[A. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:07] 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, MISS RIDDLE, AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH AT 7:00 PM. AND IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE BEGIN BY STANDING AND JOINING ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND I'M GLAD YOU ARE ALL HERE. JOINING US ON THIS COLD DECEMBER NIGHT. AND I [C. WELCOME] WILL 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 DECEMBER MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. BEFORE WE BEGIN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS I ACKNOWLEDGE THE PASSING OF A MEMBER OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM OVER THE WEEKEND. THANK YOU. WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT DECEMBER 2ND WAS NATIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY, NATIONAL NATIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY REMINDS US OF THE UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND CAPABILITIES OF EVERY STUDENT IN OUR CARE. WE ARE PROUD OF THE CULTURE OF INCLUSIVITY ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS AND CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY STUDENT CAN THRIVE. THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECENTLY RELEASED THE 20 2425 COLLEGE AND CAREER READY PERFORMANCE INDEX, AND I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT ACROSS THE DISTRICT, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS SHOW SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FIVE COMPONENTS MEASURED. HCHS WAS ALSO ONE OF FOUR DISTRICTS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ILLUSTRATE STATEWIDE GAINS, PARTICULARLY IN CONTENT MASTERY AND READINESS COMPONENTS. WE COMMEND OUR STUDENTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND OUR TEACHERS, SCHOOL AND DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND STAFF FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND OUR FAMILIES FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO PRIORITIZING EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT OUTCOMES. AND YET ANOTHER OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THIS BOARD'S EFFORTS TO ENSURE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALSO RECENTLY RECOGNIZED 20 HIGH SCHOOLS AS 2024 2025. LITERACY AND MATH LEADERS. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, AGAIN TO OUR HARD WORKING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF, LEADERS, AND FAMILIES ALL ACROSS OUR DISTRICT. WE ARE HENRY PROUD AND AS WE CELEBRATE OUTCOMES OF OUR VISIONARY BOARD'S LEADERSHIP, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO SHARE THAT THIS AWARD WINNING TEAM HAS ADDED ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT TO HIS GROWING LIST OF ACCOLADES. I MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING THAT THE GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZED OUR HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AS AN EXEMPLARY BOARD FOR 2025, AND GSBA OFFICIALLY PRESENTED THE AWARD TO THE BOARD LAST WEEK AT THE GSBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE. WE CONGRATULATE THEM AGAIN ON THIS WELL-DESERVED HONOR. EXEMPLARY BOARD RECOGNITION IS THE HIGHEST MARK OF DISTINCTION IN GSBA RECOGNITION PROGRAM PRESENTED TO GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARDS THAT HAVE MET OR EXCEEDED RIGOROUS CRITERIA, INCLUDING DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING HIGH GOVERNANCE STANDARDS AND CREATING A THRIVING CULTURE OF SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS IS THE BOARD'S FIFTH EXEMPLARY BOARD AWARD SINCE 2020. LET'S GIVE OUR BOARD A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, FOR THAT WONDERFUL [D. INSPIRATION] WELCOME. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR INSPIRATION FOR THE EVENING. AND I SEE WE HAVE AN INSPIRATION TONIGHT. YES WE DO, MADAM CHAIR. OUR INSPIRATION TONIGHT WILL BE PROVIDED BY [00:05:05] BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY. YES. ENTERING THE ROOM IS THE BLUE JAY CHORUS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MR. AUSTIN EMERICK, PRINCIPAL QUAVIOUS WRIGHT. THEY WILL BE PERFORMING FOR US TONIGHT. SKATING AND SLEIGHING. LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR OUR BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY BLUE JAY CHORUS. I'M STARING ACROSS THE ICY FARNAM. SKATING. SUITE HERE I GO. NO WAY IN. NO WAY. YOU'RE NOT SAVING. CAN'T YOU SEE? WHO. SWEET, AND ONE FOOT ON THE OTHER I'M GETTING SWEET. CIRCLE AFTER CIRCLE. HEY, LOOK AT ME SKATING. I'M SKATING. YESSIREE. WE'RE GOING ON A SLEIGH RIDE. JUMP ON IN. HOLD ON TIGHT. WE'RE GOING ON A SLEIGH RIDE. CROSS THE SNOW. WE FEEL SO PROUD. COME ON EVERYONE, YOU'LL SING. WE'LL HAVE SO MUCH FUN. YIPPEE! WE'RE GOING ON A SLEIGH RIDE. YESSIREE! JINGLE BELL, JINGLE BELLS. JINGLE ALL THE WAY. ALL THE FUN IT IS. TO RIDE IN A SLEIGH. I'M SCARED ON A SCARED FARNAM. SKATING ON IN. AND HOLD ON, SWEET, HERE I GO. NO WAY, NO WAY, NO WAY. CAN'T YOU SEE. SWEET. MAMA. EVERY CIRCLE. AND THE CIRCLE WAS RELEGATED. I'M GOING ON A SCARED. YES. WE'RE GOING ON A SCARED. RIGHT? YES I'M SCARED, I'M SCARED I GET SO. LET'S HAVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE BLUE JAYS FROM BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AS THEY EXIT, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. RIGHT WITH THE SHIRT. GO AHEAD. MR. RIGHT. THE BLUE SHIRT. AND AS I WAS SPEAKING TO MR. RIGHT BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE, HE LET ME KNOW THIS WAS THEIR FIRST PERFORMANCE HERE AT OUR BOARD MEETING AFTER BEING OPEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND IT WON'T BE THEIR LAST. ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE BLUE JAY CHORUS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INSPIRATION. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU DOCTOR. I DON'T EVEN LIKE COLD WEATHER, BUT I'M READY TO GO ON A SLEIGH RIDE NOW. I'M DEFINITELY INSPIRED. THAT WAS AMAZING. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO [E. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS] AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY THIS EVENING, MADAM CHAIR? YES, WE DO HAVE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION AND I'M EXCITED TO ASK THE BOARD TO JOIN ME UP FRONT AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR CITY. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. GOOD EVENING TO EVERYONE. JOINING US TONIGHT. I AM MARCY CHRISTOPHER, COORDINATOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND WE'LL BE FACILITATING THE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION. THIS EVENING WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS WHO HELPED SET AND MAINTAIN EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING HERE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. [00:10:01] FIRST, WE HAVE THE 2025 MODEL WATER TOWER COMPETITION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HENRY COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOWCASE THEIR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, CREATIVITY AND PRESENTATION SKILLS IN THE ANNUAL HENRY COUNTY MODEL WATER TOWER COMPETITION. THIS INTERACTIVE, SCIENCE ORIENTED EVENT CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT MODEL WATER TOWERS WHILE EXPLORING THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING CLEAN, RELIABLE DRINKING WATER. THE COMPETITION NOT ONLY SPARKED CURIOSITY ABOUT HOW WATER SYSTEMS WORK, BUT ALSO INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO EXCITING AND REWARDING CAREERS IN THE WATER INDUSTRY. WITH A PANEL OF WATER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATING MIDDLE SCHOOLS WERE AUSTIN ROAD, DUTCHTOWN, EAGLE'S LANDING, HAMPTON IMPACT ACADEMY, MCDONOUGH, OLA, STOCKBRIDGE, AND WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOLS. TAKING FIRST PLACE WAS THE TEAM FROM OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONS TO MATHIAS GRANADO, AIDEN DESTRO, OLIVER COLLINS, LUCAS SITCOM AND THEY ARE HERE TONIGHT WITH THEIR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL DAVID GRIFFIN. NEXT WE HAVE THE GEORGIA STORM WHEELCHAIR HANDBALL TEAM. THE GEORGIA STORM WILL BALL THE GEORGIA STORM WHEELCHAIR HANDBALL TEAM, WHICH IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND HENRY COUNTY RECREATION DEPARTMENT, WON THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS STATE WHEELCHAIR HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN OCTOBER. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HKS TEAM. TEAM MEMBERS. COACH HARLAN MATTHEWS FROM THE HENRY COUNTY WATER RECREATION DEPARTMENT. SO TONIGHT WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING CONNOR PATRICK. JAKE HANN AND FROM LOCUST GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THEIR ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR, ADAM SMITH, WE HAVE JACOB AND CARTER FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL HERE WITH HIS PRINCIPAL, JARVIS PRICE. THERE'S THOMAS BENSON FROM UNION GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH HIS PRINCIPAL, DWAYNE RICHARDS, AND WE HAVE OLIN LESHOCK FROM TUSSAHAW ELEMENTARY WITH HIS PRINCIPAL, MICHAEL BROWNING. TO LIVE UP TO. OH MY GOD, THAT'S AMAZING. WHAT DID YOU DO? OH. FATHER. AND THEN I'M GOING TO HAVE JACOB RIGHT HERE. OKAY, GOOD. NOW WE CAN HAVE EVERYBODY KIND OF CLOSE FOR THE PHOTO. OKAY, LET'S SEE WHO WE GOT. YOU HAVE TO WALK AROUND. YOU CAN JUST GO ACROSS BACK TO FRONT. NEXT, WE'LL REPRESENT THE 2526 FALL SPORTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR. WE HAVE KAMARA DORSEY FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL THE REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR HERE WITH HIS PRINCIPAL JARVIS PRICE. [00:15:22] OKAY. WOW. I'M NOT. THE NEXT GROUP WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE IS FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. WE