[00:00:05]
GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO THIS STUDY SESSION OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. IN ORDER TO ENSURE A 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, SO I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CHAIR. WELL GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS RIDDLE, AND WELCOME EVERYONE. I WOULD LIKE TO NOW CALL TO ORDER THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING, THE STUDY SESSION OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON JULY 14TH AT 4:00 PM. AND I WILL
[B. SUPERINTENDENT'S WELCOME]
BEGIN BY TURNING IT OVER TO DOCTOR PACE FOR HIS WELCOME. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND OUR COMMUNITY, WELCOME TO THE JULY MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. AS WE OPEN TODAY'S MEETING, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE PASSING OF STAFF MEMBERS AT UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL AND WESLEY LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.THANK YOU. WELL, IT SEEMS JUST LIKE A FEW DAYS AGO THAT WE WERE SHARING HUGS, HIGH FIVES, AND WAVING GOODBYE TO BUSLOADS OF STUDENTS AS WE CELEBRATED THE CONCLUSION OF THE 20 2425 SCHOOL YEAR. NOW HERE WE ARE, JUST 17 DAYS FROM THE START OF THE 2025 2026 SCHOOL YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY APPRECIATION TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, LEADERS AND FAMILIES FOR THEIR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP TO MAKE STUDENT SUCCESS A PRIORITY EVERY DAY ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, LEARNING HAS CONTINUED IN HCS THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS OUR SUMMER STEM CAMPS, SUMMER BRIDGE, AND CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAMS. I WAS PLEASED TO WITNESS FIRSTHAND OUR STUDENTS EAGERNESS TO LEARN AS A RESULT OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTENDED LEARNING. JUST AS LEARNING NEVER STOPS FOR OUR STUDENTS, LEARNING NEVER STOPS FOR OUR EDUCATORS. OVER THE SUMMER, OUR TEACHERS AND LEADERS PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING OUR SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, OUR SUMMER LITERACY SUMMIT, AND THE KICKOFF OF THIS YEAR'S ALLIANCE OF TEACHER LEADERS COHORT. LATER THIS WEEK, WE WILL WELCOME AND CELEBRATE CLOSE TO 500 NEW TEACHERS THROUGH THE DISTRICT'S ORIENTATION FOR NEW EDUCATORS PROGRAM. I'D LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHO WILL GATHER TOMORROW MORNING FOR THE ANNUAL TRADITION OF PACKING GIFT BAGS FOR OUR NEW TEACHERS AND FURTHER SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. THE HENRY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION WELCOMED DONATIONS OF CLASSROOM SUPPLIES AT SIX SITES ACROSS THE COUNTY FOR ITS INAUGURAL STUFF THE BUS EVENT ON JUNE 21ST. WE THANK OUR COMMUNITY FOR PARTNERING WITH US TO ADVANCE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN HENRY COUNTY AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEGIN DISTRIBUTING THESE RESOURCES AT OUR ORIENTATION FOR NEW EDUCATORS. OUR COMMITMENT TO A HIGH QUALITY, WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT DOES NOT TAKE THE SUMMER OFF, AND OUR DISTRICT AND SCHOOL TEAMS ARE FULLY IMMERSED IN THE WORK TO ENSURE A PRODUCTIVE 20 2526 SCHOOL YEAR, ENSURING WE ARE READY DAY ONE ON JULY 31ST AND BEYOND. WE INVITE OUR FAMILIES TO CONTINUE PARTNERING WITH US ON PRIORITIES SUCH AS READING AND ATTENDANCE, SO THAT EVERY CHILD CAN TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE PROMISE THAT BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN IN HCS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, FOR THAT. WELCOME. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR BOARD MEMBER ITEMS. AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE THIS EVENING. THANKS TO SOME GREAT
[C. Board Member Items]
OPPORTUNITIES, OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS HAD TO BE TOGETHER. SO WE WILL BEGIN WITH ITEM C1 AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MISS CARTER. I WAS HONORED TO REPRESENT THE BOARD ALONGSIDE DOCTOR PACE AND MR. MCDANIEL, AND MISS POPE AT THE GSB CONFERENCE IN JUNE HELD IN SAVANNAH. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES THAT I GOT TO MEET BACK IN THE FALL. AT THE NEW BOARD ORIENTATION, I ATTENDED THE CELL PHONE POLICY BREAKOUT SESSION LED BY ANOTHER DISTRICT IN OUR STATE, AND IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR THAT THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING THE SAME POLICIES AS US AND LISTENING IN ON HOW THAT WORKED AND DIDN'T WORK FOR THEM, AND THINGS THEY MIGHT SUGGEST FOR OTHER DISTRICTS. I LOVE THAT GSB GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF LEARN FROM OTHER DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE. GSB REALLY DOES PUT ON A GREAT CONFERENCE FOR[00:05:02]
ALL OF US TO ATTEND. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR THIS AMAZING EXPERIENCE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING MORE OPPORTUNITIES ON WORKING TOGETHER AND CONTINUING THE GREAT WORK FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND MAKING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS SUCCESSFUL. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS CARTER. IT IS ALWAYS SO WONDERFUL TO BE AROUND ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES AND OUR COUNTERPARTS FROM AROUND THE STATE. IT REALLY IS VERY INFORMATIVE AND VERY FRUITFUL.SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT REPORT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM C TWO, WHICH IS OUR WHOLE BOARD TRAINING REPORT. AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MISS EDWARDS. