HCS Board of Education Meeting - March 18, 2022

Highlights – 3-14-22

•  Two Weeks to Two Years

Two years ago, Henry County Schools, like most school districts in the state and around the country, was grappling with the thoughts and requirements of having to close down for what was thought to only be a couple of weeks due to this virus called COVID-19. What started as two weeks has lasted for two years as communities and schools all around the world have managed to work through the challenges associated with the global pandemic, and, in the case of Henry County Schools, come out stronger on the other side.

This month’s study session meeting was opened with this reflection and thanks given to so many individuals who played large parts in the schools’ and community’s success during this time. To see a reflection of the impact from the last two years, click here for a short video.

• Strategic Plan – Student & Employee Wellness Update

Chief Family & Student Support Services Officer Dr. April Madden was back again in March to provide updates regarding the strategic plan, this time regarding Student & Employee Wellness. Her report centered around the progress toward creating a wellness structure to address the personal health and overall well-being of students and employees.

As Dr. Madden shared, research shows a clear focus and intentional action in the areas of student wellness and readiness with focus on developing key skills will lead to improved student outcomes.

Two items highlighted before the board were Henry Cares and Henry Learns. Henry Cares, according to Dr. Madden, is a demonstration of actions that exemplify our commitment to systematic structure for student and employee wellness. Over the past few years, the district has focused intently on relationships, connectivity, and the belief in the capability of all students. We have also navigated our system through 2 years of a pandemic that has further illuminated our responsibility to create the structure needed to intentionally create the conditions that who we are today requires.

During this critical time, the important role of a Mental Health & Wellness Facilitator for each school was introduced and supported by the board members, and these key personnel members’ impact has been immediate and highly beneficial. The employees serve as a part of a department that has designed a system to measure wellness and implement a systematic and comprehensive wellness framework.

Here are some impressive numbers of the impact of the board and district’s focus on health and wellness for students and staff:

• 19,956 Students have received targeted support provided by a school-based Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator
• 19,956 Students have received targeted support provided by a school-based Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator
• 7,768 Parent contact made by HCS Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator
• 6,018 Teacher/Staff received specific support from Henry County a school-based Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator
• 26,629 Individual Students by School Counselors for Individual Student needs
• 117,445 Student participation in Counselor Core Curriculum Lessons
• 3,016 Graduation Coach Individual Sessions to help middle and high students stay on course with academics
• 1,202 Students enrolled in credit recovery at high school through academic programming such as Georgia Virtual or school-based courses
• 7,330 School Psychologist consultation services to teachers and administrators on strategies for student support
• 3,328 School Psychologist consultations with School Student Support Teams through the SST process
• 2,028 School Psychologist-parent consultations
• Approximately 850 students evaluated by school psychologists for evaluation
• 105,626 student visits to school clinics
• Almost 4,000,000 student meals served through the HCS nutrition department (in school and curbside)
• 24,176 food resources from Operation Lunchbox for identified students beyond the school day
• 14,257 Social Work Family Contacts
• 2,724 Social Work Individual Counseling Sessions
• 1,059 suicide prevention assessments by SSWs and Counselors
• 600 Social Work home visits

The board members were thankful to hear of the impact and support provided through everyone’s focused efforts, including the additional support from the Mental Health & Wellness Department and its facilitators in schools.

“I know that there is a commitment amongst my colleagues here (to supporting our mental health and wellness facilitators), but I don’t want us to forget the importance and stress the importance of our mental health and wellness facilitators and what they are doing for our scholars and those teachers who may just need someone to talk to,” stated Board Member Makenzie McDaniel (Dist. 2). “We all need someone to lean on and we must remember the importance of what they are doing.”

“The mental health and wellness facilitators are doing an excellent job,” added Board Vice-Chair Annette Edwards (Dist. 5). “I would like to continue to see their work in this system even when the ESSER funds run out. Somehow or another, we need to make sure we continue to find funding for the mental health and wellness facilitators because they are very important.”

• Core Business of Student Learning – Annual School Preparations

Chief School Leadership Officer Kirk Shrum provided a report to the board centered on wrapping up the current school year, summer planning and learning, and the 2022-2023 School Year Be Ready Day 1 campaign.

As the final quarter of the school year begins, district and school leaders have been continuously analyzing student progress/achievement data to prepare for any necessary summer learning and credit recovery efforts to support students in need. Some of the identified learning loss can be attributed to the past couple of years of COVID-19 and its impact in our schools.

Mr. Shrum was able to feature three academic areas, in particular, that the district is closely monitoring, including reading, math, and graduation rates. As seen in the chart, progress in these areas is back to or close to the pre-pandemic levels the district achieved. Additionally, it was pointed out that proactive work is being done to ensure that those students who have been identified to be somewhat off track to graduate have the opportunity for intervention now, as well as access to regulation-informed grade repair, and credit or course recovery. These efforts will also inform and advance advisement and grad-coaching for the support teams at our high schools.

