[00:00:02]
GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ORDER TO ENSURE A 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 MS. RIDDLE, AND GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
[A. CALL TO ORDER]
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12TH AT 7:01 PM AND IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NATION LIBERTY JUSTICE.WE ARE SO GLAD YOU HAVE ALL JOINED US TONIGHT, AND I WILL TURN IT OVER
[C. WELCOME]
AT THIS POINT TO DR. PACE FOR HIS WELCOME.THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE PASSING OF A STUDENT AT TIMBER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
IN SEPTEMBER, THE BOARD AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING OUR ANNUAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR EVENT AT THE MCDONOUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE ALL 55 OF OUR SCHOOL-BASED TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, INCLUDING MS. VALERIE FORD, AN ESAU TEACHER AT RED OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHO NOW WORKS IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WHO WAS NAMED THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FINALIST.
LIEUTENANT OMAR FLEMING, A NAVY J-R-O-T-C, INSTRUCTOR AT LUA HIGH, WHO WAS NAMED THE HIGH SCHOOL FINALIST.
AND OF COURSE, MS. TIERRA ROGERS, MATH TEACHER AT AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE, WHO WAS NAMED THE DISTRICT'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND WILL GO ON TO COMPETE FOR GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
IF WE CAN GIVE OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND OF COURSE TO SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF.
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PRINCIPAL'S APPRECIATION MONTH WHEN WE RECOGNIZE THE VITAL LEADERSHIP OF OUR PRINCIPALS, THE HIGHEST LEVERAGE LEADERS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM IN OUR ORGANIZATION.
AND IF ANY OF OUR PRINCIPLES ARE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? AND I KNOW I SAW A FEW THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE ESSENTIAL ROLE YOU PLAY IN GUIDING OUR SCHOOLS IN UPLIFTING OUR COMMUNITIES.
OCTOBER IS ALSO BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
WE ARE WEARING PINK TODAY TO, TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT AND TO SHINE A LIGHT ON BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.
HONOR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY IT AND STAND BEHIND THE GLOBAL MISSION TO ENSURE EVERYONE RECEIVES THE LIFE SAVING CARE THEY NEED.
THIS WEEKEND ON OCTOBER 10TH WAS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY.
THIS OBSERVANCE IS A POWERFUL REMINDER ABOUT ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR CARE TEAMS AND THE IMPORTANT ROLES THEY PLAY TO ENSURE STUDENTS FEEL THEY BELONG AND ARE SUPPORTED BY TRUSTED AND CARING ADULTS.
AMONG THE MANY OTHER IMPORTANT OBSERVANCES THIS MONTH ARE NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH, NATIONAL CUSTODIAN DAY RECOGNIZED OCTOBER 2ND, NATIONAL COACH APPRECIATION DAY, RECOGNIZED OCTOBER 6TH SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK, OCTOBER 12TH THROUGH THE 16TH THIS WEEK, AS WELL AS SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK AND RED RIBBON WEEK, BOTH BEGINNING OCTOBER 23RD.
IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE OUR AWARD-WINNING HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, WHO EARLIER THIS MONTH WAS NAMED AN EXEMPLARY BOARD FOR 2026 BY THE GEORGIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION.
THIS IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT IN GBAS RECOGNITION PROGRAM, SIGNIFYING A COMMITMENT TO EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, TRANSPARENCY, AND COLLABORATION, WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO FOSTERING STRONG SCHOOLS AND MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY STUDENT.
IF WE CAN GIVE OUR BOARD A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AT THIS TIME,
[00:05:01]
THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR BOARD AS IT TRICKLES DOWN THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION.MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH DR. PACE FOR THAT.
[D. INSPIRATION]
TO D OUR INSPIRATION.AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE WONDERFUL INSPIRATION AWAITING US DR. PACE.
MADAM CHAIR, OUR INSPIRATION, UH, TONIGHT IS BEING PROVIDED BY EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, UH, THE ORCHESTRA OF EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL, WHO WILL BE PERFORMING MOZART SYMPHONY NUMBER 41ST MOVEMENT BY WOLFGANG A MOZART ARRANGED BY JOHN KA NERO.
AT THIS TIME, CAN WE WELCOME OUR EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA TO OUR STAGE THE DIRECTION OF JOSHUA HERNANDEZ AND PRINCIPAL MS. SHERI LEWIS?
YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO CONDUCT YOU BETTER THAN I WAS ON ANY GIVEN DAY.
