Feb 09, 2026 Regular Sessions

[A. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:09]

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 BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WILL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH 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 AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO

[C. WELCOME]

WE JOIN OUR SCHOOLS IN CELEBRATING THIS YEAR'S THEME, A CENTURY OF BLACK HISTORY COMMEMORATION, WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES THE ORIGIN OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH AS FOUNDED BY HISTORIAN DOCTOR CARTER G. WOODSON IN FEBRUARY OF 1926, AND EXPLORES THE IMPACT OF THE PAST 100 YEARS OF NATIONAL EFFORTS TO STUDY, HONOR, AND COMMEMORATE BLACK HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS. THIS MONTH, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREER, TECHNICAL AND AGRICULTURE EDUCATION IN OUR MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOLS AND ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAS THE FIFTH LARGEST CTE ENROLLMENT IN THE STATE.

BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES BY PREPARING STUDENTS FOR HIGH DEMAND PROFESSIONS IN FIELDS SUCH AS AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS, NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH, CYBER SECURITY, AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CULINARY ARTS, AND MUCH MORE. LAST WEEK, WE CELEBRATED NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS, RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR IN PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, AND COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING. IF WE HAVE ANY COUNSELORS IN THE AUDIENCE, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? LET'S GIVE OUR COUNSELORS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE ANYWAY. I WAS HONORED TO PARTICIPATE IN LAST FRIDAY'S SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS AT THE MCDONOUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WHERE JESSICA THOMPSON OF LOCUST GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS NAMED. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS 2026 SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR.

CONGRATULATIONS, MISS THOMPSON. FEBRUARY 15TH IS NATIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER APPRECIATION DAY. WE THANK THESE DEDICATED OFFICERS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO KEEP OUR SCHOOL CAMPUSES SAFE EACH DAY THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH HENRY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THEM AT A RECEPTION ON FEBRUARY 25TH. WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR SROS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE IN ATTENDANCE TODAY? MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME. AND I TURN IT BACK

[D. INSPIRATION]

THE RED OAK ELEMENTARY POETRY RECITATION CLUB, AND WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE THEM HERE TONIGHT TO PERFORM FOR US. LET'S PLEASE GIVE THE RED OAK ELEMENTARY POETRY RECITATION CLUB UNDER THE DIRECTION OF STACY HICKS AND PRINCIPAL JERMAINE OSMORE. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AS THEY COME FORWARD.

[00:05:24]

THEY STILL FEEL THERE'S NO HURT OR.

THE WORLD MAKE IT A BETTER FOR YOU AND FOR ME. HIGHER HUMAN RACE. THERE ARE PEOPLE DYING. IF YOU CARE ENOUGH FOR THE LIVING. YOU AND FOR ME. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY. THERE'S A LOVE THAT CANNOT LIE. LOVE IS STRONG. IT ONLY CARES FOR JOYFUL GIVING. IF WE TRY, WE SHALL SEE. IN THIS BLISS. WE CANNOT FEEL FEAR OR DREAD. WE STOP EXISTING AND START LIVING.

THAT LOVE IS ENOUGH FOR US GROWING. SO MAKE IT A BETTER LOVE. MAKE IT A BETTER THE WORLD. MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE FOR YOU AND FOR ME AND THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE. SO IF YOU CARE ENOUGH FOR THE LIVING, MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE FOR YOU AND FOR ME. MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUSING ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR RED OAK ELEMENTARY POETRY RECITATION CLUB. OUTSTANDING, OUTSTANDING, MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INSPIRATION. BUT IT WILL CONTINUE BEYOND THAT CONCLUSION. MADAM CHAIR, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. WITHOUT A DOUBT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HOPE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO BROADCAST THAT AROUND THIS ENTIRE NATION. THAT WAS PHENOMENAL. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO E! OUR AWARDS AND

[E. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS]

