Board Bulletin for 11/12/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for its regularly scheduled School Board meeting at the North Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via Simbli, a website that makes the Board agenda and all supporting documents available. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours.

Superintendent’s Report

With Veterans Day observed on November 11, Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney recognized, honored, and thanked the men and women of Fulton County Schools (FCS) who have served in the armed forces. As a retired Marine, his message of gratitude was deeply personal. Board President Kristin McCabe also expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board, recognizing Dr. Looney’s own service to the nation.

Superintendent’s Contract Amendment

The School Board voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney’s contract by one year through November 11, 2028.

Strategic Plan Update: Human Resources

Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer Dr. Gonzalo La Cava presented a strategic plan update celebrating the success of the district’s 2024-2025 initiatives, as well as the progress made over the past three years and the measurable impact on its workforce and district operations. He also provided a preview of the major HR initiatives launching in 2025-2026 as the district continues to advance recruitment, retention, operational efficiencies, and leadership development efforts. Finally, Dr. La Cava shared an update on the implementation of the district’s strategic plan division-level priorities, highlighting progress to date and next steps.

FCS has sustained a teacher fill rate above 97% for three years and improved teacher retention to 89%, up from 82% in 2023. Customer satisfaction also rose to 85% in FY25, reflecting enhanced service delivery.

The Level Up Fulton program, an initiative designed to enhance both staff development, continues to grow, with over 1,160 participants and high satisfaction rates. Employee feedback highlights a strong workplace culture rooted in support, growth, and a student-centered mission.

Looking ahead, HR will implement a refined teacher selection process, expand recruitment partnerships, and enhance retention strategies. Leadership development remains a priority, with new Level Up courses and a district-wide professional learning catalog launching in 2026.

The district’s Human Resources division has transformed the way Fulton recruits, retains and develops talent – building a high-performing, engaged workforce that drives student success. From historically high retention rates to nationally recognized development programs, the division’s work is measurable and impactful. See the full presentation here.

Zone 1 Update

The Zone 1 update was provided by Fulton County Schools’ Zone Superintendents Alexandra Bates, Dr. Kibbey Crumbley, Brian Downey, Ron Maxwell, Dr. Angela Parham, and Dr. Jason Stamper. Zone 1 serves more than 6,400 students and demonstrates steady academic improvement, including an 84.4% graduation rate and significant reductions in chronic absenteeism. Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School achieved the district’s largest decrease in absenteeism, while other schools like College Park Elementary School and Banneker High School also reported strong attendance gains.

Zone 1 distinguishes itself through innovative programs such as Banneker’s S.A.F.E. Center, which provides essential services to students, and national initiatives like Verizon Innovative Learning (VI) and 3DE, which integrates technology and real-world learning into the curriculum. The Leader in Me program further enhances student development by fostering leadership and empowerment.

Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) is robust, with 63 courses and 21 pathways available. Academic strategies include literacy and numeracy acceleration, the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, peer mediation, and tiered attendance interventions.

Zone 1 remains focused on continuous improvement, equity, innovation and student success, positioning itself as a model of innovation and resilience within Fulton County Schools. See the full presentation here.

Legislative Priorities

Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes outlined proposed 2025–2026 legislative priorities to address financial realities and strengthen public education. The draft was presented for the Board’s consideration and will be voted on at the next meeting.

Noyes shared key state priorities that include fully funding Georgia’s outdated Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, maintaining local funding flexibility, addressing chronic absenteeism, expanding early learning access, improving K–5 math achievement, and enhancing school safety. The district also advocates protecting local governance, opposing voucher expansion, and ensuring accountability for any voucher programs.

The district’s federal priorities emphasize the need for Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Title I, II, and III programs that support students and schools. They also call for continued investment in digital equity through internet access initiatives, such as hot spot programs, and urge Congress to expand E-Rate eligibility to include cybersecurity infrastructure and network protection for K–12 systems.

Mr. Noyes closed the presentation by emphasizing that all proposed state and federal priorities share a common mission: keeping resources focused on students, protecting local decision-making, and strengthening Georgia’s public education system. See the full presentation here.

Charter System Renewal

Director of Governance and Flexibility Freddie Benschine presented an update on Fulton County Schools’ Charter System and the renewal process. FCS remains Georgia’s largest Charter System, with every traditional school operating a School Governance Council (SGC) and more than 900 active members.

Renewal is essential to sustain gains achieved under the current model, including a 91.9% graduation rate, AP enrollment growth from 20,000 to nearly 25,000, and a reduction in chronic absenteeism from 37.9% to 14.9%. Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) recognition has also surged, with 68% of schools now distinguished compared to 16% three years ago.

Schools will continue strengthening culture through PBIS and mental health supports while advancing personalized learning through flexible pathways and technology-rich environments. Flexibility remains central, supported by training and resources, and charter dollars will fund priorities like literacy, technology, wellness, and community engagement.

According to Mr. Benschine, renewal will allow Fulton to sustain this momentum and continue driving innovation and student success. See the full presentation here.

Pre-Work Session

Fulton County Schools’ pre-work session is a public meeting that takes place before each monthly work session. It is an opportunity for the Board to receive policy drafts, provide feedback, give presentations, or focus on topics of interest. Audio recordings of the pre-work session are available within 48 hours. Topics discussed at this week’s session include:   

• Teaching Museum 2.0
• Board Policy DFK: Gifts and Requests
• Board Policy FDB: Long Range Needs Determination
• Board Policy KIA: Political Campaign Materials and
• Board Policy GAHB: Staff Political Activities

Board Recognitions

Each month, the Board recognizes outstanding students, staff, and schools honored at the state, national, or international level. Honorees must have placed first at the regional or state level or be among the top finishers at the national or international level. The following teams and individuals were honored at the meeting:  

• North Springs High School senior Theo Slade won the National Press Association’s poster design contest for Scholastic Journalism Week.
• Tri-Cities High School Physical Education teacher Richard Williams was named Georgia Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (GAHPERD) Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
• River Eves Elementary School Physical Education teacher Adriana Carrillo was named GAHPERD Elementary PE Teacher of the Year.
• Hopewell Middle School physical education teacher Anna LoBean was named GAHPERD Middle School PE Teacher of the Year.
• Ondrian Duncan of Haynes Bridge Middle School earned the 2026 Georgia Art Education Association (GAEA) Outstanding Middle Art Educator Award.
• Adaptive art teacher Beth Brayley earned the 2026 Georgia Art Education Association (GAEA) Croy West Special Needs Art Educator Award.
• Kara Rice of Chattahoochee High School earned the 2026 GAEA Outstanding National Art Honor Society Sponsor Award.
• Noelle Petersen of Riverwood International Charter School was awarded the 2026 Georgia Art Educator of the Year.
• Café Managers Santray Hayes of College Park Elementary School, Martha Ramirez of Renaissance Middle School, and Tonya Tatum of Brookview Elementary School, and their teams, earned the Cafeteria Award of Excellence for their schools from the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division.

2025-26 Community Meetings with Board Members

Each member of the Fulton County Board of Education sponsors a monthly meeting open to all community members. The sessions provide an opportunity for direct contact with community members and give Board members a chance to listen to local issues and concerns. Click here to see the meeting schedules of all Board members.