FANTASTIC JOB TO OUR, JUST ANOTHER GREAT RECOGNITION AND, UH, REFLECTION OF OUR FINE ARTS PROGRAMS HERE IN HENRY COUNTY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EAGLES, ATLANTA HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA.
MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR INSPIRATION AND I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
WE'LL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA DOWN TO E AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS AND DR. PACE.
I SEE WE HAVE SEVERAL THIS EVENING.
YES, WE HAVE MORE RECOGNITION OF OUR FANTASTIC FINE ARTS PROGRAM.
SO I'D ASK OUR BOARD TO PLEASE JOIN ME UP FRONT FOR AWARDS AND RECOGNITION.
[00:10:05]
GOOD EVENING.I'M KYLE SEARS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND WE'LL BE FACILITATING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS.
THIS EVENING WE'LL BE RECOGNIZING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND LEADERS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES EVERY DAY ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS.
TONIGHT, WE WILL RECOGNIZE THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ARTISTS WHOSE ARTWORK WAS CHOSEN TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE DURING THE 20 26 20 27 SCHOOL YEAR.
AS PART OF THE ANNUAL SUPERINTENDENT'S ART GALLERY, THE STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PRINCIPALS AND ART TEACHERS, WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY SCHOOL, BEGINNING WITH AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANNABELL GARCIA LUCIO AND JADA JACKSON.
THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MS. WASHINGTON AND ART TEACHER MR. INGRAM, CAN YOU GET ON ONE SIDE? OH, YOU'RE RIGHT.
FROM DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL, SKYLAR ROBINSON AND KAYLIN TAYLOR FROM EAGLES LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL, ISAIAH NIHAR AND FAITH WIN FROM HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, SELENA CARTER AND HEL BENITEZ MALDONADO.
THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY ART TEACHER MS. HOOD.
LYDIA WILLIAMS. ONE THREE
ERIC COMPANY BY PRINCIPAL, DR.
3, 2, 1 FROM LOUELLA MIDDLE SCHOOL, ZOE ELLIS, KIRA MARON AND BRUCE ALTMAN.
BRUCE IS ACCOMPANIED BY ART TEACHER MS. THOMPSON AND THREE FROM MCDONOUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL, OLIVIA PHOENIX, AND ANIKA EA.
[00:15:01]
WESTCOTT AND BAILEY SMITH FROM STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANGEL LOCKE AND MCKENZIE CURTIN FROM UNION GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, DION PATEL AND AJA SUTHERLAND.THEY ACCOMPANIED BY ART TEACHER MS. MORTIMER, RIGHT THERE FROM WOODLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL, SIDNEY TAYLOR AND GABRIEL WASHINGTON.
ACCOMPANIED BY ART TEACHER MS. ISENBERG.
WE WOULD NEXT LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE HIGH SCHOOL ARTIST WHOSE ART WAS CHOSEN TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
FIRST FROM THE ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, LONDON HOLSEY, CHLOE BUCKLEY, MAYA ROBINSON, ZOE NEIL, MEGAN WELDON, RUTH BUCKNER, TALIA RUSSELL, AND ANAYA RANSOM.
THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY ART TEACHER MS. WOOD.
FROM DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, VANESSA ENGLISH AND JASMINE STREET.
THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL.
TRAVIS CHAPMAN FROM EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL.
MICHAEL PALOMINOS AND ZAYA RITTER.
ANTHONY BY PRINCIPAL SHEREE LEWIS.
FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, A LAYLA HOUSEY AND JOURNEY.
POPE AC COMPANY BY ART TEACHER MS. BOWEN.
FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, JULISSA EMIL AND KADA ZA, ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL TONY TOWNSEND.
[00:20:21]
THREE.THREE FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, JAYDEN BROWN AND SOPHIA DEANDRES FOR ACD BY ART TEACHER.
MS. SILAS GOING, YOU CAN AHEAD AND GET OKAY.
JUST DON'T WANT ALL THE GIRLS.
FROM MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, CADEN ROBINSON.
FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, MARIE ELIZABETH E.
FROM STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, KISE WATSON AND JACQUELINE REYES GONZALEZ.
COMPANY BY PRINCIPAL, DR. JAMES THORNTON.
GREAT JOB FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, SOPHIA VEZ AND TARI HARRIS.
THEY'RE AC COMPANY BY ART TEACHER MS. CARTER.