GOOD EVENING. I'M KYLE SEARS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND WILL BE FACILITATING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. THIS EVENING. WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING STUDENTS WHO ARE BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES RIGHT HERE EVERY DAY IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. UP FIRST, THE 2025 ANNUAL METROPOLITAN NORTH GEORGIA WATER PLANNING DISTRICT MIDDLE SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST CHALLENGED STUDENTS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO WATER AFTER IT IS FLUSHED OR GOES DOWN A DRAIN. STUDENTS SELECTED ONE PROMPT FOCUSED ON WASTEWATER TREATMENT, RESPONSIBLE FLUSHING PRACTICES, AND THE IMPACT OF CLEAN WATER ON OUR ENVIRONMENT, WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT SCIENCE LEARNING TO REAL WORLD AND CIVIC ISSUES. CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S DISTRICT WINNER, ARCHANA GANESAN OF EAGLE'S LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL. ARCHANA EARNED FIRST PLACE AMONG ALL HENRY COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR HER OUTSTANDING ESSAY. SHE'S ACCOMPANIED THIS EVENING BY PRINCIPAL SHAQUILLE HULSEY.

[00:10:05]

STUDENTS FROM 40 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS SHOWCASE THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SPELLING SKILLS, POISE AND PERSEVERANCE. CHALLENGED WITH WORDS LIKE MENISCUS, SYLLOGISM, MARACAS, AND FAHRENHEIT. THE FOLLOWING SPELLERS PLACED IN THE TOP FOUR IN THE DISTRICT AND WILL GO ON TO REPRESENT HCS IN THE REGIONAL SPELLING BEE ON FEBRUARY 28TH IN CONYERS, IN FIRST PLACE FROM DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. NIARA. WINSLETT. WE ARE AS A COMPANY BY PRINCIPAL KRYSTAL WILLIAMS. YEAH WE WERE. THANK YOU. SECOND PLACE FROM BIRCH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MELODY.

NORMAN. BUDDY IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL QUAVIOUS WRIGHT.

AND THIRD PLACE FROM PATE'S CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. OLIVIA AUGUSTINE. OLIVIA IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL JENNIFER MCCRARY. AND.

YOU MIGHT BETTER CHECK THAT. AND OUR FOURTH PLACE WINNER COULD NOT BE HERE THIS EVENING REPRESENTING MCDONOUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL. ANNIKA. ESSAY. DOCTOR PACE, THIS CONCLUDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENING OF RECOGNITIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR PRINCIPALS.

ALL RIGHT. IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO GET TO CELEBRATE THE

[F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 12, 2026]

[G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION]

[00:15:06]

SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER THEY SIGNED UP UNTIL THE LAST SPEAKER IS CALLED. THE FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING IS STACY CARVIN BUTLER, FOLLOWED BY ALEXIS LATIMORE. AS YOU APPROACH, IF YOU'LL JUST MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A GREEN LIGHT ON AT THE BASE OF THAT MICROPHONE AND YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY. GOOD EVENING. BOARD HERE IN PRESENCE WITH MY VICE PRESIDENT. MY AS SHE STATED MY NAME IS STACY CARVIN BUTLER AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS BOOSTER CLUB. AND WE'RE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE THE DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS HAS BEEN INVITED THREE TIMES TO GO ON TRIPS, AND TWO OF THOSE TIMES THEY HAVE BEEN DENIED. THEY WAS OFFERED TO GO TO HAWAII TO SING WITH THE NATIONAL CHORUS, THE NATIONAL CHORUS FOR THE WHOLE UNITED STATES. THEY WAS DENIED THAT TRIP. THEY ALSO WAS DENIED TO GO TO PARIS TO SING IN A BIG PRODUCTION THERE. AND NOW WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET TO GO TO PINE FOREST ACADEMY IN PENNSYLVANIA. WELL, WE PUT ALL THAT OUT ONTO THE SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING, AND IT CAME BACK TO US THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A, A, A TRAVEL AGENT. WE GOT THE TRAVEL AGENT. THEN IT WAS, YOU HAVE TOO MANY DAYS. THESE KIDS HAVE WORKED HARD TO REACH WHERE THEY AT. NOW. THEY WAS JUST DID TROY, ALABAMA, THE HOME OF JOHN LEWIS, WHERE THEY WAS RECOGNIZED. THEY ALSO WENT TO THE SOUTHERN STAR MUSICAL FESTIVAL, WHERE THEY CAME IN SECOND PLACE IN TEN YEARS FOR DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL. THEY ALSO HAS BEEN WITH THE PINE FORGE ACADEMY. THEY DID A DOCUMENTARY WHICH IS CALLED THIS IS MY BLACK, AND THEY INVITED THEM TO COME TO PENNSYLVANIA TO DO ANOTHER DOCUMENTARY WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO COLLABORATE. WELL, WE'RE ASKING AS PARENTS THAT IS IN THE BOOSTER CLUB THAT WE HAVE OUR TWO DAYS. WE ASK FOR THREE, BUT WE WAS DENIED UNTIL IT DROPPED DOWN TO ONE. AND BUT THESE KIDS NEED TO COLLABORATE AND SING AND PRACTICE TO GET TO THE LEVEL OF PINE FORGE ACADEMY.

