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WELCOME TO THIS STUDY SESSION OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. IN ORDER TO ENSURE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING. ATTENDEES 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 HURDLE, AND GOOD AFTERNOON AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL OUR STUDY SESSION TO ORDER AT 4:01 P.M. ON JANUARY 12TH, 2026, AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR
[B. SUPERINTENDENT'S WELCOME]
PACE FOR HIS WELCOME. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME TO THE JANUARY MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU FOR THE STUDY SESSION FOR THE FIRST STUDY SESSION FOR THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR AND THE START OF ANOTHER SEMESTER DEDICATED TO ENSURING BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. BEFORE WE CONTINUE, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS I ACKNOWLEDGE THE PASSING OF A MEMBER OF OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM. THANK YOU.
OUR BOARD COMMENCED ITS DUTIES FOR THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR, WITH A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ON JANUARY 8TH FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MRS. SOPHIE POPE WAS NOMINATED AND UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE BOARD, TO SERVE AS BOARD CHAIR FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE TERM, AND MR. MCKENZIE MCDANIEL WAS NOMINATED AND ALSO UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED TO SERVE AS VICE CHAIR. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK AS A UNIFIED GOVERNANCE TEAM AS WE CONTINUE STRIVING TO ELEVATE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR HENRY COUNTY FAMILIES. NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 19TH, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS OBSERVED DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY. DOCTOR KING'S REMARKABLE LEGACY OF SERVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR EDUCATION AND EQUALITY ALIGNED WITH OUR MISSION TO EMPOWER ALL STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS THAT LEAD TO SUCCESS IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CITE A FEW LINES FROM DOCTOR KING'S PUBLISHED ARTICLE, THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION. EDUCATION MUST ENABLE ONE TO SIFT AND WEIGH EVIDENCE. THE FUNCTION OF EDUCATION, THEREFORE, IS TO TEACH ONE TO THINK INTENSIVELY AND TO THINK CRITICALLY. WE MUST REMEMBER THAT INTELLIGENCE IS NOT ENOUGH.
INTELLIGENCE PLUS CHARACTER. THAT IS THE GOAL OF TRUE EDUCATION. IT'S CELEBRATION OF DOCTOR KING'S LIFE AND LEGACY. WE INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF NEXT MONDAY AT THE ANNUAL MLK PEACE MARCH AND PARADE, WHICH BEGINS AT 10 A.M. AT THE HENRY COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT FIVE OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WERE LISTED AMONG THE GEORGIA SCHOOLS EXITING OR MAKING PROGRESS TO EXIT FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION. WALNUT CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS AMONG 43 CSI SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED AS MAKING PROGRESS, WHILE BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
STOCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WESLEY LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WERE AMONG 55 GEORGIA SCHOOLS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO EXIT TS II STATUS. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO DISTRICT AND SCHOOL LEADERS. ACKNOWLEDGING THESE DISTRICT AND SCHOOL LEADERS, ALONG WITH OUR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES. THESE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS AND COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT OUR VISION TO ENSURE A HIGH QUALITY, WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT. JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH AND WE CELEBRATE OUR EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT RIGHT HERE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS FROM THOSE IN DEDICATED ROLES LIKE OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS FACILITATORS TO ALL THOSE ACROSS THE DISTRICT WHO HELP TO NURTURE AND INSPIRE OUR STUDENTS, INCLUDING TEACHERS AND STAFF. WE ALSO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, ACKNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES TO MENTOR STUDENTS IN OUR 53 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THROUGH OUR HENRY PARTNERS PROGRAM. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL HOST THE FIRST COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 ON FRIDAY,
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JANUARY 23RD AT 10 A.M. WE APPLAUD THE DILIGENCE AND PERSEVERANCE OF THESE STUDENTS.CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINTER 2026 GRADUATES! AND JANUARY IS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH. IT IS A TIME TO HONOR THE DEDICATION, VIGILANCE AND FORESIGHT OF OUR AWARD WINNING BOARD OF EDUCATION. AND YOU CAN SEE ONE OF THEIR AWARDS RIGHT HERE. WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN HENRY COUNTY. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME. AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, FOR THAT. WELCOME.
[C. BOARD MEMBER ITEMS]
WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO SEE WHICH IS BOARD MEMBER ITEMS. AND I WILL JUST GIVE A SUPER QUICK ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO THE GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WHICH DOCTOR PACE AND I WERE ABLE TO ATTEND IN DECEMBER. AS ALWAYS, IT'S SO REWARDING TO BE SURROUNDED BY OUR COLLEAGUES AROUND THE STATE AND JUST HEAR ABOUT THE GOOD WORK THAT'S HAPPENING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ALL OF THE DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA. AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BE INSPIRED, TO CONTINUE TO BE THE LEADERS IN ALL THAT WE DO HERE. AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRING HOME THIS LOVELY AWARD FOR THIS OUTSTANDING BOARD THAT I HAVE[D. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS]
THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING WITH. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO D OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AFTERNOON, AND WE WILL START TODAY WITH D1A DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR INFORMATIONAL ITEM D1A STRATEGIC PLAN YEAR FIVE QUARTER TWO REPORT. I'D LIKE TO INVITE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT STAFF AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS MISSUS SUMMER COX TO THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE.TODAY, I AM PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE YEAR FIVE QUARTER TWO REPORT FOR THE 2025 2026 SCHOOL YEAR. THE FULL REPORT HAS ALREADY BEEN PREPARED FOR YOU, BUT TODAY I WILL SHARE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT OUR TEAM ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE FINAL YEAR OF THIS BOARD'S FIVE YEAR COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN, WITH SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS IDENTIFIED FOR EACH OF THE FIVE STRATEGIC ACTIONS. THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS ESTABLISHED A CLEAR VISION AND MISSION THAT PRIORITIZES A HIGH QUALITY, WORLD CLASS EDUCATION WITH EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS FOR EVERY STUDENT. THE COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN BROUGHT TO LIFE BY THIS BOARD, SERVES AS A COMPASS FOR CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL STUDENTS, TO BUILD EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LEADERS AND TEACHERS TO ENSURE COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, TO ADVANCE STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE WELLNESS, AND TO DEVELOP A HIGH PERFORMING OPERATIONAL CULTURE, ALL WITH A CLEAR FOCUS ON PREPARING EVERY STUDENT FOR SUCCESS FROM BIRTH TO THE TURN OF THEIR TASSEL AND BEYOND. THIS BOARD HAS IDENTIFIED PRIORITY STUDENT OUTCOMES, OR SSOS, TO FOCUS ON READINESS TO LEARN AND ACCESS TO LEARNING, LITERACY PROFICIENCY AND COLLEGE, CAREER AND LIFE READINESS AS WE ENHANCE OUR PERFORMANCE CULTURE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CLEAR, MEASURABLE GOALS THAT ALIGN WITH ADVANCING OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS, AND OUTCOMES FOR ALL STUDENTS, WE CONTINUE OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY, WORLD CLASS EDUCATION THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS. AS WE CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT IDENTIFIED PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS THROUGH TO COMPLETION, WE ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE A HIGHLIGHT REVIEW OF SPECIFIC TACTICS. EACH TACTIC IS PROGRESSING THROUGH DIFFERENT PHASES OF IMPLEMENTATION FROM RESEARCH, DESIGN, INVEST AND IMPLEMENT TO THE FINAL PHASE OF COMPLETE. WHILE IT IS OUR GOAL THAT ALL TACTICS IN THE 2021 2026 STRATEGIC PLAN WILL REACH THE COMPLETE PHASE BY THE END OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR, WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THIS WORK MAY BE EXTENDED INTO THE NEXT STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN THE PLANNING PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT. AS I SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS QUARTER, YOU WILL NOTICE A METER ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SLIDES. FOR EACH STRATEGIC ACTION YOU CAN SEE IN THE METERS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE TACTICS HAVE PROGRESSED THROUGH EACH PHASE OF IMPLEMENTATION. SO LET'S REVIEW THE IMPACTFUL WORK THAT OCCURRED DURING YEAR FIVE. QUARTER TWO. STRATEGIC ACTION ONE PRIORITIZES ADVANCING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES FOR ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO ACCESS ADVANCED COURSEWORK, MORE ACCESS TO STEM, AND MORE ACCESS TO FINE ARTS.
PREPARATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL ARE UNDERWAY, WITH STAKEHOLDER SURVEY DATA BEING ANALYZED TO DETERMINE INTEREST IN THE THREE PATHWAYS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND AEROSPACE. THE INTERIOR SPACES OF THE BUILDING ARE BEING DESIGNED WITH ACADEMIC PROGRAMING NEEDS IN MIND, AND
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HUMAN RESOURCES HAS ESTABLISHED THE HIRING TIMELINE FOR THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND OTHER KEY STAFF MEMBERS, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS CONTINUE WITH THE IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND NEW MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. FACILITATORS HAVE ALSO RECEIVED ONBOARDING THROUGH SECOND STEP FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL CONNECT FOR HIGH SCHOOLS. REGARDING COMMUNITY SERVICE, THE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM OR BASE AS SUPPORTING ROBOTICS PROGRAMING AT 15 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATIONS, WITH ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATIONS RECEIVING STEM INSTRUCTION SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, AND ACCESS TO TRAINING AND RESOURCES FOR STAFF. STRATEGIC ACTION TWO ENSURES THAT WE ARE ADVANCING EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION. IN ORDER TO DO SO, WE MUST PROVIDE CLEAR FRAMEWORKS AND CONDITIONS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE BEST TEACHERS, LEADERS AND SUPPORT STAFF FOR OUR STUDENTS. EMPLOYEE RETENTION CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY AREA THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION OF HIGH LEVERAGE RETENTION STRATEGIES, INCLUDING COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGES FOR BOTH CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED STAFF. HUMAN RESOURCES IS ALSO ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN RECRUITMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, WITH ATTENDANCE AT UNIVERSITY AND OTHER MAJOR CAREER FAIRS, AS WELL AS COLLEGE AND CAREER DAYS AT OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS. THEY ARE ASSISTING PARAPROFESSIONALS AND TRANSITIONING TO TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND CHAMPIONING STUDENT TEACHERS AND UPCOMING CLASSROOM PLACEMENTS. COORDINATED EFFORTS BETWEEN HUMAN RESOURCES AND BUILDING LEADERS TO FILL VACANCIES WITH QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. ONGOING DIALOG AND FEEDBACK WITH TEACHER ACADEMY FOR PREPARATION AND PEDAGOGY, OR TAP TEACHERS, AND INTENTIONAL COLLABORATION TO SUPPORT PROVISIONALLY CERTIFIED EDUCATORS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS, LEADING TO IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES FOR SCHOOL STAFF AND LEADERS. STRATEGIC ACTION THREE FOCUSES OUR EFFORTS ON ADVANCING CONNECTIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT AMONG OUR STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THE HENRY PARTNERS PROGRAM HELD A HOW TO PARTNER SEMINAR TO EXPAND VISIBILITY, DEEPEN RELATIONSHIPS, AND SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF OUR DISTRICT WIDE MENTORING INITIATIVES, WITH SEVERAL PARTNERS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT THROUGH SPONSORSHIP, MENTORSHIP, AND VOLUNTEERISM. ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS. I'M ONBOARDING ACTIVITIES FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, AND LANGUAGE SERVICES HAVE BEEN ENHANCED TO ENSURE ALL DISTRICT LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOW PROVIDED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. ADULT EDUCATION INITIATIVES HAVE ALSO INCLUDED WORKFORCE READINESS AND SOFT SKILL TRAINING WITH OUR PARTNERS, AS WELL AS SKILL DEVELOPMENT TO EMPOWER ADULT LEARNERS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYABILITY. ADVANCING STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TARGETED SUPPORT STRUCTURES LEADS US TO STRATEGIC ACTION FOR CURRENT WELLNESS. POLICIES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AS PART OF DESIGN ACTIVITIES FOR THE HEALTH COUNCIL AND FALL ADMINISTRATION OF THE HENRY CARES CHECK IN TOOL CAPTURED 28,560 STUDENT VOICES IN GRADES THREE THROUGH 12. HUMAN RESOURCES ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE HENRY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO STAFF MEMBERS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, STRATEGIC ACTION FIVE ENSURES WE ARE PRIORITIZING A HIGH PERFORMING OPERATIONAL CULTURE THAT SETS THE CONDITIONS FOR MORE LEARNING, MORE GROWING, AND MORE WINNING. THE DISTRICT SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THE REDESIGN TIME AND LABOR INTERFACE AS PART OF THE ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLATFORM, ENHANCED COMPENSATION GUIDELINES TO MANAGE INTERNAL JOB CHANGES WITH CLARITY AND EQUITY FOR ESTABLISHED PAY STRUCTURES, AND COMPLETED IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON A COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY TO ENSURE DISTRICT COMPETITIVENESS. OR DOES THAT PREPARE TO CLOSE TODAY'S PRESENTATION? I AM PLEASED TO SHOWCASE THE HARD WORK AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF YEAR FIVE, QUARTER TWO OF THE FIVE YEAR COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN. WE ARE MIDWAY THROUGH THE FINAL YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION, AND THIS BOARD'S AMBITIOUS PURSUIT OF ENSURING ALL STUDENTS ARE COLLEGE, CAREER AND LIFE READY WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE THE WORK AS WE ENSURE THE COMMUNITY'S VISION AND EXPECTATIONS ARE REALIZED. SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS CONCLUDES ALL THAT I HAVE PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. COX. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEM UPDATE ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN YEAR FIVE QUARTER TO REPORT, AND WE REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS.THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MRS. COX, FOR THAT UPDATE. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS? MR. MCDANIEL THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND THANK YOU, MISS COX, FOR THIS PRESENTATION. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT LAST THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, MADAM CHAIR AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUSINESS PARTNERS, SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES FROM, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE COUNTY. AND THANK YOU, DOCTOR FOSTER, FOR PUTTING ALL THAT TOGETHER FOR US. IT WAS A GREAT TIME. AND AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME FROM OUT OF THE GROUP THAT I WAS IN WAS ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESSIBILITY TO THEM. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT AS WE LOOK FORWARD INTO OUR NEXT STRATEGIC PLAN IS THE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN HENRY COUNTY ARE VAST. I MEAN, WE WE