AND FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, ZIPPORAH WILLIAMS AND SAMANTHA NELSON.
COMPANY BY PRINCIPAL PURVIS JACKSON.
[00:25:08]
AND FROM HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, HEL BEIT MALDONADO.FROM IMPACT ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THIS CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S AWARDS AND RECOGNITION.
[F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 14, 2026]
TO F THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES.CAN I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2026.
WE APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER THE 14TH.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
FIVE ZERO UM, MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
[G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION]
MOVE TO G PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, UH, DR. PACE.DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING? UH, YES.
WE DO HAVE PUBLIC, UH, PARTICIPATION AND AT THIS TIME I'D LOVE, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR MADAM PARLIAMENTARIAN TO LEAD US.
THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS ON THE POSTED AGENDA OR OTHER SUBJECTS PERTINENT TO THE BOARD AND THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL'S COMMUNITY.
AS A REMINDER, THE WINDOW TO SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FROM 6:00 PM TO 6:55 PM IN THE LOBBY.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE SUBMITTED AT PUBLIC COMMENTS AT HENRY DECK K12 GA US THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAVE AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS GOVERNING THEIR PARTICIPATION.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON NEWS TIME MAY NOT BE GIVEN TO ANOTHER SPEAKER.
THE BOARD IS EAGER TO HEAR EACH SPEAKER, BUT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS.
EACH SPEAKER WILL RECEIVE FOLLOW UP IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S 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 THEY SIGNED UP UNTIL THE LAST SPEAKER IS CALLED THIS EVENING.
WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER, MS. SHONDA GASTON.
MS. GASTON, AS YOU APPROACH THAT MICROPHONE, JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE GREEN LIGHT AT THE BASE IS ON.
[00:30:01]
YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBER, SUPERINTENDENT, EDUCATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY.
MY NAME IS SHONDA GASTON, A RESIDENT OF HENRY COUNTY SINCE 2012, AN EDUCATOR OF 22 YEARS IN DEKALB COUNTY, UM, AND THE FOUNDER OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TEACHER OASIS COURT, A GEORGIA 5 0 1 C3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CREATED FROM SOMETHING I UNDERSTAND PERSONALLY AS AN EDUCATOR MYSELF, THE NEED TO MANAGE MY MENTAL HEALTH AND CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SPEND EVERY DAY CARING FOR EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN.
OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF EDUCATORS BY PROVIDING A SAFE, RESTORATIVE, AND SUB SUBSTANCE FREE ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORT WELLNESS, REDUCE STRESS AND BURNOUT, AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING.
OUR WORK IS BUILT AROUND FOUR PILLARS.
FIRST, MENTAL HEALTH, SECOND PHYSICAL HEALTH, THIRD NUTRITIONAL HEALTH, AND FOURTH COMMUNITY COMRADERY.
AND WE DON'T, UM, WANT EDUCATORS TO ALWAYS HAVE TO COME TO US.
WE WANT TO BRING THE OASIS TO THEM.
THE TEA TEACHER OASIS IS CURRENTLY AN APPLICANT FOR THE CENTRAL GEORGIA EMC FOUNDATION GRANT TO SUPPORT A PROPOSED MOBILE EDUCATE EDUCATOR, WELLNESS PILOT FOR THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS.
OUR VISION IS TO BRING THE MOBILE WELLNESS EXPERIENCES DIRECTLY TO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS APPROXIMATELY TWICE A WEEK FOR EIGHT WEEKS, PROVIDING EDUCATORS AND STAFF WITH, I'M SORRY, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT, RELAXATION, MOVEMENT, REFLECTION, CREATIVE WELLNESS, NUTRITION, EDUCATION, AND MEANINGFUL CONNECTION.
BUT MOBILE WELLNESS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
OUR LONG TERM VISION IS TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT HOME FOR THIS WORK RIGHT HERE IN HERE COUNTY.
WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 31 75 HIGHWAY 81 IN HAMPTON, GEORGIA AS A POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR WHAT WE ENVISION GEORGIA'S FIRST TEACHER, OASIS MENTAL WELLNESS CENTER FOR EDUCATORS AND BEYOND.
WE ENVISION A PLACE WHERE EDUCATORS CAN LEAVE WORK AND HAVE SOMEWHERE SO WE CAN DECOMPRESS TO RELEASE, RELATE, REPLENISH, AND RELAX WITH WELLNESS AND PROGRAMMING RESTORATIVE SPACES, PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP.
