HCS Board of Education Meeting - April 18, 2022

Posted by Sybil Barkley on 4/22/2022 5:00:00 PM

Highlights – 4-18-22

  •  Celebrating in the Month of April

It was another month of celebrations in the district as various groups and causes were featured.  Special recognition went out for:

  • Assistant Principals Appreciation Week
  • Autism Awareness Month
  • Child Abuse Prevention Month
  • National Occupational Therapy Month
  • National School Library Month

 

  • Strategic Plan – Quarter 3 Report

Chief Learning & Performance Officer Melissa Morse provided the 3rd quarter report to the board of education on the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.  The scheduled presentation gave Mrs. Morse the opportunity to report on key work that has been undertaken and accomplished around the Student Priority Outcomes and Strategic Actions found within the community-inspired plan.

As a part of each strategic action, key highlights found in the various phases of implementation were noted.  While not an exhaustive list of the work underway, focus was given to items with large impacts and substantial progress made as a part of the focus during these first couple of years of the five-year plan.

Some of the highlights of the work include:

  • Work began on studying advanced math criteria to create an accelerated mathematics guideline for the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Visits planned to other school districts for planning and development of new STEM high school building. STEM high school site selection celebrated with the community partners and future students.
  • Literacy activities to support this enrichment rotation happen daily in all 28 ASEP programs.
  • The first HCS Kaleidoscope of the Arts District Art Exhibit was held at The Gallery at Hood Street. The exhibit was installed by HCS art teachers and open to the public, with a reception to conclude the event. The HCS Kaleidoscope of the Arts District Art Exhibit is now an annual event.
  • Each school now has a school profile where community stakeholders may find information about student opportunities, school outcomes, and demographic information. There are also brief highlights allowing schools to share their unique stories. All profiles can be accessed through the HCS website.
  • Studies underway to examine various school districts and any models of a Support Sta‑ Academy for replication in HCS.
  • Be Ready Day One working team established along with a timeline for implementation and communication.
  • Implementation of single-point entry buzzer system project is currently under construction.
  • Installation of HVAC in every elementary school gym is underway after a successful bid process and board approval.
  • 10+ ERP Business workshops were held to identify the critical business areas/practices to be covered in a migration to a new ERP system.
  • Benchmarking practices for growth and replacement of equipment based on study and research of other high-performing districts. An Elementary facilities manual is near completion and a pilot Growth and Replacement Plan will be scheduled soon after.

To review the highlights of the 3rd quarter, visit www.InPursuitOfExceptional.com and look for the Quarterly Reports navigation link on the left side of the page.

At the conclusion of the report, Board Member Dr. Pam Nutt (Dist. 1) added, “It’s nice to kind of have a wrap-up, to see what we’ve done, what’s ahead, and where we’re going.  I appreciate everyone’s hard work.”

Board Member Sophe Pope (Dist. 1) shared, “I am so excited that we are seeing things move along the continuum.  What this all means for students is beyond what anyone in this community has ever witnessed.”

  • Strategic Plan – Ensuring College and Career Readiness – A Graduate Update – Class of 2022

Chief Family & Student Support Services Officer Dr. April Madden was able to report before the board on the latest efforts around the strategic plan to ensure college and career readiness for students, more specifically students in the Class of 2022, and how the work of the district aligns with the board’s mission and vision.

She began by featuring the targeted supports for programs through Policy IHE: Promotion & Retention.  Through this board-adopted policy, specific focus was placed on supporting students with credit recovery and grade repair, both facilitated by graduation coaches.  This adoption has allowed HCS to create consistent monitoring of and systematic processes for students to increase student success and passing rates over time.  Specifically, graduation coaches are charged with identifying and coordinating targeted services and interventions to ensure that at-risk students receive the resources needed to achieve academic success and graduate from high school on time.

Other targeted supports shared before the board included the focus on resources for Title I-funded schools by way of external partnerships in underserved high schools to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students who attend and complete a higher education degree.  A great example of this partnership exists with the REACH GA Scholarship Program, which provides $10,000 for 8th-grade students to use for financial support when they attend college.

