, TEXAS.
THE EXCELLENCE AWARD IS VEX ROBOTICS HIGHEST HONOR EARNED AMONGST A FIELD OF 800 OF THE WORLD'S TOP TEAMS. THIS REMARKABLE SUCCESS CAME ON THE HEELS OF BEING NAMED TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS AT THE GEORGIA VEX ROBOTICS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FEBRUARY, WHERE THE TEAM RECEIVED THAT COMPETITION'S EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR. LED BY COACH
[00:15:02]
CHRISTY SMITH, TIM TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE SIX EXCEPTIONAL GRADUATES IN THE CLASS OF 2025 JAYLA BROWN, SEBASTIAN SEDANO, CONNOR MIDDLEBROOKS, MACKENZIE MIDDLEBROOKS, DUSTIN BOYETTE, AND CARSON SMITH.THE. NEXT, WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THREE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETES WHO WON INDIVIDUAL TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THIS YEAR'S GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION STATE MEET. FIRST UP, THE STATE CHAMPION IN THE CLASS FOR A 300 HURDLES REPRESENTING LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL ANGELINA WILLIAMS. CAN'T KEEP UP WITH EVERYBODY.
YEAH, I KNOW, SO. HERE. NEXT THE STATE CHAMPION IN CLASS THREE A SHOT PUT REPRESENTING LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL JASMINE BAXTER.
AND THE STATE CHAMPION IN THE CLASS FOUR, A 200 METER DASH REPRESENTING STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL KAITLYN STRONG.
AND. UP NEXT, WE CONGRATULATE THE FOLLOWING STUDENT ATHLETES WHO WERE SPRING SPORTS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGIONS. UP FIRST THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR, REPRESENTING EAGLE'S LANDING HIGH SCHOOL ZACH LI FENG. NEXT FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR LIAM COLLIER.
SCHOOL. FOR ONE SECOND, ALSO FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION TWO QUAD-A GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR NAYELI BONILLA ANDRADE. NEXT FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION 538 GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR ISABEL MARTINEZ.
[00:20:11]
ALSO FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION FIVE THREE, EIGHT GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR ALAYNA FULLER.ALSO FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION FIVE THREE, EIGHT BASEBALL CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR MILES GAMBLE. DON'T WORRY.
WE DON'T WANT YOU TO STAY OUT HERE. AND FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BOYS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR BRAYLAN SEATS.
TO. NEXT. WE CONGRATULATE THE FOLLOWING STAFF MEMBERS WHO WERE SPRING SPORTS COACHES OF THE YEAR IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGIONS. FIRST, THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BOYS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING EAGLE'S LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, TOMBO BERETTI. NEXT THE REGION TWO QUAD-A GIRLS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL CATHERINE LAMBERT.
FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION FIVE THREE-A GIRLS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR JAMES ROBERTS.
ALSO FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION 538 GIRLS TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR APRIL LAKE.
ALSO FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION 53A BASEBALL COACH OF THE YEAR JONATHAN ROSS.
AND THE. THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BASEBALL COACH OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING OLA HIGH SCHOOL MICKEY MOODY. THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BOYS TRACK AND FIELD COACH OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL ERIC DOHERTY. THE.
[00:25:23]
ALSO FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION TWO QUAD-A BOYS TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR DALE YOUMANS. AND THE REGION TWO QUAD-A GIRLS TRACK COACH OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL BRANDON THOMPSON. FINALLY THIS EVENING CREATED FOR K-12 CLASSROOM SCIENCE TEACHERS IN URBAN SETTINGS, THE SHELL URBAN SCIENCE EDUCATORS DEVELOPMENT AWARD IS DESIGNED TO HELP STRENGTHEN QUALITY SCIENCE TEACHING AND ENHANCE TEACHER CONTENT KNOWLEDGE. THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES THE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND STELLAR SCIENCE TEACHING OF THESE EDUCATORS.ONLY SEVEN EDUCATORS WERE CHOSEN FOR THIS AWARD NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS OWN DOCTOR CEDRIC EVANS, SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR AT HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONS, DOCTOR EVANS.
DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENING IN CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION OF EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOMES BY OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND LEADERS.
ALL RIGHT. IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL TO GET TO RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF
[F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 12, 2025]
OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF, AND WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO F THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MAY 12TH, 2025 FOR MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MAY 5TH MAY 12TH, 2025? THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, DOCTOR NUTT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO MINUTES ARE APPROVED. WE[G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION]
WILL NOW MOVE TO G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING, MADAM CHAIR? YES, WE DO HAVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN, MISS RIDDLE, FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. 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 K12, 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. 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 THEY SIGNED UP UNTIL THE LAST SPEAKER IS CALLED. THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER, ALICIA CURRY. AS YOU APPROACH MISS CURRY, PLEASE JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE GREEN LIGHT AT THE BASE OF THE MICROPHONE IS TURNED
[00:30:02]
ON SO THAT WE CAN ALL HEAR YOU. THANK YOU. SO GOOD EVENING. BOARD. MY NAME IS ALICIA CURRY AND I AM THE PARENT OF AN EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATE OF DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I'M ALSO A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR WITH OVER 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER'S TRANSITION INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES WE'VE FACED. WE RELOCATED FROM MICHIGAN AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, ENTERING A COMPLETELY NEW SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND FROM DAY ONE, I REACHED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES ASKING FOR SUPPORT AND RAISING CONCERNS. DUE TO THE DIFFICULT ADJUSTMENT.WHEN MY DAUGHTER BEGAN HAVING ANXIETY ATTACKS, I IMMEDIATELY CONSULTED WITH HER DOCTOR AND AFTER SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS, SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ANXIETY AND ADJUSTMENT DISORDER. TWO MONTHS INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR AND I REQUESTED A 504. THOSE REQUESTS WERE IGNORED. A 504 COULD HAVE MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN HOW SHE WAS SUPPORTED, ESPECIALLY DURING HER HIGH STRESS TESTING PERIODS AND A CLASSROOM INSTABILITY. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, I RECEIVED MINIMAL SUPPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION. EVERY EMAIL HAD TO BE FOLLOWED UP 3 OR 4 TIMES JUST TO GET A RESPONSE. IF ONE CAME AT ALL. MEANWHILE, HER CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT WAS UNSTABLE, PARTICULARLY IN ONE OF HER HONORS CLASSES. WHERE WE HAD AN INSTRUCTOR WALK OUT OF THE CLASS SEVERAL TIMES, DECLARING IN FRONT OF STUDENTS THAT THEY WERE QUITTING. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABSENT QUITE A FEW DUE TO ANXIETY AND FATIGUE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, HER GRADES DROPPED DRAMATICALLY THIS YEAR, NOT BECAUSE OF HER ABILITY, BUT BECAUSE SHE WAS PLACED IN AN UNABLE, I MEAN UNSTABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT PROPER SUPPORT. AND I'M TRYING TO GO THROUGH THIS FAST BECAUSE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT MY DAUGHTER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE BEING AFFECTED. I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL PARENTS WHO'VE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FEELING DISMISSED, UNSUPPORTED AND UNSURE WHERE TO TURN WHEN WE HAD QUESTIONS. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE STUDENT. IT'S A PATTERN THAT RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS AND BEYOND ACADEMICS, BASIC NEEDS ARE BEING IGNORED. THE STUDENT BATHROOMS ARE IN POOR CONDITION, SOMETHING I PERSONALLY COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO STAFF MEMBERS AND WAS TOLD WE KNOW THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT ALL. MY DAUGHTER MISSED SCHOOL MULTIPLE TIMES DURING HER CYCLE BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T FEEL CLEAN OR SAFE USING THE RESTROOMS. THIS IS A MATTER OF DIGNITY, SAFETY, AND EQUITY. I HAVE QUESTIONS, BUT I GAVE THOSE QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, TO SOMEONE AT THE BEGINNING. BUT I'M FORMALLY REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON MEETING, ESPECIALLY FOR HONORS CLASS THAT SHE TOOK, AND I WANT TO KNOW OPTIONS MOVING FORWARD, WHAT WE CAN DO TO HER. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE UNDERSTAND THAT HONORS GRADES, TRANSFER TO HIGH SCHOOL AND WITH THE GRADES THAT SHE HAVE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE UNACCEPTABLE TO GO. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MISS CURRY. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR THIS EVENING.