HAVE KATIE MADDOX REGION TWO FOR A SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR. ALMOND PARKER REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. AND BRYCE ROBINSON, REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. AND THEY'RE HERE WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL, ANTHONY TOWNSEND. FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL. WE HAVE KENNEDY RELEFORD, REGION FIVE TRIPLE A SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR. ZENIA HARRIS, REGION 53A SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE YEAR. AND THEY'RE HERE WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL, BRENDA HARTNETT FROM LUELLA. INTERESTING. NEXT FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE LEXI WYSE REGION TWO FOR A SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE YEAR WITH PRINCIPAL ROD MAY. CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT IS JOSHUA SCOTT, STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR. NEXT FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL WE HAVE WILL ABBOTT REGION TWO FOR A CROSS COUNTRY PLAYER OF THE YEAR. AND WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE KAYLEE EVANS REGION TWO FOR A VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR. AND THEIR PRINCIPAL IS LATONYA RICHARDS. NEXT WE HAVE OUR 2526 FALL SPORTS COACHES OF THE YEAR. WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE FAY CULVERSON FROM EAGLE'S LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION TWO FOR A VOLLEYBALL COACH OF THE YEAR. WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE GARY FISHER, LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR, WITH PRINCIPAL TONY TOWNSEND. [00:20:26] NEXT WE HAVE LANISHA FLETCHER, LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL REGION FIVE THREE, A SOFTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR WITH PRINCIPAL BRANDI HARTMAN. AND ALAN FRANKLIN. UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, REGION TWO FOR A SOFTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR WITH PRINCIPAL LATANYA RICHARDS. AND. CONGRATULATIONS. DOCTOR PACE. WE HAVE A SPECIAL PRINCIPAL RETIREMENT RECOGNITION THAT WE WANT TO DO TODAY. WE HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE 35 YEAR CAREER AND RETIREMENT OF YVETTE CHRISTIAN, WHO HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF NOT ONLY STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUT HENRY COUNTY FOR 13 YEARS. THROUGHOUT HER TENURE, MISS CHRISTIAN HAS EXEMPLIFIED DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. AS SHE EMBARKS ON THIS NEW CHAPTER, WE EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND BEST WISHES FOR HER. FULFILLING AND A JOYFUL RETIREMENT. MAY IT BE FILLED WITH ADVENTURE, RELAXATION, AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT BRING HAPPINESS. CONGRATULATIONS MISS CHRISTIAN, YOU'VE EARNED IT. LISTENING TO YOU, SIR. DOCTOR PACE, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR AWARDS AND RECOGNITION THIS EVENING. [F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - November 10, 2025] ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO F THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 10TH? ALSO A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 10TH. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO MINUTES ARE [G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION] APPROVED. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPANTS THIS AFTERNOON? THIS EVENING? YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE DO. AND AT THIS TIME, 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 K 12 G US. THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAVE AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS GOVERNING THEIR COMMENTS THIS EVENING. 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. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WON'T RESPOND TO EACH SPEAKER. HOWEVER, EACH SPEAKER WILL RECEIVE OUTREACH FROM STAFF AT A LATER DATE. SPEAKERS MAY NOT USE VULGAR OR INSULTING LANGUAGE. NAME A STUDENT OR [00:25:05] EMPLOYEE INDIVIDUALLY OR DISCUSS ANY CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS. ANY VIOLATION OF THIS PARAMETER 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. OUR FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING IS KIARA PROCTOR AND MISS PROCTOR. AS YOU APPROACH, IF YOU'LL JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE BASE OF THAT MICROPHONE HAS THE BRIGHT GREEN LIGHT ON SO THAT WE CAN ALL HEAR YOU. TEST, TEST. YES IT DOES. GOOD EVENING, CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT. MY NAME IS KIARA PROCTOR AND I'M THE FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS, A PROPOSED FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS GRADES FOUR THROUGH EIGHT. I'M ALSO A MOTHER, AN EDUCATOR OF 13 YEARS, AND A PROUD HENRY COUNTY BUSINESS OWNER WHO BELIEVES DEEPLY IN THE POWER OF COMMUNITY TO SHAPE THE TO SHAPE