Board Bulletin for 1/19/2024

 

The Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) met on Thursday, January 18, 2024, for its regularly scheduled Board meeting. The meeting was held at the North Learning Center due to renovations at the South Learning Center. The full agenda is available online. All items approved are available via BoardDocs. Meetings are streamed live on the district's homepage. Recordings will be available within 48 hours.

Superintendent's Report
After pausing to remember the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Superintendent Mike Looney spoke about school safety. He noted that the general rule for winter weather is that parents/guardians and employees should expect there to be school unless authorities deem it too dangerous for safe travel or due to other conditions. If there is a delayed opening or if schools are closed, the district will send alerts via email and post updates on the FCS website and social media channels. More information can be found here. He also thanked the Fulton County Schools Police Department, which responds to more than 10,000 calls annually, for continuing to protect and serve our district.

Numeracy Needs Assessment
Program Evaluation Analyst Kiara Poole presented key findings and recommendations from the district’s Numeracy Needs research study, which was conducted to help FCS understand the conditions of math instruction needing to be improved or resolved. Findings show that participation in Continuous Achievement correlated with higher Georgia Milestones scores and that most students in enhanced math performed on par with advanced students. Findings also indicate instructors are excited about the changes in the new standards, especially those related to student engagement. Prioritizing professional development with instructors and leaders and communicating the “why” behind the math instructional shifts was recommended.

Charter School Renewals Approved
The Board approved the renewal of two independent charter schools, Amana Academy and Skyview High School. Amana will receive a five-year renewal with an increased enrollment cap of 862, and Skyview will receive a four-year renewal with an increased enrollment cap of 450.

Board Policy Update
The Board took action on an update of Board Policy GAM – Reporting of Drug, Alcohol, and Other Offenses. Clearer definitions for employees and adjusted mandatory reporting requirements were included. Please review the policy adjustments by clicking here.

The Board also approved adjustments to the Student Code of Conduct to include new information about the confiscation of prohibited items, destruction of prohibited items, and the process for parents to pick up specific items from the school. The following list details the specific changes, and more information is available at this link. Changes also can be found in the highlighted sections of pages 9-10 of the Code of Conduct posted here.

Changes to Operating Guideline JD – Student Code of Conduct: 

1. More guidance included about the process for confiscation of unauthorized items (vapes, electronic devices, food, etc.) 
2. New language about potential destruction of certain confiscated items (vaping cartridges) 
3. Clearer guidance on destruction/disposal timeline for confiscated items 

2024 Redistricting and School Closure/Consolidation Plan for Some Fulton Elementary Schools in Zones 1 and 2
The Board approved, for first read, the superintendent’s recommendation to proceed with redistricting several Fulton elementary schools in Zones 1 and 2 due to the construction of a replacement S.L. Lewis Elementary School. The agenda item now will be placed on the February 20 school board agenda for a final vote.

S.L. Lewis Elementary School is also slated to close at the end of the current school year. Two public hearings will be held for the Board to receive input: January 30 at 6 p.m. at the South Learning Center and February 20 at 6 p.m. during the February board meeting. If the redistricting and school closure/consolidation plan is approved, official redistricting notification will be sent via U.S. mail and email to the impacted families in spring 2024. Click here to see the closure/consolidation and redistricting recommendations.

New Hires & Promotions

The following individual was approved for a new position at the board meeting:

• Vladimir Gachelin | Director, Data Utilization 

2024-25 Community Meetings with Board Members
Each member of the Fulton County Board of Education sponsors a monthly meeting open to all members of the community. 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.