Board Bulletin for 2/21/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Thursday, February 20, 2025, for its regularly scheduled Board Meeting at the South Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via 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

Superintendent Mike Looney recognized February as Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Month. This month highlights the achievements of students, educators, and programs that bring career education to life. Through their dedication and hard work, classroom lessons become real-world skills that prepare students for success. He expressed the appreciation of the district for our talented students and the educators who guide them toward bright futures.

Dr. Looney acknowledged the recent release of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) report, which identifies schools in the lowest 25% for performance. He emphasized that Fulton County Schools (FCS) has been actively addressing the needs of the identified schools and will provide a full report to the Board in an upcoming meeting.

School Closures and Redistricting

Following several months of discussion and public input, the Board voted to close Parklane Elementary School and Spalding Drive Elementary School at the end of the current school year. As part of the closure process, the Board adopted redistricting plans [Zone 2 and Zone 4] that will assign students to new schools beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

The Board expressed empathy for the community’s concerns and asked Dr. Looney to ensure affected families and employees receive the necessary support and resources to navigate the transition. Dr. Looney reaffirmed the district’s commitment to a smooth process, stating that parents will receive a letter this spring with details about their child's new school assignment, a welcome message from the principal, and an invitation to visit the school. Employees are receiving guidance and assistance from the Human Resources Division.

Charter Renewals

The Board approved three-year probationary charter renewals for the Hapeville Charter Career Academy and The Main Street Academy.  Both schools function as independent charter schools with their own governance boards under the supervision and oversight of FCS.  The recommendations were accompanied by strengths of each school as well as specific areas of improvement expected prior to the end of the three-year cycle.

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, they approved the waiver for all retest requirements for students who fail their Georgia Milestones Assessment as outlined in Board Policy IHE Promotion and Retention.  Staff will still provide students with pre- and post-assessments during summer school but will save instructional time and costs by not utilizing the Georgia Milestone Assessment as the retest instrument.

New Hires & Promotions

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

• Stephanie Slewitzke | Principal, Summit Hill Elementary

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 football team wins the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Football Championship 

• Sandtown Middle School Beta Club students win first place at the Georgia Junior Beta Club State Convention 

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.