Board Bulletin for 5/13/2026
The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for its regularly scheduled School Board meeting at the South 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
At the start of his report, Fulton County Schools (FCS) Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney assured the Board that district IT teams are closely monitoring activity in relation to last week’s Canvas cyberattack and will continue to keep stakeholders informed as more information becomes available. Updated information is available on the district’s website here.
Single Statewide Accountability System Update
Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins then highlighted FCS’ exceptional academic performance and the numerous honors earned through the Single Statewide Accountability System, as recognized by the Georgia Office of Student Achievement.
The district received 58 awards across 39 schools, including 18 Platinum Honors, and was ranked the number one district in Georgia, reflecting strong outcomes in both achievement and growth. These recognitions are based on CCRPI (spell out) scores, which measure how well schools support student success. The results underscore the district’s commitment to continuous improvement and student achievement. See the full presentation here.
Legislation Update
Brian Noyes, Chief Communications Officer, provided the Board with an overview of the key outcomes from the 2026 Georgia General Assembly session. His update highlighted the importance of the state’s budget and emphasized the passage of new literacy legislation, which aligns with the district’s existing instructional focus and ongoing efforts to strengthen early reading outcomes. A summary of legislative actions discussed during the presentation, including additional bills impacting public education, is available here.
Capital Plan 2032 Update
Chief Operations Officer Noel Maloof gave a preview of the facilities master plan, which will be presented next month for Board action. The plan outlines how the district will address building conditions, capacity, and long-term facility needs from 2028 to 2032. Its development has been guided by three goals: renewal of existing facilities to protect prior investments, replacement or consolidation of aging and inefficient buildings, and upgrades to athletic facilities. Following the facility plan’s June 9 presentation, the Capital Plan 2032 proposal will be complete, and the Board will vote on the next five-year capital program. View the presentation here.
FY2027 Proposed Tentative Budget Approval
Following a comprehensive budget development process that included multiple workshops and discussions, the Board adopted the tentative FY2027 budget.
The district is taking a conservative approach to financial planning and expects to maintain a strong fund balance. The proposed FY2027 General Fund budget includes a projected year-end fund balance of approximately $224 million. However, based on historical spending trends, where FCS typically expends about 97% of its budget, the anticipated ending balance is closer to $268 million, or roughly 19% of the total budget.
Final adoption of the millage rate will be contingent upon the availability of the tax digest. Click here for comprehensive information about the FY2027 budget, including the Budget Book, located on the district website. Click here to see the full presentation.
The anticipated budget calendar schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, June 11 – Adoption of the 2026-2027 final budgets and the tentative millage rate
- TBD – Millage Hearing
Closure of Independence High School Instructional Facility
The Board accepted the recommendation to discontinue the use of Independence High School for instructional purposes and to transition students to their home schools at the beginning of the 2026–27 school year.
Board Policy Update
The following policy item was approved:
- Board Policy DI Accounting and Reporting: Minor updates improve clarity, require an annual districtwide inventory audit of assets, and establish an implementation timeline.
The following regulations were presented as information:
- Regulation IFCB Field Trips and Excursions: Standardizes field trip procedures, including approval levels, timelines, supervision ratios, and financial expectations.
- Regulation JD Student Discipline – Code of Conduct: Clarifies rules and consequences, refines language, and strengthens guidance for Tier IV offenses to ensure consistency and alignment with current practices.
The following regulation was rescinded:
- Regulation IFCB(2) Field Trips and Excursions: All the information will now be in one regulation.
Spalding Academy for Innovation and Learning (SAIL) Charter Petition Denial
The Fulton County Schools Charter School Department has completed a comprehensive review of the Spalding Academy for Innovation and Learning (SAIL) charter petition through a cross-departmental evaluation process. Based on this review, the Board voted to deny the petition for SAIL as a district start-up charter school.
The decision was grounded in the Board’s Charter School Positioning Statement, applicable state and federal law, and the findings of the district’s comprehensive review process. Key concerns identified during the review included alignment with Local Educational Agency (LEA) expectations and district systems, operational readiness and implementation capacity, governance independence and oversight clarity, and significant reliance on an external partner for core operational functions impacting long-term sustainability and accountability.
Greater Atlanta Preparatory School Charter
The Fulton County Schools Charter School Department has completed a comprehensive review of the Greater Atlanta Preparatory School (GATL Prep) charter petition through a cross-departmental evaluation process. Based on this review, the Board voted to deny the petition for GATL Prep as a district start-up charter school.
The decision was grounded in the Fulton County Schools Board of Education Charter School Positioning Statement, applicable state and federal law, and the findings of the district’s comprehensive review process. Key concerns identified during the review included alignment with Local Educational Agency (LEA) expectations and district systems, alignment with state and federal laws, operational readiness and implementation capacity, lack of a transportation plan, and a facility location.
2026–2027 Employee Work Calendars
The tentatively approved 2026–2027 Fulton County Schools employee work calendars provide a consistent structure across all employee groups while supporting instructional continuity and employee planning. Highlights include the first day of school on August 3, 2026, Fall Break in September, Thanksgiving Break in November, Winter Break beginning December 21, 2026, Spring Break in April, and the proposed last day of school on May 26, 2027. The calendars also include dedicated Teacher Workdays, District Professional Development days, and a Remote Learning/Election Day on November 3. Work schedules range from 181-day to 235-day employees to align with the operational needs of different roles across the district. Click here to see the calendars.
New Hires & Promotions
The following individuals were approved for a new position at the Board meeting:
- Nikol Boyd | Principal | Taylor Road Middle School
- Tim Brackett | Director of District Applications | Strategy and Technology Division
- Tracee Ragland | Principal | Heritage Elementary School
- Brooke Scharfstein | Principal | Autrey Mill Middle School
- Amanda Stafford | Principal | Mimosa Elementary School
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:
- Minakshi Chilagani of Northview High School won first place in the High School category of the 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Poster Contest
- Johns Creek High School Career, Technology, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) students were named top ten finalists in Samsung’s 16th Annual Solve for Tomorrow Competition
- Fulton County Schools’ College and Career Academy won the 2026 Georgia High School Aviation Challenge for the third year in a row
- Ava Kassebaum was awarded the Aurora Theatre Internship at the 2026 Shuler Awards
- Mr. Tarik Rowland, Tri-Cities High School Music Teacher and Band Director, won Best Music Direction at the 2026 Shuler Awards
- The FCS School Nutrition staff earned multiple honors at the 2026 Georgia School Nutrition Association State Conference
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.