AND I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. RIDDLE. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. AND I TURN THE AGENDA BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE.
[H. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)]
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. AND IT WAS DETERMINED AT OUR STUDY SESSION AT 4:00 THIS AFTERNOON THAT ITEMS H ONE AND THREE THROUGH SEVEN WOULD BE ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA. IF YOU MISSED THAT MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, I WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND HEAR THE RICH DIALOG AROUND EACH OF THESE AGENDA ITEMS. BUT CAN I HAVE A MOTION NOW, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS H13 THROUGH SEVEN H. EXCUSE ME, H ONE AND THREE THROUGH SEVEN. MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA ITEMS H ONE THREE THROUGH SEVEN. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO. THE CONSENT[H.2. HCBOE Collective Commitment to Code of Ethics (Policy BH) and GSBA Georgia State Standards for Effective School Boards]
AGENDA IS APPROVED. CAN I HAVE A MOTION NOW, PLEASE TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM H TWO, THE COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO THE CODE OF ETHICS AND GSBA GEORGIA STATE STANDARDS FOR EFFECTIVE SCHOOL BOARDS. MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ITEM H TWO, THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION'S COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO THE CODE OF ETHICS AND GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATIONS, STATE STANDARDS FOR EFFECTIVE SCHOOL BOARDS. THANK YOU. MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE[H.8. Personnel]
ZERO. THE MOTION PASSES. OKAY. CAN I HAVE A MOTION NOW, PLEASE, TO APPROVE H EIGHT PERSONNEL.MADAM CHAIR, MAKE A MOTION. WE APPROVE. ITEM H EIGHT PERSONNEL. THANK YOU. MR. MCDANIEL. IS
[00:35:02]
THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, DOCTOR NUTT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE[I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS]
ZERO PERSONNEL IS APPROVED. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO I, OUR BOARD SUPERINTENDENT, CLOSING REMARKS FOR THE EVENING. MISS CARTER, DO YOU WANT TO START US OFF THIS EVENING? FIRST OFF, I WANT TO JUST WELCOME EVERYBODY TO MY FIRST SUMMER BOARD MEETING. I'M SO EXCITED TO FINISH OUT MY SIXTH MONTH WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I WANT TO START OUT CONGRATULATING EAST LAKE ELEMENTARY, UNION GROVE MIDDLE, AND UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, WHO WERE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED FOR THE HIGHEST OVERALL ATTENDANCE RATE BY GRADE BAND FOR 2425 SCHOOL YEAR. AND I ALSO WANT TO JUST THANK DOCTOR PACE FOR ALLOWING ME TO ATTEND MY FIRST GSB CONFERENCE. JUST CAME BACK FROM FRESH THIS WEEKEND IN SAVANNAH. IT WAS SUPER GREAT AND WELL ATTENDED, AND I LEARNED LOTS OF INFORMATION THAT I'M EXCITED TO SHARE WITH THE BOARD. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I HOPE YOU ALL CONTINUE TO ENJOY YOUR SUMMER. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS CARTER. MR. MCDANIEL, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND GOOD EVENING TO EVERYONE. JUST REAL QUICKLY FROM DISTRICT FIVE, I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL'S ZION AND ZAYDEN GREEN. THEIR BROTHERS AND BOTH OF THEM WILL BE ATTENDING SHAWNEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THEY ALSO PLAYED BASKETBALL TOGETHER. CONGRATULATION TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL'S THADDEUS THADDEUS FAMBRO, WHO IS SIX FOOT NINE AND HE IS THE YEAH, SIX FOOT NINE, AND HE'S THE ALL TIME SCHOOL LEADER IN BLOCKS. AND HE'LL BE ATTENDING BISHOP STATE IN ALABAMA. CONGRATULATIONS TO LOUELLA LYONS. ARIELLE COLLINS ON BECOMING A STATE RUNNER UP IN. A3A GIRLS WOMEN'S GOLF.CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL'S HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER, MISS KIM NARDI. IF I MISPRONOUNCE YOUR NAME, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. AND BECOMING ONE OF 20 IN THE NATION WHO WHO IS NOW A CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY SPECIALIST, ONE OUT