To continue to shrink any learning gaps developed in relation to pandemic instruction and support students who need enhanced intervention, district leaders have worked diligently to develop a robust summer learning program. There will be summer bridge programs at all elementary schools, support for rising 9th-graders as they prepare for high school math courses, STEM camp, and opportunities for high school students as it pertains to grade repair, credit recovery. Additionally, qualifying ESE students will have the chance for extended school year to help minimize skill regression.

 

And back again will be the district’s Never Stop Learning online resource for students looking to continue to learn independently throughout the summer.

In addition to the work being done to support students, there is ample professional development being provided to support teachers and leaders in our schools. As seen in the accompanying chart, there are several opportunities to prepare to be the best educator for our students in the school year ahead.

Mr. Shrum was also able to segue into how families would soon be able to prepare for the first day of school next year, including registration for new students, updating/completing the information update for returning students, and signing up for important district offerings like transportation, school nutrition, and the afterschool enrichment program. One important note that was highlighted for the coming school year is the discontinuation by the federal government of the no-cost school meals for all families. The federal government provided free meals to every student who wanted one due to the impacts of the pandemic, but they will now re-implement the Free & Reduced Meal Program for students and families who qualify.

 

And with regards to transportation, Here Comes the Bus will once again be spotlighted for families utilizing district transportation. This key tool is an easy-to-use app that will keep families informed about where their child’s bus is in the mornings and afternoons.

Mr. Shrum also reported on the staffing preparation success for the coming school year, including an important statistic that 96 percent of all contracts issued in February have been signed to ensure a strong workforce to start the year. Recruitment and staffing efforts will continue to find the best teachers and employees to ensure an exceptional learning experience for all students and families in the district.

And finally, it was shared that the district will be updating all 1-to-1 learning devices for students in the first month back for the new school year. This device refresh was supported thanks to the E-SPLOST 6 that was passed in the spring of 2021.

• Core Business of Student Learning – Code of Conduct Annual Review Process

Chief School Leadership Officer Kirk Shrum also had the opportunity to update the board on the Code of Conduct review process. He started by highlighting the efforts taken and achieved over the past few years to bring clarity, consistency, and improved effectiveness to the code of conduct, language to ensure vaping was addressed in our schools, minimum and maximum consequence alignment based on the infraction and divided by level for age-appropriate consequences, and minimal revisions to the code of conduct that included language to curb disruption of a virtual classroom.

 

His report also featured the review process phases that are undertaken to include the community voices from stakeholders both inside and outside of our school buildings.

There are minimal adjustments proposed for the coming school year. These proposed adjustments and the entire Code of Conduct will be out for public review and comment. The proposed adjustments are inclusive of:

• Adding expectations and consequences related to the filming and posting of images without the permission of the depicted
• Adding expectations and consequences related to the behaviors preceding fights
• Additions as cited in the shared complete Code of Conduct draft

To see these and the area to provide comments, click here.

• Ensuring Operational Effectiveness – FY23 Budget Outlook

Chief Financial Officer Shanika Clay provided a report on the FY23 budget overview just one month ahead of the anticipated tentative budget presentation in April.

 

The process of approving the Henry County Schools budget – one of the key functions of the board of education – started back in December, according to Mrs. Clay, and has since included the sharing of board member funding priorities. As a part of these priorities was the common sentiment amongst the governance team to support competitive investments in employee compensation and Strategic Plan-aligned action items.

Key to the report was the opportunity to update the board on the key funding mechanisms, including all the areas from which revenues are generated – the state government and the local tax digest being the two largest areas.

Both state and local funding are showing favorable projects for our school district, which is important to ensure that the district can present a balanced budget inclusive of all priorities and aligned to the community-inspired strategic plan. Mrs. Clay highlighted some of Superintendent Davis’ upcoming recommendations for compensation enhancements across the district:

• Incorporation of the governor and state legislature’s $2,000 teacher salary scale increase.
• Updates to the teacher salary schedule – increase pay (8 percent), extend the schedule to 23 max years, and support annual monetary increases when steps are earned.
• Updates to the paraprofessional salary schedule – increase pay (8 percent), extend the schedule to 23 max years, and support annual monetary increases when steps are earned.
• Updates to all salary schedules, including a one percent scale increase for classified and administrative scales not specifically targeted through the preliminary insights of the compensation study.

In total, the current overview of budgetary considerations points to a general fund budget nearing $435 million. Overall, 97 percent of the funds allocated would support teaching, learning environment maintenance, and direct student services.

Board Member Sophe Pope (Dist. 4) shared her appreciation for the work that goes into this process and the district’s focus on alignment with the community-inspired strategic plan.

“The strategic plan is the voice of our community, and they asked us to prioritize the items in the budget,” said Pope. “I’m really grateful these items are being spelled out and that there are dollars being recommended to address these things because this is how we ensure that the educational experience for our students continues to improve.”

The board will consider all information as it works to inform the FY23 budget prior to adopting a tentative and final budget in April and May, respectively.