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND GOOD EVENING. AND I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU A WHOLE LOT, A WHOLE LOT ABOUT OUR WHOLE BOARD TRAINING, BECAUSE WHY MOST OF YOU WERE THERE AND YOU NOTICED THAT WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME, BUT IT WAS HELD. THE WHOLE BOARD TRAINING WAS HELD ON JUNE 24TH, AND IT KICKED OFF THE START OF OUR PLANNING FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION. THE FACILITATORS WERE DOCTOR STEVE BAKER AND MISS LYNETTE LANITA JACKSON FROM GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION. AND FOR SOME REASON, GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION JUST KEEPS COMING UP. THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB. THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MODEL INCLUDED FIVE QUESTIONS WHO ARE WE? WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO? HOW WILL WE KNOW WHEN WE ARRIVE, AND HOW DO WE PLAN TO GET THERE? ALSO, THERE WAS A SWOT ANALYSIS INTRODUCED FOR DISCUSSION WHERE WE HAD TO LIST OUR STRENGTHS, OUR WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS. THE SWOT ANALYSIS WAS AN INTERESTING PART OF THE TRAINING SESSION BECAUSE WHEN THEY TOLD US WE HAD TO LIST THOSE ITEMS, OUR STRENGTHS, OUR WEAKNESSES, OUR OPPORTUNITIES AND OUR THREATS. YOU KNOW, I GOT TO THINKING WE DON'T HAVE ANY WEAKNESSES. YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE GOOD, WE'RE GOOD. BUT ONCE WE GOT STARTED, YOU ALL NOTICED THAT WE KEPT THROWING OUT SUGGESTIONS AS TO OUR THREATS, OUR STRENGTHS, OUR WEAKNESSES AND OUR OPPORTUNITIES. AND DOCTOR BAKER KEPT GOING FROM SHEET TO SHEET, TRYING TO ADD WHAT WHAT WE WERE SAYING. BUT OVERALL I'LL GIVE THEM AN A BECAUSE WE HAD A FANTASTIC TIME. AND YOU ALL KNOW BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS EDWARDS. AND JUST TO ADD TO THAT, THE AFTERNOON SESSION, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AS A FAIRLY NEW GOVERNANCE TEAM, OUR NORMS AND PROTOCOLS, WHICH IS JUST THE AGREEMENT IN WHICH WE AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM. IT IS SO WONDERFUL THAT OUR BOARD HAS SUCH STRONG NORMS AND PROTOCOLS IN PLACE, AND IT REALLY DOES JUST HELP INFORM US AND INFORM THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH AS TO HOW WE WILL GOVERN AND THE RULES AND THE GUIDELINES AND THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR GOVERNANCE. SO IT'S ALWAYS A FRUITFUL TIME TOGETHER, AND IT WAS JUST A GOOD REMINDER OF HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO HAVE THE GOVERNANCE TEAM THAT WE HAVE. SO I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR MY COLLEAGUES ON THIS BOARD AND DOCTOR PACE. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEXT TIME BEING TOGETHER IN THAT SETTING. BUT THAT WILL WRAP UP OUR WHOLE
[D. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS]
BOARD TRAINING REPORT, AND WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AFTERNOON. WE WILL BEGIN TODAY WITH ITEM D1A DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR OUR FIRST INFORMATIONAL ITEM, I'D LIKE TO INVITE DOCTOR JOHNSON, OUR CHIEF LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OFFICER, TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL DOCTOR JOHNSON. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON, I'M EXCITED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL. YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIZES STEM OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION AND ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR POST-SECONDARY PATH, AS WELL AS THEIR HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS HERE WITHIN HURON COUNTY SCHOOLS. THIS PRESENTATION DIRECTLY ALIGNS TO STRATEGIC ACTION ONE, INITIATIVE THREE, TACTIC FIVE, WHICH CALLS FOR THE OPENING OF A STANDALONE STEM HIGH SCHOOL THAT OFFERS ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMING. TODAY'S REPORT WILL FOCUS ON ONE OF THE MANY OPTIONS OF OUR STUDENTS. FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR UPCOMING STEM HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH WILL OPERATE AS A TRADITIONAL FACE TO FACE HIGH SCHOOL AND WILL SERVE AS STUDENTS DESIGNATED HIGH SCHOOL.I WILL SHARE THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL'S DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY INSIGHT ON THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE, INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ADMISSION AND LOTTERY PROCESS, AND CONCLUDE WITH NEXT STEPS. THE MAIN TAKEAWAY OF THE REPORT IS THAT THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE THE IDEAL SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO PURSUING FUTURE CAREERS IN FIELDS SUCH AS ENGINEERING, MEDICINE, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AVIONICS. IT WILL BE A VALUABLE ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY'S EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING MORE INFORMATION AS WE
[00:10:02]
APPROACH THIS OPENING IN ONLY TWO YEARS. OUR INTERNAL TEAM, IN CONSULTATION WITH EXTERNAL ADVISORS, HAVE WORKED WITH EXTREME INTENTION TO DESIGN LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT WILL UNIQUELY PREPARE STUDENTS TO EXCEL WITHIN THE STEM DISCIPLINES WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PERSONS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN, THEIR TEAMS, AND THE COUNTLESS OTHER VOICES THAT HAVE PROVIDED INPUT IN SUPPORT OF THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL. THIS TIMELINE SHOWCASES THE EXTENSIVE PLANNING AND DILIGENCE THAT HAS GONE INTO THE CREATION OF OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL, AS SHOWN HERE. THE JOURNEY BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2019 BY GATHERING INPUT AND FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY, AND HAS CONTINUED WITH THE RECENT SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO INCLUDE SEVERAL FEATURES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE. AN IMPRESSIVE THREE STORY MAIN ENTRANCE WILL HOUSE THE CORE ACADEMIC CLASSROOMS AND WILL BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO A VERSATILE COURTYARD. THIS DESIGN WILL CREATE A VIBRANT, COLLABORATIVE HUB FOR STUDENT LIFE AND LEARNING. MOVING BEYOND TRADITIONAL CLASSROOMS. THE REAR OF THE SCHOOL WERE FEATURED THREE DISTINCT SINGLE STORY WINGS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR EACH OF THE CAREER PATHWAYS. THIS UNIVERSITY INSPIRED LAYOUT FOSTERS A STRONG SENSE OF IDENTITY AND FOCUS, WITH EACH WITHIN EACH SPECIALIZED PROGRAM.ANOTHER KEY DISTINGUISHING FEATURE IS THE INCLUSION OF GARAGE STYLE DOORS IN EACH OF THE TECHNOLOGY WINGS. THIS WILL PROVIDE DIRECT DRIVE UP ACCESS TO THE LABS, ALLOWING FOR THE SEAMLESS LOADING AND UNLOADING OF LARGE SCALE PROJECTS SUCH AS COMPETITION ROBOTS, SOLAR POWERED VEHICLES AND AEROSPACE MODELS. THIS UNIQUE FEATURE DIRECTLY SUPPORTS HANDS ON, PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND WILL FACILITATE PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS AND SHOWCASES. THE CORNERSTONE OF THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL'S UNIQUE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WILL BE ITS SPECIALIZED PATHWAYS. STUDENTS WILL DELVE INTO IN-DEPTH STUDY IN AREAS CRITICAL FOR FUTURE STEM CAREERS. AEROSPACE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN ENERGY. WHEN STUDENTS APPLY TO THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL, THEY WILL DESIGNATE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INTERESTS. AND WHILE WE WILL STRIVE TO ACCOMMODATE PREFERENCES, THE SPECIALIZED CURRICULUM MEANS PATHWAY CHANGES WILL BE LIMITED.