OF 20 ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN THE NATION WHO IS NOW A CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY SPECIALIST, RECEIVING HER CERTIFICATION THROUGH THE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. CONGRATULATIONS TO DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL'S TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, DUTCHTOWN VARSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER, DISTRICT NOMINEE FOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, AND DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETIC ADVISORY COUNCIL CERTIFICATE. MISTER LEMMON FROM DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, AND IN CLOSING, CONGRATULATIONS. DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL'S CLASS OF 2025 FOR RECEIVING OVER $18.3 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS MINUS HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY HIGHER THAN THAT. BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TO THAT CLASS FOR OVER $18 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR ALLOWING ME TO ATTEND THE GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, MY FIFTH YEAR SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD IN MY FIFTH YEAR AS SERVING AS A DELEGATE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TRUST AND FAITH AND CONFIDENCE IN ME, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF OUR SUMMER AND FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. SO THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. MISS EDWARDS HERE, AND GOOD EVENING. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT DISTRICT TWO, AND I START OFF BY READING THAT AT THE REGULAR COMMISSIONERS MEETING ON MAY 28TH, THE HENDRY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION TO THE STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL HONOR CHOIR FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY. ALSO, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE AWARDEES THIS EVENING FOR JOBS WELL DONE AND I WANT TO SAY TO YOU ALL, HAVE A WONDERFUL, RESTFUL SUMMER AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THAT'S ENOUGH. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS EDWARDS. DOCTOR ANNETTE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND THIS IS FROM DISTRICT ONE. CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS FELICIA EDWARDS, WHO IS THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR LOCUST GROVE ELEMENTARY, AND MISS JACQUELINE LITTLE, WHOSE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL OF THE YEAR AT LOCUST GROVE ELEMENTARY. LOCUST GROVE ELEMENTARY ALSO EXCEEDED THE STATE YEAR 2420 5CIP GOAL OF 70% OF WHICH MEANS THE FIRST GRADE READERS ARE READING ON OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL. GOOD JOB! LUKAS GRAHAM AND LOCUST GROVE ELEMENTARY ALSO SHOWED DOUBLE DIGIT GAINS FOR THE 2025 SPRING GMAS IN THE THIRD GRADE MATH AND FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE, AND INCREASED IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN FIVE OUT OF SEVEN OF THE CONTENT AREAS. GOOD JOB.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS BRANDY NEAL OF MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL FOR BEING ONE OF THE TEN STATE FINALISTS FOR THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS NOT NAMED THE STATE TEACHER OF THE
[00:40:05]
YEAR. SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB. SO CONGRATULATIONS, MISS NEAL. WE'RE PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU TO LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL FOR SHARING THEIR TED TALKS DURING THE STAFF DEVELOPMENT. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOU. AND I HAD A NOTE FROM FERN AND CLYDE. IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, THEY'RE FROM UNITY GROVE. THEY ARE THE PIG AND THE GOAT. AND THEY SAID, DON'T FORGET THEM THIS SUMMER.PLEASE SEND CARROTS AND APPLES. SO DON'T FORGET CLYDE AND FERN AT UNITY GROVE ELEMENTARY. THE PIG? YES. AND ALSO, IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE A STUDENT IN UNION GROVE, EAGLE'S LANDING HIGH AND LUELLA HIGH IS WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. WE'D LIKE TO SHARE TO THE FAMILY OF GORDON BAKER.
