[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:30]
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. WE HAVE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING AHEAD AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. RIDDLE, AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY CALL TO ORDER OUR UM REGULARLY SCHEDULED BUSINESS SESSION OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MONDAY, JUNE 8TH AT 7:01 P.M. AND IF YOU WOULD PLEASE JOIN ME IN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ONE.
[C. WELCOME]
THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE. UH, WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE JOINING US HERE TONIGHT AS WE KICK OFF OUR SUMMER AND I WILL BEGIN THIS EVENING BY TURNING IT OVER TO DOCTOR PACE FOR HIS WELCOME. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.WELCOME TO THE JUNE MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THE HEARTFELT THANKS OF OUR GOVERNANCE TEAM AND OUR ENTIRE DISTRICT TO OUR LOCAL CITIZENS FOR CHOOSING TO RENEW THE EDUCATION SPECIAL PURPOSE, LOCAL OPTIONS SALES TAX AT THE POLLS ON TUESDAY, MAY 19TH.
YOUR APPROVAL MARKS 30 YEARS OF INVESTMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS THROUGH THIS ONE CENT SALES TAX.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S ENDURING SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. EAST BLO 7 WILL FUND SAFETY AND SECURITY UPGRADES, BUILDING RENOVATIONS, CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY AND SCHOOL BUSES, AMONG OTHER IMPORTANT CAPITAL PROJECTS. SO TO OUR COMMUNITY, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
MAY 15TH THROUGH THE 21ST, WE CELEBRATED THE CULMINATION OF A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR WITH 12 GRADUATION CEREMONIES OVER 7 DAYS AT ECHO PARK SPEEDWAY, AND OUR PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE GRADUATED NEARLY 3500 STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED $131 MILLION AND COUNTING IN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS, ALONG WITH 272 GRADUATES, SELF-REPORTING, ENLISTING IN THE MILITARY. PLEASE TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SCREEN FOR A VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE CLASS OF 2026.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD WITHOUT HIM, I WOULD NOT HAVE THE FOUNDATION IN OR THE STRENGTH TO MAKE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE. THESE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN A JOURNEY OF HAPPINESS, HEARTBREAK, LOVE, GROWTH, AND UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES. FROM HOMECOMING DANCES TO P EP LI S TO BUS RIDES HOME FROM GAMES TO OUR FINAL BUS RIDE HERE. WE SIT. IN THEM SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THOSE WHO SUPPORTED US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND WHO ARE JUST AS PROUD AS WE ARE TO WITNESS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES BUT TODAY ISN'T JUST ABOUT RECEIVING DIPLOMA. IT'S ABOUT SO MUCH MORE. IT'S ABOUT THE LATE NIGHTS THAT WE STUDY, THE EARLY MORNINGS, THE MOMENTS THAT WE BELIEVED WE WERE GOING TO GIVE UP AND DIDN'T IT'S ABOUT THE LESSONS WE LEARNED AND THE
[00:05:01]
STRENGTHS WE DISCOVERED. TODAY IS ALL ABOUT THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO GET HERE TODAY.AND NOW, AFTER EVERYTHING WE EXPERIENCED TOGETHER, WE FINALLY ARE. OUT.
A MOMENT WE HAVE DREAMED ABOUT FOR YEARS, IN A MOMENT THAT DOES NOT JUST REPRESENT US, BUT IT REPRESENTS THE END OF ANOTHER CHAPTER. THE FUTURE IS AHEAD OF US AND FULL OF OPPORTUNITY, GROWTH, STRENGTH, AND NEW JOURNEYS WAITING TO BEGIN. CLASS OF 2026, WE DID IT.
GRADUATES, PLEASE RISE AND JOIN ME AS WE COMPLETE ONE FINAL CEREMONY. THE 2026 THESE WILL BES RIGHT TO THE RATCULATIONS GIRL.
ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2026.
LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO, WE HELD OUR ANNUAL SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT THE MCDONOUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, AN ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES. OUR SCHOOL AND DISTRICT LEADERS REFLECTED ON MAKING HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS A DESTINATION SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE EVERYONE THRIVES AND ALL STUDENTS ARE EMPOWERED TO FIND THEIR POSITIVE PURPOSE IN THE WORLD.
THESE TWO DAYS WERE FILLED WITH INSPIRING STUDENT PERFORMANCES, ENLIGHTENING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY FORMER EDUCATOR AND SCHOOL LEADER KIM STROBEL THAT INSPIRED OUR LEADERS TO UNLOCK THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOW OUR SCHOOL AND DISTRICT TEAMS WILL CARRY THE ENERGY AND MOMENTUM OF SLC INTO PLANNING FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND OUR COMMUNITY THAT ALL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH, AND OBSERVANCE OF THE JUNETEENTH FEDERAL HOLIDAY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH.
DISTRICT OFFICES WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 29TH THROUGH JULY 3RD AND OBSERVANCE OF FOURTH OF JULY. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME, AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, FOR THAT WELCOME. WE'LL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO
[D. INSPIRATION]
D INSPIRATION, AND I AM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT OUR INSPIRATION TONIGHT, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THIS EVENING WE ARE HONORED TO WELCOME CAMERON BELL, A RISING 10TH GRADE STUDENT FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. CAMERON WILL RECITE AN ORIGINAL POEM TITLED FREE TIME, WHICH WAS A WINNING ENTRY IN THIS YEAR'S YOUNG GEORGIA AUTHORS COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS CAMERON AND TAKE IT AWAY. LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE BEFORE HE BEGINS. UH, THIS IS FREE TIME BY CAMERON BELL. JUST THE OTHER DAY, I FIND MYSELF BACK ON THE COURT. ANOTHER SWING, ANOTHER POINT, ANOTHER QUIET MILESTONE, WHATEVER THIS JOURNEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE. AND RIGHT WHEN I WAS CAUGHT UP IN MY OWN THOUGHTS TRYING TO TURN THIS MOMENT INTO SOME KIND OF METAPHOR. MY COACH LOOKS OVER AND GOES, WELL, WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? WELL, THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL QUESTION. ONCE I'VE HEARD A MILLION TIMES BEFORE, SUDDENLY SENT ME SPINNING, MY MIND SCRAMBLING TO MY ANYTHING I DO PURELY FOR THE JOY OF IT. AND THE HARDER I SEARCH, THE FASTER. EVERYTHING SLIPPED AWAY. THIS UNUSUAL THOUGHT, A THOUGHT I HAD A THOUGHT I NEVER HAD THE TIME OR SPACED MY MIND TO THINK ABOUT.
SUDDENLY SENT ME SPINNING, UH, EVEN BOTHERED ME EVEN DAYS AFTER I WAS ASKED. WELL, I HAVE FREE TIME, RIGHT? WAS THE ONE THOUGHT THAT KEPT CREEPING CONTINUOUSLY, HUNGRILY, DESTRUCTIVELY REAPPEARING IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, WHISPERING LOUDLY TO THE FRONT FOR OUR NEW REVELATION OF WHAT MY LIFE SUMMED UP TO.
