Board Bulletin for 1/15/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 for its regularly scheduled work session at the North Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via on simbli, a website replacing the district's former BoardDocs, that makes the School Board agenda and all supporting documents available online. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Mike Looney began his report by thanking Chief of Staff Cliff Jones for his valuable service to Fulton County Schools. Mr. Jones is leaving the district after 23 years to become the superintendent of Horry County Schools in South Carolina. Reflecting on his time at FCS, Mr. Jones expressed how much the district has shaped his professional journey and enriched his life, thanking the Board and district employees for the privilege of working for Fulton County Schools.

Board Officer Elections Held

Each January, the Board holds elections for Board officers. At the meeting, District 5 Board member Kristin McCabe was unanimously elected as Board president for a two-year term. District 4 Board member Franchesca Warren was also unanimously elected as Board vice president. The office is held for a one-year term.

Recommendation for School Closure/Consolidation

The Board reviewed agenda items regarding the proposed closure, consolidation, and redistricting of attendance zones for two elementary schools: Parklane Elementary in East Point and Spalding Drive Elementary in Sandy Springs. Both schools face declining enrollments and aging facilities.

Supt. Looney expressed empathy for the communities affected. “Few decisions are as difficult as recommending school closures,” he said. “This is not a reflection of the dedication or success of students and staff. Parklane and Spalding Drive have shown heart and resilience, and these communities are more than their physical buildings.”

Dr. Looney emphasized financial stewardship as the primary reason for his recommendation. “Data guided this process with transparency. Unfortunately, these schools are operationally inefficient and costly to manage, averaging $20,000 per student compared to $13,000 the district average per student cost. This imbalance is unfair to the remaining 87,000 students and our taxpayers.”

He noted similar challenges nationally, citing declining enrollments and aging facilities. “Fulton’s enrollment has dropped by over 5% in recent years, and rising home prices, declining birth rates, and alternative school options exacerbate the issue. Our district must remain fiscally sound, as expected by the Board and community. The alternatives are to raise taxes or consolidate these schools to ensure sustainability.”

The recommendation follows data presented in September 2024 showing schools meeting closure thresholds. Community forums held from October to December provided feedback, with the final decision expected after public hearings in February.

Board members expressed their gratitude to the community, stating that the voices of stakeholders are invaluable in the deliberation process. They emphasized their commitment to continuing engagement with stakeholders and addressing concerns before reaching a final decision. The Board underscored the seriousness of their responsibility, striving to make the best decision for students, families, and the district's future.

State of the Charter System

Dr. Ryan Moore, executive director of strategy and governance, presented a comprehensive update on the FCS charter system. The presentation highlighted increased engagement from school governance councils (SGCs), with a record number of election candidates and a significant allocation of charter dollars used to fund school initiatives. The district has expanded school flexibility and fostered a culture of innovation, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility.

A key achievement was the development of school-level strategic action plans by all SGCs, providing a roadmap for each school's success. The district has also implemented a robust accountability model to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

Looking ahead, the focus will be on continued collaboration among SGCs, enhancing leadership development, and preparing for the upcoming charter system renewal process. The full presentation can be viewed here.

State of Independent Charter Schools

The Board authorizes charter schools to provide high-quality, innovative, and standards-based opportunities for students and inform the replication of successful practices throughout the system, thus accelerating student learning districtwide. Director of Charter Schools Andrea Cooper Gatewood informed the Board of FCS charter schools’ enrollment, academic and financial performance, reflecting on the charter school sector of seven autonomous charter schools serving almost 4,000 students.

Ms. Cooper Gatewood highlighted some key accomplishments. Content mastery addresses whether students achieve at the proficiency level necessary to be prepared for the next grade, college, or career. Academically, she noted that two charter schools outperformed the district. Some charter schools’ progress scores were more significant than the district's. Further, individual schools perform on par with the district regarding closing the gap and readiness scores. Finally, all charter schools have completed an independent financial audit and received an unqualified opinion. The charter school sector as a whole reflects positive financial stability. The full presentation can be viewed here.

Summer Learning Update

The Summer Learning experience bridges skill gaps, accelerates growth, and ensures every child thrives, offering tailored instruction, enrichment, and mastery of essential skills. Rebecca Williams, executive director of academic programs, shared updates on the district's Summer Learning initiatives, including highlights from 2024 and plans for 2025.

Summer 2024 outcomes show the program’s success in closing academic gaps and providing opportunities for acceleration through high-quality instruction: 

• 10,000+ students gained additional learning time to improve essential skills 

• High school students earned 8,000+ credits, staying on track for graduation 

• 80% of parents felt the program prepared their child for the next grade level 

• 88% of educators expressed confidence in the program and were willing to return in future summers 

Data showed that Summer Learning students closed the gap with their peers, making greater gains in math than reading. For 2025, Ms. Williams outlined enhancements including improved attendance monitoring, expanded leadership roles, better parent communication, and continued successful practices. Click here to see the full presentation.

Policy Update

The Board is committed to establishing and maintaining policies, procedures, and operating guidelines that maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of all district divisions.

This month, staff is recommending a waiver for all retest requirements for students who fail their Georgia Milestones Assessment. Board Policy IHE Promotion and Retention was presented for first read and will be voted on next month.

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, and 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:  

• School allotment guidelines: magnets 

• Program evaluation update: attendance/everyday labs 

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: 

• Milton High School boys cross country team won the Georgia High School Association 5A State Championship 

• Alpharetta High School volleyball team won the Georgia High School Association 6A State Championship 

• Cliftondale Elementary School beta club students won first place win at the Georgia Elementary Beta Club State Convention 

• Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School beta club students won first place win in multiple categories including campaign skit, creative writing, fourth grade science, fourth grade Spanish, and fifth grade social studies.  

• Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School beta club student Shiloh Williams was selected as the Georgia Elementary beta club vice president 

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.