POST ADMISSION WHILE THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL WILL OFFER SPECIALIZED PATHWAYS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REITERATE THAT THIS BOARD HAS MADE INVESTMENTS TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO ENGAGE IN STEM EXPERIENCES. THESE PATHWAYS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RIGOROUS ACADEMIC CHALLENGES BY INTEGRATING REQUIRED AP COURSES AND PREPARING STUDENTS FOR UNIVERSITY LEVEL RESEARCH AND INDUSTRY DEMANDS. THIS CHART SHOWS PROPOSED COURSES TO PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF THE ACADEMIC RIGOR STUDENTS WILL ENGAGE IN. HOWEVER, COLLABORATION AMONG OUR STEM DEPARTMENT ADVISORY MEMBERS AND FUTURE PRINCIPAL WILL OCCUR TO MAKE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF COURSEWORK REGARDLESS OF THE CHOSEN PATHWAY. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE COMMON COURSES IN AREAS SUCH AS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ENGINEERING AND ADVANCED PHYSICS AND ROBOTICS. WE WILL ALSO OFFER A RANGE OF ELECTIVES, OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE AND TO COMPLETE PROJECTS AND WORLD LANGUAGES TO ENSURE A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION. WHILE FOCUSED ON STEM, WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A HOLISTIC STUDENT EXPERIENCE. THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL WILL OFFER A ROBUST FINE ARTS PROGRAM INCLUDING ORCHESTRA, MUSICAL THEATER, CHORUS, AND VISUAL ARTS FOR ATHLETICS. WE WILL FOCUS ON ESPORTS RECOGNIZING ITS GROWING IMPORTANCE IN STEM FIELDS. THE SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS INTRAMURAL SPORTS BASED ON STUDENT INTERESTS, WHICH WILL FOSTER TEAMWORK AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
IN REGARD TO THE DRESS CODE, STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL WILL WEAR A SCHOOL UNIFORM. THE UNIFORM WILL SUPPORT SAFETY AND ALLOW FOR THE MOVEMENT AND HANDS ON PARTICIPATION THAT IS ESSENTIAL IN A RIGOROUS STEM LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. THIS BOARD IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO ALL STUDENTS, AND THEREFORE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL. THE CURRENT PLAN, WHICH MAY SEEM MINOR ADJUSTMENTS CLOSER TO THE SCHOOL'S 2027 OPENING, IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT. IN THE MORNING, STUDENTS WILL BE TRANSPORTED FROM THEIR CLUSTER HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTLY TO THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL. DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. ALL COURSES WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS, AS THIS WILL BE THE STUDENTS DESIGNATED HIGH SCHOOL AND IN THE AFTERNOON, TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FROM THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL TO THE STUDENTS CLUSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHERE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUS WILL THEN TAKE THEM HOME. THIS TRANSPORTATION PLAN ENSURES THAT STUDENTS CAN ATTEND THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL REGARDLESS OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ZONE. ADMISSION TO THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE HIGHLY SELECTIVE AND BASED ON DEMONSTRATED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE. THERE WILL BE A CRITERIA BASED APPLICATION AND LOTTERY PROCESS,
[00:15:01]
WITH THE FIRST COHORT OF RISING NINTH AND 10TH GRADERS ENROLLING DURING THE 2027 2028 SCHOOL YEAR. THE TABLE SHOWN PROVIDES TENTATIVE ADMISSION CRITERIA. THESE CRITERIA CURRENTLY INCLUDE ACHIEVING PROFICIENT OR DISTINGUISHED SCORES ON THE GEORGIA MILESTONES IN MATH AND OR SCIENCE, AS WELL AS PERFORMING IN THE 75TH PERCENTILE OR HIGHER AS MEASURED BY THE SPRING 2026 MAP OF MATH ASSESSMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER CRITERIA SHOWN ON THE SCREEN. AS WE MOVE CLOSER TO THE OPENING OF THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL IN THE FALL OF 2027, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY VIA MULTIPLE CHANNELS, INCLUDING CLUSTER MEETINGS AND PARENT INFORMATION MEETINGS. WE INVITE INTERESTED PARENTS, STUDENTS AND OUR GREATER COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH US ON THIS JOURNEY BY PERIODICALLY CHECKING OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL WEB PAGE AND SIGNING UP FOR UPDATES. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES WHAT I WHAT I'VE PREPARED AND I YIELD THE FLOOR TO YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR JOHNSON. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ON OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, DOCTOR JOHNSON. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM, MISS EDWARDS? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST A FEW QUESTIONS. DOCTOR JOHNSON, WHAT IS THE INDUSTRIAL FOR THE PARENTS WHO ARE WATCHING? WHAT IS AN INDUSTRIAL GRADE LAB? IT IS A PROFESSIONAL LAB. SO WHEN STUDENTS ARE IN INDUSTRIAL GRADE LAB, THEY'RE HAVING HANDS ON EXPERIENCES JUST LIKE THEY WERE WORKING IN THAT INDUSTRY. SO IT'S VERY FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE. SO THEY COULD LEAVE OUR CLASSROOMS AND GO INTO THE INDUSTRY. THANK YOU. MY NEXT QUESTION IS, ARE THE COURSES I LOOK ON ON GO BACK TO THE RIGOROUS COURSE PROPOSAL SHEET. COURSES. YES. NO. THAT. NO. RIGOROUS COURSE PROPOSAL? YES.THAT'S THE ONE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE REQUIRED COURSES UNDER EACH OF THOSE AREAS, ARE WE OFFERING THE CLASSES RIGHT NOW TO PREPARE THE STUDENTS FOR THE STEM SCHOOL? YES WE ARE. AND PART OF THE PRESENTATION THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED ARE AWARE OF THE CRITERIA TO ENTER. BUT YES, WE ARE PREPARING STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS AWARE. OKAY, SO THEY'RE GETTING THIS THESE COURSES IN SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE, NOT THESE COURSES. NO. BUT THEY'RE TAKING PREREQUISITE COURSES THAT WILL PREPARE THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL FOR THIS TYPE OF RIGOROUS COURSEWORK. OKAY.
BECAUSE I SEE UP HERE UNDER AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS PATHWAY, THERE ARE THREE COURSES. SO ANY OF THESE THREE COURSES, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THEY'RE THEY'RE BEING OFFERED AT THIS POINT THROUGH THROUGH THE CHAIR. MRS. EDWARDS, THESE ARE THE PROPOSED COURSES THEY WOULD TAKE ONCE THEY GET TO THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL. IF WE GO FORWARD, I BELIEVE TWO SLIDES, IT WOULD SHOW THE PREREQUISITE COURSES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PRIOR TO ENTERING THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL OR COURSES, AS WELL AS CRITERIA THEY WOULD NEED TO MEET. THAT WOULD EXPLAIN WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO PRIOR TO IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO GO INTO STEM HIGH SCHOOL. SO VERY GREAT QUESTION. THE COURSES THAT YOU SAW ON THAT OTHER SLIDE ARE THE PROPOSED COURSES THEY WOULD TAKE ONCE THEY ENTER AT BETWEEN THE NINTH AND 12TH GRADE YEARS. OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PARENTS WHO ARE WATCHING UNDERSTANDS THAT FACT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. MISS CARTER, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, DOCTOR JOHNSON, FOR ALL THIS. I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WE'RE GOING TO OFFER OUR STUDENTS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. I ECHO THAT ENTHUSIASM. I CANNOT WAIT AND REALLY SELFISHLY HOPE THAT ONE OF MY CHILDREN WANTS TO ENTER INTO STEM FIELD SO THAT I CAN GO TO THE SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE DAY. I JUST KNOW THAT THESE NEEDS ARE IN OUR AREA, AND I KNOW THAT THIS WILL JUST REALLY ENHANCE THE WORKFORCE THAT IS COMING OUT OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL AND INTO THESE POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. SO I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. DO YOU MIND IF I ABSOLUTELY ADD TO DOCTOR JOHNSON'S GREAT PRESENTATION, WHICH IS WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WE'RE TWO YEARS AWAY FROM OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL OPENING, AND WE WANT TO GIVE AS MUCH INFORMATION TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR PARENTS, TO OUR STUDENTS ON THE PROPOSED CRITERIA. SO, MRS. EDWARDS, I THANK YOU FOR THOSE QUESTIONS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS OUR PARENTS WILL HAVE. AND EVEN AS OUR PARENTS EMBARK ON OPEN HOUSES IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. ASK US THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE REGARDING OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL, REGARDING ANY OF OUR SCHOOLS. AS YOU ARE