MISS GASTON, THAT IS YOUR TIME.
I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
THANK YOU MADAM PARLIAMENTARY.
MADAM CHAIR, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
[H. BUSINESS ITEMS]
H OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND OUR STUDY SESSION THIS AFTERNOON, THERE WAS DIALOGUE AROUND THESE ITEMS AND I WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND HEAR THAT, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED AT THAT MEETING THAT ITEMS H ONE AND TWO WOULD BE ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING.CAN I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS H ONE AND TWO, CONSENT AGENDAS H ONE AND TWO.
ALL IN FAVOR? PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
FIVE ZERO CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION NOW TO APPROVE H THREE PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? ALL MOTION TO APPROVE H THREE PERSONNEL AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
FIVE ZERO PERSONNEL IS APPROVED AND AT THIS TIME
[I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS]
WE WILL MOVE TO OUR BOARD SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS.UM, MS. EDWARDS, DO YOU WANNA START US OFF TONIGHT? SURE.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE ALL WEARING PINK TONIGHT.
IN HONOR OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT, UM, DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, ST.
LOUIS LEWIS, FOR BEING HONORED WITH A PROCLAMATION FOR HER SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS INITIATIVE AT THE CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE, UH, CITY HALL.
[00:35:01]
TO RAISING AWARENESS AND PROMOTING SUICIDE PREVENTION IS TRULY INSPIRING.CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT BODY ON EARNING THE PRESTIGIOUS JOHN HANCOCK AWARD.
THIS INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT IS A REFLECTION OF YOUR WORK, YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO FOUR STOP BRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SELECTED TO FOR REACH SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEWS.
AND LASTLY, NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK IS OCTOBER 12TH THROUGH THE 16TH AND SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCH IN THE STUDENTS' LIVES.
A GOOD HEALTHY LUNCH CAN BOOST ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE BY GIVING STUDENTS THE FUEL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED TO RECOGNIZE SCHOOL WEEK LUNCH SCHOOL.
LUNCH WEEK, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL'S NUTRITION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD THIS ANNUAL ART CONTEST FEATURING STUDENTS' FAVORITE MENU ITEMS. I WONDER WHAT FOODS WE'LL SEE.
THANK YOU MS. EDWARDS, DR NET.
UM, THIS MONTH WE CELEBRATE, UM, NATIONAL CUSTODIAN DAY, WHICH WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU GUYS AND GIRLS, WE DO APPRECIATE YOU.
NATIONAL CHILD HEALTH DAY COACHES APPRECIATION DAY, WOO-HOO, AND WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF READING TO SEVERAL SCHOOLS FOR THE GE GEORGIA PRE-K, UM, WEEK.
AND, UM, I WENT TO LOCUST GROVE ELEMENTARY, TESSIE HALL, AND TWO MORE THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE I WENT TO.
I'M SORRY THAT WAS SO LONG AGO.
UM, BUT I'M JUST HERE TO TELL YOU, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN IN A PRE-K CLASSROOM, THAT WAS AMAZING HOW THEY GOT EVERYBODY TO LISTEN TO 'EM AND SIT DOWN ON THEIR SQUARE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, DIOR CUNNINGHAM, WHO SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE STUDENT STATE BAR EXAM AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE IN MARCH, 2027 FOR THIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT.
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT AND A TESTAMENT TO DIOR'S HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION.
MS. RIDDLE, HERE'S THIS MIGHT BE A POTENTIAL THIS.
WE ARE EXCITED THAT THE FAMILIES AND THE STUDENTS ATTENDING LAKE GROVE ELEMENTARY AND UNITY GROVE ELEMENTARY WILL PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS LATER THIS MONTH TO DISCUSS THE OPENING OF WOLF CREEK ELEMENTARY NEXT AUGUST.
SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND COME OUT MONDAY, OCTOBER THE 26TH AND TUESDAY, OCTOBER THE 27TH FOR INFORMATION SESSIONS AND COMMUNITY FORUM.
NUMBER ONE, MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR EMAIL OR BY REACHING OUT TO YOUR SCHOOL.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, CONGRATULATE MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL WARHAWKS.
THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING REALLY AWESOME AND THE LOCUST GROVE WILD CATS AND SEE, THEY, THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD AND WE'RE JUST REALLY PROUD OF 'EM.
UM, OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND ALSO COACHES APPRECIATION MONTH.