I RUSHED TO HURL OUT SOMETHING, WORDS THAT NEVER FELT LIKE MINE. MY, MY THOUGHTS ALL TRIPPING OVER THEMSELVES JUST TO FIND A COVER LINE. WELL, I PLAY VIDEO GAMES, RIGHT? I BLURT OUT JUST THE CODE, BUT EVEN IF I WANTED TO, THERE'S BARELY ROOM TO HOPE, NO TIME TO EVEN THINK ABOUT CONTROLLING MY HAND. NOW WITH 20 NEW ASSIGNMENTS FROM TEACHERS WHO BELIEVE THEY UNDERSTAND. ALL PUT ON ANOTHER FULL PLATE, ALONG WITH TENNIS, PLAYING SAX,
[00:10:03]
AND FAMILY, SNATCHED ON ME, DRAGGING ME, SNATCHING ALL MY SANITY AWAY. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A TEENAGER, LET ALONE ME, COULD STRUGGLE JUST TO CHILL, JUST TO BREATHE, JUST TO VIBE, WHILE THE WORLD KEEPS SHOUTING WITH TEENAGERS SHOULD BE DOING, AS IF I'M FAILING SOME SCRIPT, I NEVER AGREED TO READ. BUT WHAT IF I'M OK WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, THE EMPTY HOURS I NEVER HAD, THE FREE TIME I NEVER MISSED. WHAT IF I'M FINDING LEARNING THAT I WASN'T BUILT FOR STILLNESS. THAT I'VE ALWAYS LIVED IN MOTION, AND THAT'S HIS OWN KIND OF PIECE. A QUIET TRUTH, I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED UNTIL I FOUND ME.LET'S GET ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR CAMERON BELL. YOUNG GEORGIA AUTHORS COMPETITION WINNER. OUTSTANDING MADAM CHAIR, AT THIS TIME, I'D ASK FOR THE
[E. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS]
BOARD TO JOIN ME UPFRONT. FOR AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS.GOOD EVENING. I'M KYLE SEARS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND WE'LL BE FACILITATING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. THIS EVENING WILL BE RECOGNIZING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND LEADERS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES EVERY DAY ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. UP FIRST, ON FEBRUARY 28TH AND MARCH 14TH, 29 STUDENTS FROM HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA GOVERNOR'S HONORS PROGRAM SELECTION PROCESS. NEARLY 1500 STUDENTS WERE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE LEVEL AUDITION INTERVIEW PROCESS OUT OF MORE THAN 4200 STUDENTS NOMINATED IN THE STATE COMPETITION. HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE 5 FINALISTS AND 3 ALTERNATES SELECTED TO THE GOVERNOR'S HONORS PROGRAM FOR 2026. UP FIRST FROM THE ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, A FINALIST IN COMMUNICATIVE ARTS, KEHLANI DOPE. FROM EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, A FINALIST IN WORLD LANGUAGES, REELES DE LEON. FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, A FINALIST IN THEATER, VIRGIL BERNIE. FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, A FINALIST IN SOCIAL STUDIES, JACOB FISH. ALSO FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, A FINALIST IN MUSIC, GABRIEL BLAND. FROM THE ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES AN ALTERNATE AND COMMUNICATIVE ARTS, KAYLIN WIGGINGTON. FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, AN ALTERNATE IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE RAN SHAW.
AND FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, AN ALTERNATE IN SOCIAL STUDIES, SHOHAM PATEL.
[00:15:30]
NEXT, NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER STUDENTS THROUGH ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN THE DISCIPLINE OF HISTORY. THE POWER OF NHD LIES IN ITS ABILITY TO ENHANCE AND ENRICH THE RESEARCH, LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS. IT DOES SO BY ASKING STUDENTS TO CLAIM OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR LEARNING AND INVITING STUDENTS TO BECOME HISTORIANS. WE ARE THRILLED TO RECOGNIZE SEVERAL PROJECTS WHICH PLACE FIRST AND OR RECEIVED A SPECIAL AWARD AT THE STATE CONTEST IN APRIL. AS A RESULT OF THESE OUTCOMES AND SEVERAL OTHER STUDENTS WHO PLACED AT THE STATE COMPETITION, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE SENDING THE LARGEST GROUP OF STUDENTS AMONG GEORGIA'S SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND NEXT WEEK. A TOTAL OF 22 OF THE 71 STUDENTS FROM GEORGIA WILL BE REPRESENTING HCS.CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS AND THE JUNIOR DIVISION FROM OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL RECEIVING FIRST PLACE IN THE JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL EXHIBIT CATEGORY AND A SPECIAL AWARD IN OUTSTANDING ENTRY IN ECONOMIC HISTORY FOR HER PROJECT, THE ROMANIAN REVOLUTION, THE REACTION TO ROMANIAN NIKOLAI CEAUSESCU AND HOW A BULLET REFORMED THEIR NATION. DANIELLA, TERRANCON, KOMINARIS. DANIELLA IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL CHRISTINE ANDERSON AND TEACHER ZACHARY BARFIELD.