THAT SCHOOL HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO COME TO UK. SO THESE KIDS WORKED HARD. WE HAVE HAD PARENTS TO AGREE. WE HAVE HAD PARENTS TO GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR THEIR KIDS TO GO ON THIS TRIP, AND WE'RE ONLY ASKING FOR OUR TWO DAYS. WE WANT TO LEAVE ON A THURSDAY. ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WE WANT TO HAVE THAT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY FOR THEM TO GET THEIR PRACTICE, WHICH IS A 12 HOUR DRIVE, AND RELAX AND THEN PERFORM ON THAT SATURDAY. SO OUR TRIP HAS BEEN SHORTENED AND WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE ASKING AS PARENTS TO GET THIS TRIP DONE FOR THOSE KIDS BECAUSE THEY WORK HARD. A LOT OF THEM ARE IN THE MUSICALS. A LOT OF THEM HAVE REACHED THE GOALS THAT THEY WANTED, AND THEY'RE GETTING EVERYTHING DONE THAT THEY NEED. SO WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO LOOK AT THIS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE KIDS CAN EMPOWER THEMSELVES AND TO LET THE PARENTS EMPOWER THEIR KIDS BECAUSE WE NEED THEM TO GO TO DO THIS COLLABORATION WITH PINE FORGE ACADEMY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS CARVIN BUTLER. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEXIS LATTIMORE FOLLOWED BY MADISON SKIPPER. AND MISS LATTIMORE. AS YOU APPROACH I'LL JUST ASK YOU ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GREEN LIGHT IS ON AT THE BASE OF THE MICROPHONE. READY. GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS I AM ALEXIS LATTIMORE I'M REPRESENTING DESHAUN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BODY. AND ALSO THE STUDENT BODY OF THE WHOLE COUNTY. TODAY I COME TO YOUR TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION THAT HAPPENED AT DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL AT DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ON JANUARY 30TH. WE DECIDED TO DEMONSTRATE AND WALK OUT AND

[00:20:02]

AND TONIGHT I STAND BEFORE YOU, CARRYING THE VOICES OF STUDENTS WHO WERE SILENCED, REDIRECTED, THREATENED VOICES THAT DESERVED PROTECTION AND NOT PUNISHMENT. ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2026, STUDENTS ACROSS THIS NATION PARTICIPATED IN PEACEFUL WALKOUTS TO PROTEST THE BRUTAL TACTICS USED BY IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. THIS WAS A HISTORIC MOMENT. STUDENTS EXERCISE COMPASSION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL WAS A PART OF THAT MOMENT. WE PLANNED IT, WE ORGANIZED IT, AND WE LED IT. BUT WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PEACEFUL, STUDENT LED EXPRESSION OF UNITY WAS INSTEAD MET WITH CONTROL, FEAR AND INTIMIDATION BY OUR PRINCIPAL. STUDENT LEADERS CAREFULLY PLANNED OUT AND SCHEDULED THE WALKOUT FOR 2 P.M. INSTEAD OF RESPECTING OUR LEADERSHIP, OUR PRINCIPAL PULLED TEACHERS AWAY FROM INSTRUCTION TO DICTATE HOW WE PROTESTED. READ, ROUTING US AROUND THE STADIUM AND FORCING US QUICKLY BACK TO CLASS, STRIPPING THE DEMONSTRATION OF ITS MEANING AND VISIBILITY.

