Board Bulletin for 12/10/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 9, 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

Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney spoke about the importance of staying healthy during the holiday season, encouraging everyone to practice preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and considering flu vaccinations. The district is taking extra cleaning measures, and parents should notify the school clinic if a child is diagnosed with the flu or another contagious illness. These steps help us keep our schools healthy and safe.

Dr. Looney then announced that Let’s Talk Schools, the television program he had previously hosted for four seasons, has now transitioned into a podcast format. This change makes it easier for families, staff, and community members to listen anytime, anywhere. The podcast now features two new co-hosts from the Communications Division and continues the tradition of spotlighting important voices and timely topics. Each episode offers candid conversations about education, policy, and student success, and premieres twice a month. We invite everyone to tune in wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts and join the conversation. Click here to listen.

Closing his remarks, Dr. Looney reassured the community that although the district is experiencing growing financial pressures, there are proactive strategies underway to help prevent difficult financial decisions moving forward. He also expressed his confidence that the Board will come to solid decisions that minimize the impact on students and employees.

Strategic Plan Update: Integrity

Across all efforts, the district is committed to transparency, fairness, and integrity to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive. Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins introduced the Strategic Plan Update while spotlighting the strategic plan value of integrity. He highlighted that Academics ensures that academic programs are planned and implemented with the value of integrity in mind.

Dr. Chris Matthews, assistant superintendent of student services,​ then began his portion of the update, reporting that the district has reduced out-of-school suspensions by nearly 15% and recognized 68 schools for strong Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) programs. Restorative practices and targeted support plans help students resolve conflicts and stay engaged in learning.

Integrity remains a priority, with significant progress in reducing discipline for students with disabilities and students of color. New initiatives like SPEDTALKS give parents a voice in special education decisions, while the Learning, Engagement, and Assistance Program (LEAP) provides intensive support for elementary students with behavioral challenges. LEAP has helped over 150 students improve both behavior and academics, with strong growth in reading and math.

Dr. Shannon Kersey, assistant superintendent for learning and teaching, then provided an update on the district’s academic programs and how integrity exemplifies the work for Learning and Teaching. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective enrollment has grown by 4% this year, and schools are working closely with district leaders to ensure high-quality implementation. Collaborative school walkthroughs, teacher and coordinator learning communities, and mentoring new AVID staff help maintain strong practices and support student success.

FCS continues to strengthen learning through tools and programs that promote transparency and fairness. Canvas, the district’s learning management system for middle and high schools and virtual learning, provides one shared platform where students, teachers, and families can access the same information. This openness helps families stay informed and connected to their students’ progress. Engagement is strong, with over 3,100 teachers, 45,000 students, and nearly 15,000 parents/guardians actively using Canvas. To make it even easier for families, the district is sharing short video tips and tutorials to help parents navigate Canvas and support learning at home.

The Credit Recovery program has also been redesigned to ensure academic integrity and help students stay on track for graduation. The program offers 61 courses, with eight new options coming this summer. Last summer, 840 students completed over 1,500 courses, and this school year, students have already completed 1,575 courses. These changes ensure students regain credits in a fair, structured way and move confidently toward graduation.

All of these efforts reflect the district’s commitment to integrity and provide every student with the tools to succeed. See the full presentation here.

Zone 4 Update

This year, each of the seven zones across the district is presenting an overview designed to give stakeholders a clear picture of our schools. During her update, Zone 4 Superintendent Alexandra Bates highlighted academic and attendance data, and unique features of Zone 4, saying that schools continue to show steady progress. Over the past three years, more students have moved into Proficient and Distinguished levels, while the graduation rate has climbed to 95.6%. Elementary and middle schools have surpassed state benchmarks in reading growth, and high schools such as Riverwood and North Springs have been recognized for gains in literacy and math. Attendance has also improved, with more students consistently in class and chronic absenteeism on the decline.

