HCS Board of Education Meeting – July 15, 2024

Board Member Items

• GSBA Summer Conference, Mrs. Annette Edwards and Mrs. Holly Cobb

Board Vice Chair Edwards provided an update on her participation at the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) Conference in June. She shared her reflections on a session she attended and budgeting information from another school district.

Mrs. Holly Cobb provided information on the presentation that she and Board Vice Chair Edwards facilitated at the GSBA conference on transparency, strategic planning, decision making, and policy.

• Superintendent Search 

Board Chair Sophe Pope provided an update on the Superintendent search. The Board has secured the Georgia School Board Association as the search firm to facilitate the search for our next Superintendent and are currently in the middle of interviews. She is hopeful and excited for the future of Henry County Schools. There is a website dedicated to sharing updates with the community, and it can be accessed here: Superintendent Search

Superintendent’s Welcome

Dr. Knowlton provided a final update on the cyber security incident. The emergency resolution expired on June 30, 2024, and an external data mining team has concluded their review of the scope and impact of the suspicious activity. A third- party vendor will soon contact individuals if impacted by this incident. Dr. Knowlton thanked our students, staff and community for their support during this incident. You may view all previous updates and the final Operational and Continuity Briefing on the Cyber Incident website.

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

1. Strategic Plan 

1. 1. STEM High School Update, Mrs. Termerion McCrary, Chief Learning and Performance Officer 

The community inspired strategic plan prioritizes STEM opportunities for students, to include the building of a new STEM high school. This school will provide three areas of specialized studies in Aerospace Engineering, Biotechnology and Medical Science, and Sustainability and Green Energy, with intensive course sequences at an accelerated pace. Anticipated to open in August 2027, Henry’s STEM High School will serve up to 1,000 students, with all qualified and eligible students accepted through a random lottery process. Transportation will be provided as well. 

Success indicators for students interested in attending the STEM High School include high performance in Algebra while enrolled in middle school, and a strong aptitude for math and science with a desire to pursue research-intensive STEM career fields. A student profile will be developed to assist with identifying qualifying student attributes. 

The curriculum will be rigorous and integrated with university-level research content. Draft course progressions are under development. The STEM High School will also offer fine arts opportunities such as visual arts, chorus, band, and orchestra. 

The new building will have specialized wings for each theme area, as well as flexible learning spaces, a media center, work-stations, and a courtyard. 

Next steps for the STEM advisory team include establishing school start and end times, continuing the building design and identification of specialized equipment, development of student profiles, and academic programming design. 

2. Core Business of Student Learning 

1. 1. Back to School Preparations, Mrs. Mary Ann Suddeth, Chief School Leadership Officer 

Chief Suddeth presented information on back to school preparations. Several key performance indicators have been identified as focus areas for this school year, to include reading growth, reading and math proficiency, attendance, and graduation rate. School improvement plans will align with these goals, with a focus on our Big Rocks, to include the Henry Reads initiative, data-driven instruction, instructional coaching and feedback cycles, and attendance. 

Our Be Ready Day One website is available for families to access back to school information, and the Here Comes the Bus app will be available on July 20^th for families to access bus route information. Parents should ensure they have updated their information via Infinite Campus prior to school starting. The Welcome Center will be open July 26-31 with extended hours of 8:00 -6:00 pm to assist families with back-to-school needs. 

Free and reduced meal applications completed during the 2023-2024 school year will remain valid until September 12^th, and new applications are now available for the 2024-2025 school year in the parent portal. As a reminder, meal prices for students for the new school year are: 

Breakfast at all levels: $1.40

Elementary Lunch: $2.65

Middle and High Lunch: $2.75 

We will also continue our focus on safety and security, to include the addition of campus safety monitors at all elementary schools. Previous investments in safety measures such as the door ajar system, weapons detection, and single point entry will continue. 

The 2024-2025 Code of Conduct is now available, and additions for the new school year include ISS at the elementary level with a focus on prevention and intervention. 