Henry Futures was also a featured portion of Dr. Madden’s report, in which she shared the many ways families are being engaged to provide impactful updates on college applications, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid.  So many opportunities to expand college opportunities exist because of the district’s recent acquisition of a management system equipped with ample resources and a data tracking function.  Additionally, there have also been various workshops geared toward helping families and students finish strong in the second semester.

Here’s a snapshot of post-secondary readiness for the class of 2022:

“Glad to see the uptick in dual enrollment,” stated Board Vice-Chair Annette Edwards.  “These numbers are phenomenal.  The future for Henry County students looks great.”

Board Member Makenzie McDaniel (Dist. 2) also took time to thank Dr. Madden and other professionals in the district by sharing, “At the end of the day, our job is to make sure our scholars are ready for the world that awaits them, and where we are heading now is a good place for them.”


  • Ensuring Operational Effectiveness – FY23 Tentative Budget

Chief Financial Officer Shanika Clay shared the final report regarding the FY23 budget before a recommendation was made during the business session to approve a tentative version of the budget.

Mrs. Clay once again took the opportunity to update the board on the key funding mechanisms, including all the areas from which revenues are generated – the state government and the local tax digest being the two largest areas.

The proposed annual balanced budget includes an overall increase of seven percent in both revenue projects and spending, resulting in a $32.5 million increase, from $409.4 million in the FY22 budget to $441.9 million in FY23.  Also, of note is the sizeable increase in per-pupil expenditures.  In the past two years combined, spending on students has increased by nearly $1,000.  The proposed per-pupil expenditures for FY23 total $10,297, a figure that represents one of the highest amounts in HCS history.

Of note in Mrs. Clay’s report to the board, Henry County Schools is prepared to pass along the one-time $2,000 pay supplement proposed by Governor Kemp and approved by the state legislators during this year’s legislative session to all employees during the month of April, while also implementing the same increase for job families that are funded through the state’s QBE funding formula in the FY23 budget cycle.

The board’s investment in competitive compensation currently proposes an increase to current salary scales by one percent for all employees and honors salary steps of eligible employees for years of service, which can yield an additional one to three-percent increase.  Additionally, the recommendation includes investments above the one percent in targeted job families, including additional investments beyond the one percent and step for teachers and paraprofessionals, resulting in an eight percent increase overall.  Salary schedules have also been extended for these job families and re-designed to support monetary increases each year a salary step is earned.

Thanks to our community’s strong economy and positive tax digest outlook, the board will be able to also target increases to salaries of administrative support personnel members in schools and district positions, which moves some starting pay rates forward by $2 per hour, representing a minimum percentage increase of seven percent.  Additionally, every elementary school will be staffed with a STEM specials teacher to increase the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics opportunities for our youngest learners, and every middle and high school will be staffed with an additional teacher for the purpose of advancing fine arts opportunities for Henry County students.

In total, 83 percent of the general fund budget is earmarked for teaching and learning, with the remaining funds dispersed across support for maintenance and operations, student transportation, and other support services.  Board members offered the following comments on the budget:

Board Chair Holly Cobb (Dist. 3) - “The approval of a budget remains one of the main responsibilities of this board, and my colleagues and I are proud to be able to present a balanced budget that meets the needs of our students, staff, and supports the shared vision of the community as articulated in the five-year strategic plan. We hold the fiscal responsibility placed in us by the voters in the highest regard.  To provide opportunities and access to an exceptional education, we have to have the best employees and the best resources in every school, office, and support service area possible.”

Board Vice-Chair Annette Edwards (Dist. 5) - “Our employees have gone above and beyond the past several years in the face of one of the most challenging times in our profession.  Being able to pass along a salary increase and address other compensation and benefits areas is the right thing to do and sends a positive message that we support their work.”

Board Member Dr. Pam Nutt (Dist. 1) – “Thank you for your hard work and going over everything with a fine-toothed comb.  You have all come up with some great solutions to some difficult problems we have faced.”