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OFFER SOME OF THE BEST PLATFORMS THAT THAT ANYONE COULD OFFER. THE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WAS ABOUT EXPANDING THE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE OPPORTUNITIES. AND ONE OF THE EXAMPLES THAT WAS GIVEN BY ONE OF THE PRINCIPALS WAS, IF YOU HAD A VETERINARIAN SCIENCE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE DO. SO JUST THROW IT OUT. AND IF THERE WAS A CAP OF 80 STUDENTS FOR VETERINARIAN SCIENCE, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO STUDENT NUMBER 81 AND 82 AND 83? YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR DRIVE TO WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS. SO THOSE ONE THING THAT WAS LIFTED UP WAS WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES. BUT HOW DO WE ALSO INCREASE THE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR NEXT PLAN. SO I JUST WANTED TO LIFT THAT UP. AGAIN. THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF. THANK YOU MISS DOCTOR FOSTER FOR WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEW PLAN. THANK YOU, MISTER MCDANIEL. ANYONE ELSE? I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. AND AS ALWAYS, EVERY TIME YOU GIVE ONE OF THESE REPORTS, I'M JUST REMINDED OF THE ABSOLUTELY TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO BRINGING ALL OF THIS TO LIFE AND THE WORK THAT HAPPENS EACH AND EVERY DAY AND EVERY ONE OF OUR BUILDINGS. SO THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS A HAND IN THIS WORK. I'M SO GRATEFUL. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO INFORMATIONAL ITEM D2A DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. UNDER UNDER THE CORE BUSINESS OF STUDENT LEARNING INFORMATIONAL ITEM D2A EARLY LEARNING UPDATE. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CHIEF LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OFFICER, DOCTOR JOHNSON, TO THE PODIUM FOR THIS INFORMATIONAL ITEM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, TODAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SHARING AN UPDATE ON THE REMARKABLE PROGRESS WITHIN OUR EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES. THROUGH THESE CRITICAL EARLY EXPERIENCES, WE'RE NOT ONLY OPENING DOORS TO LITERACY AND NUMERACY, BUT CREATING SPACES WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN THRIVE, BUILD A LOVE OF LEARNING, AND REALIZE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. AS A BOARD, YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY EMPHASIZED THAT ENSURING EVERY STUDENT IS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN IS A TOP PRIORITY. YOUR HIGH EXPECTATIONS ARE REFLECTED IN OUR CORE POLICIES, PRIORITY OUTCOMES, AND YOUR AND ALIGNED TO YOUR COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN. TODAY, I WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE SHOWCASING HOW YOUR INVESTMENTS ARE DELIVERING THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES NEEDED FOR OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS TO SUCCEED. OUR PROGRESS REGARDING REGARDING STRATEGIC ACTION ONE INITIATIVE SIX, WHICH IS DEDICATED TO ESTABLISHING FIRM PARTNERSHIPS WITH EARLY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PARTNERS, HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS. WE ARE ACTIVELY REVISING THE WAY WE CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY BASED PROVIDERS. MOST RECENTLY, A SURVEY WAS PROVIDED TO ALL COMMUNITY BASED PROVIDERS TO GAIN INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC SUPPORTS AND PARTNERSHIPS THEY WOULD LIKE FROM HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. OUR EARLY LEARNING TEAM IS CURRENTLY USING THIS DATA TO ESTABLISH A TOUCHPOINT WITH EARLY CARE PROVIDERS THIS SPRING. TO ADDRESS THESE BIG IDEAS DIRECTLY. WE HAVE ALSO MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN CONNECTING OUR SCHOOLS WITH THE COMMUNITY. TO DATE, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED OVER 80 EARLY CARE PROVIDERS. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE FACILITATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THESE PROVIDERS AND THE PRINCIPALS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CLUSTERS TO FOSTER LOCAL COLLABORATION. THE EARLY LEARNING NEWSLETTER IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION FOCUSED ON KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE. IT SERVES AS A RESOURCE FOR BOTH FAMILIES AND EARLY CARE PROVIDERS, HIGHLIGHTING UPCOMING EVENTS AND SHARING RELEVANT INFORMATION REGARDING CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS. WE ARE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS EARLY LEARNING WEBSITE, WHICH SERVES AS A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE HUB DESIGNED TO EMPOWER OUR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE. THIS SITE IS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR FAMILIES, TRANSLATING EARLY LEARNING STANDARDS INTO EASY ACTIVITIES THEY CAN DO AT HOME IN LITERACY AND MATH, LIKE FUN RHYMING WORD GAMES AND COUNTING OBJECTS DURING SNACK TIME. TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING, THE SITE OFFERS SEASONAL SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES, GIVING FAMILIES A YEAR ROUND ENGAGING CURRICULUM, FROM COUNTING MARSHMALLOWS AND HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE WINTER TO EXPLORING NATURE WALKS IN THE SPRING. PLUS, IT PROVIDES CRITICAL INFORMATION LINKING FAMILIES DIRECTLY TO THE CDC DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE TRACKER AND THE GEORGIA EARLY LEARNING STANDARDS ROADMAP. FURTHERMORE, RESOURCES ARE GIVEN DIRECTLY TO EARLY CARE PROVIDERS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FAMILIES THEY SERVE. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY AND EVERY FAMILY HAS THE TOOLS AND INFORMATION NEEDED TO PREPARE OUR CHILDREN FOR SUCCESSFUL START TO ENSURE OUR RESOURCES REMAIN CUTTING EDGE AND FULLY ALIGN WITH STATE STANDARDS. OUR BIRTH TO FIVE LEARNER EXPECTATIONS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVISION. WE HAVE ALREADY ALIGNED ALL EARLY LEARNING STANDARDS WITH THE NEW GEORGIA MATH AND ELA STANDARDS, AND AN UPDATE IS COMING SOON TO THIS PAGE. THESE REVISIONS WILL FEATURE EVEN MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY LANGUAGE AND ENGAGING[00:20:03]
ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN AT HOME ENGAGEMENT AND EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES.OUR EARLY KINDERGARTEN. OUR EARLY KINDERGARTEN EXPERIENCE HAS PROVEN TO BE A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SUMMER OFFERING, DIRECTLY IMPACTING KINDERGARTEN READINESS. LAST YEAR, THE PROGRAM SERVED 380 STUDENTS ACROSS ALL OF OUR ELEMENTARY SITES. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE DATA CONFIRMS THE PROGRAM'S VALUE. STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED DEMONSTRATED GAINS IN READINESS. WE SAW AN INCREASE FROM 66.1% TO 71 74.1% READINESS BASED ON THE GEORGIA EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS AND THE SPECIFIC KINDERGARTEN STANDARDS ALIGNED TO THE READINESS ASSESSMENT. THIS EIGHT POINT INCREASE CONFIRMS THAT THIS SUMMER EXPERIENCE BENEFITS OUR STUDENTS BEFORE DAY ONE OF KINDERGARTEN. THE GEORGIA LOTTERY FUNDED PRE-K PROGRAM IS FUNDAMENTAL TO PREPARING OUR FOUR YEAR OLDS FOR KINDERGARTEN SUCCESS. OUR APPROACH IS ENTIRELY DRIVEN BY THE GEORGIA EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATIONAL BUILDING BLOCKS DIRECTLY ALIGNED WITH OUR BROADER K-12 STANDARDS. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, WE IMPLEMENT THE FROG STREET CURRICULUM, WHICH IS A STATE APPROVED COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM DESIGN FOR THE LOTTERY FUNDED PRE-K CLASSROOMS. WE UTILIZE A PLAY BASED LEARNING CENTER MODEL THAT FOCUSES ON WHOLE CHILD INSTRUCTION, ENSURING ACTIVE, HANDS ON LEARNING IN BOTH SMALL AND HARD AND LARGE GROUPS TO MONITOR STUDENT PROGRESS TOWARD FULL MASTERY, WE UTILIZED KINDERGARTEN BENCHMARKING PROGRESS, A BENCHMARKING PROGRESS, DATA TRACKER, OBSERVATION BASED ASSESSMENTS, AND WORK SAMPLING, WHICH ALLOWS US TO TRACK INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS AND CONTINUOUSLY GUIDES OUR INSTRUCTION. TO ENSURE THAT OUR PRE-K LEAD AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS REMAIN CURRENT AND BEST PRACTICES. THEY ATTEND THE STATE'S MANDATORY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SESSIONS. THIS YEAR, OUR RETURNING STAFF PARTICIPATED IN THE TRAINING TITLED THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, WHICH FOCUSED ON HANDS ON STRATEGIES, LITERATURE INTEGRATION AND THE SCIENCE OF READING. FURTHERMORE, TARGETED TRAINING FOR OUR NEWEST STAFF.