WHAT WAS MEANT TO BE A PEACEFUL STATEMENT BECAME A CONTROLLED MARCH UNDER SUPERVISION. THIS WAS NOT SUPPORT. THIS WAS NOT SAFETY. THIS WAS SUPPRESSION. STUDENTS WERE ORDERED TO PUT AWAY. THEIR PHONES ARE ONLY MEANS OF DOCUMENTATION AND PROTECTION. AND WHEN WE RESISTED, WE WERE THREATENED WITH THREE DAYS OF OSS. FEAR REPLACED DIALOG AND AUTHORITY REPLACED EMPATHY. UNDERSTAND STUDENT BEGINS TO RAISE THEIR VOICES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PROTESTS ARE MEANT TO DO. AND INSTEAD OF DE-ESCALATING, OUR PRINCIPAL ESCALATED. I WATCHED HIM RADIO REPEATEDLY FOR BACKUP, AND WHEN NONE ARRIVED, HE TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS.

HERE WE ARE. YES, A STUDENT SHOUTED IN FRUSTRATION, TELLING HIM TO SHUT UP. WHAT FOLLOWED WAS NOT LEADERSHIP. IT WAS NOT PROFESSIONALISM. IT WAS A THREAT. OUR PRINCIPAL RESPONDED, SAY IT TO MY FACE, DOT, DOT, DOT, BECAUSE I WILL DRAG YOU. THOSE WORDS ECHO THROUGH THE STANDS. THEY CUT THROUGH THE AIR. THEY LANDED IN THE HEARTS OF STUDENTS WHO SUDDENLY FELT UNSAFE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE VIDEOS WHERE THIS THREAT CAN CLEARLY BE HEARD. THIS IS NOT HEARSAY. THIS IS DOCUMENTED. GEORGIA LAW DEFINES BULLYING AS ANY WILLFUL ACT, WRITTEN, VERBAL OR PHYSICAL, THAT A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD FIND TO PERCEIVE AS INTENDED TO HARASS, THREATEN, OR INTIMIDATE. OCGA 22 751.4 A GROWN MAN, A PRINCIPAL, TELLING A STUDENT, I

[00:25:06]

WE ARE WRITING AS CADETS OF THE AFJROTC AFJROTC PROGRAM AT DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL TO EXPRESS SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE STATE OF OUR CORE. WE ARE DEEPLY INVESTED IN THIS PROGRAM AND ITS LEGACY, BUT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS HAVE PUT ITS STABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS AT RISK. FIRST, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF CONSISTENT, QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE NUMBER OF INSTRUCTORS HAS STEADILY DECLINED, AND DECISIONS SURROUNDING HIRING HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS. A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED FORMER INSTRUCTOR BY THE RANK OF MAJOR WAS NOT REHIRED FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO US.

MEANWHILE, LAST YEAR'S INSTRUCTOR BY THE RANK OF MAJOR LACKED EXPERIENCE IN AFJROTC MANAGEMENT, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO BUDGETING ISSUES, LEADERSHIP CONFLICT ANNUALLY AND NEARLY FAILING OUR UNIT INSPECTION. THESE CONFLICTS ULTIMATELY AFFECTED OUR VETERAN INSTRUCTOR OF TEN YEARS BY THE RANK OF MASTER SERGEANT, WHO IS CURRENTLY ON FMLA LEAVE. AS A RESULT, OUR CORE IS NOW ESSENTIALLY CADET RUN WITHOUT PROPER ADULT OVERSIGHT. WE ARE ASKING FOR COOPERATION FROM THE SCHOOL TO SUPPORT OUR VETERAN INSTRUCTOR AND ENSURE THE PROGRAM CAN FUNCTION THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.