Board Member Makenzie McDaniel (Dist. 2) – “I am grateful that we are taking care of 89 percent of our school workforce and adding some positions at the local level when it comes down to our schools.”

Board Member Sophe Pope (Dist. 4) - “We are thankful for the community’s support and hope they understand how much time and effort goes into constructing a budget that meets every need possible with the funding we receive.  This budget will definitely help meet the many expectations that are rightfully placed on our district by the community, families, and students who we serve.”

For more information on the budget, you can click here to read the press release or here to visit the presentation on our website.

 

  • Other Agenda Items

The following agenda items were either heard during the informational items portion of the study session or approved as a part of the business items for the evening meeting’s formal actions:

  • FY22 Budget Adjustment: One-time Pay Supplement to Employees – The board unanimously approved the recommended one-time pay supplement of $2,000 for all employees. A mid-year budget adjustment by the state legislature allowed for and covered the majority of this financial investment for HCS employees will receive the supplement in their April paychecks.
  • FY23 Tentative Budget – The board unanimously approved the FY23 tentative budget based on the report and recommendation by Chief Financial Officer Shanika Clay and Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. The tentative general fund budget is balanced at $441.9 million.
  • Renewal of Effective School Leadership Training and Professional Development Partnership – The board approved the latest contract agreement for leadership development with the University of Virginia. Total cost - $540,000.
  • 2022-2023 Code of Conduct Adoption – The board unanimously approved the Code of Conduct for the upcoming school year after it has been out for public review and comment.
  • Renewal of Productivity Suite Agreement – The board unanimously approved the Google Workspace for Education Plus Agreement, which serves as the primary teacher and student online engagement platform including both Google Classroom and Google Meeting. Total cost - $180,000.
  • Renewal of Classroom Management and Device Filtering Platform – The board unanimously approved renewal of GoGuardian for classroom management and device filtering. GoGuardian provides suite monitoring and management tools for our digital learning environments. Total costs - $184,500.
  • Digital Content for Impact and Summer Learning Programs Agreement – The board unanimously approved renewal of Imagine Learning (formerly Edgenuity) as an instructional resource for the district’s virtual academy and summer learning programs. Total costs - $149,380.
  • Elementary Gym Projectors – The board unanimously approved the purchase of projectors and cost coverage for installation, materials, and equipment for all elementary school gyms. Total costs - $157,077.02.
  • City of Stockbridge Right of Way Deed (Harrell Drive) - The board unanimously approved the request for a right of way deed involving the installation of a traffic signal at Harrell Drive and N. Henry Boulevard. Total costs – None; the district will receive $10 for the temporary construction easement.
  • City of Stockbridge Temporary Construction Easement (South Lee Street) - The board unanimously approved the request for a temporary construction easement involving intersection improvements at S. Lee Street and N. Henry Boulevard. Total costs – None; the district will receive $10 for the temporary construction easement.
  • Bus Purchase - The board unanimously approved purchase of two buses to support transportation of youth experiencing homelessness. Total cost – $149,900.

 

  • Leadership on the Move

Name

New Position/Location

Former Position/Location

Lydia Powell

Assistant Principal - Luella High School

 

Charles Hight

Assistant Principal - Union Grove High School

 

Kirk Shrum

Superintendent - Visalia (CA) Unified School Dist.

Chief Officer - School Leadership - HCS

 

  • Awards and Recognition
  1. Griffin RESA Regional Math Contest – Middle & High School

 

  1. Georgia Scholar Program

  1. Georgia Science & Engineering Fair

  1. SIMFA Foundation’s National Investwrite Competition

  1. American School Counselor Association RAMP Certification

  1. Music Education Award

  1. ESPY Winners

 

  • Henry County High Points

Dr. Pam Nutt – Dist. 1

  • Dr. Nutt started by recognizing special months of honor for various groups/causes – National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Autism Awareness Month, and Assistant Principal Appreciation Week.  She thanked the Locust Grove Chick-Fil-A for partnering with the Locust Grove HS Work-Base Learning program to help students with their interview skills. Madison Mangham from Locust Grove High School was celebrated for receiving the 2022 Women’s Empowerment Summit Scholarship from the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.  Several athletic team accomplishments were featured, including the boys tennis team from McDonough High School, the Luella High School girls and boys soccer teams, the Hampton High School girls soccer team, and the Locust Grove High School gymnastics teams all moving to the state playoffs.  McDonough High School’s JROTC team finished in 2nd place out of 600 JROTC units in the national competition.  Tarina Day was featured for her senior project at Locust Grove High School.

