August State Board of Education Report

The State Board of Education held the monthly Committee, Committee of the Whole, and regular State Board meetings on August 23 and 24 at the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon. The Audit and State Schools Committees did not meet this month. To view the complete agendas, click the highlighted links above.

Before the committees met, there was a brief presentation on early literacy efforts at the Georgia Academy for the Blind followed by an upbeat student musical performance from Junie B. Jones.

Budget Committee

Chief Financial Officer Rusk Roam presented the 11 items on the Budget Committee agenda. All items were placed on the consent agenda.

Here are a few budget highlights:

•  $5,160,000 in federal funds for participating in the Georgia Leader and Educator Acceleration and Development System (GaLEADS) Pilot Program, which emphasizes how to lead with a growth mindset
• $33,444,267 in federal funds for schools to implement comprehensive strategies to create safe and healthy learning environments for all students via a competitive grants program called Stronger Connections designed by GaDOE
• $14,889,117 in federal funds to 74 LEAs for Safer Georgia Schools grants 

Rules Committee

Deputy Superintendent of Policy, Flexibility, and External Affairs Tiffany Taylor presented the five items on the Rules Committee agenda. Discussion mostly focused on adopting the amendment to State Board Rule 160-3-1-.07. Stan DeJarnett wanted to amend the definition of “screener” used. Members asked if they changed the definition in the rule if it would have to published for 30 days of public comment again, and it would. Adoption of this rule amendment was pulled for a separate vote.

The Board briefly discussed that they would move to adopt the CTAE standards for the Business of Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management and Event Planning Applications that had been posted for public comment. They touched on the need for more mental health professionals in the state and said they would approve the posting of the CTAE standards for the Mental Health Professional course for public comment. These two agenda items were placed on the consent agenda along with two other committee items.

District Flexibility & Charter Schools Committee

Deputy Superintendent of Policy, Flexibility, and External Affairs Tiffany Taylor presented the two agenda items. George Walton Comprehensive High School in Cobb County requested renewal of its charter, and the State Charter School’s Commission asked to affirm new charter contracts with Excelsior Village Academies and Movement Schools Athens. Both items were placed on the consent agenda.

Committee of the Whole/State Board Meeting

Macon Businessman Blake Sullivan provided the inspiration by telling three stories about the power of teaching and leadership in Georgia history. Chairman Downey also mentioned the Board had the chance to see the “Leader in Me” program in action at the Vineville Academy of the Arts and that he looked forward to expanding it statewide. “Leader in Me” is a pilot leadership program in Bibb County Schools based on Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Actions Taken

Eleven items from the Budget Committee, four items from the Rules Committee, and two items from District Flexibility and Charter Schools Committee were placed on the consent agenda along with the July Board meeting minutes, personnel report, and six legal appeals. The consent agenda was quickly adopted.

Three legal appeals and one Rule Committee item were pulled for a separate vote. They included:

=         Case 2023-43 – All twelve members who were present voted “yes” to reverse the local board’s decision.

=         Case 2023-46 – All twelve members who were present voted “yes” to reverse the local board’s decision.

=         Case 2023-47 – Mike Royal said some clarification around allowed products/substances is needed. The original vote to reverse the local board’s decision failed with 7 members voting “no” and 5 voting “yes.” After a motion, the Board voted about affirming the local board’s decision, and the vote passed with 7 members voting “yes” and 5 voting “no” to uphold the local decision.

=         Amendment to Rule 160-3-1-.07 – All twelve members who were present voted to table the adoption of the rule amendment for now.

Superintendent’s Report & Chair’s Report

Superintendent Richard Woods waived presenting a report this month. Chairman Downey invited Scott Johnson, former SBOE member and current Chair of the Georgia Council on Literacy, to present on the literacy council’s work, including its four working groups (Birth to Five Years, Grades K-3, New/Existing Teacher Professional Development, and Community Outreach), and the council’s next meeting date on October 17 at 10 AM at Kennesaw State University. Scott Johnson mentioned a recent meeting with Wellstar who is taking an active role in encouraging pediatric literacy.

The State Board of Education will meet next on September 27 and 28 in Atlanta.