OPPORTUNITY. I AM A PRODUCT OF MY COMMUNITY. AT THE AGE OF SIX, I LOST MY MOTHER. IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT WHERE THE COMMUNITY STEPPED IN RIGHT AWAY TO MAKE SURE THAT I STAYED ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW, EVERYONE FROM THE CUSTODIAN TO THE LOCAL CLERK MADE SURE THAT I WAS FOCUSED AND LED WITH MY PURPOSE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS KIND OF SUPPORT BENEFITS CHILDREN, AND THOSE EXPERIENCES HAVE SHAPED WHO I AM AS A STUDENT, A PROFESSIONAL, AND NOW A FOUNDER. I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE LIFELONG VALUE OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SURROUNDED BY ADULTS WHO SEE THEIR POTENTIAL BEFORE THEY'RE FULLY ABLE TO SEE IT FOR THEMSELVES. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, I'VE MET WITH MORE THAN 500 FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS HENRY COUNTY, CLAYTON AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES. WHAT I'VE HEARD IS CONSISTENT FAMILIES WANT LEARNING THAT CHALLENGES THEIR STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY WHILE HELPING THEM DISCOVER THEIR PURPOSE. WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH INNOVATION IN THE PAST TEN YEARS HOW WE COMMUNICATE, HOW WE TRAVEL, HOW WE CONNECT. YET EDUCATION HAS BEEN SLOWLY TO EVOLVE. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS SEEKS TO CHANGE THAT BY REIMAGINING HOW WE USE TIME, SPACE, AND COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE THE WHOLE CHILD. THROUGH OUR 4X4 MODEL, STUDENTS EXPERIENCE FOUR HOURS OF RIGOROUS, CORE ACADEMICS ALIGNED TO THE GEORGIA STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE AND FOUR HOURS OF PURPOSE DRIVEN LEARNING THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIPS. THESE FELLOWSHIPS CONNECT STUDENTS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND INDUSTRY LEADERS, ALLOWING THEM TO EXPLORE PASSIONS, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND SEE THEMSELVES AS CONTRIBUTORS TO SOMETHING LARGER THAN THE CLASSROOM. THIS WORK MATTERS BECAUSE THE STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE WHY BEHIND THE LEARNING. THEY DEVELOP NOT ONLY KNOWLEDGE, BUT ALSO A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND BELONGING THAT FUELS LIFELONG SUCCESS. HENRY COUNTY HAS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE WAY IN INNOVATION. ONLY A FEW COUNTIES IN GEORGIA CAN SAY THAT THEY ARE HOME TO A CHARTER SCHOOL. APPROVING THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS WOULD POSITION HENRY COUNTY AS A MODEL OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A DISTRICT EMBRACES CREATIVITY, PARTNERSHIP AND FORWARD THINKING SOLUTIONS FOR STUDENTS. WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION IN JANUARY, I HOPE YOU'LL SEE THAT THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS AS AS MORE THAN A PROPOSAL. IT'S A PROMISE, A PROMISE TO NURTURE CURIOSITY, EMPOWER PURPOSE, AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO THRIVE IN A WORLD THAT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALLOW CURIOSITY TO BE YOUR GREATEST SUPERPOWER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS PROCTOR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CLARISSA WEAVER, FOLLOWED BY TAMARA PETTUS. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CLARISSA WEAVER, AND I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF HENRY COUNTY. FOR THE MORE THAN 19 YEARS, I'M THE LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A KINDERGARTEN AT OLA ELEMENTARY AND A 10TH GRADER AT OLA HIGH SCHOOL. I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO RESPECTFULLY URGE YOUR APPROVAL OF THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS, A PROPOSED FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THAT WOULD SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES FOUR THROUGH EIGHT IN HENRY COUNTY. AS A FORMER EDUCATOR MYSELF, EDUCATION HAS BEEN DEEPLY IMPORTANT TO OUR FAMILY. IT'S THE FOUNDATION FOR OPPORTUNITY AND VITAL PATHWAY TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD OUR CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP IN TODAY. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS AND HENRY COUNTY WITH A HIGH QUALITY, INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL OPTION THAT MEETS THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF TODAY'S LEARNERS. HENRY COUNTY IS GROWING AND WITH GROWTH COMES INCREASING DIVERSITY IN HOW STUDENTS LEARN AND THRIVE. OUR FAMILIES DESERVE ACCESS TO LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE, AND IGNITE THEIR CURIOSITY AND PREPARE THEM FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS FILLS AN IMPORTANT GAP BY FOCUSING NOT ONLY ON WHAT STUDENTS LEARN, BUT HOW THEY LEARN. IT EMPHASIZES ON EXPLORATION, PROBLEM SOLVING, HANDS ON EXPERIENCE, AND OFFERS [00:30:05] ANOTHER OPTION WITHIN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION SYSTEM. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS 4X4 MODEL IS ESPECIALLY COMPELLING BECAUSE IT CREATES A MEANINGFUL BALANCE BETWEEN RIGOROUS ACADEMICS AND PURPOSE DRIVEN, REAL WORLD LEARNING. STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD STRONG ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS WHILE ALSO APPLYING THESE SKILLS THROUGH PROJECTS, DESIGN THINKING, AND COMMUNITY BASED EXPERIENCES. THIS TYPE OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOSTERS NOT ONLY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, BUT ALSO CONFIDENCE, CREATIVITY, AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OUR CHILDREN WILL CARRY OUT THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE. WHAT EXCITES ME MOST ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS IS ITS COMMITMENT TO PREPARING STUDENTS NOT JUST FOR TESTS, BUT FOR LIFE BY NURTURING CURIOSITY, CONFIDENCE, AND A SENSE OF PURPOSE. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP LEARNERS WHO ARE ACADEMICALLY STRONG, SOCIALLY AWARE AND DEEPLY ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FUTURE CAREER PATHWAYS. APPROVAL OF THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS REPRESENTS MORE THAN JUST OPENING A NEW SCHOOL. IT REPRESENTS HOPE, CHOICE AND A COMMITMENT TO MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AND HELPING THEM THRIVE. FOR FAMILIES LIKE MINE, IT MEANS ACCESS TO A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION THAT NURTURES CURIOSITY, BUILDS CONFIDENCE, AND PREPARES CHILDREN TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE. FOR OUR COMMUNITY, IT MEANS INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF THINKERS, INNOVATORS AND LEADERS WHO WILL ONE DAY GIVE BACK IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO THE STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES OF HENRY COUNTY. OUR FINAL SPEAKER THIS EVENING IS TAMARA PETTIS. THANK YOU, MISS PETTIS. GOOD EVENING, CHAIR, SUPERINTENDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS TAMARA AND I HAVE PROUDLY CALLED HENRY COUNTY HOME FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I RELOCATED HERE FROM MICHIGAN TO START MY FAMILY, AND IN THAT TIME, I'VE GROWN DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THIS COMMUNITY AND THE INCREDIBLE WORK HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS. AS A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE, GRADUATE EDUCATION HAS CHANGED THE ENTIRE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE. IT OPENED DOORS FOR ME, GAVE ME OPPORTUNITIES MY PARENTS NEVER HAD, AND ALLOWED ME TO BUILD THE LIFE I'M LIVING TODAY. BECAUSE OF THAT, I TAKE MY ROLE AS A PARENT AND AS A PARTNER TO THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT VERY SERIOUSLY. I CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY PARENT COUNCIL, AND I TRULY LOVE THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT OF OUR SCHOOL. I KNOW THAT IF I REACH OUT TO THE PRINCIPAL OR THE STUDENT PARENT LIAISON, I'LL GET A PROMPT, CARING RESPONSE AND A SOLUTION THAT CONSIDERS MY CHILD'S BEST INTEREST. THAT TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP IS EXACTLY WHAT PARENTS NEED AND EXACTLY WHAT WE HOPE TO EXPAND THROUGH. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS. I'VE BEEN HANDS ON WITH MY SON'S EDUCATION SINCE HE STARTED PRE-K HERE IN HENRY COUNTY, AND AS HE APPROACHES THIRD GRADE, I AM CONSTANTLY MONITORING THE DISTRICT'S BENCHMARKS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT HIM LEFT BEHIND. RIGOROUS ACADEMICS MATTER TO ME. REAL WORLD LEARNING MATTERS TO ME, AND I SEE DAILY HOW DEEPLY MY SON IS WIRED FOR CURIOSITY. HE LOVES TEARING THINGS APART AND PUTTING THEM BACK TOGETHER. HE LOVES ASKING QUESTIONS, MAKING CONNECTIONS, AND JUST EXPLORING HOW THINGS WORK. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS IS DESIGNED FOR LEARNERS LIKE HIM AND MANY OTHERS IN OUR COUNTY. THE SCHOOL OFFERS RIGOROUS, HANDS ON LEARNING THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF CURIOUS, ACTIVE YOUNG MINDS. IT OFFERS OPTIONS AND IT STRENGTHENS, NOT REPLACES, THE DISTRICT'S EFFORTS. WE ARE HERE TO COLLABORATE, NOT COMPETE. AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS IS NOT HERE TO WORK AGAINST HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU TO BRING FAMILIES, EDUCATORS AND LEADERS TOGETHER TO CREATE AN OPTION THAT REFLECTS THE NEEDS AND VALUES OF OUR COUNTY. AS I WRAP UP, MY SON AND SO MANY CHILDREN LIKE HIM DESERVE ACCESS TO LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT NURTURE THEIR CURIOSITY, CHALLENGE THEM ACADEMICALLY, AND SUPPORT THEM SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS PROVIDES THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND IT PROVIDES CHOICE, AND IT PROVIDES A WAY FOR FAMILIES WHO LOVE HENRY COUNTY, WHO ARE INVESTED IN HENRY COUNTY TO STAY RIGHT HERE WHILE ACCESSING THE TYPE OF EDUCATION THAT FITS THEIR CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS TOGETHER. I KNOW WE CAN MAKE THIS A REALITY FOR OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT. THANK YOU, MISS PETTIS. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR THIS EVENING. I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MISS RIDDLE. MADAM CHAIR, I TURN THE MEETING BACK [H. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)] OVER TO YOU AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE TONIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO H OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. IT WAS DETERMINED AT OUR STUDY SESSION THIS AFTERNOON THAT [00:35:01] BUSINESS ITEMS H ONE THROUGH SIX WOULD BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE HAD RICH DISCUSSION AROUND THOSE ITEMS AT OUR STUDY SESSION, SO IF YOU MISSED THAT, WE WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND LISTEN TO THAT DISCUSSION. BUT CAN I GET A MOTION AT THIS TIME TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? ITEMS H ONE THROUGH SIX. ALSO MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE BUSINESS ITEMS NUMB H ONE THROUGH 666. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. THERE A SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM H SEVEN, THIS SOUTH MOUNT CARMEL ROAD PROPERTY PURCHASE CONTRACT. MADAM CHAIR, MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE. ITEM H SEVEN, THE SOUTH MOUNT CARMEL ROAD PROPERTY PURCHASE CONTRACT. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 50H7 IS APPROVED. CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM H EIGHT PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE H EIGHT, AS DISCUSSED. AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO PERSONNEL IS APPROVED. THERE IS A PERSONNEL MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE VOTED ON SEPARATELY THIS EVENING. SO CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT AS STATED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. MR. MCDANIEL, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? MISS CARTER, I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE DOCTOR PACE ON HIS FIRST YEAR AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO HAVE SPENT OUR FIRST YEAR TOGETHER. AND JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND YOUR TRANSPARENCY AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO OUR YEARS TOGETHER AHEAD. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ANYONE ELSE? MISTER MCDANIEL THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND I WANT TO ECHO THE COMMENTS OF MY BOARD COLLEAGUE. DOCTOR PACE HAS COME AND HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR VISION, YOUR GUIDANCE AND WHERE WE ARE HEADED AND WHERE WE'RE GOING. AND IT FEELS GOOD TO KNOW THAT WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOUR BOARD. I MEAN YOUR CABINET AS WELL FOR FOR AS WELL. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISTER MCDANIEL. MISS EDWARDS THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY, DOCTOR PACE, LIKE MISS CARTER SAID, IT HAS BEEN TRULY BEEN A PLEASURE THIS YEAR WORKING WITH YOU. WHEN YOU CAME HERE, YOU DIDN'T STOP. YOU CAME FROM MIAMI AND YOU CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD WITHIN YOUR COUNTY SCHOOLS. AND I JUST APPRECIATE ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS COUNTY SO FAR. AND WE HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE WITH YOU. AFTER HEARING ALL THE SCORES TODAY, WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR DEDICATION TO HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS AND YOUR CABINET MEMBERS. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. DOCTOR PACE, I DEFINITELY WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUES, BUT WE JUST SO APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE ON THIS GOVERNANCE TEAM ALONGSIDE YOU, AND KNOW THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD US HUMBLY AND THE IN EXACTLY WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS. AND I KNOW THAT THAT IS WHAT'S AT YOUR HEART. AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE GRACE IN WHICH YOU LEAD US IN OUR ENTIRE DISTRICT. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, I WILL NOW ASK FOR A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO. THAT IS APPROVED. [I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS] CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. WE WILL NOW FINISH THE EVENING WITH OUR BOARD. SUPERINTENDENT. CLOSING REMARKS. MISS CARTER, DO YOU WANT TO START US OFF THIS EVENING? CONGRATULATIONS TO WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR WINNING THE 2025 GEORGIA REVOLUTION SOCCER JAMBOREE. AND THEN THANK YOU TO GRIFFIN RESA FOR DONATING OVER 1000 GRADE LEVEL BOOKS TO SUPPORT THE GROWING READERS PROGRAM AT BETHLEHEM COTTON INDIAN, LUELLA, PATE'S CREEK AND WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THAT'S AMAZING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND LAST WEEK