SECOND, CADETS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT GRADING. DUE TO OUR INSTRUCTORS ABSENCE, GRADES HAVE BEEN DELAYED FOR MONTHS. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORT OF OUR INTERIM INSTRUCTOR, GRADING HAS BEEN INSUFFICIENT AND PLACED STRAIN ON STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH AFJROTC, WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST A CLEARER, MORE EFFECTIVE SYSTEM FOR ENTERING AND MANAGING CADET GRADES. THIRD, WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING OUR PRINCIPAL. CADETS AND PARENTS ARE TROUBLED BY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING HIS PAST CONDUCT, AS WELL AS HIS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH RTC STANDARDS AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT. HE HAS REFUSED TO MEET WITH OUR VETERAN INSTRUCTOR ALONGSIDE A THIRD PARTY DENIED CURRICULUM BASED FIELD TRIPS ESSENTIAL TO OUR PROGRAM, AND APPROVED UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL INVOLVEMENT. THESE ACTIONS HAVE NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVELY IMPACTED NOT ONLY OUR UNIT, BUT STAFF MEMBERS AS WELL. WE ASK THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REVIEW THESE CONCERNS. FINALLY, WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR PROGRAM AND THE CADETS WHO COME AFTER US. CADETS ARE UNSURE ABOUT COMPLETION CERTIFICATES, PROGRAM CONTINUITY AND WHETHER THE CORPS WILL EXIST BEYOND 2025 TO 2026 SCHOOL YEAR. RTC IS DESIGNED TO BUILD LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP AND CHARACTER, BUT WITHOUT PROPER SUPPORT FROM THE SCHOOL AND SUFFICIENT INSTRUCTORS, THE FOUNDATION OF OUR UNIT IS COLLAPSING. CADET MORALE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINED, AND MANY NO LONGER FEEL MOTIVATED OR HOPEFUL ABOUT THE PROGRAM. IN CONCLUSION, WE BELIEVE THE CURRENT DECLINE OF OUR UNIT IS LARGELY DUE TO THE LACK OF SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE FROM DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REVIEW THESE MATTERS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU, MISS MCCULLOUGH. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR THIS EVENING, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MISS RIDDLE. MADAM CHAIR, I TURN THE MEETING BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS

[H. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)]

[00:30:07]

[I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS]

I WANTED TO REMIND THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT LOCUST GROVE SHOWCASE WILL BE FROM 530 TO 730, I BELIEVE, TOMORROW AT LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOCUST GROVE BOYS BASKETBALL. THEY WERE FIRST IN THEIR REGION AND FIFTH IN STATE. CONGRATULATIONS.

ATTENDED CELEBRATION. THE DISTRICT RECENTLY RELEASED QUARTER TWO RESULTS FOR ITS ATTENDANCE MADNESS CAMPAIGN, AND I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT ROCK SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLACED SECOND AMONG THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH 89% ATTENDANCE RATE, JUST 2% POINTS BELOW THE FIRST PLACE WINNER. OLA ELEMENTARY PLACED IN THE TOP FIVE WITH 86% ATTENDANCE RATE, AND OLA MIDDLE ALSO PLACED IN THE TOP FIVE OF MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WITH 88% ATTENDANCE RATE. AMONG HIGH SCHOOLS, THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL PLACED THIRD WITH 83.6%. OLA ELEMENTARY'S ROBOTICS TEAM 5203P ALSO RECEIVED THE INNOVATIVE AWARD, WHICH RECOGNIZES A TEAM'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ROBOT DESIGN PROCESS.