NEWEST STAFF MEMBERS FOCUSED ON ESSENTIAL SKILLS LIKE BUILDING CLASSROOM COMMUNITY, HANDS ON ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, AND EFFECTIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES. IN ADDITION TO THESE STATE MANDATED SESSIONS, STATE MANDATED SESSIONS, AND DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, ALL GEORGIA LOTTERY PRE-K TEACHERS PARTICIPATE IN ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SESSIONS FOCUSED ON THE HIGH LEVERAGE INSTRUCTIONAL SKILLS OF RIGOROUS QUESTIONING AND FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TO DEEPEN STUDENT LEARNING. LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IS A TOP PRIORITY IN OUR PRE-K CLASSES. WE LEVERAGE STATE, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS TO EMPHASIZE THIS PRIORITY. IN OCTOBER, WE CELEBRATE GEORGIA PRE-K WEEK. THIS WEEK INVOLVES SHARED READING CELEBRATIONS WITH KEY FIGURES, INCLUDING STATE LEGISLATORS AND MEMBERS OF OUR CONGRESS. WE COORDINATE VISITS TO OUR PRE-K SITES, OFTEN INCLUDING PARTICIPATION FROM OUR OWN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS DISTRICT LEADERS, TO DEMONSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY. ALSO BEGINNING IN OCTOBER IS. IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF READING. JUMPSTART'S READ, FOR THE RECORD, IS A SHARED READING EXPERIENCE ACROSS A GLOBAL SOCIETY. OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPATES IN THE WORLD'S LARGEST SHARED READING EXPERIENCE, A 20 WEEK LITERACY INITIATIVE THAT RAISES AWARENESS OF THE URGENT NEED FOR EARLY LITERACY SUPPORT. BY SPOTLIGHTING A DIFFERENT BOOK EACH WEEK, WE UTILIZE WEEKLY ACTIVITY GUIDES TO BUILD FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY SKILLS IN OUR CLASSROOMS. WE CONCLUDE THE YEAR BY PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION HOSTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN WEEK OF THE YOUNG. THIS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS THE CRITICAL ROLE OF HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THROUGH THREE THEMED DAYS SUCH AS MUSIC MONDAY, TASTY TUESDAY AND ARTSY THURSDAY, WHICH EMPHASIZE THAT PLAY, CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION ARE ESSENTIAL FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT. THIS WEEK SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE PROFESSIONALS WHO DELIVER THIS QUALITY EDUCATION, AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF EARLY LEARNING. WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR THE ENROLLMENT OF OUR NEXT GEORGIA LOTTERY PRE-K COHORT OF FOUR YEAR OLDS FOR THE 2026 2027 SCHOOL YEAR, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING TIMELINE FOR THE GEORGIA LOTTERY PRE-K APPLICATION PROCESS. THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR INTERESTED FAMILIES WERE ONE. FROM JANUARY 26TH THROUGH FEBRUARY 6TH. THE OFFICIAL LOTTERY DRAWING WILL TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 3RD. FAMILIES WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE LOTTERY RESULTS ACROSS TWO DAYS. MARCH 5TH AND SIXTH. REGISTRATION FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE SELECTED IN THE LOTTERY PROCESS WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 24TH. THIS TIMELINE ENSURES THAT OUR FAMILIES HAVE CLARITY AND SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS WELL AHEAD OF THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. DETAILS REGARDING THE LOTTERY PROCESS ARE DETAILED ON OUR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS GEORGIA PRE-K LOTTERY PAGE. ENROLLING IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS OFFERS OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS LEARNERS ACROSS ACCESS TO A FOUNDATION THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO A WORLD OF EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES.
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KINDERGARTEN AND HENRY COUNTY IS A LEARNING DESTINATION WHERE WONDER MEETS WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTION. ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ENGAGE IN WORLD LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE, FOSTERING CULTURAL AWARENESS AND A GLOBAL AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP. WE ARE BUILDING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW BY GIVING THEM TOOLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE WORLD. TODAY, IN OUR CLASSROOMS, WE DON'T JUST ASK WHAT IF WE FOUND OUT HOW STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HANDS ON STEM EXPERIENCES, DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING, VISUAL ARTS AND MUSIC ALLOW OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS TO ENGAGE IN CREATIVE THINKING, SPARKING IMAGINATION AND SELF-EXPRESSION THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. AND ALL OF OUR EARLY LEARNERS RECEIVE EVIDENCE BASED LITERACY INSTRUCTION, ENSURING THEY HAVE THAT EVERY CHILD DEVELOPS THE EARLY READING AND WRITING SKILLS NECESSARY FOR LONG TERM ACADEMIC SUCCESS. TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING, EVERY ENROLLED KINDERGARTEN STUDENT RECEIVES A WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN BOOK TO ADD TO THEIR HOME LIBRARY. THE OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2627 HAS BEGUN ON MARCH 24TH, 2026, KINDERGARTEN KICKOFF BEGINS AND FAMILIES MAY BEGIN REGISTERING FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. WE WANT TO MAKE THE TRANSITION INTO OUR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS FAMILY AS SEAMLESS AND EXCITING AS POSSIBLE, WHICH IS WHY WE USE AN ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCESS.THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS ONLINE REGISTRATION PAGE INCLUDES. A DIGITAL IS A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR FAMILIES TO ENROLL NEW KINDERGARTNERS AND UPDATE INFORMATION FOR RETURNING STUDENTS FROM HOME. IF FAMILIES WOULD LIKE IN-PERSON SUPPORT, OUR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WELCOME CENTER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST BOARD. TODAY'S UPDATE CONFIRMS THAT YOUR STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN EARLY LEARNING IS DELIVERING MEASURABLE RESULTS BY EXPANDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, IMPROVING KINDERGARTEN READINESS, AND PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES IN OUR KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS BECAUSE LIFELONG SUCCESS AND BRIGHT FUTURES TRULY BEGIN IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES THE UPDATE AND I YIELD THE FLOOR TO YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR JOHNSON. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEM D2A EARLY LEARNING UPDATE. AND WE REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU DOCTOR JOHNSON FOR THAT UPDATE. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY COMMENTS, DOCTOR NUTT. I WAS GOING TO USE MY TEACHER VOICE AND I REMEMBER, HEY, I DON'T HAVE ONE ANYMORE. HOW DO WE GET THIS INFORMATION? I KNOW IT'S ON OUR WEB PAGE, BUT WHAT IF WE DON'T HAVE PARENTS THAT THAT DON'T HAVE COMPUTERS OR DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET? HOW DO WE REACH THEM? BECAUSE THIS IS JUST A PLETHORA OF INFORMATION, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OUR PARENTS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER WAYS THAT WE CAN INFORM OUR PARENTS? SO WE DO HAVE PAPER ACCESS AS WELL. AND ONE THING THAT OUR EARLY LEARNING TEAM DOES IN MARCH IS PART OF KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP, IS THEY ACTUALLY GO TO THOSE EARLY CARE PROVIDERS AND PROVIDE FLIERS AND INFORMATION SO THAT EVEN THOSE STUDENTS THAT MAY NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS OR GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT REGISTRATION FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, THAT'S AWESOME. I CAN SEE OUR EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR LITTLE COWBOY HATS AND THEIR LITTLE STICK HORSES ROUNDING UP OUR LITTLE KINDERGARTEN KIDS. THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
THAT'S THAT'S JUST WONDERFUL BECAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR.
MISS EDWARDS, THANK YOU, DOCTOR JOHNSON. WHAT IF SOME OF THE THE STUDENTS FROM READY FOR PRE-K WILL NOT BE IN SCHOOL? ANY DAYCARE? HOW WOULD THOSE PARENTS GET THAT INFORMATION? WELL, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE TRULY TRYING TO IMPROVE ON. WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN INITIATIVE WITH SOME OF OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. WE KNOW THAT EARLY LEARNERS SHOULD BE GOING TO DOCTORS VISITS READILY, AND SO WE WANT TO GIVE ACCESS TO THOSE. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE KNOW THAT EARLY OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN ARE VISITING AND MAKING CONNECTIONS IN THOSE SPACES AS WELL. I'M IMPRESSED WITH THE SCORES OF THE 380 STUDENTS THAT WERE SERVED. VERY IMPRESSED ON 66.1% TO 74.1%. THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. ALSO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND I HOPE THEY LOOK THEY'RE LOOKING AT THIS BOARD MEETING.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PRE-K TEACHERS THAT RETURNED AS WELL AS THE PARENTS, BECAUSE WORKING WITH PRE-K IS NOT EASY. IT'S A BIG JOB. IT'S A BIG JOB. I NEVER TAUGHT IT, BUT THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T TEACH PRE-K BECAUSE IT'S A BIG JOB. IF THEIR FEET WEREN'T AS LARGE AS MINE, THAT THEY COULDN'T, I COULDN'T TEACH THEM. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT REPORT BECAUSE IT'S I MEAN, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WEBSITE. I MEAN, IT'S IT'S EYE CATCHING. AND HOW CAN ANYBODY MISS IT? BECAUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL. AND I'M JUST SO THANKFUL THAT WE'RE WHERE WE
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ARE. AND LEARNING DOES TAKE PLACE HERE IN HENRY COUNTY FOR ALL CHILDREN. YES. THANK YOU.THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. MISS CARTER, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S KIND OF WEIRD SITTING ON THIS END NOW, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR JOHNSON, FOR ALL THAT. IT REALLY IS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT. BUT I'M ALSO EXCITED FOR THE KINDERGARTNERS, AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE PLANNING THE 20 2627 SCHOOL YEAR. BUT THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE AND DELIVERING ALL THOSE PAPERS TO THESE SCHOOLS THAT DON'T HAVE FOR THESE PARENTS THAT NEED THAT. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER.
