Posted by Sybil Barkley on 5/11/2022
Highlights – 5-9-22
- I Believe in Public Education - I Belong in Henry County Schools
On the heels of the recent State of the Schools address to the community, Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis opened the May meetings by reflecting on the grand event which closed out the month of April. During that event, attendees and online viewers were able to hear from students, staff members, teachers, and community members about their belief in the power of public education and their sense of belonging in Henry County Schools. Highlight videos from the event were shared to start the meeting. Click on the videos below.
- Strategic Plan – Exceptional Student Education Update: Pre-Kindergarten & Career Preparation
Chief Family & Student Support Services Officer Dr. April Madden provided a report to the board regarding key updates to strategic actions being addressed to support students with disabilities served in the district’s special needs Pre-K and Transition Academy for older students. Through the Henry County Schools Preschool Special Needs program, children receive play-based learning, dramatic play activities, imagination and creativity, and early literacy skills all as a part of their specialized instruction. This instruction is designed to prepare them to be Kindergarten-ready while focusing on personal care, communication, motor skills, social skills, and navigating the world around them.
The board’s strategic plan requires the establishment of firm partnerships with Henry County early childcare providers and other community members. Dr. Madden noted that through collaboration and shared ownership with the Department of Early learning, Henry County Schools has identified and begun partnerships with 89 early care facilities and are ready to connect them with our 27 elementary schools.
Important work on this initiative continues as a part of the work of the strategic plan, and the upcoming year will see the following occur:
Dr. Madden also shared with the board important work taking place in the Transition Academy to support students with significant cognitive disabilities. Once a student participates and advances through elementary, middle, and high school adapted curriculum life skill programming, they may have the opportunity to further these experiences by participating in our district vocational and employment skill development training program.
The Transition Academy at the Academy for Advanced Studies provides specialized vocational skill-building opportunities and experiences for students with significant cognitive disabilities in a fully integrated employment-based learning environment. The program is designed to empower students, 18 to 22 years old, to reach their full employment potential. Through their time at the Transition Academy, students participate in career counseling to identify interests, skills, and abilities and get them on the path to successful job skills, readiness, or placement.
Exciting work is on the horizon for this important program in the district. Future work includes the following:
- 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:
- FY23 Final Budget Adoptions – The board unanimously approved the historic FY23 budget of $446.9 million based on the report and recommendation by Chief Financial Officer Shanika Clay and Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. For more information on the budget, you can click here to read the press release or here to visit the presentation on our website.
- Defeasement of Bond Debt – For the second time in as many years, thanks to the strength of the local economy, district officials recommended the use of up to $50 million in Debt Service funds to defease approximately $40 million of principal associated with the SPLOST V 2016 and 2018 bonds. The defeasance will yield future interest savings of at least $9 million. The board unanimously approved this recommendation.
- US Treasury Investment – The board unanimously approved Superintendent Davis’ recommendation of the purchase of a laddered US Treasury portfolio to maximize the district's interest earnings on bond proceeds presently invested in Georgia Fund 1 (earning 0.17%). It is anticipated an awarded offeror can provide 1.5% or greater.
- Microsoft Office 365 License Renewal – The board unanimously approved the renewal of this key educational software license for the district. This licensing also includes collaborative document storage and management (SharePoint), litigation hold services and Office 365 user accounts for students and staff. Licensing for Microsoft 365 Education is based on employee user account quantity and district server and storage requirements as identified in the accompanying vendor quote. This licensing also includes collaborative document storage and management (SharePoint), litigation hold services and Office 365 user accounts for students and staff. Total cost - $460,992.01
- District Enterprise Planning Software Renewal – The board unanimously approved the Smartsheet renewal, a planning, project management, and report visualization tool that facilitates our collaborative work and tracks progress toward Strategic Plan goals. Total cost - $119,750
- Instructional & Technical Infrastructure: Fine Arts Growth and Replacement (Choral) – The board unanimously approved the purchase of equipment to expand choral programs in HCS. Total cost - $152,150.70
- Leadership on the Move
|
Name |
New Position/Location |
Former Position/Location |
|
Renee Prior |
Assistant Principal - Flippen Elem. |
|
|
Kristen Tilson |
Assistant Principal - Union Grove High School |
|
- Awards and Recognition
1. Governor's Honors Program
2. HCS Leadership Academy
- Henry County High Points
Dr. Pam Nutt – Dist. 1
- Dr. Nutt
Mr. Makenzie McDaniel – Dist. 2
- Mr. McDaniel
Mrs. Holly Cobb – Dist. 3
- Mrs. Cobb.
Mrs. Sophe Pope – Dist. 4
- Mrs. Pope.
Mrs. Annette Edwards – Dist. 5
- Mrs. Edwards.
Mary Elizabeth Davis – Superintendent
- Supt. Davis.