THE HENRY COUNTY STUDENTS WERE AMONG STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX THROUGH 12 FROM LOCAL, PRIVATE AND HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHO RECENTLY ADVANCED IN THE 23RD ANNUAL ANNUAL HENRY REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR. IT WAS AN ADDITIONAL AWARDS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECT EVALUATIONS, SELECT ELEMENTARY PROJECTS, AND RECEIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING OPEN TO ALL RESEARCH IN EARTH SCIENCE, LIFE SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DESIGN.

AND LAST, THE HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL WILL HAVE THEIR SENIOR PROM. AND THAT'S NOT JUST FOR 12TH GRADERS. IT'S FOR PEOPLE OLDER THAN 18. THE SENIOR PROM WILL BE HELD MARCH 13TH AT THE GYMNASIUM AT, I MEAN, AT THE AT THE HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL. YOU SHOULD COME OUT AND SEE. YOURS TRULY WILL BE CROWNING THE WINNER THERE AT THE SCHOOL. AND IT'S FOR THE OLDEST QUEEN AND KING. THAT WILL NOT BE ME. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU EVERYONE. AND REMEMBER, GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ARE ALSO ON SALE. SO REMEMBER YOUR GIRL SCOUTS WHEN YOU SEE THEM ON THE CORNERS ARE IN IN THE IN YOUR BUILDING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR NUTT. MISS CARTER. FEBRUARY IS A REALLY FULL MONTH OF CELEBRATION, SO I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I FIRST OFF WANT TO MENTION THE EVENT THAT DOCTOR PACE AND I ATTENDED ON JANUARY 29TH. THERE WAS LOTS OF AMAZING STUDENTS AT THAT EVENT, AND I WAS JUST REALLY HONORED TO BE THERE FOR HIM TO RECOGNIZE ALL THESE STUDENTS. WE HAVE SOME VERY SMART KIDDOS IN OUR DISTRICT, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF ALL OF THEM. AND THEN FEBRUARY IS ALSO BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS A TIME TO HONOR THOSE PAST AND PRESENT THAT HAVE MADE AN IMPACT TO HELP SHAPE OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY. ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS, TIMBER RIDGE ELEMENTARY, HAD AN ASSEMBLY THIS PAST FRIDAY WHERE STUDENTS FROM ACROSS ALL GRADES TOOK TO STAGE TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND IT'S ALSO NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS WEEK. AND AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF OUR COUNSELORS. THEY NOT ONLY HELP OUR STUDENTS, BUT

[00:35:04]

SPRING ROBOTICS TEAM 5713 ARE ALSO KNOWN, RECEIVED THE JUDGES AWARD, AND THE DISTRICT'S RECENT VEX IQ COMPETITION, PRESENTED TO A TEAM'S JUDGES DETERMINED IS DESERVING OF A SPECIAL RECOGNITION. THE TEAM ALSO RECEIVED THE EXCELLENCE AWARD, THE HIGHEST HONOR AND VEX IQ CHALLENGE, QUALIFYING FOR THE STATE COMPETITION IN CUMMINGS IN MARCH. WELL, THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL, BUT JUST REALLY PROUD OF THEM THAT I LOVE THAT OUR DISTRICT OFFERS ROBOTICS.