Innovation sets Zone 4 apart. The International Baccalaureate (IB) feeder pattern provides rigorous, globally recognized learning experiences from elementary through high school. Woodland Elementary School recently earned STEM recertification, North Springs is pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) certification, and Ison Springs Elementary School has been highlighted nationally for ArtsNow integration. The Link at North Springs High School offers vital resources such as food, clothing, and counseling, ensuring students and families have the support they need.

Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways further strengthen Zone 4. With 49 courses across 27 pathways, students gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and real-world skills in fields ranging from healthcare and business to technology and skilled trades. These programs prepare graduates for success in college, career, and life. Click here to see the full presentation.

Closure of Mary M. Bethune Elementary School

Tarika Peeks, executive director of operational planning, presented the district’s recommendation to discontinue the usage of Mary M. Bethune Elementary School for educational purposes and transition students to the new S.L. Lewis Elementary School replacement school at the start of the 2026–27 school year.

This is the next step in a process that began on February 20, 2024, when the Board approved the South Fulton Elementary Closure/Consolidation and Attendance Zone Redistricting Plan, which included the closure of S. L. Lewis at the end of the 2023–24 school year. The closure was part of the district’s Capital Plan 2027 and SPLOST V referendum.

Two public hearings are scheduled for December 18, 2025, and January 13, 2026, to provide the community with an opportunity to share input and comments regarding the school’s proposed closure. Click here to see the full presentation.

2026-2027 School Allotment Guideline (SAG) Adjustments

Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef’s presentation of the School Allotment Guidelines (SAG) recommendations focused on proposed adjustments for FY2027. Mr. Dereef indicated Fulton County Schools is entering a challenging budget year and that it is important for our families and community to understand what that means. Rising costs and lower student enrollment have created a projected shortfall for the next fiscal year. Even with these pressures, the district’s commitment remains the same: protect classrooms, support students, and use taxpayer dollars responsibly.

Each year, the district updates the SAGs, which determine how staff and resources are allocated to every school. These guidelines ensure that funding is consistent, fair, and aligned with district priorities. For the 2026–2027 school year, several adjustments are being proposed to address the budget gap while maintaining essential services.

Key Proposed Changes

The major proposed changes include significant personnel adjustments such as reducing the number of assistant principals across elementary and middle schools, while increasing high schools, eliminating counselor clerk positions in high schools, and removing the base allocation for middle school connections teachers. Other changes affect CTAE, AVID, the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program, and Reading/World Language allocations. Additionally, the proposal would eliminate the Independence High School program and reduce staffing at the College & Career Academy.

Non-personnel adjustments include lowering the per-pupil funding from $130 to $120, eliminating high school flex dollars, and removing several CTAE program allocations. The per-pupil supplement for STEM/STEAM campuses will also be reduced.

Language and policy updates clarify teacher allocation titles, revise (English Speakers of Other Languages) ESOL funding formulas based on enrollment and language demographics, update JROTC staffing ratios, and adjust virtual teacher and (Georgia Virtual School) GAVS tuition charges.

The estimated budget impact for FY2027 includes a reduction of approximately 100 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions at the school-level, resulting in savings of $11.45 million in personnel costs. Non-personnel savings amounted to $4.45 million, bringing the total projected cost reduction to approximately $15.9 million.  Additional staffing reductions for district-level personnel are being proposed and will be discussed during the full budget debate starting in January 2026.

The Board offered suggested changes to the recommendations and will continue reviewing feedback from the community during this period. A vote on these recommendations is scheduled for December 18. The full budget process will continue through the spring, leading to a final vote in June 2026.

Mr. Dereef assured the Board and community district staff will continue sharing information and updates to ensure families and community members remain informed throughout the process. Click here to see the full presentation.

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:

• Board Policy FDB: Long Range Needs Determination
• Board Policy FEB: Educational Specifications
• Board Policy GBI: Professional Personnel Evaluation
• Board Policy IFCB: Field Trips and Excursions

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:

• The School Nutrition department team received the Healthy Meals Incentive (HMI) Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals. The department was also honored with the Georgia Farm to School Award for 2024-2025.

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.