RECEIVING FIRST PLACE IN THE JUNIOR GROUP DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY FOR THEIR PROJECT, HOW THE LITTLE WHITE HOUSE NAVIGATED POLIO, A REVOLUTION IN QUARANTINING REACTION TO PANDEMICS AND THE REFORM OF THE SALK VACCINE. ALSO FROM OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL, ELIZABETH JOHNS, AIDAN MASSEY, AND ELSA TRAITOR.
RECEIVING A SPECIAL AWARD FOR JUNIOR OUTSTANDING ENTRY IN MILITARY HISTORY FOR THEIR PROJECT RUSSIAN REVOLUTION, ALSO FROM OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL, CAMERON ANDERSON, AIDAN JACKSON, ELIA FIDEZ AND AIDAN WISNET.
PUT IT OVER THERE. THERE YOU GO. IT. TO 1.
UP NEXT, RECEIVING FIRST PLACE IN THE JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE CATEGORY FOR HER PROJECT, BARBARA WALTERS THROUGH THE YEARS FROM UNION GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, NATALIE ROBLES CRUZ.
[00:20:22]
UP NEXT, RECEIVING FIRST PLACE IN THE CATEGORY OF SENIOR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE FOR A PROJECT HAZEL SCOTT'S REACTION TO SEGREGATED ENTERTAINMENT, THE REFORMATION OF THE BLACK STAR FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, MORGAN WALKER.AND NEXT RECEIVING FIRST PLACE IN THE SENIOR INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY AND A SPECIAL AWARD IN INDIVIDUAL OUTSTANDING USE OF THE DIGITAL LIBRARY OF GEORGIA FOR HIS PROJECT, THE ATLANTA PRISON FARM FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, BRODIE CUNNINGHAM.
BRODIE IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL CURVIS JACKSON.
UP NEXT, WE'RE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE 7 HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS ATHLETES WHO COMBINED TO WIN 5 STATE TITLES IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AND RELAYS AT THIS SPRING'S GHSA TRACK AND FIELD STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. UP FIRST WINNING STATE IN THE QUAD A GIRLS HIGH JUMP FROM EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, SAVANNAH WADE. SAVANNAH IS ACCOMPANIED BY COACH MACK.
UP NEXT, WINNING STATE IN THE AAA BOYS' HIGH JUMP FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, DAN OEBO. FAN IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL BRANDY HARDNETT.
WAS THAT THE WAY IT IS. NEXT WINNING STATE IN THE QUAD 8 GIRLS 300 M HURDLES FROM MCDONAGH HIGH SCHOOL, IAN PRICE. HANA'S ACCOMPANIED BY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR ENOT COHEN.
UP NEXT, WINNING STATE IN THE QUAD AIR'S 4 BY 200 M RELAY FROM STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, KINZIE DUNCAN, GISELLE MATTEO, ZEYA PIERCE, AND KAYLIN STRONG.
THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR ANDRE BIRD.
ALSO WENT IN STATE IN THE QUAD AIR'S 200 M DASH KALIN STRONG.
ALL RIGHT, SO IS THERE, IS THERE ANOTHER.
[00:25:15]
UP NEXT, WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING, THE FOLLOWING STUDENT AND ATHLETES WHO ARE SPRING SPORTS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE GHSA REGIONS. FIRST, FROM DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION 35A BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR, DEVON KENDALL AND BRYSON NORMAN JAMIL.NEXT, THE REGION TO QUAD A BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR FROM EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, ZACH LEE TING.
FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION 2 QUAD 8 GIRLS SOCCER, CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR, NELLI BONILLA ANDRADE, AND AMARI MONTGOMERY. ARI IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL TONY TOWNSEND.
UP NEXT, LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL HAD 4 REGION PLAYERS OF THE YEAR AND REGION 5 AAA. THE BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, ARVIS KROLL, THE GIRL'S TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR, ALINA FULLER. THE GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR, ISABEL MARTINEZ AND THE BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR, BERWIN BERTRAND. THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL BRANDY HARNETT.