DOCTOR BAKER OPENED UP THE SCHOOLS IN THE VERY BEGINNING. HE WAS THE MEDIA SPECIALIST THERE AT UNION GROVE, LOCUST GROVE, I MEAN, EAGLE'S LANDING AND LUELLA HIGH SCHOOLS. GORDON GORDON BAKER ALSO WAS THE INSTRUCTIONAL AND MEDIA SPECIALIST DIRECTOR FOR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMS. HE WENT ON TO BE THE DEAN OF MEDIA SERVICES AT CLAYTON STATE COLLEGE. AND SO WE'D LIKE TO SEND OUR SYMPATHIES TO DOCTOR BAKER'S FAMILY AND NO INFORMATION ON SERVICES AT THIS TIME. BUT OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY IS WITH HIM. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR DISTRICT ONE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND JULY 31ST IS WE COME BACK FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, Y'ALL. IT'S RIGHT HERE, SO YOU BETTER ENJOY IT. JUST TELLING. JUST SAYING THANK YOU DOCTOR. DOCTOR PACE THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FROM WHEN THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON PERSONNEL. THIS IS FROM THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON MAY 27TH. AS WELL AS TONIGHT'S MEETING. WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY RECOGNIZING MRS. SUMMER COX, WHO WILL NOW BE THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF STAFF AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS. I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE BY RECOGNIZING MR. ANTONIO MATTOX, WHO IS NOW THE CHIEF OF LEADERSHIP SERVICES. OKAY. WE CAN CLAP. CLAP. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MISS SHANNON ELLIS AS THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SUPPORT SERVICES. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE CHRISTA HAWK AS THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE NICOLE SHAW AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND LEADERSHIP SERVICES. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE BETTINA BRYANT, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE TERRY DUNLAP, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF LOCUST GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE KHADIJAH FOSTER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT PLEASANT GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE REBA RICKS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT WALNUT CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE JAMILA OWENS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT OLA HIGH SCHOOL.
I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THOMAS STANLEY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT OLA HIGH SCHOOL. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE LASHAWNA WALDEN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT TIMBER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MICHAEL WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL. AND WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE FRED LATCHER, DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES.
CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN YOUR NEW ROLES IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY CLOSING REMARKS. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT BRODY CUNNINGHAM, WHO WAS THE OVERALL WINNER FOR THE ASSOCIATION FOR MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION SOUND OFF WRITING
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COMPETITION. WITH OVER 1000 SUBMISSIONS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, BRODY WILL BE RECOGNIZED ON THE MAIN STAGE AT THE AM 25 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN INDIANAPOLIS. SO CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING US SO WELL. BRODY. I ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING THE GSBA CONFERENCE THIS PAST WEEKEND, AND IT'S ALWAYS JUST SUCH A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND COLLEAGUES FROM AROUND THE STATE AND JUST BE ENCOURAGED TO DO MORE AND TO DO BETTER FOR KIDS. IT WAS SO INSPIRING TO HEAR THE STUDENT SPEAKER SATURDAY MORNING WHO TALKED ABOUT STANDING IN LINE WITH HER MOM TO BE ONE OF THE 22 STUDENTS ALLOWED INTO THE STATE FUNDED PRE-K PROGRAM. AND SHE GOT IN. AND HER MOM STILL SAYS TO THIS DAY THAT SHE WON THE LOTTERY. SO IT WAS JUST A REMINDER OF THE POWER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. THIS GIRL MADE US ALL FEEL ABOUT THIS BIG. SHE WAS PHENOMENAL IN. HER ACCOLADES WERE NEVER ENDING, BUT IT WAS JUST REALLY INSPIRING.AND I ALSO THINK THAT WE NEED SOME KIND OF PROCESS IN PLACE THAT PROHIBITS TALK ABOUT THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN JUNE FROM THE BOARD MEETING, SO WE'LL WORK ON THAT FOR THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.
BUT I ALSO JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TONIGHT IS MR. REGGIE JORDAN'S LAST NIGHT WITH US IN THIS ROOM.
THREE, THREE THREE, THREE. THAT'S RIGHT. BUT REGGIE, THANK YOU FOR JUST THANK YOU FOR MAKING US LOOK GOOD. AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS JUST BEING SUCH A BEACON OF LIGHT AND JOY IN THIS ROOM AND EVERYWHERE THAT YOU POP UP AROUND THE DISTRICT. BUT HE'S NOT GOING FAR. HE WILL BE AT WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, SO THEY ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU JOINING THEIR TEAM, BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS YOU IN HERE. AND WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD, I WILL ADJOURN OUR MEETING AT
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.