• Other Agenda Items

The following agenda items were either heard during the informational items portion of the study session or approved as a part of the business items for the evening meeting’s formal actions:

• GSBA Delegate Assembly Representative – The board unanimously approved Dist. 2 Board Member Makenzie McDaniel to be the Henry County Board of Education representative to the GSBA Delegate Assembly this summer.
• Ricoh Copier Lease Renewal – The board unanimously approved the apparent low bidder of Ray & Son Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for the HVAC Modifications (Bi-Pola Ionization). The funding will come from ESSER II funding. Total costs - $1,117,995.84.
• Data Center Virtual Environment Refresh – The board unanimously approved the refresh of the data center supporting our district's computer network. It is made up of both physical hardware and a virtualized server environment. Total costs - $3,278,732.77.
• HVAC Installation for Henry County Schools Elementary School Gym Buildings Bid Tabulation – The board unanimously approved the apparent low bidder of MEJA Construction for the HVAC installation in elementary school gyms. Total costs - $4,582,000.

 

• Leadership on the Move

Name	New Position/Location	Former Position/Location
Yuanita Gilbert	Onboarding Facilitator – HR
Shannon Hammonds	ESE Coordinator – Family & Student Support Services
Kirk Shrum	Superintendent – Visalia (CA) Unified School District	Chief School Leadership Officer/strong>

 

• Awards and Recognition

1. Bus Safety Poster Contest
2. STAR Students & Teachers
3. Young Georgia Authors Competition
4. All-State Art
5. All-State Band, Orchestra, and Chorus
6. School Board Appreciation Week

 

• Henry County High Points

Dr. Pam Nutt – Dist. 1

• Dr. Nutt started by recognizing the Luella High School girls basketball team for their state runner-up finish and the McDonough High School boys basketball team for their Final Four appearance. She also congratulated the Unity Grove Elementary reading bowl team on their performance in the Helen Ruffing Reading Bowl. Rock Spring Elementary was featured for their VEX IQ team’s 2nd place finish in the state competition. And she rounded out her highlights by celebrating the McDonough High School orienteering team and their many accomplishments.

Mr. Makenzie McDaniel – Dist. 2

• Mr. McDaniel started his comments by congratulating the Luella High School girls basketball team for their state runner-up finish. Paige Lyons from Dutchtown High School was honored for being named the AAAAA – Region 5 girls basketball player of the year and nominated to be a McDonald’s All-American. Chris Matthews from Luella Middle School for receiving the 2022 Prudential Visionary Award. Dutchtown High School’s reading bowl team was congratulated for their recent competition performance. Several students were congratulated on their recent acceptance of scholarship offers to play sports at the next level. Hampton Middle School students Aiden Lewis and Juan Hawthorne for state wrestling performances. Ashley Lott (athletic director) and Reuben Johnson (student-athlete) from Hampton High School were celebrated for recent regional recognitions. Dwight Johnson, Jr. was recognized for being named a finalist for Georgia High School Man of the Year. He thanked Henry County Sheriff Scandrett for visiting Pate’s Creek Elementary and visiting with students. He noted the importance of this month being Women’s History Month and celebrating the many accomplishments of women locally, nationally, and globally.

Mrs. Holly Cobb – Dist. 3

• Mrs. Cobb started by congratulating Wonuola Abiodun (senior from Union Grove HS) and her teacher Amanda McClure for being named the county STAR Student and Teacher. The Ola HS wrestling team was featured for their 3rd place finish at the AAAAA State Duals Meet. Ola HS students Jackson Cannon and Chase Fowler were also featured for their nomination to the AAAAA All-State Football team. Ola Middle School’s Vex IQ team was celebrated for their Excellence Award at the recent state championships, and they will now get the opportunity to compete in the world championships in May.

Mrs. Sophe Pope – Dist. 4

• Mrs. Pope started by congratulating the state wrestling champs from Ola High School – Reese Jones and Gavin Hayes, while also recognizing Carson Schmitt from Ola High School for being the Georgia TSA Vice President. East Lake Elementary’s reading bowl team was celebrated for their 1st place finish in the HCS Helen Ruffing Reading Bowl. Thinudi Wickramage and Attlie Davis were featured for earning 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in the Young Georgia Authors Competition for their grade levels. She thanked Kirk Shrum for his work in our district.

Mrs. Annette Edwards – Dist. 5

• Mrs. Edwards began by recognizing the Woodland High School boys basketball team for making it to the state basketball tournament’s Elite Eight, as well as the many student-athletes from the school who earned/signed scholarships to play at the next level. She also thanked the schools she was able to read at as a part of Read Across Henry/America Day – Red Oak and Cotton Indian Elementary. She rounded out her comments by congratulating all the ESPY winners in the district.

Mary Elizabeth Davis – Superintendent

• Supt. Davis recognized the Luella High School girls (AAAA) and Eagle’s Landing High School (AAAAA) boys basketball teams for their state runner-up finishes. She then welcomed all the new team members to the district. She congratulated Chief School Leadership Officer Kirk Shrum on his recent appointment as a superintendent in California and thanked him for his work in Henry County Schools. She celebrated the opportunity to participate in Read Across Henry/America Day and STEM Across Henry Day. She concluded her remarks by sharing her appreciation for and honoring the board as a part of School Board Appreciation Week.