I KNOW THERE'S LOTS OF COACHES ACROSS OUR DISTRICT THAT REALLY WORK REALLY HARD OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL TO, UM, COACH AND MENTOR OUR STUDENTS.
UM, JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS FACILITATORS.
WE APPRECIATE THEM EVERY DAY, NOT JUST IN OCTOBER.
UM, NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK IS THIS MONTH FROM 19TH TO THE 23RD.
UM, OF COURSE THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO JUST CELEBRATE AND WORK WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY, BUT THIS IS JUST A GREAT MONTH TO CELEBRATE THAT SAFETY.
AND THEN REVEREND WEEK WAS ALWAYS A FUN WEEK GROWING UP FOR ME, SO I LOVE THAT THE KIDS GET TO STILL CELEBRATE THAT WEEK.
AND THEN CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BODY ON EARNING THE PRESTIGIOUS GIANT HANCOCK AWARD.
THIS INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT IS A REFLECTION OF YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO UNION TO EAGLES LENDING HIGH SCHOOL.
CONGRATULATIONS TO STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM WHILE MAKING THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS.
SO EXCITED FOR STOCKBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
CONGRATULATIONS TO UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CORDO.
HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AT THE 2026 LAW ACADEMY IN MACON, WHERE HE ADMITTED TO THE ADMITTED TO THE BAR STUDENT STUDENT BAR OF GEORGIA WITH HONORS.
TO EARN ADMISSIONS WITH HONORS
[00:40:01]
STUDENTS MUST ACHIEVE A SCORE OF AT LEAST 90% AND HIS EXCEEDED MORE THAN 20, UH, 92%.WE'RE THRILLED TO, AGAIN, TO BEGIN THIS SCHOOL YEAR WITH NEW FURNITURE AT SEVERAL OF OUR SCHOOLS AS PART OF THE GROWTH AND REPLACEMENT PRACTICES CREATED UNDER THE 20 21 20 26 COMMUNITY INSPIRED STRATEGIC PLAN.
THE GROWTH AND REPLACEMENT PLAN ENDURES LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS BY REPLACING FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER RESOURCES ACCORDING TO AGE AND NEED.
SO THAT WAS EXCITING TO SEE THOSE ACROSS THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
AND THEN UNDER THE PLAN, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, UM, RECEIVED NEW SCOREBOARDS IN RECENT YEARS.
REPLACEMENT CYCLES ARE ALSO IN PLACE FOR ATHLETIC AND FINE ARTS EQUIPMENT, UM, INCLUDING MARCHING BAND UNIFORMS AND SCHOOL ISSUED CHROMEBOOKS.
AND THAT'S IT FOR DISTRICT THREE.
I HOPE Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
UM, THIS IS BEFORE MR. MCDANIEL GETS STARTED.
IT WAS HAMPTON ELEMENTARY AND ROCKY CREEK ELEMENTARY THAT I WAS ABLE TO READ TO.
SORRY, THE BRAIN CELLS ARE GETTING OLD.
UM, THIS IS NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK IN THE MONTH, UH, OCTOBER FROM THE 19TH THROUGH THE 23RD.
UM, AND AGAIN, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH TRANSPORTING OUR STUDENTS BACK AND FORTH, UH, TO, UH, FROM HOME TO SCHOOL AND THEN FROM SCHOOL TO HOME AND ALL THE ACTIVITIES THAT THEY GO TO.
UM, I I REALLY DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING.
UH, EAGLES LANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
IF I MISPRONOUNCE, PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
BAJA PATEL ON BEING NAMED THE 2027 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMI-FINALIST.
UH, THIS PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION IS A TESTAMENT, UH, TO, UH, MR. PATEL'S, UH, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, DEDICATION, AND HARD WORK.
AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON THIS WELL DESERVED HONOR.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, UH, FOR BEING THE 2026 HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL'S MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS.
AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLA HIGH SCHOOL ON A 97.24 YEAR GRADUATION RATE.
AND FINALLY, WE DO HAVE FALL COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THOSE THAT HAVE AN VEST INTEREST IN OUR STUDENTS.
UH, OUR FIRST, UH, FALL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WILL BE OCTOBER 15TH AT WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL AT SIX, THEN HAMPTON, UH, AT, UH, OCTOBER 21ST AT FIVE 30.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO, UH, THANK CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN OUR HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION ON OCTOBER 3RD AT THE FAIRVIEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
ALSO, THANK OUR COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES FOR COMING OUT.
