The State Board of Education held called meetings June 9th and 10th and its regular meetings yesterday and today. 

The called meetings were to reconsider its vote on the charter renewal for the Museum School of Avondale Estates.  A motion to approve the charter failed 8-6 in April.  The vote to reconsider was unanimous; the vote to approve the charter was 7-7; the vote to deny it was also 7-7 so neither motion passed. 

The Committee meetings held yesterday followed the agenda for the Committee of the Whole. 

Rules Committee 

Most items on the Committee's agenda were approved to go on the consent agenda for the State Board meeting.  The adoption of the amended Dual Enrollment rule was held for a separate vote as rule adoptions always are.  The proposed amendment to the Board's bylaws was pulled for further discussion.  

Chairman Jason Downey asked Parliamentarian Matt Donaldson to review the bylaws.  He would like to have at least one Board meeting outside Atlanta.  State law was changed in 2011 to allow them to do so.  The question was raised as to whether there is a conflict within the bylaws.  Board members will provide more input and bring the item back late this summer.

Six sets of standards were moved forward for adoption.  Public comments received were mostly positive for them. The transportation rules were back for updating, and this time made it through all the meetings and are now initiated.  The current rule on contracted transportation services will be repealed.  New State Board rules on the use of alternative vehicles for the transport of specified student groups and for contracted transportation services were initiated.   State Board rules are required to lay on the table for at least 30 days for public review before adoption.  If anyone would like to submit comments, the email address is policy@doe.k12.ga.us.

The Committee also considered the model policy for the Protect Students First Act (HB 1084).  The statute required the State Board to develop a model policy by July 1, 2022 and the Department to follow up with guidance.  Since this is a model policy not a State Board rule, it did not have to meet the 30 day review requirement. Local boards of education, by the way, are required by the statute to adopt a complaints policy for the bill by August 1, 2022.

Budget Committee 

The Budget Committee moved all 39 items on its list to the consent agenda except one.  It held out the contract with SREB for a separate vote.  Items included 15 grants, 11 contract renewals, 7 contracts, 3 contract amendments, and five-year facility plans for 55 districts. Take a quick scan of the budget items for an idea of the array of initiatives being funded.

District Flexibility & Charter School Committee  

The agenda for this Committee was short and all items were moved forward to the consent agenda. Two charters were renewed, one for four years and one for three years; another charter was extended for two years. The Committee also moved forward approval for two contracts of State Charter Schools. 

Audit Committee 

The Committee reviewed the list of high and moderate risk schools as defined in 2020's SB 68. Thirteen are considered high-risk and 10 are moderate. It was reported that some of the corrective action plans for those in the high risk category do not adequately address the factors that put them on the list.  A couple of them have repeatedly failed to provide the requested clarifying information.  Some of the superintendents of these districts have also failed to attend the financial management training required by the statute.

The Committee asked the staff to provide a more detailed report next month.   

Committee of the Whole 

The inspiration was brought by A. J. Goldman, husband of the 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year Cherie Goldman. In 2010, he sailed in the TransPac race alone from San Francisco to Hawaii.  As one might expect, sailing across the Pacific was not exactly smooth sailing! 

A public hearing was held on the proposed adoption of the amended Dual Enrollment rule.  One person spoke.  She appreciated the clarifying language about the course requirements for Option B students.

The Board built the agenda for their meeting which immediately followed.

State Board Meeting 

All items held out for a separate vote were approved unanimously:  appeal 2022-10, the amended Dual Enrollment rule, and the SREB contract. 

The Superintendent's Report included recognition of Deborah White, retiring Executive Director of GACIS, and Cherie Goldman, who is completing her term as Teacher of the Year.  Both were given Distinguished Service medals.  Superintendent Richard Woods also presented a plaque to Georgia Superintendent of the Year Dr. Noris Price who was also one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year.

Mrs. Goldman presented the report of the Teacher Burnout Task Force. The press release on the project and her powerpoint are also available. The task force included Mrs. Goldman, the nine finalists in her cohort of 2022 Teachers of the Year, teachers from PAGE, GAE, Educators First, and Department staff. The report includes recommendations to address the issues raised.

Chairman Jason Downey's Report included an update on the work around dyslexia from Jennifer Lindstrom, Statewide Dyslexia Coordinator.  Information and resources are available here. Still to come are a State Board rule, an updated informational handbook, and parent handbook.

Craig Walker from Curriculum Associates introduced Regina Hewlett Norman, one of 35 Extraordinary Educators recognized by the company this year.  Ms. Norman teaches at Liberty Point Elementary in Fulton County.  Mr. Downey also presented her with a resolution from the State Board.

We appreciate the participation of State Board members Dr. Stan DeJarnett and Mr. Frank Griffin in a panel discussion at the GSBA conference last week!

The next regular State Board meetings will be held July 20-21.