WE LOVE ROBOTICS IN OUR HOUSE, SO THIS IS JUST SO AWESOME TO HEAR. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ROCK SPRINGS AND THEN HAPPY WINTER BREAK. CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE HERE, BUT I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A RESTFUL BREAK. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS CARTER. MISS EDWARDS. GOOD EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT DISTRICT TWO. CONGRATULATIONS TO IMPACT ACADEMY IMPACT MIDDLE FOR PLACING SECOND AMONG MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN QUARTER TWO WITH 91.7% ATTENDANCE RATE. TO THOSE FOR IMPACT. MIDDLE WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL PLACED THIRD WITH AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF 88.7%. AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL PLACED IN THE TOP FIVE WITH AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF 84.4%. AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, IMPACT ACADEMY HIGH HELD ON TO THE FIRST PLACE WITH A 92.2% ATTENDANCE RATE. KUDOS TO THEM. AWESOME, AWESOME. SO OUR KIDS ARE COMING TO SCHOOL. THAT'S WONDERFUL. AND WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL PLACED IN THE TOP 5% WITH THE TOP FIVE WITH 80.2% POTENTIAL ATTENDANCE RATE. I ATTENDED DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LUNCHEON LAST WEEK. SEVERAL STUDENTS AND I WAS SO PROUD TO BE THERE BECAUSE SEVERAL STUDENTS RECEIVED AS MANY AS 40%. I MEAN NOT PERCENT 40 ACCEPTANCE LETTERS TO COLLEGES. AND THAT WAS JUST AMAZING. SOME OF THOSE KIDS GOT UP TO 40%. I MEAN, 40 LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE. AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY FANTASTIC AS WELL. SO ENJOY YOUR BREAK. IT'S AROUND THE CORNER AND BE SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU ALL AFTER WINTER BREAK.

THAT'S THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. MR. MCDANIEL THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AGAIN. WE I DON'T WANT TO PROLONG, BUT, YOU KNOW, FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH, CTE MONTH, NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK, SRO APPRECIATION DAY. THERE'S SO MANY THINGS GOING ON IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY THAT AGAIN, WE REALLY WANT TO SAY KUDOS TO EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON THAT'S RECOGNIZED DURING THIS MONTH. AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SPELLING BEE WINNERS AS WE RECOGNIZE THEM EARLIER THROUGHOUT THE STUDY SESSION. I THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT ACTUALLY WON.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LUELLA MIDDLE SCHOOLS GIRLS AND DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOLS BOYS FOR WINNING THE HENRY COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLAR CARRINGTON MOORE, AS HE IS THE WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE TWO FOR ALL REGION. CALEB YOUNG FROM MCDONOUGH WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE REGION TWO FOR A SECOND TEAM. MICHAEL JOHNSON ELIJAH DRUMMOND JAMAL ALI WAS RECOGNIZED AS TWO FOR A ALL

[00:40:02]

NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY GOT SECOND AND BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY GOT THIRD. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ON THE MATH COMPETITION. SORRY ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU, MRS. CARTER. THAT WAS IMPORTANT.

AND DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FROM WHEN THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON PERSONNEL. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME MISS CARLY AMBLER, WHO IS NOW OUR DIRECTOR OF STATE AND FEDERAL COMPLIANCE. CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN YOUR NEW ROLE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. AND QUICKLY, I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR FAMILIES, OUR PARENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