VICE CHAIR MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. YEAH, SURPRISED. BUT A QUESTION FOR YOU IS DOCTOR JOHNSON AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION IS WHEN WILL THE PARENTS OR AND MAYBE I'M GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF BECAUSE NORMALLY ONLY CERTAIN SCHOOLS THAT THERE'S A LIST OF SCHOOLS THAT ACTUALLY ARE GOING TO BE THE PRE THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO HOLD THE PRE-K SITES.
SO WHEN WILL THAT BE SENT TO PARENTS? AND THEY'LL KNOW AND HAVE THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, BE READY FOR THAT. SO THE SITES WILL ARE GOING TO REMAIN FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. BUT THAT INFORMATION IS GOING TO BE PART OF OUR APPLICATION AND WEBSITE PROCESS. SO THEY DO KNOW WHICH ONES WHICH LOCATIONS WE HAVE PRE-K. THANK YOU SIR. MISS EDWARDS, I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. I KNOW WE CAN ONLY TAKE SO MANY PRE-K STUDENTS. SO WHEN THEY'RE WHEN THERE'S AN OPENING OR CHILD MOVES OUT OF THE COUNTY, IS THAT AN OPENING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME AND COME INTO THAT, THAT CLASSROOM? YES, MA'AM. ABSOLUTELY. IF A CHILD MOVES OUTSIDE OF OUR PRE-K, THEN WE DO GO TO THE NEXT CHILD ON THE LIST TO INVITE THEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT THIS TEAM HAS FORGED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. I KNOW THAT THAT IS NO SMALL UNDERTAKING, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT WORK. I JUST THINK THAT IT'S SUCH A TESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ALL OF OUR BELIEF IN THE POWER OF EDUCATION. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOUR TEAMS. IT'S IT'S GREAT WORK. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO INFORMATIONAL ITEM D2B DOCTOR PACE THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR FOR INFORMATIONAL ITEM D TO BE PREPARING FOR THE 2627 SCHOOL YEAR, I'D LIKE TO INVITE CHIEF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP OFFICER, MISTER ANTONIO MATTOX TO THE PODIUM. HEY. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, AS WE ENTER THE SECOND HALF OF OUR 20 2526 SCHOOL YEAR, WE'RE ALSO FULLY ENGAGED IN PLANNING FOR THE 20 2627 SCHOOL YEAR. YOUR STRATEGIC ACTIONS REQUIRE US TO BE INTENTIONAL AND SYSTEMATIC IN HOW WE PLAN TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE A HIGH QUALITY, WORLD CLASS EDUCATION. LET'S BEGIN WITH OUR SPECIALIZED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE OFFER HERE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. IMPACT ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN A FULLY BLENDED LEARNING MODEL, WHILE THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE AS A FULLY VIRTUAL PROGRAM WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN-PERSON SUPPORT. NEW ENROLLMENT FOR IMPACT ACADEMY OPENS TODAY, JANUARY 12TH, AND CLOSES ON MARCH 6TH. CURRENT STUDENTS HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 19TH TO CONFIRM CONTINUED ENROLLMENT. INTEREST MEETINGS FOR NEW ENROLLMENT WILL BE HELD IN PERSON ON JANUARY 20TH FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH AND ON JANUARY 21ST FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADES NINTH THROUGH 12TH FROM 530 TO 6:30 P.M. AND VIRTUALLY ON FEBRUARY 24TH AND 26TH FROM 530 TO 6:30 P.M. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IMPACT ACADEMY IS A STANDALONE SCHOOL, REQUIRING A FULL YEAR COMMITMENT. ANOTHER SPECIALIZED OPTION FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES TEN THROUGH 12 IS THE ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES. FAMILIES CAN ATTEND OPEN HOUSE AND REGISTRATION NIGHTS ON JANUARY 14TH, 20TH, AND 29TH.
COUNSELORS WILL BE ON SITE TO ASSIST WITH COURSE REGISTRATION, AND THE ENROLLMENT DEADLINE IS ALSO JANUARY 30TH. WE HAVE TAKEN A PHASED APPROACH IN REDESIGNING THE ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES. PHASE ONE FOCUSED ON OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. PHASE TWO STRENGTHENED ACADEMIC PROGRAMING. PHASE THREE LAUNCHED NEW PATHWAYS SUCH AS BAKING AND PASTRY, HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM, ALONG WITH EXPANDING INTERNSHIPS AND WORK BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. FOR THE 20 2627 SCHOOL YEAR, WE WILL BE ADDING ADDITIONAL AP
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COURSES. AS A RESULT OF THIS REDESIGN, STUDENTS HAVE INCREASED ACCESS TO CAREER PATHWAYS AND DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALLOWED THEM TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT WHILE PREPARING FOR A HIGH DEMAND. CAREERS. WHILE THERE ARE GREAT THINGS AHEAD FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING OUR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS, OUR WORK FOR THE 20 2627 SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS IN EVERY SCHOOL IS ANCHORED IN STRONG INSTRUCTION, LITERACY, AND MEANINGFUL STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ELA AND SOCIAL STUDIES BY IMPLEMENTING THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORKS. LITERACY WILL REMAIN A FOCUS FOR ALL SCHOOLS, AND ORCHESTRA WILL BE ADDED TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.OPERATIONALLY, WE WILL COMPLETE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS AT SEVERAL SCHOOLS THIS SUMMER. WOLF CREEK ELEMENTARY IS CURRENTLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, WITH A COMPLETION DATE SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2027. CONSTRUCTION AT DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE WILL BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER, AND CONSTRUCTION AT OLA HIGH WILL BE COMPLETED THIS WINTER 2026.