[00:20:03]
ARTICULATING, FROM ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, MIDDLE TO HIGH SCHOOL, WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS. AND WE ARE TWO YEARS OUT, AND WE KNOW SOME THINGS MAY CHANGE A LITTLE BIT.HOWEVER, WE WANT TO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT OUR STEM HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE EXCITEMENT WITH THIS HIGH CLASS, WORLD CLASS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'RE PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS IN STEM. SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU, PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK THE DIFFICULT OR INTRIGUING QUESTIONS OR THE INTERESTING QUESTIONS. WE NEED TO HEAR THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE MANY TIMES IT HELPS US TO BE FULLY PREPARED WHEN WE OPEN FALL 2027. SO JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY. ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE. NO QUESTION IS A TOO DIFFICULT, EVEN THOUGH SOME ARE DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE'RE A FEW YEARS OUT, BUT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT COME TO MIND. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. JUST DOCTOR PACE FOR CLARIFICATION. IF A PARENT SEES THIS INFORMATION AND DECIDES THAT THEY WANT TO ENROLL THEIR STUDENT, THEIR RISING SEVENTH OR EIGHTH GRADER, INTO A COURSE THAT THEY HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY DONE, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO DO SO. CORRECT, MADAM CHAIR? NO MA'AM, IT IS NOT TOO LATE. AND SO THAT IS WHY YOU ASKED THE QUESTIONS. NOW, IF YOU GO TO OPEN HOUSE AND YOU SAY, HEY, CAN THEY TAKE THIS COURSE? IF THEY MEET THE CERTAIN CRITERIA, IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES. PERFECT. PERFECT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY. THANK YOU DOCTOR JOHNSON AGAIN. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR NEXT INFORMATIONAL ITEM WHICH IS ITEM D2A DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE MR. MATTOX, OUR CHIEF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP OFFICER FOR THE CORE BUSINESS OF STUDENT LEARNING. BACK TO SCHOOL PREPARATION, MR. MATTOX. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DOCTOR PACE. TODAY I WILL BE PROVIDING A BACK TO SCHOOL READINESS REPORT AS WE PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. WE CONTINUE TO REFERENCE OUR COMPASS, WHICH PROVIDES DIRECTION FOR THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION. WE ARE DRIVEN BY OUR CORE BELIEFS AND COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR PREPARATIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR CORE POLICIES, AND WE CONTINUE TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN TO LIFE. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE CREATED OUR WILDLY IMPORTANT GOALS, OUR WILDLY IMPORTANT GOALS ARE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY GOALS THAT WE WILL FOCUS ON TO DRIVE BREAKTHROUGH RESULTS BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR OF 20 2829, 80% OF OUR STUDENTS WILL READ ON GRADE LEVEL, AS MEASURED BY THE GEORGIA MILESTONES ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS ASSESSMEN, AND AN ADDITIONAL WILDLY IMPORTANT GOAL MAY BE ADDED AT A LATER TIME. THE WILDLY IMPORTANT GOALS REFLECT OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. THEY SERVE AS LONG TERM TARGETS THAT GUIDE OUR PLANNING, RESOURCE ALIGNMENT, AND INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS. TWO BIG ROCKS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE 20 2526 SCHOOL YEAR. THE BIG ROCK SYMBOLIZES THE HIGHEST PRIORITY, HIGHEST LEVERAGE CRITICAL AREAS THAT NEED TO BE ACHIEVED TO ACCOMPLISH OUR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT GOALS. BIG ROCKS ARE DERIVED FROM TRENDS FROM OUR SCHOOL AND DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENT DATA. TREND AND OBSERVATION DATA, AND PREDETERMINED DISTRICT PRIORITIES. THESE BIG ROCKS PROVIDE FOCUSED AND ALIGNMENT AS THEY HAVE DRIVEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND GUIDE THE FOCUS OF OUR DISTRICT'S PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR TEACHERS AND LEADERS. AS WE PREPARE TO BE READY DAY ONE, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF BACK TO SCHOOL. WE ENCOURAGE ALL FAMILIES TO REGISTER THEIR STUDENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ENCOURAGE THE CLASS SCHEDULES ARE READY FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF SCHOOL. ADDITIONALLY, WE ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO VISIT OUR BE READY DAY ONE WEBSITE AND THE OPEN HOUSE TOOLKIT, WHICH PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO REFERENCE AS THEY PREPARE FOR OPENING OPEN HOUSE AND FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. THE WELCOME CENTER, LOCATED AT 166 HOLLY SPRING DRIVE, STANDS READY TO SUPPORT ALL FAMILIES NEEDING ASSISTANCE. THE WELCOME CENTER WILL BE EXTENDED WILL HAVE EXTENDED HOURS FROM JULY 24TH
[00:25:03]
THROUGH JULY 30TH. REGULAR HOURS ARE FROM 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M, AND THE EXTENDED HOURS WILL BE 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. SCHOOLS ARE CONTINUOUSLY SENDING OUT INFORMATION AND MESSAGES AND UPDATING THEIR WEBSITES WITH INFORMATION TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE AWARE OF ALL OF THEIR BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND OUR COMMUNITY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETING THE ANNUAL INFORMATION UPDATE AND VERIFICATION PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE COMPLETE THIS PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. IT IS CRITICAL FOR SCHOOLS TO HAVE UP TO DATE AND ACCURATE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EVERY STUDENT, AS WELL AS A CURRENT LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTACTS AND A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHO HAS PERMISSION TO CHECK STUDENTS IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL. THE INITIAL DEADLINE FOR UPDATING THIS INFORMATION WAS MAY 23RD. THIS DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, JULY 18TH. IF THE STUDENT INFORMATION IS NOT UPDATED, IT MAY DELAY IN THE AVAILABILITY OF STUDENT SCHEDULE DURING OPEN HOUSE. CAUSE A DELAY IN TRANSPORTATION ACCESS AND SERVICES, AND ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS. ANY FAMILY MEMBER NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH ONLINE FORMS AND PROCEDURES SHOULD VISIT THEIR SCHOOL FIRST OR VISIT THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WELCOME CENTER. BUS ROUTES WILL BE POSTED TO WEB QUERY AND OUR HERE COMES THE BUS APP ON JULY 21ST. WE HAVE PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS ON THE OPEN HOUSE TOOLKIT, AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING UP THE. HERE COMES THE BUS APP, WHICH CAN PROVIDE REAL TIME ROUTE INFORMATION. THE FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING HARD THIS SUMMER TO GET ALL BUILDINGS READY TO WELCOME OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF BACK TO SCHOOL. WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE SUMMER MAINTENANCE IS PROGRESSING AND AS PLANNED, AND WORK ORDERS ARE BEING COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE. THE TEAM ALSO ON THERE ARE ALSO ON SCHEDULE, WITH OUR FURNITURE REPLACEMENT TAKING PLACE AT AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY, COTTON INDIAN