WITH OK, I'M. GREAT. FROM MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, THE REGION TWOQUATE GIRLS LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, TIARA THOMAS. I YOU'RE RIGHT.
NEXT, OLA HIGH SCHOOL HAD 6 REGION PLAYERS OF THE YEAR IN REGION 2 QUAD A, THE BOYS SOCCER CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR, BECKHAM, MAHAFFE, AND CHRISTIAN BLANTON.
THE BOY'S LACROSSE CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR, COLTON GARDNER AND TREYTON YOUNG THE GIRL'S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, LILA LEONARD AND THE BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, REESE LEATHERS. THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL ROD MAY.
[00:30:13]
AND UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL HAD 3 REGION PLAYERS OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING REGION 2 QUAD A, THE BOYS SOCCER CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR, AIDAN MCCRARY AND LUKA SHIBA ANDERSON AND THE BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, COLTON BIRCH.NEXT, WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SPRING SPORTS COACHES OF THE YEAR FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE GHSA REGIONS. LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL HAD TWO REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR REPRESENTING REGION 5 AAA. THE BOYS AND GIRLS TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR, JEFFREY LAKE. AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR, JAMES ROBERTS. I YEAH, I WENT THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I'M NOT HATING I'M NOT, I'M NOT. WHAT THANK YOU. NEXT, THE REGION 2 QUAD A BOYS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, MICA GODSI. AND FINALLY, UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL HAD 3 REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR, REPRESENTING REG 2 QUAD A, THE BASEBALL COACH OF THE YEAR, ALLEN FRANKLIN. THE BOY'S TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR, DALE YEOMANS. AND THE GIRLS TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR, TRISH MCDONALD. THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL LATANYA RICHARDS.
FINALLY THIS EVENING, WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS ASPIRING ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS COHORT. THIS SEVEN MONTH PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY, MENTOR, AND PREPARE FUTURE ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN MEANINGFUL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP, ATHLETIC OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, BUDGETING, STUDENT ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND BUILDING A POSITIVE CULTURE. MEMBERS PARTICIPATE.
IN COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSIONS, REAL WORLD PROBLEM SOLVING SCENARIOS, JOB SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES, AND REFLECTIVE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES OF ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION. THIS PROGRAM REFLECTS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL'S COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING LEADERS FROM WITHIN AND ENSURING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION-BASED ATHLETICS REMAIN STRONG. WE PROUDLY RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING ASPIRING LEADERS FOR THE DEDICATION, GROWTH, AND COMMITMENT TO SERVING STUDENT ATHLETES, COACHES SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITIES FROM AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, GWENDOLYN EDWARDS. FROM LOCUST GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, PRISCILLA FENTY.
FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, CARAVITA HILL. FROM STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, TRAYANA SH SHEDRICK. FROM OA HIGH SCHOOL, TEVIN JONES. FROM MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, DONALD WATKINS.
FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, KENYATTA WATKINS. FROM EAGLES' LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL, CORDERO GORDON FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, GARRETT WALKER. FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, IRA HUGLEY.
FROM MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, MARQUEZ MARTIN. FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, MICA GODSEY. FROM STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, JUSTIN MCCRAYE. AND FROM MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, DESTINY GARNIGAN.
[00:35:04]
AND COME UP. VERY YOU'RE FINE. CLOSE IT AGAIN.DOCTOR PACE THIS CONCLUDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENING OF RECOGNITIONS OF OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND LEADERS. I.