ALSO, WE WILL ADD 16 NEW BUSSES TO OUR TRANSPORTATION FLEET. EACH YEAR. SCHOOL LEVEL PLANNING FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ADVISEMENT AND THE COURSE REQUEST PROCESS. STUDENTS ARE ADVISED AND GUIDED TO BUILD AN ACADEMIC SCHEDULE DRIVEN BY DATA AND ALIGNED WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS, INTERESTS, AND POST-SECONDARY ASPIRATIONS. TODAY, JANUARY 12TH JANUARY 12TH MARKS THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE AND EMPLOYEE CHOICE WINDOW, WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 30TH UNDER BOARD POLICY, JCPS, BBA PARENTS AND GUARDIANS MAY REQUEST TRANSFERS TO SCHOOLS WITHIN THE DISTRICT IF CLASSROOM SPACE IS AVAILABLE. ONLY SPECIFIC SCHOOLS WITH CLASSROOM SPACE AVAILABLE ARE LISTED ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE APPLICATION. A LOTTERY WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR THOSE SCHOOLS WITH MORE APPLICANTS THAN SPACE AVAILABLE. THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR PRE-K FOR OUR PRE-K PROGRAM IS JANUARY 26TH THROUGH FEBRUARY 6TH. ALTHOUGH THE RECRUITMENT SEASON REALLY NEVER ENDS, RECRUITMENT EFFORTS WILL INCREASE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. ANTICIPATED VACANCIES FOR THE 20 2627 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE POSTED IMMEDIATELY TO RECRUIT THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, WE WILL BEGIN ISSUING CONTRACTS TO EMPLOYEES NEXT MONTH, WITH THE GOAL OF BEING ONE OF THE FIRST IN OUR REGION TO DO SO. OUR BE READY DAY ONE WEBSITE HAS SERVED AS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. INFORMATION RELATED TO THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE IN EARLY APRIL. SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WILL BE FINALIZED OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, WITH REGISTRATION BEGINNING IN MID-APRIL AND DEADLINES IN EARLY MAY. FINALLY, A FEW KEY DATES ONE FOR NEW CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES BEGIN JULY 16TH. PREPLANNING FOR ALL STAFF BEGINS JULY 23RD. OPEN HOUSE IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 30TH, AND THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WILL BE MONDAY, AUGUST 3RD. AS A REMINDER, FALL BREAK IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 5TH THROUGH NINTH. ALSO SEPTEMBER 4TH, NOVEMBER 3RD AND FEBRUARY 12TH WILL BE ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. BOARD. AS YOU CAN SEE, GREAT WORK IS UNDERWAY AS WE ENSURE THAT WE ARE TRULY READY FOR DAY ONE. WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO ACADEMIC AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND TO STAYING ALIGNED TO YOUR CORE BELIEFS, STRATEGIC ACTIONS AND PRIORITIES. STUDENT OUTCOMES. STUDENT. SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THAT CONCLUDES ALL THAT I HAVE PREPARED, AND I TURN THE FLOOR BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MATTOX. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES INFORMATION ON ITEM D TO BE PREPARING FOR THE 2026 2027 SCHOOL YEAR. AND WE REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MR. MATTOX, FOR THAT REPORT. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? MRS. EDWARDS, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. YOU SO MUCH. WORK IS GOING ON HERE IN HENRY
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COUNTY, AND WE DON'T KNOW IT UNTIL YOU ALL COME FORTH TO TELL US. SO THIS IS AMAZING.WE'RE PRAYING FOR 2627 SCHOOL YEAR. WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE 2526. I WAS MOVING TOO FAST. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS THIS IS GREAT INFORMATION AND I TRY TO KEEP UP WITH YOU BY WRITING IT DOWN, BUT I KNOW I GET IT IN DOCTOR PACE'S REPORT, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. MR. MATTOX, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S ALWAYS AMAZING THE PLANNING THAT HAPPENS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE GREAT WORK THAT'S HAPPENING FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR. SO I'M SO GRATEFUL AND ALSO REALLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'VE SHARED THE DATES FOR EMPLOYEE CHOICE AND SCHOOL CHOICE AND PRE-K AND IMPACT APPLICATION, ALL THE THINGS SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN SEE THOSE AND JUST BE PREPARED IF THAT'S A DECISION THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEIR FAMILY NEEDS TO MAKE. AND IT LOOKS LIKE NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO DISCUSS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR YET. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. MATTOX. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO INFORMATIONAL ITEM D3A DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR INFORMATIONAL ITEM D3A UNDER ENSURING OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS I'D LIKE TO INVITE MISS INVITE MR. BARRYMORE'S CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE DECEMBER 2025 CONSTRUCTION AND BLAST REPORT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE. AS STATED, I BRING YOU THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT FOR DECEMBER OF 2025. OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THEY STARTED OCCUPYING THE ADDITIONS LAST WEEK. THE NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION DOES CONTINUE THERE ON THE SCHOOL SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. WORKING ON IT NOW. STEM HIGH SCHOOL. ONGOING ITEMS DO INCLUDE SITE WORK, UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING. ROUGH SECOND STORY DECK WORK, FIRST FLOOR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR CMU THE SPRAY FIREPROOFING THROUGHOUT, DUCTWORK INSTALLATION IN THE CAFETERIA, AND SPRINKLER LINE INSTALLATION IN THE GYM HAS BEGUN MOVING TO DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. ADDITION. THE CLASSROOM FLOOR TILE IS COMPLETE. THE MILLWORK, THE LOCKERS, RESTROOM FIXTURES, SOUND PANELS, AND THE ORCHESTRA ROOM CEILING ARE THOSE ARE COMPLETE CEILING. ACOUSTICAL PANEL INSTALLATION HAS BEGUN. WE'RE GETTING CLOSE ON THAT PROJECT, AND WITH ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL'S ADDITION, UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING ROUGH, CONTINUE, CMU INSTALLATION AND SLAB PREPARATION. ALSO WOLF CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THE NEW CONSTRUCTION, CLEARING AND SITE WORK CONTINUES THERE AND UNDERGROUND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT HAS BEGUN. AND LASTLY, THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM UPGRADE FOR THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES DO CONTINUE ON THE ON THAT PROJECT FOR SCHOOLS ARE EITHER COMPLETE OR NEAR COMPLETE. HEAD END EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE TEN REMAINING SCHOOLS, AND INDIVIDUAL CAMERA INSTALLATION CONTINUES THROUGHOUT SEVERAL SCHOOLS. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES WHAT I PREPARED. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR DECEMBER 2025 CONSTRUCTION REPORT AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MISTER MILES, FOR THAT REPORT. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? EXCUSE ME, MRS. EDWARDS, VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT, MR. MYERS, BUT I WAS WONDERING, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START WORKING ON THE PA SYSTEMS? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE.
I'M SORRY, ON THE SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS. IF WE'RE SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE INTERCOM SYSTEM THROUGHOUT, I'LL GET WITH THE TEAM AND SEE. I'M NOT CURRENTLY AWARE OF ANY ISSUES THAT WE'VE GOT RIGHT NOW, BUT I WILL PLUG IN WITH THE TEAM AND FIND OUT. WELL, I. YES, IN THE CAFETERIA. IN THE CAFETERIA, NOT IN STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL. AND IT WAS IN BAD SHAPE. RIGHT.