ELEMENTARY, STOCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY, BARNES ELEMENTARY AS WELL AS EAGLE'S LANDING, MIDDLE STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, AND EXCEL ACADEMY. JB HENDERSON'S FURNITURE WILL BE REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER. THE 20 2526 FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE AND CAN BE ACCESSED IN THE PARENT PORTAL. HARD COPIES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR ANY FAMILIES WHO NEED THEM. ALL FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE 20 2425 MEAL COVERAGE WILL END SEPTEMBER 11TH. AS A REMINDER, THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN MEAL PRICES THIS YEAR AS SHOWN. AS WE PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE A TOP PRIORITY. YOUR SAFETY AND SECURITY STRATEGY FOCUSES ON BOTH CONNECTIVITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AS OUTLINED IN THREE KEY PILLARS CAMPUS SECURITY INVESTMENTS, STUDENT AND STAFF SAFETY AND CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS. AND WE CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THAT IT TAKES ALL OF US STUDENTS, FAMILIES, STAFF, TEACHERS, LEADERS, THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION AND OUR ENTIRE HENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE A SUPPORTIVE, SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS. THE FIRST PILLAR OF OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY STRATEGY IS CAMPUS SAFETY INVESTMENTS. THIS BOARD HAS INVESTED OVER $27 MILLION IN OUR SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. THE DISPLAY IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST, IT JUST OUTLINES SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS OF THIS BOARD. WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE WILL REPORT WE WILL OPEN THIS SCHOOL YEAR WITH A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER UNIT MADE UP OF 39 OFFICERS. EXTERIOR DOORS WILL REMAIN CLOSED AND LOCKED WITH A CONTROLLED ACCESS SYSTEM TO ALLOW A SINGLE POINT ENTRY ONLY. ALL VISITORS WILL SIGN IN USING OUR CHECK MAKE SYSTEM AND RECEIVE A VISITOR BADGE. ALL EMPLOYEES WILL WEAR WILL WEAR A CAMPUS ALERT BADGE, CONTROL ACCESS BADGE AND THEIR ID AT ALL TIMES. WE WILL CONTINUE A CLEAR[00:30:07]
BAG REQUIREMENT FOR ALL PUBLIC EVENTS. STUDENT BOOK BAGS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CLEAR BAG REQUIREMENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS. CLEAR BAGS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL SCHOOL EVENTS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SUCH AS ATHLETIC EVENTS, OPEN HOUSE PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS, AND OTHER LARGE MEETINGS. WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING TO UTILIZE OUR WEAPONS DETECTION SYSTEMS TO LARGE ATHLETIC EVENTS SUCH AS FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL GAMES. LAST YEAR, A PILOT PROGRAM WAS HELD TO DEPLOY THIS TECHNOLOGY FOR UNANNOUNCED POP UP SCREENING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. THESE POP UP SCREENINGS WILL BE EXPANDED TO ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS DURING THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND THE USE OF OUR WEAPONS DETECTION SYSTEMS. FINALLY, WE ENCOURAGE ALL FAMILIES AND STAFF AND FAMILY TO UTILIZE OUR ANONYMOUS TIP LINE TO PLEASE SAY SOMETHING IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, THE ANONYMOUS TIP LINE NUMBER IS.(770) 220-7009. THE TIP LINE DOES ACCEPT PHONE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES. THE SECOND PILLAR OF OUR OUR SAFETY PLAN IS STUDENT AND STAFF SAFETY, FOCUSED ON THE PREPARATION, TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION AROUND SAFE PRACTICES AT THE BEGINNING OF AND THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO REVIEW AND PRACTICE VARIOUS SAFETY AND SECURITY EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS ARE UNDERSTOOD AND FOLLOWED BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. ALL SCHOOL LEADERS, CAMPUS SAFETY MONITORS, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, FRONT OFFICE STAFF AND SCHOOL SAFETY TEAMS WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. SCHOOL BASED SAFETY TRAINING WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR ALL STAFF. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO LEARN FROM BOTH OUR STUDENT AND PARENT SAFETY ADVISORIES THIS YEAR AS WE ENHANCE OUR SAFETY PRACTICES. THE THIRD PILLAR OF OUR SAFETY SECURITY STRATEGY IS CODE OF CONDUCT. THIS BOARD APPROVED THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE 20 2526 SCHOOL YEAR BACK IN APRIL. NEW THIS YEAR IS OUR FOCUS ON CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE 20 2526 SCHOOL YEAR. A DISTRACTION FREE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT UNDER HOUSE BILL ON THE GEORGIA HOUSE BILL 340 PROHIBITING PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN PUBLIC CLASSROOMS AS PART OF THIS YEAR'S REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE ENFORCING THE NEW BOARD POLICY. J, C, D, A-F AND GRADES K THROUGH 12. THIS STATES THAT STUDENTS MAY NOT USE A CELL PHONE, SMARTWATCH OR OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OR THE PRINCIPALS DESIGNEE. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL FAMILIES AND OUR PARTNERS TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH US AS WE BECOME A DISTRACTION FREE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND TAKE THE TIME TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH OUR CODE OF CONDUCT, AS WELL AS YOUR PERSONAL EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR STUDENT. SO HERE WE ARE, LITERALLY DAYS FROM WELCOMING BACK OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF TO THE 20 2526 SCHOOL YEAR. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HOSTING OUR ORIENTATION OF NEW EMPLOYEES FROM JULY 17TH THROUGH THE JULY 23RD. ON BOARDING AND OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BOTH NEW SUPPORT STAFF AND NEW TEACHERS. ALL RETURNING TEACHERS WILL BEGIN PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES ON THURSDAY, JULY 24TH. OUR DISTRICT WIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 28TH. OPEN HOUSE IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 29TH. SINCE OPEN HOUSE IS A CLEAR BAG ONLY EVENT, WE ARE ASKING EVERYONE'S COOPERATION WITH EITHER LEAVING YOUR BAGS OR PURSES BEHIND OR ENTERING THE BUILDING WITH A CLEAR BAG, AS OUTLINED ON OUR WEBSITE. AND FINALLY, THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WILL BE JULY 31ST. WE STAND READY TO WELCOME OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF AND OUR FAMILIES BACK, AND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. WE ARE PREPARED TO
[00:35:02]
PROVIDE AN ALIGNED SYSTEM OF TEACHING AND LEARNING, A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY, A FRAMEWORK FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND TO ADVANCE THE OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS AND OUTCOMES FOR ALL STUDENTS. BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN IN. DOCTOR PACE. THIS CONCLUDES ALL THAT I HAVE PREPARED AND I YIELD THE FLOOR TO YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MATTOX. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEM. BACK TO SCHOOL PREPARATIONS AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MR. MATTOX. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM, MISS EDWARDS? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. MR. MATTOX. WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE BUS APP NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ONCE WE OPEN SCHOOL IS OPEN? ONE IS WHAT I MENTIONED IN THE REPORT. NOT HAVING UPDATED INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE PARENT PORTAL, WE MUST UPDATE. WELL, PARENTS MUST UPDATE THEIR STUDENTS INFORMATION EACH YEAR FOR EVERY CHILD THAT THEY HAVE ENROLLED IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. SHOULD THEY NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION? UPDATED BY THE 18TH, WHICH IS THIS FRIDAY, IT WILL RUN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE APP NOT UPLOADING, GIVING THEM REAL TIME INFORMATION. OKAY. THANK YOU I HOPE I HOPE THE PARENTS HEARD THAT. YES, MA'AM. THE DEADLINE ESPECIALLY CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT DID I HEAR SOMETHING ABOUT GEORGIA LAW AND. REGARDING CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOM? IS HAS THAT BECOME LAW YET? NO, THAT'S THE CASE THROUGH THE CHAIR? NO, MA'AM. THAT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT HAS BECOME LAW. WHAT WE DID SPEAK TO WAS THE FIRST OF ALL OUR BOARD POLICY ABOUT BECOMING A DISTRACTION FREE ENVIRONMENT WITH CELL PHONES. THAT DOES GO INTO ACTION, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS PASSED THIS YEAR. THAT GOES INTO ACTION THE UPCOMING YEAR. BUT AS FAR AS CAMERAS, IT WAS A DISCUSSION, BUT THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION PASSED. OH, OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS, WELL, NOT A QUESTION. IT'S A COMMENT I APPRECIATE POLICY J D C A I THINK ALL OF US AS BOARD MEMBERS CAN APPRECIATE THAT POLICY. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES LONG TIME COMING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. MISS CARTER, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. MATTOX, FOR ALL THAT INFORMATION IS VERY DETAILED AND I KNOW THE PARENTS ARE GOING TO APPRECIATE IT. AND I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE WE'RE ALMOST TIME FOR SCHOOL AGAIN. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH.THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. MR. MATTOX, YOU KNOW, I WAS ONCE A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE ONE STUDENT MISBEHAVING AND REPRIMAND THE WHOLE GROUP. I WAS THAT ONE STUDENT. I'M THE PARENT WHO HAS NOT YET FILLED OUT THE INFORMATION. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT IN-DEPTH REMINDER. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST INFORM PARENTS IF YOU FOR SOME REASON, CANNOT ACCESS YOUR PASSWORD ON THE WEBSITE. THE APP DOES ALLOW YOU THE INFINITE CAMPUS APP THAT I'M SURE WE ALL HAVE ON OUR PHONES DOES ALLOW YOU TO DO THE UPDATE FROM THERE SO YOU CAN JOIN ME AND HAVING IT DONE BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, NOT FRIDAY. AND I APOLOGIZE. SO THAT'S THAT'S FOR MORE FOR YOUR COUNT OF STUDENTS WHO WILL HAVE THEIR INFORMATION UPDATED. BUT I THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW THE WORK THAT GOES INTO PREPARING FOR A STRONG START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTED A YEAR AGO, AND I'M SO THANKFUL TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND EVERYONE WHO'S MAKING IT HAPPEN, AND TEACHERS WHO ARE TECHNICALLY ON BREAK, BUT NOT REALLY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEIR HEARTS ARE ALWAYS IN THIS AND THEY'RE ALWAYS PREPARING FOR WHAT'S TO COME. AND I'M I'M JUST SUPER, SUPER THANKFUL. I HAVE ONE CLARIFICATION QUESTION ON THE CELL PHONE OR THE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY. DOES THIS INCLUDE TRANSITIONS BETWEEN CLASSES? YES, MA'AM. IT INCLUDES TRANSITION TO YOUR VARIOUS CLASSES. OKAY. I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO BE AWARE OF AS THEY REVIEW THE NEW CODE OF CONDUCT UPDATES AND THE POLICY THAT THAT DOES INCLUDE WALKING BETWEEN CLASSES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE THEN. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M THANKFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOR REALLY SPEAKING TO THIS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND WANTING TO SEE SOME STRICTER RULES IN PLACE AROUND CELL PHONES, AND I KNOW THE STATE ALSO SEES IT AS IMPORTANT, BUT THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION REALLY VALUES THAT TIME AND BEING AS MUCH OF A DISTRACTION FREE ENVIRONMENT AS WE CAN. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS UPDATE. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO INFORMATIONAL ITEM THREE A DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. OUR NEXT INFORMATIONAL ITEM THREE A TO JUNE 2025 CONSTRUCTION AND EAST
[00:40:06]
BLOCK REPORT. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MR. MILES, TO THE PODIUM. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON, I BRING YOU THE CAPITAL PROJECTS PROJECT REPORT FOR JUNE, STARTING WITH OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL CLEARING FOR THE NEW ROAD CEILING, GRID INSTALLATION, INTERIOR FINISHES AND ROOFTOP AC UNIT INSTALLATION CONTINUES MOVING TO THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL, SPECIFICALLY THE STOCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY NEW GYM DUCTWORK AND CURBS FOR ROOFTOP UNITS, CMU WALL INSTALLATION, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING. ROUGH ALSO CONTINUES AND EXTERIOR BRICK IS TO BEGIN. THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL ITSELF. SITE WORK AND CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER IN THE PARKING CONTINUE. THE MAIN ENTRANCE, THREE STORY STEEL INSTALLATION CONTINUES, AS WELL AS THE CONCRETE FOOTINGS AND SLAB FOR THAT PROJECT.UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING ROOF ALSO CONTINUE AS YOU SEE FOR DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. INSTALLATION OF NEW SEWER AND GAS LINE INTERIOR, CMU WALL INSTALLATION AND ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING ROOF ALSO CONTINUE THE ROOF RECOVER PROJECT. GROUP A AND B HAS BEGUN AND IS ON TRACK. THE OLA HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION. THE CONTRACTOR HAS RECEIVED THE NOTICE TO PROCEED, PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE CONTRACTOR IS BEGINNING TO MOBILIZE WOLF CREEK ELEMENTARY. SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE IN THE CONTRACT PHASE OF THAT PROJECT AND WHILE NOT A SPLOST SIX PROJECT, AND I APPRECIATE MR. MATTOX HIGHLIGHTING THE SUMMER FURNITURE REFRESH, I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE SINCE IT'S JULY OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THOSE PROJECTS, SPECIFICALLY, STOCKBRIDGE HIGH AND EAGLE'S LANDING MIDDLE ARE COMPLETE.
FINAL WALK THROUGH IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW. EXCEL AND SMITH BARNES. THE INSTALLERS ARE ON SITE THIS WEEK, BUT COTTON INDIAN, STOCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY AND AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY ARE AT 95%. WE'RE JUST TYING UP LOOSE ENDS ON THAT ON THAT PROJECT. DOCTOR PACE, THIS COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEM, D3 A THE JUNE 2025 CONSTRUCTION REPORT AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MR. MILES, FOR THIS REPORT. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. WE APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.
[E. BUSINESS ITEMS]
THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AFTERNOON. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. I WILL REMIND EVERYONE THAT THESE ITEMS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA DURING OUR BUSINESS MEETING, BUT ANY BOARD MEMBER IS WELCOME TO REMOVE AN ITEM IF THEY SO WISH.WE WILL BEGIN WITH ITEM E ONE. DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ITEM E ONE RESOLUTION CAPITAL ACCUMULATION COMMITMENT. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, MRS. CLAY, TO THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, IN RESPONSE TO THE DESIRE OF OUR BOARD AND OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH WAS CODIFIED IN THE COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO COMMIT $7.9 MILLION TO AN EXISTING CAPITAL ACCUMULATION FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING OUR SYSTEM'S PROGRESS AND IMPLEMENTING GROWTH AND REPLACEMENT PRACTICES FOR FURNITURE AND FIXTURES WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS. THIS RECOMMENDATION IS IN LINE WITH GEORGIA LAW SECTION 22 167, WHICH ALLOWS FOR BOARDS TO ESTABLISH ONE OR MORE CAPITAL ACCUMULATION FUNDS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE SOURCE OF THE $7.9 MILLION IS GENERAL FUND RESERVES, COUPLED WITH THE YEAR END ASSIGNMENT ACTIONS, THE BOARD'S APPROVAL OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION SUPPORTS COMPLIANCE WITH POLICY.