I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE STATE BETA CLUB CONVENTION. SOPHIE WAS THERE ALSO. I WAS ATTENDING WITH TIMBER RIDGE ELEMENTARY AND IT WAS TRULY JUST AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS. SO I WAS REALLY GRATEFUL TO ALL OF OUR TEACHERS FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THERE. LOTS OF OUR SCHOOLS WERE THERE, WHICH THAT WAS REALLY [00:40:01] IMPRESSIVE, AND SO I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THAT. AND SEVERAL OF OUR SCHOOLS WON AWARDS AND WERE RECOGNIZED WHILE WE WERE THERE. SO THAT WAS SO AMAZING. SO JUST REALLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT LAST WEEK. AND THEN AGAIN, JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEACHERS AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE CRP SCORES. JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. AND JUST TO OUR CABINET FOR TO MARION AND HER TEAM AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING. I'M JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE TEACHERS AND THE STAFF MEMBERS THAT HAVE REALLY PUT FORTH A LOT OF EFFORT FOR THAT. AND THEN WE'RE HERE AT CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS CRAZY. SO I PRAY THAT EVERYONE HAS A GREAT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN JANUARY. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. DOCTOR NUTT. THANK YOU. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAD AN EXCELLENT FOOTBALL SEASON. FIVE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETED IN THE FIRST ROUND OF REGION TWO AA STATE PLAYOFFS, SEVERAL MAKING SCHOOL HISTORY WITH THEIR FIRST EVER PLAYOFF APPEARANCE. MORE THAN 25 STUDENT ATHLETES WERE NAMED ALL REGION FOOTBALL PLAYERS FOR REGION TWO A, AS WELL AS LUELLA HIGH, AND THREE STUDENT ATHLETES NAMED ALL REGION FOOTBALL PLAYERS FOR REGION FIVE. A CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS AND COACHES FOR THEIR SPECIAL RECOGNITION. GARY FISHER FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH, THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR. ARMAAN PARKER WHAT A GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYER. LOCUST GROVE HIGH SENIOR OFFENSIVE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR BRYCE ROBINSON, LOCUST GROVE HIGH SENIOR DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND KAMARI DORSEY, HAMPTON HIGH JUNIOR REGION ATHLETE OF THE YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE OUTSTANDING ATHLETES AND COACHES. ALSO, THE FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM FROM LOCUST GROVE IS PLAYING THE IN THE ELITE EIGHT. THEY HAVE TO WIN TWO GAMES TONIGHT TO GO TO STATE. RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK IT'S LOOKING TOO GOOD FOR THEM, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE. THEY HAPPEN TO BE THE AREA CHAMPS FOR TODAY. AND DON'T FORGET JEN DECEMBER 22ND THROUGH JANUARY 2ND STARTS OUR BREAK. SO NO MORE SCHOOL. THE BOARD DECIDED Y'ALL DON'T HAVE TO COME TO SCHOOL NOVEMBER 22ND THROUGH JANUARY 2ND, SO STAY HOME. WHAT A GREAT YEAH TO KNOW JANUARY 2ND. COME BACK AFTER THAT. LOCUST GROVE HIGH HAD A FANTASTIC THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON AND LOOK FORWARD TO COMING TO EATING THEIR CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON NEXT FRIDAY. WE WANT TO WISH YOU A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON AND JUST BE SAFE AND COME BACK TO US IN JANUARY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR NUTT. MR. MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. CONGRATULATIONS TO SEVENTH GRADE GREATER EAGLES. I START THIS AGAIN. CONGRATULATIONS. SEVENTH GRADE EAGLE'S LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT MASON JONES. AND BEING SELECTED TO SERVE AS THE 2025 2026 JUNIOR YOUTH OF THE YEAR FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF METRO ATLANTA. MASON WILL MOVE ON TO COMPETE AT THE STATE LEVEL, REPRESENTING THE METRO ATLANTA CLUB. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO TOOK FIRST PLACE IN THE HURON COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY MODEL WATER TOWER COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS, LUELLA. HIGH SCHOOLS. MARKELLE EDGAR FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY. GABRIEL JONES FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY. AND BOTH OF THOSE STUDENTS WILL BE GRADUATING EARLY AND STARTING COLLEGE IN JANUARY OF 2026. CONGRATULATIONS TO ZINA HARRIS FOR HER FULL ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP TO PLAY SOFTBALL AT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY. CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH HIGH'S DIRECTOR, JAQUAN SANTIAGO, AND THE CAST MEMBERS OF THE ONE ACT PLAY, AS THEY RANKED NUMBER SIX IN THE STATE FOR THEIR PLAY IN ADVANCE TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. AND FINALLY, TO ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR SCHOLARS, THEIR EDUCATION. FOR MANY OF YOU, SERVE AS MOM, DAD, UNCLE AND AUNTIE AWAY FROM HOME. AND AS WE ENTER THIS CHRISTMAS BREAK, IT'S MY HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY MUCH NEEDED REST AND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. AND REMEMBER THAT YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO OUR OUR SCHOLARS DOES NOT GO IN VAIN. SO FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND SEE YOU IN JANUARY. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. MRS. EDWARDS, THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS TO SMITH BARNES ELEMENTARY ON RECEIVING THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS BELL AWARD FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE [00:45:03] FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL PBIS PROGRAM. THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO NO MORE THAN TEN SCHOOLS EACH YEAR, RECOGNIZING THOSE OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS IN CURRICULUM AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP. ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO SUMMERLIN, FIFTH GRADER AT SMITH BARNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ON BEING THE SCHOOL BUS SAFETY POSTER CONTEST WINNER FOR THE DIVISION NUMBER TWO GRADES THREE THROUGH FIVE FOR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU. BE SAFE AND TRY AND GET SOME MUCH NEEDED REST, BECAUSE JANUARY IS AROUND THE CORNER AND WE WILL SEE YOU ALL IN JANUARY. THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. DOCTOR PACE THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS RECEIVE 14 PUBLICATION AWARDS AT THE 2025 GEORGIA SCHOOLS PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE. THIS ADDED UP TO EIGHT GOLD, FOUR SILVER AND TWO BRONZE AWARDS. SO I JUST WANTED. SO I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THE MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THEM BECAUSE THEY HELPED ME WRITE MY SCRIPTS. I HAVE TO SNEAK THAT IN, AND THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT I WAS GOING TO SNEAK THAT IN. SO THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM. SECONDLY, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AGAIN, MISS YVETTE CHRISTIAN, PRINCIPAL OF STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, ON HER RETIREMENT IN 35 YEARS OF SERVICE. MISS CHRISTIAN IS A LEADER AMONG LEADERS IN THE MOST NOBLE AND HONORABLE, HONORABLE PROFESSION OF EDUCATION. WE THANK HER FOR HER DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, AND AS WE APPROACH THE END OF THE SEMESTER, WHICH IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY, I WANTED TO EXTEND MY SINCERE APPRECIATION TO OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, FAMILIES, AND PARTNERS. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON INSPIRES JOY AND GRATITUDE, AND I AM THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF SUCH AN EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO UPLIFTING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN HENRY COUNTY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON OUR MOMENTUM IN 2026. THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE, AND TO FINISH OUT THIS EVENING, I WANT TO START BY CONGRATULATING MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL'S ONE ACT TROUPE ON WINNING THEIR FIRST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP FOR REGION TWO FOR A AND FINISHING SIXTH IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THAT REGION. WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU. ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO DOCTOR SEAN HESTER, WHO WAS RECENTLY NAMED SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR BY THE GEORGIA SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION AT THEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCE. DOCTOR AARON BUNDRAGE ALSO RECEIVED THE INSPIRATIONAL INSPIRATION AWARD, EXCUSE ME AND UNITY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR DOCTOR MITCHELL JONES WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE ONLY ACA CERTIFIED SCHOOL COUNSELOR IN GEORGIA. THANK YOU. AMAZING THINGS HAPPENING WITH OUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT. ALSO, A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL'S EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT, JAMIE MASON, ON BEING RECOGNIZED AS A REACH SCHOLAR. JAVON RECEIVED A $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIS HONOR. AND THEN, AS EVERYONE HAS MENTIONED, I HOPE EVERYONE HAS THE MOST RESTFUL AND RESTORATIVE CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY BREAK AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND JUST KNOW HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO BE A PART OF SUCH AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY. AND I HOPE EVERYONE REMEMBERS DURING THIS TIME TO HOLD YOUR PEOPLE TIGHT. AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE WILL NOW ADJOURN OUR MEETING AT 7:48 P.M. HAVE * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.