[A. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:08] 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. HAPPY NEW YEAR. WE'RE SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE HERE AND JOINING US THIS EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH AT 7:01 P.M. AND IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE BEGIN BY STANDING AND JOINING ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU ALL. AND [C. WELCOME] I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR PACE FOR HIS WELCOME THIS EVENING. 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 FIRST BUSINESS MEETING 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 HIS 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 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, UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED TO SERVE AS VICE CHAIR. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. 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 WILL OBSERVE 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. IN 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 THE 43 CSI SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED AS MAKING PROGRESS, WHILE BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, STOCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WESLEY LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WERE AMONG 55 GEORGIA SCHOOLS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO EXIT C STATUS. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO DISTRICT AND SCHOOL LEADERS. ALONG WITH OUR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES. THESE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS AND COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT OUR VISION TO ENSURE 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, TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO HELP TO NURTURE AND INSPIRE OUR STUDENTS. WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES TO MENTOR STUDENTS IN OUR 53 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THROUGH OUR HENRY PARTNERS PROGRAM, HENRY COUNTY [00:05:01] SCHOOLS WILL HOST THE FIRST COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD AT 10 A.M. WE APPLAUD THE DILIGENCE AND PERSEVERANCE OF THESE STUDENTS. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINTER 2026 GRADUATES! 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. 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. [D. INSPIRATION] WELCOME. WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO D INSPIRATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE AN INSPIRATION TONIGHT? YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE DO HAVE INSPIRATION TONIGHT FROM HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL PERFORMING FOR US TONIGHT. THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL, SARAH LEVY, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MR. SMITH AND PRINCIPAL DOCTOR LYDIA WILLIAMS. AT THIS TIME, CAN WE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR SARAH SINGING THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL? CHILDREN OF. LET THEM LEAD THE WAY? SO THE MORE THE BEAUTY THAT POSSESSES ALL. THE. TEARS OF LOVE. SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH YOU? GUYS? LOOK, BEFORE I TO. SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO I NEVER MET ANYONE. BECAUSE I DON'T NEED. A LONELY PLACE TO BE. I WENT TO THE PAGE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE. GONE. NEVER TO. GET WHAT SHALL. I? BELIEVE. NO MATTER WHAT. TAKE ME. TAKE AWAY MY. IMPOSSIBLE. EVER. LOVE OF ALL. IT'S HAPPENING TO ME. I FOUND THE BREAD. LOVE OF ALL INSIDE. THE PLACE IS LOVE. AND GIVE ME TO YOU. TO LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. I BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN ARE PEOPLE. SO WELL. LET THEM LEAD THE WAY. SHOW THEM ALL THE BEAUTY THAT WAS INSIDE. GIVE THEM A SENSE. MAKE IT EASIER. LET THE CHILDREN'S LOVE. I MISSED HOW YOU. TO ME I JUST ABOVE. NEVER TO GIVE ANYONE'S SHADOWS. IF I FELL APART. BUT HAD BEEN DELIVERED I BELIEVE NO MATTER WHAT YOU TAKE FROM ME. YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY MY DIGNITY. BECAUSE THE GREAT. LOVE OF ALL IS HAPPENING TO ME. OH, THE GREAT. LOVE OF ALL INSIDE OF. THE GREAT LOVE. IS EASY TO SEE. [00:10:21] OH! TO LOVE YOURSELF WITH THE GREAT. LOVE. LOVE. AND IF I. BREAK. THAT YOU'VE BEEN DREAMING OF. TO AVOID. BY YOUR STRENGTH IN LOVE. CAN WE HAVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR SARAH LEVY? GIVE HER GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. YES. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INSPIRATION TO BEGIN 2026 AND WHAT AN INSPIRATION IT WAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT WAS PHENOMENAL. WE'RE GOING TO NOW MOVE IN OUR [E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 8, 2025] AGENDA TO THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 8TH, 2025? A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. THANK YOU. MRS. EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE [F. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION] ZERO MINUTES ARE APPROVED. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO F PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING? YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE DO HAVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS ON THE 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 US. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, YOU HAVE AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS GOVERNING YOUR PARTICIPATION. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. UNUSED TIME MAY NOT BE GIVEN TO ANOTHER SPEAKER WHILE THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WON'T RESPOND. EACH SPEAKER MAY RECEIVE OUTREACH FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT STAFF. SPEAKERS MAY NOT USE VULGAR OR INSULTING LANGUAGE. NAME A STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE INDIVIDUALLY OR DISCUSS ANY CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE PARAMETERS WILL RESULT IN A COURTESY REMINDER. ANY FURTHER VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN THE SPEAKER'S TIME BEING FORFEITED. SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SIGNED UP UNTIL THE LAST SPEAKER IS CALLED. THIS EVENING, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER TRAY LASAGNA. DID I SAY THAT CORRECTLY? OKAY, AS YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM, IF YOU'LL JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE GREEN LIGHT IS ON AT THE BASE OF THE MICROPHONE AND YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY. YES, SIR. DOCTOR PACE THE BOARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME SOME TIME TO SPEAK. AS MISS RIDDLE SAID, MY NAME IS TRAY LUSANE. I AM A HENRY COUNTY PARENT AND AN EDUCATOR. I'M HERE. I'M HERE TONIGHT NOT TO ADVOCATE FOR A SPECIFIC PROGRAM OR TO ASK FOR A DECISION, BUT TO HELP FRAME A QUESTION THAT I THINK MANY DISTRICTS, INCLUDING HENRY COUNTY, ARE ALREADY GRAPPLING WITH. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE SEEN MORE FAMILIES EXPLORE LEARNING OUTSIDE OF TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE DISSATISFIED WITH EDUCATORS, BUT BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN ARE SEEKING DIFFERENT PATHWAYS, PACING, OR RELEVANCE. AT THE SAME TIME, DISTRICTS ARE BEING ASKED TO RETAIN STUDENTS, SUPPORT TEACHERS, AND INNOVATE, ALL WITH OFTEN WITHIN VERY, VERY REAL CONSTRAINTS. IN MY PRIOR WORK WITH THE AIR FORCE, WE FACED A SIMILAR CHALLENGE. WE LEARNED THAT INNOVATION RARELY HAPPENS INSIDE LARGE SYSTEMS ALONE. THAT'S WHY THE AIR FORCE CREATED AN ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION CALLED AFWERX. IT'S AN EXTERNAL PILOT THAT ALLOWED US TO TEST NEW IDEAS IN A SMALL SPACE AND BRING BACK WHAT WORKED. I BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION AT LARGE IS IN A SIMILAR MOMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN GEORGIA, THROUGH FLEXIBILITY PROVIDED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DISTRICTS ARE BEGINNING TO EXPLORE WHAT INNOVATIVE OPTIONS THEY HAVE. SOMETIMES THEY'RE CALLED LEARNING ECOSYSTEMS. LEARNING [00:15:05] ECOSYSTEMS ARE SIMPLY A MODEL WHERE LEARNING CAN HAPPEN IN MULTIPLE SETTINGS SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY, OR EVEN IN SMALL PROGRAMS, WHILE STILL REMAINING CONNECTED AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE QUESTION I HOPE THE BOARD CONTINUES TO EXPLORE IS THIS HOW MIGHT HENRY COUNTY TEST INNOVATIVE PATHWAYS IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS EXISTING SCHOOLS, SUPPORTS TEACHERS, RETAINS FAMILIES AND GIVES THE DISTRICT MORE VISIBILITY INTO STUDENT OUTCOMES? I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION AND ENJOY YOUR EVENING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. LUSANE. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PARTICIPATION FOR THIS EVENING AND I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MISS. THANK YOU, MISS RIDDLE. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THE PARTICIPATION. MADAM CHAIR. AND I TURN AGENDA [G. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)] BACK OVER TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO G OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO JOIN US FOR OUR STUDY SESSION THIS AFTERNOON AT 4:00, THERE WERE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION AROUND THESE ITEMS THAT I WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND TAKE PART IN, BUT THE IT WAS DETERMINED AT THAT MEETING THAT ITEMS G ONE AND TWO AND FOUR THROUGH SIX WOULD BE ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA? CONSENT AGENDA? OH SORRY. ITEMS G ONE AND TWO AND THEN FOUR THROUGH SIX, PLEASE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS CARTER. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM G THREE, THE EAST BLAST SEVEN RESOLUTION. MADAM CHAIR, MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE APPROVE AGENDA ITEM G THREE, THE EAST PLUS SEVEN RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, DOCTOR NUT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 50G3 IS APPROVED. CAN I GET A MOTION PLEASE TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM G SEVEN, THE HENRY COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY GENERAL WATER LINE EASEMENT ON MOSS DRIVE, AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE G6 SEVEN I'M SORRY SEVEN. HENRY COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY GENERAL WATER LINE EASEMENT. THANK. THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? NO. SEEING. NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO G7 IS APPROVED. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM G EIGHT, THE SOUTH MOUNT CARMEL ROAD PROPERTY RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MADAM CHAIR, A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM G EIGHT, THE SOUTH MOUNT CARMEL ROAD PROPERTY RESOLUTION AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 50G8 IS APPROVED. AND LASTLY, CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM G NINE PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? MADAM CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE APPROVE PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED TO US IN IN NOVEMBER 9TH. THANK YOU. DOCTOR. NET, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO PERSONNEL IS APPROVED. WE [H. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS] WILL NOW MOVE TO OUR BOARD. SUPERINTENDENT, CLOSING REMARKS FOR THE EVENING. MRS. CARTER, CAN YOU START US OFF TONIGHT? SURE. WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A RESTFUL CHRISTMAS BREAK. MONDAY THE 19TH IS MARTIN LUTHER KING'S BIRTHDAY. I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS THEIR DAY OUT OF SCHOOL AS WE CELEBRATE HIS LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY THAT HE LEFT. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER GRADUATES THAT GRADUATE THIS MONTH. AND THEN I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAND OUT PLAYERS WE WERE NAMED WHO WERE NAMED TO. RECENTLY RELEASED IN 2025, ALL REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL TEAM. CONGRATULATIONS TO WOODLAND SENIOR QUARTERBACK BRADEN ROGERS, WHO WAS NAMED HONORARY PLAYER. CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO UNION GROVE SOPHOMORE ISAIAH KUDER, WHO IS ONE OF MORE THAN 80 PLAYERS FROM US AND CANADA SELECTED FOR THE DREAM SERIES LATER THIS WEEK IN LOS ANGELES, THE ANNUAL SHOWCASE, HOSTED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND US BASEBALL, BRINGS TOGETHER ELITE MINORITY PROSPECTS TO PREPARE THEM FOR COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL. ISAIAH EARNED THIS SPOT AS A PROSPECT, AS AN OUTFIELDER AND AN INFIELDER, AND HE WAS ALSO SELECTED FOR LAST YEAR'S DREAM TEAM SERIES. ALSO, ISAIAH HAS EARNED ALL OF THIS WHILE MAINTAINING A 4.0 GPA. THAT'S [00:20:06] SO AMAZING. CONGRATULATIONS TO ISAIAH. CONGRATULATIONS TO EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR. ANTONIO. HOW DO YOU. ANTOINETTE SORRY. ANTOINETTE MONTGOMERY HAS COMMITTED TO BRUNEL UNIVERSITY. CONGRATULATIONS TO HER. THAT'S EXCITING. AND I WANTED TO THANK OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND PASSION THAT HELPED MAKE OUR COMMUNITY VIBRANT AND INSPIRING. AND I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE AGAIN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE MADE AMAZING STRIDES, JUST REALLY PROUD OF ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND THE TEACHERS AND STAFF THAT HAVE PUT A LOT OF HARD WORK INTO THAT. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THEM AGAIN, AND I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS SEMESTER AND WHAT ALL IS ENTAILED FOR EVERYONE. AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT START TO THEIR YEAR. MRS. CARTER, EXCUSE ME, MRS. EDWARDS. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. WELCOME BACK. I WANT TO WELCOME BACK THE STUDENTS AND STAFF SO THAT WE CAN FINISH THIS YEAR OUT SMOOTHLY. AS WE GATHER FOR OUR FIRST BOARD MEETING OF THE YEAR. I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR. I WANT TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT WELCOME TO OUR DEDICATED EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS, AS WELL AS OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT OUR WORK TO ENSURE WE ARE A HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO CONGRATULATE CONGRATULATE STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR AND QUARTERBACK JOSH SCOTT, WHO TOOK A TOP WHO TOOK TOP HONORS AS A PLAYER OF THE YEAR ON A RECENT RELEASED ALL REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL TEAM. OUR COACHES ARE DOING SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB AND WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF OUR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AND ATHLETIC STAFF ALL ACROSS THE DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND INSPIRING THEM TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL GOALS. THANK YOU. THAT'S IT MISS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MRS. EDWARDS. DOCTOR. ANNETTE. I WANT TO WELCOME MR. MCDANIEL OVER TO THE GREATEST SIDE OVER HERE. SO. AND CONGRATULATIONS, MR. MCDANIEL. I'LL TRY NOT TO GIVE YOU A HARD TIME. PLEASE, PLEASE COME THIS ON THE 21ST TO HERITAGE PARK AND VIEW THE SCIENCE FAIR EXHIBITS. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS. IT'S GOING TO BE. THEY WERE AMAZING LAST YEAR. SO GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE STUDENTS THAT WILL BE PARTICIPATING ON THE 21ST. I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ALL REGION. WE HAD TWO LOCUST GROVE TOP HONORS FOR ALL REGION 2A4, A FOOTBALL TEAMS. OUR SENIOR AND QUARTERBACK ARMAAN PARKER WAS NAMED OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. HE WAS AMAZING. SENIOR AND DEFENSIVE LINE LINEMAN BRYCE ROBINSON WAS NAMED DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, AND GARY FISHER WAS NAMED THE COACH OF THE YEAR. AFTER GUIDING THE WILDCATS TO THEIR VERY FIRST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT NINE AND TWO. THEY WERE AMAZING THIS YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS! Y'ALL WORKED VERY HARD. THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS ATHLETIC ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE THEY WERE PRESENTED FROM A DONOR, PRESENTED THEM ALL WONDERFUL CARDIGANS WHICH I AM MODELING NOW AND THEY ARE JUST WONDERFUL. ALL THE STUDENTS WORKED VERY HARD TO GAIN THEIR CARDIGAN. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GIRLS FOOTBALL. FLAG FOOTBALL, THEY ARE REGIONAL CHAMPS AND THEY WENT TO THE ELITE EIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO LUCAS GROVE HIGH WHO IS NO LONGER ON THE STATE PROMISE LIST. WE KNOW WITH LOTS OF HARD WORK WE KNEW YOU'RE COMING OFF. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE WRESTLING TEAM AT LOCUST GROVE WON THIRD PLACE IN THE STATE. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF Y'ALL'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE TO COME TO COME. THAT'S ALL. THAT'S ALL WE HAD. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU. DOCTOR ANNETTE, VICE CHAIR MCDANIEL. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. CONGRATULATIONS TO DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL'S ALUM, MR. WILL ANDERSON, FOR BEING NAMED TO THE PRO BOWL THIS YEAR. I WANT TO ALSO SAY TO THE TO HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR KAMARI DORSEY, WHO IS A DEFENSIVE BACK AND WIDE RECEIVER WHO WAS [00:25:02] RECENTLY NAMED THE 2025 ALL REGION TWO FOR A FOOTBALL TEAM ATHLETE OF THE YEAR. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH AND REVEREND DOCTORS TERRENCE AND ELAINE GADDIS IN THE MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM BY RAISING AND DONATING $7,500 TO OUR MCKINNEY VENTO PROGRAM HERE IN HENRY COUNTY. SO THANK YOU TO OUR FAITH BASED COMMUNITY FOR CONTINUALLY INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL COME TOGETHER FOR OUR STUDENTS. AND THEN FINALLY, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN ELECTING ME AS VICE CHAIR OF THIS YEAR. IT'S AN HONOR, BUT IT'S ALSO A BITTERSWEET MOMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY APPOINTMENT CAME TWO DAYS AFTER THE PASSING OF MY GRANDFATHER, MR. JIMMY LEE BARRON, WHO WAS 85 YEARS YOUNG. MY GRANDFATHER AND MY GRANDMOTHER, ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHERS, WERE THEY MENTORED ME AND INSPIRED ME TO DO WHAT I DO TODAY. SO, GRANDDADDY, THIS IS FOR YOU. I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. DOCTOR PACE, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FOR WHEN THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON PERSONNEL DURING OUR SPECIAL CALLED MEETING IN DECEMBER. JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MR. RICHARD FLOWERS, PRINCIPAL OF STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL. MR. FLOWER. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPACT OF YOUR LEADERSHIP WHILE ENSURING A HIGH QUALITY, WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT AT STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL. I OFTEN SPEAK ABOUT TEACHERS HAVING THE HIGHEST LEVERAGE IMPACT ON STUDENTS INSIDE THE CLASSROOM, AND THE PRINCIPAL HAVING THE HIGHEST LEVERAGE IMPACT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. WELL, TONIGHT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE DISTRICT LEADERS THAT LEAD OUR PRINCIPALS. I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TO STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. AND I KNOW SOME OF THEM ARE IN HERE. I'M LOOKING. YES. AS WE CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR SCHOOLS, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT THESE EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS AND THEIR TEAMS PROVIDE TO OUR PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOLS EACH AND EVERY DAY. THANK YOU. AND DOCTOR ELLIS ISN'T HERE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO RECOGNIZE HER. SHE WAS AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. SHE STILL IS, BUT NOT IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP. BUT SHE WAS A PART OF THAT TEAM. BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY. SUCCESS IN THE SCHOOLS WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU. SO THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THAT CONCLUDES MY CLOSING REMARKS AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO KICK OFF A NEW CALENDAR YEAR WITH SO MANY AMAZING STUDENTS AND STAFF AND FAMILIES. AND I KNOW THAT JUST INCREDIBLE THINGS AWAIT US AS WE START A NEW SEMESTER. I WANT TO START BY HIGHLIGHTING SO OFTEN WE HEAR ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR ATHLETES AND COACHES ACROSS THE DISTRICT, AND AS WE CELEBRATE THEIR AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS, I'M SO PROUD TO SHARE THAT. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT WILL HOST A FREE HENRY COUNTY STUDENT ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE SEMINAR ON JANUARY 21ST, DEDICATED TO THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF ENSURING OUR STUDENT ATHLETES RECEIVE THE NECESSARY MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETIC TEAM FOR THEIR FORESIGHT AND THEIR SUPPORT IN IMPLEMENTING THIS VITAL INITIATIVE. I'M ALSO SO HAPPY TO SHARE AND WAS ABLE TO WITNESS THIS FIRSTHAND. BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S JUNIOR BETA CLUB COMPETED AT THE GEORGIA ELEMENTARY NATIONAL BETA CLUB CONVENTION IN DECEMBER IN SAVANNAH, WINNING FOURTH PLACE IN LANGUAGE ARTS AND THIRD IN THE STATE BETA SCAVENGER HUNT. AND EVERYONE SHOULD NOTE THAT THIS SCHOOL OPENED IN AUGUST OF 2024. SO THIS IS THEIR THEIR BRAND NEW AND THIS IS THEIR FIRST YEAR PARTICIPATING IN THE STATE CONVENTION. AND THANKS TO THE INCREDIBLE LEADERS AND TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, I KNOW THAT WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SO MANY MORE CELEBRATIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS FOR STUDENTS AT BIRCH CREEK. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. I ALSO JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT MONDAY IS MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL TAKE TIME DURING THAT BREAK TO JUST REFLECT ON THE INCREDIBLE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THAT MAN AND THE WONDERFUL MESSAGE THAT HE LEFT FOR ALL OF US. AND I PRAY THAT IT WOULD WORK THROUGH ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DO HERE AS A DISTRICT, TO TRULY JUST MAKE HENRY COUNTY AN EVEN BETTER PLACE. SO SEEING AS THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, I WILL [00:30:05] ADJOURN OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING AT 7:31 P.M. AND EVERYONE, PLEASE BE SAFE AND STAY WARM. THE CHAIR HAS ADJOURNED THE MEETING AND ATTENDEES CAN BEGIN TO EXIT AND LEAVE THE * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.