D.C.L. FUND BALANCE. IF APPROVED, THE COMMITTED FUNDS WILL FACILITATE FURNITURE REPLACEMENT DURING SUMMER 2026 FOR THE NEXT GROUP OF IDENTIFIED SCHOOLS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL FUNDS WILL BE EXPENDED DURING THE 2627 BUDGET YEARS, AND THE ACTIVITY WILL BE REPORTED IN CAPITAL ACCUMULATION FINANCIAL REPORTS. THIS ITEM IS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES WHAT I'VE PREPARED AND I YIELD THE FLOOR TO YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. CLAY. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS. ITEM ONE RESOLUTION CAPITAL ACCUMULATION COMMITMENT AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE.
AND THANK YOU, MRS. CLAY. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? NO. THIS WILL BE PLACED ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO BUSINESS ITEM A2.
DOCTOR PACE, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ADD OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MR. MILES, TO THE PODIUM FOR BUSINESS ITEM A2 RESOLUTION SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT PACE PER POLICY, DO IN ORDER TO
[00:45:02]
DECLARE SCHOOL SYSTEM PROPERTY SURPLUS, THE BOARD MUST VOTE TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION. AN EXHIBIT OF SAID PROPERTY. AFTER BOARD APPROVAL, THE EXHIBIT WILL BE POSTED PUBLICLY FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS BEFORE IT IS PUT UP FOR BID ON GOV DEALS. THIS YEAR'S OPERATIONS LIST CONSISTS OF 17 BUSSES AND A GYMNASTICS SPRING FLOOR. THIS IS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE. THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT PERFORMS EACH JULY. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF BUSINESS ITEM TWO, RESOLUTION SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MR. MILES. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. THIS IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? NO.THIS WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM A3, DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BUSINESS ITEM A3, THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY FDB LONG RANGE NEEDS DETERMINATION. I'D LIKE TO INVITE MR. MILES TO REMAIN AT THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON I PRESENT A NEW POLICY THAT PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK BY WHICH THE DISTRICT CAN EVALUATE EXISTING AND FUTURE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS AND CREATE A PLAN FOR REPLACEMENT OR REFURBISHMENT.
THIS POLICY IS THE FULFILLMENT OF STRATEGIC ACTION FIVE INITIATIVE STATEMENT THREE TACTIC TWO IN ALIGNMENT WITH BOARD POLICY B-D POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION. BD ONE POLICY REVISION AND ADOPTION BY THE BOARD REQUIRES A FIRST READING OF THE PROPOSED POLICIES AT ANY OR AT A PUBLIC MEETING, AND THAT OCCURRED AT THE JUNE 9TH STUDY SESSION. THIS POLICY HAS BEEN OUT FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT SINCE THAT TIME, AND NO PUBLIC COMMENTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES WHAT I PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS.
ITEM E3, THE BOE POLICY FDB LONG RANGE NEEDS DETERMINATION. WE REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU AGAIN. MR. MILES. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? NO. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS POLICY. IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO ENSURE WE HAVE THE BEST EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE IN FRONT OF OUR STUDENTS. SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS. THIS IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT THIS EVENING. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? NOPE. THIS WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM E FOR DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BUSINESS ITEM E FOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS UPGRADE AND MIDDLE, HIGH, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. MILES TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON, I BRING YOU THE BID TABULATION FOR THE CAMERA SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT FOR ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. THIS PROJECT INCLUDES A FULL REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING CAMERA SYSTEMS AT ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS, TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF CAMERAS AT ALL FOOTBALL FIELD, TICKET BOOTHS AND CONCESSION STANDS. EAST BLOCK SIX FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR THIS PROJECT, AND THE PROJECT WILL BE REPORTED ON AS PART OF THE MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCIAL REPORTS. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES BUSINESS ITEM E FOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM UPGRADE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU AGAIN MR. MILES. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? NO. SEEING NONE.
AGAIN, I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY COMMITTED TO IMPROVING ANY AND EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR STAFF. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS.
THIS IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT THIS EVENING. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM E FIVE. DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BUSINESS ITEM E5A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. SMITH, WELCH, WEBB, WHITE AND WHITE. ATTORNEYS AT LAW. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT.
OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, MRS. COX, TO THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE. THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION OPERATES UNDER AN AGREEMENT WITH SMITH, WELCH, WEBB AND WHITE TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. SUPERINTENDENT PACE IS RECOMMENDING THAT THIS BOARD APPROVE AN UPDATED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO CONTINUE THE LEGAL SERVICES PARTNERSHIP WITH SMITH, WELCH, WEBB AND WHITE.
THIS ITEM IS ELIGIBLE FOR TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES ALL THAT I HAVE PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. COX. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES BUSINESS ITEM E5 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SMITH, WELCH, WEBB AND WHITE ATTORNEYS AT LAW.
WE REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MRS. COX. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? MISS EDWARDS? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION. WE'VE HAD THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR
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A FEW YEARS NOW. HAS THERE BEEN ANY CHANGES MADE TO THIS MOU? IT IS UPDATED. THE LAST MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS COMPLETED ALMOST A DECADE AGO IN 2016. SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME UPDATES TO THE MEMORANDUM WHERE WE ARE IDENTIFYING SPECIFICALLY WHICH SERVICES SMITH, WELCH, WEBB AND WHITE WILL PROVIDE AND THEN WHICH WHICH AREAS THAT ARE INTERNAL LEGAL COMPLIANCE TEAM WILL BE SUPPORTING AS WELL. OKAY. SO IS THAT INFORMATION YOU JUST PROVIDED TO ME IN THIS NOTE, IN THIS NOTEBOOK RIGHT HERE? YES. IT SHOULD BE WITHIN THE EXHIBIT. YES. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. ANYONE ELSE? NOPE. THIS IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.DOES ANYONE OBJECT? THIS WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON CONSENT THIS EVENING. AND OUR LAST BUSINESS ITEM IS ITEM E SIX, DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BUSINESS ITEM E SIX CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION, HARVEST ACADEMY. I'D LIKE TO ASK MRS. COX TO REMAIN AT THE PODIUM FOR THIS PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON I BRING TO YOU A RECOMMENDATION FOR A RECENT CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION RECEIVED DURING THE SUBMISSION WINDOW. THIS BOARD'S CORE BELIEFS PRIORITIZE STUDENT LEARNING AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, SUPPORTIVE, SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, AND EFFECTIVE TEACHERS, LEADERS, AND STAFF. IT IS WITH THESE CORE BELIEFS IN MIND THAT I BRING INFORMATION ON A RECENT CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION, THE INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS, AND A RECOMMENDATION ON BEHALF OF SUPERINTENDENT PACE. GEORGIA'S CHARTER SCHOOL ACT OF 1998 WAS PASSED WITH THE INTENT TO INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH ACADEMIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION BY ALLOWING LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO AUTHORIZE CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF CHOICE. CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLICLY FUNDED WHILE BEING GOVERNED BY A PRIVATE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS OR A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION. IF APPROVED BY A LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT BOARD AND OPERATE UNDER CONTRACTS THAT DEFINE PERFORMANCE