[F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 11, 2026]
ALL RIGHT, WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO F THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MAY 11TH, 2026. I MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES UH FROM MAY 26TH. UH, THANK YOU, MS. EDWARDS. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, MS. CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 50 MINUTES ARE APPROVED. UM, WE WILL NOW MOVE TO G, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING? MADAM CHAIR, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU, DR. PACE. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, BUT AS A REMINDER, THOSE VIEWING AT HOME MAY SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS AT PUBLIC COMMENTS AT HENRY.K12.GGA.US. I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU, DOCTOR PACE.[H. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)]
THANK YOU, MADAM PARLIAMENTARIUM. UH, YOU'RE THE FLOOR TO YOU, MADAM CHAIR.THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO H OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. IT WAS DETERMINED AT OUR STUDY SESSION THAT ITEMS H2 THROUGH 5 WOULD BE ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA. THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND THESE ITEMS AND LOTS OF INFORMATION PRESENTED IN OUR STUDY SESSION. SO IF YOU WERE NOT HERE FOR THAT, WE WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND HEAR THAT DISCUSSION. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM H1, THE FY 27 FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION. MADAM, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ITEM H1, THE FY 27 BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, MS. CARTER. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 50H1 OUR BUDGET IS APPROVED. CAN I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS H2 THROUGH 5. ADAM CHEER OFF A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS H235 AS PRINTED. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? 2. THANK YOU, DR. NUTT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
50, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE ITEM H6 PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION?
[I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS]
ITEM H6 THAT WAS APPROVED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION OR DISCUSSED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. SORRY. THANK YOU, MRS. CARTER. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, MS. EDWARDS.ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 50 PERSONNEL IS APPROVED. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO I, OUR BOARD SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS. UM, MS. EDWARDS, DO YOU WANT TO START US OFF THIS EVENING? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M RECOGNIZING UH DISTRICT 2.
HENRY COUNTY GRADUATION. WELL, THIS IS THE ENTIRE DISTRICT. THE HENRY COUNTY GRADUATION CEREMONIES AT ECHO PARK SPEEDWAY WERE WONDERFUL. IT WAS A, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE EXCITEMENT ON EACH GRADUATE'S FACE AS THEY CROSS THE STAGE AS WELL AS HEARING THE EXCITEMENT FROM ALL THE FAMILIES. ALSO, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAD A TOTAL OF 5 CHAMP STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS REPRESENTING 4 SCHOOLS AT THE RECENT GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS. THIS INCLUDED THE STATE RECORD BREAKING 4 BY 200 M RELAY FROM
[00:40:09]
STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL. KUDOS TO STOCKBRIDGE. ALSO, I AM GONNA TAKE IT UPON MYSELF TODAY TORE OUR MISSION. I HOPE THAT'S OK.UH, AND OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER ALL STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS THAT LEAD TO SUCCESS IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY AND OUR MISSION, OUR VISION IS TO ENSURE A HIGH QUALITY WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT IN HENRY COUNTY. THIRD REPORT THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. EDWARDS, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT REMINDER AS WELL. UH, MS. CARTER. I JUST WANTED TO THANK OUR HENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY FOR, UM, RENEWING OUR ESBOS, ESBOS 7 WILL FUND SAFETY AND SECURITY UPGRADES, BUILDING RENOVATIONS, CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY, AND SCHOOL BUSES AMONG OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS. I'M JUST EXCITED. TO SEE ALL THE AMAZING THINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT IT'S GOING TO BRING HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
AND I ALSO WANTED TO JUST THANK MR. MATTOX AND HIS TEAM, MR. ELLIS AND EVERY, THE ENTIRE TEAM THAT HELPED PUT TOGETHER ALL THE GRADUATIONS AND EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON TO ECHO PARK, IT WENT BY. IT WENT AMAZING. IT WENT WONDERFUL. I THOUGHT ALL THE THINGS, GREAT WEATHER. UM, SO JUST, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT Y'ALL DID FOR THAT. UM, JUST SEEING THE, UM, THIS IMPORTANT MILESTONE THAT ALL THE GRADUATES HAVE DONE THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. JUST THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE AND EXCITED AND CONGRATULATIONS TO CLASS OF 26. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. CARTER, DOCTOR NUTT.