SO JUST TO CLARIFY, NOT THE INTERCOM SYSTEMS MORE SO I BELIEVE THE CAFETERIAS ON SOME OF OUR STAGES IS WHAT IS REFERRING. ABSOLUTELY. DUTCHTOWN, STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE AND YOU CAN'T HARDLY HEAR IT WHEN YOU'RE IN THE CAFETERIAS. A LOT OF STATIC GOING ON THERE. THANK YOU MA'AM, I'LL PLUG IN WITH THE TEAM AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. THANK YOU MA'AM. THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NOPE. WE APPRECIATE THE WORK SO MUCH, MR. MILES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR LAST INFORMATIONAL ITEM, WHICH IS D3B DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR INFORMATIONAL ITEM D3B FISCAL YEAR 27 BUDGET PRIORITIES. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, MRS. CLAY, TO THE PODIUM FOR THIS INFORMATIONAL ITEM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE AND LAST MONTH'S REPORT, I PROVIDED AN OVERVIEW OF THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION THAT DRIVES THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR. TODAY, I WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF REPORT ON BUDGETARY PRIORITIES THAT WILL BE TOP OF MIND AS WE ENTER THE ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT PERIOD FOR
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THE FY 27 BUDGET BOARD. YOUR COMPASS CONTINUES TO GUIDE THE WORK OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND HOW WE APPROACH BUDGET DEVELOPMENT. THE VISION, MISSION, BELIEFS, POLICIES, STRATEGIC ACTIONS, AND PRIORITY STUDENT OUTCOMES SERVE AS ANCHOR POINTS TO ENSURE OUR BUDGET IS COMPREHENSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE OF SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM GOALS, SUCH THAT THIS BOARD CAN MAKE SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS THAT DELIVER ON OUR COMMUNITY'S DESIRES FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. AND AS A BRIEF REMINDER, THERE ARE FOUR DISTINCT FUND GROUPS THAT ARE INCLUDED WITHIN THE ANNUAL BUDGET, AND THE BOARD ADOPTS THE BUDGET ON A FUND LEVEL BASIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY DC. THESE DISCRETE FUNDS, WHICH ARE THE GENERAL FUND, SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, AND DEBT SERVICE FUND, ALLOW FOR SEPARATE TRACKING OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES TO ENSURE PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE ALIGNED TOWARDS INTENDED PURPOSES. THE GENERAL FUND IS THE HOME OF OUR DAILY OPERATIONS AND OF THE FOUR FUNDS, THE GENERAL FUND HAS THE MOST FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF THE AVAILABLE USES, AND 88% OF THIS FUNDING IS PROVIDED AND ALLOCATED TO SALARIES PERTAINING TO THE DISTRICT'S WORKFORCE. THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ACCOUNTS FOR GRANTS GIVEN TO HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR DESIGNATED AND SUPPLEMENTAL PURPOSES, AS WELL AS THE FINANCIALS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NUTRITION AND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, WHICH ARE ENTERPRISING ACTIVITIES. AS THESE FUNDS ARE GRANTED OR GENERATED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES, THEY CAN ONLY BE EXPENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE STATED PURPOSES. NEXT IS THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE SEPARATE TRACKING OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES RELATED TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD. AND AS YOU'RE AWARE, THESE FUNDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE USED FOR SALARIES.AND FINALLY, THERE'S THE DEBT SERVICE FUND, WHICH CAPTURES REVENUE AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LONG TERM DEBT INCURRED TO FINANCE CAPITAL PROJECTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS AS WE ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW FUNDING ALLOCATIONS WILL BE ALIGNED TO ADVANCE BUDGETARY PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, FOR YOU ARE AWARE THAT BUDGETING IS A BALANCING ACT, WHERE WE SEEK TO EFFECTIVELY ALLOCATE THE AVAILABLE FUNDS TO MEET STUDENT NEEDS, SUPPORT STUDENT OUTCOMES, ADDRESS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, AND ADVANCE THE COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN. INSIGHTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS, THE SUPERINTENDENTS ADVISORIES, COMMUNITY CLUSTER CONVERSATIONS, TEACHERS, LEADERS, AND OUR PERFORMANCE DATA ARE ALL VALUABLE INPUTS THAT INFORM BUDGETARY PRIORITIES. AS WE BEGIN OUR PLANS FOR THE 2627 SCHOOL YEAR, THE PRIORITIES OF THE BOARD ARE CLEAR. PER YOUR POLICY, BAB HENRY'S PLAN OF ACTION. WE KNOW THAT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM'S CORE BUSINESS IS STUDENT LEARNING, AND THAT THIS BOARD WILL ALWAYS PRIORITIZE INVESTMENTS THAT PROMOTE STUDENT ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOMES.
AS SUCH, THIS BOARD IS UNIFIED IN ITS DESIRE TO ENSURE WE SUSTAIN INVESTMENTS IN ACADEMIC PROGRAM RESOURCES, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, AND SAFETY INVESTMENTS THAT ALLOW EACH STUDENT TO HAVE ACCESS TO A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND HIGH QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
THE NEXT PRIORITY OF THE BOARD IS BEING A STABLE EMPLOYER AND RESPONSIBLY INVESTING IN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. OVER THE PAST SEVEN BUDGET CYCLES, THIS BOARD HAS CONTINUALLY DEMONSTRATED ITS SUPPORT OF THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WORKFORCE AND ITS BELIEF THAT EFFECTIVE TEACHERS, LEADERS AND STAFF PRODUCE EXCELLENT RESULTS. WITH THE FINAL YEAR OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN UNDERWAY, THIS BOARD IS ALSO COMMITTED TO ADVANCING THE REMAINING EFFORTS OF THE PLAN TO INCLUDE PREPARING FOR THE OPENING OF THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL, CONTINUING TO ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE LITERACY OUTCOMES, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AND FINALLY, THE BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO RESPONSIBLY MANAGE THE FUND BALANCE. RESERVE BOARD. AS YOU RECALL, WHEN CONTEMPLATING THE CURRENT FY 26 BUDGET AND THE MILLAGE RATE REDUCTION THAT WAS APPROVED FOR TAXPAYERS, THIS BOARD INITIATED A STRATEGIC SPEND DOWN OF THE FUND BALANCE RESERVES, WHICH WAS ANTICIPATED TO CONTINUE THROUGH FY 27. AS SUCH, WE ARE POISED TO EXECUTE PLANNED USE IN THE COMING BUDGET CYCLE, BRINGING CLOSER ALIGNMENT WITH POLICY DCO THRESHOLDS. I'LL CONCLUDE WITH A REMINDER OF SOME KEY TIMELINES WITHIN THE BUDGET CALENDAR. THE 2026 GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION OPENED TODAY, JANUARY 12TH, AND WE ARE ACTIVELY MONITORING THE ACTIVITY UNDER THE GOLD DOME TO INFORM OUR BUDGETARY FORECASTS AND THE FEBRUARY MEETING OF THE BOARD, I WILL SHARE PRELIMINARY INSIGHTS ON FUNDING PRIORITIES THAT ARE EMERGING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE LOCAL ECONOMIC TRENDS THAT WILL SHAPE OUR FY 27 BUDGET OUTLOOK. WE ANTICIPATE PRESENTING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S TENTATIVE
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BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOLDING THE FIRST OF TWO REQUIRED BUDGET HEARINGS ON APRIL 20TH, 2026. THE SECOND BUDGET HEARING AND FINAL ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET ARE PLANNED FOR MAY 11TH, 2026. SUPERINTENDENT PATE, SUPERINTENDENT PACE THAT CONCLUDES WHAT I'VE PREPARED AND I YIELD THE FLOOR TO YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. CLAY. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEM. D3B FY 27 BUDGET PRIORITIES AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MRS. CLAY, FOR THAT REPORT. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? NO.MISS CLAY, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WAY THAT YOU SPELL THIS OUT SO CLEARLY FOR BOTH THE BOARD AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRANSPARENCY THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN BUILD THE BEST BUDGET FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. I'M SO GRATEFUL. ALL RIGHT, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AFTERNOON. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. AS ALWAYS, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THESE ITEMS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING, BUT ANY BOARD MEMBER
[E. BUSINESS ITEMS]
IS WELCOME TO REMOVE AN ITEM IF THEY SO WISH. SO WE WILL BEGIN DOCTOR PACE WITH ITEM E ONE.THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR ITEM BUSINESS. ITEM E ONE CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION RECOMMENDATION. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, MISSUS COX, TO THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON, I BRING TO YOU THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION RECEIVED DURING THE SUBMISSION WINDOW. IN GEORGIA, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A PETITION TO THE 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 FOR THE MOST RECENT CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION PERIOD. ONE PETITION WAS SUBMITTED BY THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS. THEY PROPOSE A FALL 2027 OPENING DATE WITH GRADES FOUR THROUGH SIX AND INITIAL ENROLLMENT OF AROUND 100, WITH PLANS TO ADD GRADE SEVEN IN YEAR TWO AND GRADE EIGHT IN YEAR THREE, INCREASING ENROLLMENT TO 440 STUDENTS. BY YEAR FIVE, THEY WOULD IMPLEMENT A 4X4 INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL WITH FOUR HOURS OF CORE ACADEMICS IN THE MORNING AND FOUR HOURS OF PURPOSE DRIVEN LEARNING IN THE AFTERNOON. THE PROJECTED STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO IS 20 TO 1. THEIR GOALS INCLUDE INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN THE PROFICIENT RANGE ON THE GEORGIA MILESTONES, END OF GRADE ASSESSMENTS, AND ELA AND MATHEMATICS. EACH YEAR, WHEN THE TARGET OF 65% OF STUDENTS SCORING PROFICIENT OR ABOVE IN YEAR ONE, BASED ON THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE PETITION AND SHARED BY THE PETITIONER DURING THE FACE TO FACE INTERVIEW, THE CROSS-DIVISIONAL REVIEW TEAM UTILIZED THE STATE RUBRIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE PETITIONER DOES NOT MEET THE STATE STANDARD FOR ALL CATEGORIES, INCLUDING ACADEMIC PROGRAMING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, SERVICES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, ASSESSMENT METHODS, ACADEMIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. GOVERNANCE, FINANCE, SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES. THEREFORE, THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD DENY THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS PETITION. IF THE BOARD APPROVES THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO DENY THE SCHOOL OF CURIOUS MINDS 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 HAVE PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
