Board Bulletin for 8/20/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 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 online. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours. 

Superintendent’s Update 

Dr. Mike Looney reflected on his personal experiences after visiting many schools over the past few weeks, where he witnessed the incredible work happening throughout our district, saying he can sense the energy and enthusiasm of our students in every classroom, in the lunchroom, and even on the bus rides to and from school. Thanks to the dedication of our employees, Fulton County Schools (FCS) continues to be a place where collaboration thrives, and excellence is nurtured. He also extended his gratitude to our families and community members for their ongoing support. 

Approval of FY 2026 Millage Rate 

At the conclusion of its third and final public hearing, the Board voted unanimously to maintain the district’s 17.08 millage rate for the 2025 tax year, marking the seventh consecutive year the rate has either remained steady or decreased. 

This decision reinforces FCS’ reputation for fiscal responsibility and taxpayer value, while continuing to invest in academic excellence. Among metro Atlanta districts, FCS remains one of the lowest school millage rates, a distinction that reflects its commitment to both students and the community. 

Board Policy Update 

The Board approved the following two policies: 

Board Policy IDD Special Programs: Schools without Attendance Zones establishes guidelines for schools without attendance boundaries. It outlines eligibility, application, and lottery procedures, annual family acknowledgement, and expectations for attendance, academics, and behavior to maintain enrollment. Currently, we have four schools that fit into this category: Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence (FAVE), Global Impact Academy, Promise Career Institute, and FCS Innovation Academy.  

Board Policy II Testing Programs allows eligible home study students to participate in district-administered exams, including the PSAT, NMSQT, SAT, ACT, and AP tests, as permitted by Georgia law. Students must meet district residency requirements and be enrolled in a qualified home study program. Testing dates and instructions will be posted on the district website. 

Organizational Chart Approval 

As part of its annual process and oversight role, the Board approved the district’s organizational chart. This year’s review did not include any increase in total staff positions and involved only minimal changes. 

The most notable adjustments are: 

• The Information Technology Division has been renamed the Strategy & Technology Division. 

• The department previously known as Strategy & Governance will now be known as the Strategy & Data Intelligence department. 

• The Strategy & Data Intelligence department has moved from the Superintendent’s Office into the Strategy & Technology Division.  

• The Strategy Management department will be renamed the Policy Management department.   

• The Policy Management department will remain in the Superintendent’s Office and will report to the Executive Director of Superintendent & Board Services. 

Click here to see the district’s organizational chart. 

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:  

• Cristal Simon, RN, MSN, a cluster school nurse in the Creekside community, was named 2025 School Nurse of the Year by the Georgia Association of School Nurses (GASN). 

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.