GOOD EVENING. UM, WE JUST HAD A GREAT GRADUATION, UH, OF ALL 30 THAT I HAVE BEEN A PART OF. THIS ONE WAS THE SWEETEST, UM, AND I MEAN, IT SEEMED LIKE A VERY CARING GROUP, AND THEY ALL HAD WONDERFUL THINGS TO SAY ABOUT EACH OTHER, THEIR FAMILIES, AND I REALLY ENJOYED THIS GRADUATION, UM, Y'ALL DID A GREAT JOB. UH, ON THAT NOTE, I'D LIKE TO THANK.
THE BLUE SHIRTS FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO, UH, OUR MAINTENANCE AND FACILITY GUYS WERE ON POINT AND THEY WORKED SO HARD. UM, I WANT TO THANK THE HENRY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR BEING THERE AND ENSURING OUR SAFETY AND THEY WERE EVERYWHERE, UM, AND ALSO I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BUS DRIVERS WHO GOT OUR PEOPLE FROM POINT A TO POINT B, VERY SAFELY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER. UM, DON'T FORGET TO READ.
THIS SUMMER. I KNOW THEY HAD OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT AT LOCUST GROVE LIBRARY SYS LIBRARY, AND I'M SORRY, I COULDN'T ATTEND, BUT I'M HERE. SO EVERYBODY DON'T FORGET TO READ. SO WHEN YOU COME BACK TO SCHOOL IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOU'LL BE READY AND READY TO GO. UM, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL BE CLOSED FOR JUNETEENTH AND UM ALSO ON FRIDAYS DUE TO THE SUMMER, SO PLEASE ENJOY YOUR VACATION. IT'S A WELL-DESERVED ONE, BUT IT'S VERY SHORT AND WE'LL SEE YOU VERY SOON THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, DOCTOR NATT, MR. MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 10 TRADITIONAL AND HENRY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS.
UH, AS YOU WERE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED AS AN AP HONCHO, UH, BY THE GEORGIA STATE SUPERINTENDENT, UH, MR. RICHARD WOODS. I WANT TO SAY ALSO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 26, UH, THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS THAT WERE LISTED ON THE, UH, GEORGIA'S OFFICE OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, UM, LIST FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH. UM, AND AS, AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2026. UH, I CAN. ' T BELIEVE MYSELF. I HAVE TWO SENIORS OUT THERE NEXT YEAR, SO I'LL BE CRYING ALONE TO EVERYBODY ELSE, UM, BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. THE SKY'S THE LIMIT, $131 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. THAT IS AMAZING, AND WE'RE ONLY GOING UP FROM HERE. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE THAT HAD A HAND, UH, IN THAT, UM, IN THAT ENDEAVOR THIS YEAR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT'S GOING TO YEAR. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FROM WHEN THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON PERSONNEL ON MAY 26TH. I'D LIKE TO UH RECOGNIZE MR. CHRIS MCLEOD, UH, IN THE, UH, POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION.
[00:45:01]
CONGRATULATIONS, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN YOUR NEW ROLE IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE MRS. BEVERLY SIMON'S, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND UH OPERATION SERVICES WHO WILL BE RETIRING UH FROM US, SO, UH, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK HER AND WISH HER WELL ON HER AND MISS U CAN SEE, YOU WILL BE MISSED. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.THANK YOU SO MUCH. I ALSO WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE CLASS OF 2026, AS WELL AS THANK ALL OF THE COUNTLESS HANDS THAT HAD A PART IN MAKING OUR GRADUATION CEREMONIES SUCH A SUCCESS. IT IS ALWAYS SUCH A JOYFUL TIME TO CELEBRATE ALL OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, UM, AND ALL OF THOSE WHO GOT THEM TO THAT INCREDIBLE MILESTONE.
UM, AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE REMEMBERS TO COMPLETE YOUR ANNUAL INFORMATION UPDATE. THIS IS A JOKE THAT SOMEONE ASKED ME TO SAY THIS, UM, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE ON THE PARENT PORTAL OF INFINITE CAMPUS. SO MAKE SURE YOU GET THAT DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SO WE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.