YOU HEARD ABOUT THE MANY EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE, FROM THE SPELLING BEE TO THE VEX IQ COMPETITION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S HONORS PROGRAM. I WANT TO THANK OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES FOR STAYING BEHIND AND FOR SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN IN THESE SUCCESSES. AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR STAFF, OUR TEACHERS, OUR PRINCIPALS, THE COACHES THAT SPENT THEIR TIME AT THE MATH COMPETITION, THE SPELLING BEE, ALL OF THOSE STAFF, TEACHERS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL THAT HELP OUR STUDENTS TO GET READY TO TRULY PERFORM AND MAKE MAKE THESE OPPORTUNITIES WHAT THEY ARE. I WANT TO THANK THEM AND SAY ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD, IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THAT. YOU DO. DEFINITELY HAVE A RESTFUL WINTER BREAK, AND AS YOU'RE RELAXING, TAKE A MOMENT TO READ, RELAXING. READING. RELAXING, NOT WORK, READING, RELAXING, READING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL IN MARCH! WHEN WE HAVE COMMUNITY CLUSTER CONVERSATIONS, I'M GOING TO PUT IT ON YOUR RADAR NOW. WE WILL HAVE COMMUNITY CLUSTER CONVERSATIONS DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, AND I'M GOING TO ASK EVERY CLUSTER TO AT LEAST HAVE 100 PEOPLE AT THE COMMUNITY CLUSTER CONVERSATION. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, I WANT TO START BY JUST ACKNOWLEDGING COTTON INDIAN ELEMENTARY FOR THEIR ONCE AGAIN INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR ELEMENTARY MUSICAL THAT IS ON OUR CALENDAR EVERY YEAR. IT IS ONE OF MY CHILDREN'S FAVORITE EVENTS TO ATTEND, SO WE GOT TO GO SEE THEM SHINE AS THEY PERFORMED LITTLE MERMAID AT THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. AND AS ALWAYS, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR MISS HEIDI LONG AND THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF ALL OF OUR FINE ARTS EDUCATORS. AS YOU HAVE HEARD TONIGHT, OUR DISTRICT HAS SEEN TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN STEM EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AT EVERY LEVEL, AND I'M ESPECIALLY EXCITED TO SEE HOW FAR WE HAVE COME IN THESE ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS. SO WE LAUNCHED THE FIRST EVER ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL VEX ROBOTICS COMPETITION JUST LAST FEBRUARY, AND HAVE CONTINUED TO SHOWCASE OUR STUDENTS STEM COMPETENCE THROUGH EVENTS SUCH AS THE VEX IQ WINTER INVITATIONAL, WHICH THE DISTRICT HOSTED LAST FRIDAY. AND I AM PLEASED TO SHARE THAT UNION GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S TEAM 67073A RECEIVED THE EXCELLENCE AWARD, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD PRESENTED TO THE TEAM THAT EXEMPLIFIES OVERALL EXCELLENCE IN CREATING A HIGH QUALITY VEX IQ ROBOTICS PROGRAM. AMAZING. YES, WE'RE SO PROUD. AND THE TEAM ALSO RECEIVED THE TEAMWORK CHAMPION AWARD AND QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN CUMMING, GEORGIA LATER THIS MONTH. SO WE WILL BE CHEERING YOU ON EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU, AND ALL OF THIS WONDERFUL STEM NEWS HELPS PAVE THE WAY FOR HENRY COUNTY'S STEM HIGH SCHOOL, SET TO OPEN IN FALL OF 2027. SO ANY INTERESTED STUDENTS, FAMILIES OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN JOIN A VIRTUAL INFO SESSION SCHEDULED FOR THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STEM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ELIGIBILITY AND THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS. SO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MISS THAT IF YOU ARE REMOTELY INTERESTED AND INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE FOR THAT SESSION. AND THEN I ALSO

[00:45:02]

IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE THE INCREDIBLE EVENTS THAT HAPPEN AT EACH ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND JUST THE THOUGHTFUL AND INTENTIONAL WAYS THAT OUR STUDENTS GET TO BOTH BRING BLACK HISTORY TO LIFE, AND ALSO JUST HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE THEM. ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS CHOSE MRS. EDWARDS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO DO A BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROJECT ON, SO IT'S JUST AMAZING TO GET TO WITNESS HISTORY BEING WRITTEN RIGHT HERE AT HOME. AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE THAT EVERY DAY IN OUR SCHOOLS. AND THEN I CAN'T LET THIS DAY GO ON WITHOUT JUST THANKING OUR INCREDIBLE SROS. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR YOU BOTH IN THIS ROLE AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, BUT MOST OF ALL, AS A MAMA. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW GRATEFUL I AM THAT YOU ARE HAVE GIVEN YOUR LIFE TO THIS CALLING. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WISH YOU ALL THE MOST RESTFUL WINTER BREAK. DO SOME READING, TAKE A NAP. DON'T FORGET FRIDAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY, SO GET YOUR VALENTINES DONE NOW! HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT AND I WILL ADJOURN OUR MEETING AT 7:46 P.M. GOOD NIGHT. THE CHAIR HAS ADJOURNED THE MEETING AND ATTENDEES CAN BEGIN TO

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.