IT WAS AN OUTSTANDING CELEBRATION, AND THANK DEFINITELY A BIG THANKS TO OUR HCS STAFF.
UH, PIGGYBACKING OFF OF WHAT MR. MCD JUST SAID, OUR COMMUNITY CLUSTER CONVERSATIONS BEGIN OCTOBER 15TH.
WE'RE ASKING PARENTS COME OUT, TEACHERS COME OUT, STUDENTS COME OUT.
WE WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
AND THIS IS ONE OF OUR GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO GET FEEDBACK TO TELL US, HEY, WHAT WE ARE DOING WELL, WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER.
UH, SO PLEASE COME OUT TO THE FALL, UH, COMMUNITY CLUSTER CONVERSATIONS FROM OCTOBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 30TH.
UH, ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE 28 SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVED THE JOHN HANCOCK BANNER.
UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE SCHOOLS.
AND FOR A FEW SCHOOLS, IT WAS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.
AND THEN LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE, UH, OUR EARLY CARE PROVIDERS WHO HAD WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THEM ON OCTOBER 1ST, I WANT TO THANK OUR EARLY CARE PROVIDERS.
ACTUALLY, THIS IS OUR SECOND MEETING, UH, GOING BACK TO THE SPRING.
UH, AS WELL, AS WELL AS, UH, THANK OUR EARLY LEARNING TEAM.
THIS IS A COLLABORATION THAT IS, UH, SO IMPORTANT AND WE REALIZE THAT EDUCATION BEGINS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN.
AND THIS IS OUR WAY OF MAKING SURE WE CONNECT, UH, WITH OUR EARLY, UH, LEARNING PROVIDERS TO ENSURE THE BEST EDUCATION FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IN HENRY COUNTY.
UH, MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY CLOSING REMARKS AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.
A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EAGLES LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM ON AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND AN IMPRESSIVE SECOND PLACE FINISH IN THE DISTRICT.
UNDER THE PHENOMENAL LEADERSHIP OF COACHES MAYA SMITH AND ALEXIS JONES, THE TEAM HAD AN INCREDIBLE RUN AND DEMONSTRATED WHAT HARD WORK, PERSEVERANCE, AND BELIEVING IN YOURSELF CAN ACCOMPLISH.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU LADIES, AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDENTS SELECTED TO SERVE ON THE 2020 6 27 STATE SUPERINTENDENTS STUDENT ADVISORY BROOKS GRIMWOOD MOSS FROM IMPACT ACADEMY JIAN, UH, SISTRUNK FROM LOA HIGH SCHOOL, RILEY COLLINS FROM THE ACADEMY OF ADVANCED STUDIES
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AND VICTORIA MOBLEY FROM LOCUS GROVE HIGH SCHOOL.WE ARE SO GLAD THAT YOU WILL BE REPRESENTING US IN THAT WAY.
ALSO, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM.
THEY ARE REGION CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN, MARKING AN INCREDIBLE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR CLAIMING THE TITLE, WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENT AND A TRUE TESTAMENT TO THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
AND WE'RE SO PROUD AND, UM, CELEBRATE YOUR WELL-DESERVED CHAMPIONSHIP.
SUPER EXCITING THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR STUDENTS TO JOIN THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF THE HENRY COUNTY STEM HIGH SCHOOL IN FALL OF 2027.
IF STEM IS IN YOUR FUTURE AND YOU ARE A CURRENT EIGHTH OR NINTH GRADER, ADMISSIONS WILL BE DETERMINED THROUGH A CRITERIA BASED APPLICATION AND LOTTERY.
FOR CURRENT EIGHTH AND NINTH GRADE STUDENTS ENROLLING FOR THE 2020 7 28 SCHOOL YEAR, THE LINK TO LEARN MORE AND COMPLETE THE APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
AND THAT APPLICATION SUBMISSION WINDOW CLOSES NOVEMBER 11TH.
SO DON'T MISS THAT WONDERFUL NEW OPPORTUNITY.
UM, AND AS HAS BEEN STATED BY SO MANY, WE ARE WEARING PINK TONIGHT.
UH, FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, I WEAR PINK TO HONOR MY MAMA, WHO IS A SURVIVOR OF BREAST CANCER AND SO MANY DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
BUT REMEMBER THAT EARLY DETECTION AND AWARENESS SAVES LIVES.
SO WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THIS BOARD, WE WILL NOW ADJOURN OUR MEETING AT 7:47 PM HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.