GOALS, SPECIFIC GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, AND PROVIDE OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY. IN GEORGIA, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A PETITION TO A LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION IN WHICH THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL WILL BE LOCATED, AND LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION ARE REQUIRED TO CONSIDER ALL CHARTER PETITIONS SUBMITTED. THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MUST APPROVE OR DENY A CHARTER PETITION WITH A MAJORITY VOTE NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS AFTER THE PETITION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. IF A PETITION IS DENIED BY THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION, NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRES THAT THE BOARD MUST NOTIFY THE PETITIONER, THE STATE BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF CHARTER SCHOOL COMPLIANCE WITHIN 20 BUSINESS DAYS OF THE DENIAL BY PROVIDING A WRITTEN STATEMENT DETAILING THE REASONS FOR THE DENIAL AND ALL DEFICIENCIES REGARDING THE PETITION, THE PETITIONER MAY THEN SUBMIT A REVISED PETITION THAT ADDRESSES THE IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCIES FOR THE MOST RECENT CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION PERIOD, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS ACCEPTED PETITIONS DURING BUSINESS HOURS ON APRIL 18TH, 2025, IN WHICH ONLY ONE PETITION WAS RECEIVED. A CROSS DIVISIONAL TEAM THEN REVIEWED THE PETITION PRIOR TO CONDUCTING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PETITIONER ON MAY 13TH, 2025, THE INTERNAL TEAM REVIEWED ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE WRITTEN DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER AND ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED DURING THE FORMAL INTERVIEW, TO PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION IS NOW BEING PRESENTED TO THIS BOARD FOR ACTION BASED ON GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RULES, ALL CHARTER SCHOOL PETITIONS SHOULD INCLUDE A STATEMENT OF INTENT, A STATEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, A DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED USE OF WAIVERS, PARENTAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, DESCRIPTION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, A DESCRIPTION OF ASSESSMENT METHODS. SCHOOL OPERATIONS A DEMONSTRATION OF FISCAL FEASIBILITY AND CONTROLS, A DESCRIPTION OF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND A STATEMENT OF ANNUAL REPORT. BASED ON THE RUBRIC PROVIDED BY THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL, PETITIONERS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT INFORMATION COVERING A VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, ACADEMIC PROGRAMING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, SERVICES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, ASSESSMENTS, ACADEMIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. GOVERNANCE, FINANCES, SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES. THE STATE PROVIDES THIS RUBRIC AS A TOOL FOR DETERMINING IF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED MEETS STATE EXPECTATIONS, WHICH EXCEEDS THE STANDARD, MEETS STANDARD, APPROACHES STANDARD, AND DOES NOT MEET STANDARD AS THE RATING LEVELS OR CROSS DIVISIONAL TEAM UTILIZED THIS RUBRIC WHEN CONDUCTING THE REVIEW, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS RECEIVED ONE PETITION DURING THE RECENT SUBMISSION WINDOW FROM HARVEST ACADEMY. HARVEST ACADEMY PROPOSES TO OPEN IN FALL OF 2027, WITH GRADES K THROUGH SIX AND INITIAL ENROLLMENT OF AROUND 200, WITH PLANS TO ADD GRADES
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SEVEN AND EIGHT IN YEAR TWO AND INCREASING ENROLLMENT TO OVER 500 BY YEAR FIVE, THEY PROPOSED TO PROVIDE BOTH ON SITE INSTRUCTION AND A HYBRID ONLINE MODEL. THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL WOULD BE BASED ON PERSONALIZED LEARNING, WITH AN AGRICULTURAL FOCUS EMBEDDED INTO STEM INSTRUCTION, AND CLASSROOMS WOULD INCLUDE MULTIPLE GRADE LEVELS OF STUDENTS WITH A 32 TO 1 STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO. THEIR GOALS INCLUDE INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN THE PROFICIENT PROFICIENT RANGE ON INTEGRATED ASSESSMENTS IN ELA AND MATHEMATICS EACH YEAR, WITH A TARGET OF 65% OF STUDENTS SCORING PROFICIENT OR ABOVE. AS PREVIOUSLY SHARED, THE STATE PROVIDES A RUBRIC FOR DISTRICTS TO USE WHEN CONSIDERING CHARTER SCHOOL PETITIONS TO DETERMINE IF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED MEETS STATE EXPECTATIONS BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PETITIONER AND UTILIZING THE STATE RUBRIC, THE CROSS-DIVISIONAL TEAM DETERMINED THAT THE PETITIONER DOES NOT MEET THE STATE STANDARD FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, AS WELL AS FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES. THEREFORE, THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD DENY THE HARVEST ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION. SPECIFICALLY, THE REVIEW TEAM FOUND SEVERAL DEFICIENCIES IN AREAS OF CONCERN. THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED PERSONALIZED LEARNING MODEL, IS NOT INNOVATIVE AND DOES NOT STRATEGICALLY ADDRESS THE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, OR EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT OTHERWISE ADDRESSED BY HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. CLASS SIZES ARE LARGER THAN THE AVERAGE ELEMENTARY CLASS IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS, AND WILL INCLUDE MULTIPLE GRADE LEVEL CLASSROOMS. FOR SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. LIMITED FUNDING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED TO EMPLOY STAFF TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED SERVICES, SUCH AS SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. HARVEST ACADEMY WILL REQUEST A WAIVER FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THIS POPULATION, BUT HAS NOT PROVIDED AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY OR HOW THIS WILL IMPACT STUDENTS. HARVEST ACADEMY IS A COMMUTER SCHOOL WITH A PROPOSED LOCATION OF 103 JONESBORO ROAD IN MCDONOUGH, WITH INTENT TO POSSIBLY UTILIZE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES BY YEAR THREE. THE PROPOSED FACILITY LOCATION DOES NOT SUPPORT THE IDENTIFIED AGRICULTURAL FOCUS AND WOULD REQUIRE REZONING APPROVAL TO OPERATE AS A SCHOOL. ADDITIONAL FACILITY CONCERNS INCLUDE LACK OF A DETAILED EMERGENCY SAFETY PLAN AND NO SPACE FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS RECESS. BASED ON OUR ASSESSMENT OF STATE STANDARDS, WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THESE AREAS DO NOT MEET STATE EXPECTATIONS. THEREFORE, SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DENY THE HARVEST ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION IF THE BOARD APPROVES THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO DENY THE HARVEST ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION, THE PETITIONER WILL RECEIVE A LETTER WITHIN 20 BUSINESS DAYS DETAILING THE REASONS FOR THE DENIAL. THEY MAY THEN SEEK APPROVAL FROM ANOTHER STATE AUTHORIZER OR SUBMIT ANOTHER PETITION TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT NEXT YEAR. THIS ITEM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA. SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS CONCLUDES WHAT I PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. COX. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS. ITEM E6 CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION. AND WE TURN IT TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MRS. COX. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM SEEING NONE. THIS IS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT THIS EVENING. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? THIS WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU AGAIN. WE ARE NOW TO ITEM F EXECUTIVE[F. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
SESSION. CAN I GET A MOTION PLEASE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PERSONNEL, STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND RECORDS. OFFER MOTION. WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PERSONNEL DISCIPLINE AND RECORDS. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER.ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FOUR ZERO. WE ARE YES, I GOT ICE BOX. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION? MOTION TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, DOCTOR NUTT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FOUR ZERO. WE ARE NOW OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS READ IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE APPROVE THE MINUTES AS READ. THANK YOU. DOCTOR. NET, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND FOR ZERO MINUTES ARE APPROVED. AND AT 5:35 P.M, I WILL NOW ADJOURN OUR STUDY SESSION.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.