THANK YOU, MRS. COX. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS. ITEM E ONE CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION RECOMMENDATION, AND WE REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MRS. COX, FOR THAT PRESENTATION. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM SEEING NONE. THIS IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. DOES ANYONE OBJECT WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING. THANK YOU, MRS. COX. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO BUSINESS ITEM E TWO, DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR BUSINESS. ITEM E TWO SICK LEAVE BANK COMMITTEE, NEW MEMBER. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER, DOCTOR KNOWLTON, TO THE PODIUM. ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON I'M PRESENTING BUSINESS ITEM E TWO, SICK LEAVE BANK COMMITTEE, NEW MEMBER. WE HAVE A MEMBER WHO HAS RESIGNED. AND ACCORDING TO POLICY JR, THE EMPLOYEE SICK LEAVE BANK. THE COMMITTEE MUST CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS. THEREFORE, I BRING THE REPLACEMENT RECOMMENDATION OF MISS ANN ARMSTRONG, INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST, DOCTOR PLACE. I BELIEVE THIS ITEM IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. THIS CONCLUDES OUR PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR KNOWLTON. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES BUSINESS ITEM E TWO SICK LEAVE BANK COMMITTEE, NEW MEMBER AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PAYSON. THANK YOU,
[00:55:04]
DOCTOR KNOWLTON. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. IT IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? THIS WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU, DOCTOR KNOWLTON. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO BUSINESS ITEM E THREE.DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR BUSINESS ITEM E3E7 RESOLUTION. I'D LIKE TO INVITE TO THE PODIUM CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, MR. MILES, FOR THIS BUSINESS ITEM. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, THIS AFTERNOON I BRING TO YOU A RESOLUTION AND PROJECT LIST FOR ESPLOST SEVEN ESPLOST BEING AN EDUCATION SPECIAL LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX, ESPLOST IS A VOTER APPROVED TEMPORARY SALES TAX THAT ADDRESSES CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, CAPITAL NEEDS, TECHNOLOGY, AND INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES THAT CANNOT BE SUSTAINABLY FUNDED THROUGH THE OPERATING BUDGET. ESPLOST COLLECTIONS COVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, AND DISTRICTS WISHING TO CONTINUE THE COLLECTIONS MUST PUT A BALLOT REFERENDUM BEFORE THE VOTERS TO ALLOW THEM TO SUPPORT A CONTINUATION. HENRY COUNTY VOTERS HAVE APPROVED SIX E-SPLOST REFERENDUMS SINCE 1996. THE PROJECT LIST REFLECTS COMMUNITY PRIORITIES, OPERATIONAL AND SAFETY NEEDS AND LONG TERM ASSET PRESERVATION. LAST MONTH, THIS ITEM WAS PRESENTED AS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM WAS OUT FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT. TO DATE, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMENTS. THIS APPROVAL DOES NOT ITSELF LEVY THE TAX, BUT SIMPLY AUTHORIZES ITS PLACEMENT ON THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS, WHICH WILL OCCUR IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.
THIS STEP ENSURES LEGAL COMPLIANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND CLARITY FOR VOTERS. DOCTOR PACE, THIS DOES CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES BUSINESS ITEM E THREE ESPLOST SEVEN RESOLUTION AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU, MISTER MILES FOR THAT REPORT.
DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE? GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS, I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND REMOVE IT FROM OUR CONSENT AGENDA SO THAT WE CAN VOTE INDIVIDUALLY TONIGHT IN OUR BUSINESS MEETING. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO BUSINESS ITEM E FOUR, DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. FOR BUSINESS. ITEM E FOUR PLAYGROUND MULCH BID TABULATION. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. MILES, OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, TO REMAIN AT THE PODIUM FOR THIS BUSINESS ITEM. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, IN ALIGNMENT WITH CORE BELIEF NUMBER THREE THAT STATES ALL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WILL BE SUPPORTIVE, SAFE AND SECURE. I'M PRESENTING A PROJECT THAT ENSURES ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS HAVE SUFFICIENT MULCH AROUND THEIR STRUCTURES.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER PLAYGROUND MULCH AT MULTIPLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION GUIDELINES, DGA COMPLIANCE WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE FORMAL SOLICITATION PROCESS. BIDS WERE RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 5TH. THEY WERE. THERE WERE THREE PARTICIPATING VENDORS, WITH THE APPARENT LOW BIDDER AND VENDOR BEING INDICATED ON THE SCREEN. FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE ESPLOST SIX. DOCTOR PACE. AGAIN, THIS CONCLUDES WHAT I'VE PREPARED AND TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MISTER MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES BUSINESS ITEM E FOUR PLAYGROUND MULCH BID TABULATION AND REMAIN AVAILABLE TO OUR BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PAYSON. THANK YOU AGAIN. MR. MILES. DOES ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. DOES ANYONE OBJECT TO THIS BEING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING? NO.
THIS WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON CONSENT. THANK YOU, MISTER MILES. AND MOVING ON TO E FIVE, DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR BUSINESS. ITEM E FIVE SCHOOL SECURITY ALARM UPGRADE. I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MR. MILES, TO REMAIN AT THE PODIUM FOR THIS ITEM. GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE. WE STILL BELIEVE THAT CORE BELIEF NUMBER THREE, THAT ALL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE, SAFE AND SECURE. I PRESENT TO YOU A PROJECT FOR THE UPGRADE OF ALL SCHOOL BUILDING SECURITY SYSTEMS. THESE SYSTEMS HAVE REACHED THE END OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE AND ARE IN NEED OF AN UPGRADE. OUR OPERATIONS TEAM SURVEYED EVERY SCHOOL AND IDENTIFIED EACH SYSTEM'S NEED. THE QUOTE RECEIPT WAS RECEIVED ON NOVEMBER 10TH AND THE AMOUNT INDICATED. FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL SECURITY GRANT, AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN THE STATE'S AMENDED FY 25 BUDGET. DGA COMPLIANCE IS IN THE FORM OF C4 AGREEMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE FROM ORIGINAL VENDOR OR AUTHORIZED AGENT OF THE INSTALLED EQUIPMENT OR PRODUCT. DOCTOR PACE THIS DOES CONCLUDE OUR PREPARED ON THIS ITEM AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. MILES. THIS CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS ITEM E5 SCHOOL SECURITY ALARM UPGRADE, MADAM CHAIR, 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? THIS IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT THIS EVENING. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? E5 WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[01:00:05]
AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO YOUR LAST SHOW OF THE DAY. DOCTOR PACE E6. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR FOR BUSINESS ITEM E6 VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL VOIP SYSTEM RENEWAL. I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MR. MILES, TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT PACE, OR BELIEF NUMBER THREE, STATES THAT ALL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE, SAFE AND SECURE. AND I DO PRESENT TO YOU A PROJECT FOR THE NEW OF THE DISTRICT'S VOIP LICENSING AND HARDWARE. THE QUOTE WAS RECEIVED ON NOVEMBER 17TH IN THE AMOUNT INDICATED. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WILL COME FROM SPLOST SIX. DGA COMPLIANCE IS IN THE FORM OF C5 PURCHASES MADE DIRECTLY FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTS SOURCES, INCLUDING STATE BID CONTRACTS OR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. DOCTOR PACE THIS DOES CONCLUDE I PREPARED AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES ITEM E SIX, THE VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL SYSTEM RENEWAL, 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 THE CONSENT AGENDA. DOES ANYONE OBJECT? NO. E SIX WILL ALSO BE[F. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU, MR. MILES. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCIPLINE, LAND AND PERSONNEL? I MAKE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LAND DISCIPLINE AND PERSONNEL. THANK YOU. DOCTOR. NET, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIV OKAO WE HAD A MOTION TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION BY MRS. CARTER. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO. WE ARE NOW OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS READ IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. READ IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER.ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO MINUTES ARE APPROVED, AND AT THIS TIME, I WILL ADJOURN OUR STUDY SESSION AT 5:57 P.M. AND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.