Mr. Makenzie McDaniel – Dist. 2

  • Mr. McDaniel started his comments by recognizing the assistant principals throughout the district as a part of Assistant Principal Appreciation Week.  Congratulations were given to Elijah Hill from Pates Creek Elementary, as he is the State of Georgia InvestWrite winner. Additional celebrations were in order for Dej-Ann Angus from Hampton High School, as she is the first female wrestler to receive a scholarship to Brewton Parker College. Praise was given to the boys and girls tennis teams from Hampton High School and the girls tennis team from Luella High School for advancing to the state playoffs.  Coach Roberts from the Luella High School soccer team was noted for his 100th win.  Dutchtown High School’s tennis team was celebrated for back-to-back state playoff appearances.  Corey Leverette, Jaylen Lester, and Jonathan Guest were congratulated for signing athletic scholarships for college.  Ashley Lott was noted for recent certification by the national athletic directors association.  Henry County Sheriff Scandrett and SROs were thanked for their work and presence in our schools and community.

Mrs. Holly Cobb – Dist. 3

  • Mrs. Cobb started by honoring the assistant principals as a part of Assistant Principal Appreciation Week.  She also noted the opportunity to attend the STEM High School future home location celebration. She gave thanks to the Chris Tucker Foundation for its contribution to the Ola High School Chorus. This donation will complete the fundraising event that will allow the choral group to perform at Carnegie Hall in June. She also recognized the Ola High School gymnastics team, the Ola High School girls and boys tennis teams, Union Grove High School boys and girls soccer teams, the Ola High School boys and girls soccer teams, and the Union Grove High School boys and girls tennis teams will move on to the state playoffs.  The Union Grove High School girls track team was featured for winning the county championship, and the Union Grove Middle School Black History Bowl Team won the McDonough Middle School competition.

Mrs. Sophe Pope – Dist. 4

  • Pope started by congratulating the Eagle’s Landing High School boys track team for their county championship and the school’s girls tennis team for moving on in the state playoffs. The Eagle’s Landing Cluster was noted for the GA Milestones Festival.  Woodland Elementary was featured for holding its inaugural WES Black History and Women's History Program at the Fairview Performing Arts Center in March. They celebrated Women’s History by honoring a local supporter from Stockbridge Community Church, Mrs. Chesnee Dorsey, with their Woman of the Year Award based on outstanding contributions to the Woodland cluster.  She thanked the assistant principals as a part of Assistant Principal Appreciation Week.  She also noted the celebration of the future STEM High School location.

Mrs. Annette Edwards – Dist. 5

  • Edwards began by recognizing the assistant principals in the district for Assistant Principal Appreciation Week. She noted the excitement around attending the Future Home Celebration for the HCS STEM High School. Congratulations were shared with Woodland Middle School for their FCCLA Entrepreneurship Team’s gold medal win at the state conference. Red Oak Elementary was featured for having a Georgia Milestones Assessment Festival on Friday, April 22.  She gave congratulations to the Woodland High School boys soccer team for advancing to round 2 of the state playoffs. The Dutchtown boys tennis and girls soccer teams were also featured for moving on to the state playoffs.

Mary Elizabeth Davis – Superintendent

  • Supt. Davis recognized Jennifer Coleman and one student, both from Luella High School, for their project to create paper cranes (1,000 total) which are now on display at the Pearl Harbor museum in Hawaii.  She also noted that one student from Stockbridge High School had the highest grade in the cloud computing course he is taking through the Ivy League dual enrollment program.  She also welcomed new team members to leadership and thanked Chief Officer Kirk Shrum as he completes his last board meeting before moving on to be a superintendent in California.