The first day of school is Thursday, August 1^st, so go ahead and mark your calendars for Open House on Tuesday, July 30th: 

Academy for Advanced Studies: 11:00 am-1:00 pm

High Schools: 1:00-3:00 pm

Middle Schools: 3:00-5:00 pm

Elementary Schools: 4:00-6:00 pm
 

3. Ensuring Operational Effectiveness 

1. 1. June Construction and E-SPLOST Report, Mr. Josh Malcom, Chief Operations Officer

1. School Electronic Message Signs

Installation of electronic signs has been completed at all schools with the exception of HES, PCES, PGES, SES, WCES, HMS, and HHS. Training for school personnel will occur as the project nears completion.

2. New Administration Office Facility

Exterior brick placement is ongoing, roofing has been completed, and interior wall installation has begun.

3. New Transportation Facility & Renovations to Existing Transportation.

Framing of the main facility and roofing is complete.

4. HVAC Cooling Tower Replacement

This installation at Austin Road Elementary and East Lake Elementary has been completed.

5. Additional Updates

• The pre-construction meeting with the general contractor for the addition to Ola Middle School will be scheduled after the Notice to Proceed has been issued.
• The certificate of occupancy for Birch Creek Elementary has been received and the administrative team has moved into the building. Punchlist items are in progress.
• The HVAC cooling tower replacement at Austin Road Elementary and East Lake Elementary has been completed and punchlist items are now being completed.

 

BUSINESS ITEMS

1. School Calendar for 2025 – 2026

The Board of Education adopted the School Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year with a vote of 5 to 0.

 

2. HCBOE Policies (JCAC: Sex Based Harassment, JAA: Equal Educational Opportunities, GAAA: Equal Opportunity Employment, and GAEB: Sex Based Harassment of Employees)

The Board of Education adopted the HCBOE Policies JCAC, JAA, GAAA, and GAEB with a vote of 5 to 0.

 

3. Business Infrastructure: Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation

The Board of Education approved the Enterprise Resource Planning purchase with a vote of 5 to 0.

 

4. Resolution – Surplus Equipment and Supplies

The Board of Education approved the resolution of surplus equipment and supplies with a vote of 5 to 0.

 

5. New Admin Building/Renovation of Existing Furniture Purchase

The Board of Education approved the purchase of furniture with a vote of 5 to 0.

 

INSPIRATION

Inspiration for the July Board Meeting was provided by the McDonough High School Warhawk Singers.  The students performed the song, “Unwritten”. McDonough High School’s principal is Ms. Monica Blasingame.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

View full album here

State Level Awards and Scholarships

Mary Rozier from Eagle’s Landing High School was the only individual from the state of Georgia to win the Vincent J. Dooley Scholarship Award. Mary will receive $1,000 per year for college and $500 for the charity of her choice. Mary was also a county champion, three-time region champion and two-time state runner up in long jump and record holder in Henry County Schools:

 

• Mary Rozier

• Chere Lewis, Principal

 

Bryan Diaz De La Cruz from Locust Grove High School was one of only six winners of the Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation Scholarship in Georgia and he is the only one selected from Henry County Schools. He will receive $4,000 in scholarships his first year of college and $300 per semester for all remaining years. The program also allowed winners to attend a leadership conference:

 

• Bryan Diaz De La Cruz

• Anthony Townsend, Principal
  
  

Andre Byrd, Athletic Director at Stockbridge High School, won the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Award of Excellence for Exemplary Display of Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity:

 

• Andre Byrd

• James Thornton, Principal

State Champions

• Daynejia Atkins, Stockbridge High School

AAAA State Champion in Discus and Shot Put

• James Thornton, Principal

• Dominiq Northington, Woodland High School

AAAA State Champion in the 110-meter hurdles

• Purvis Jackson, Principal
  
  

                

• Mattison Rowell, Woodland High School

AAAA State Champion in the 100-meter hurdles

• Purvis Jackson, Principal
  
  

• Laila Stowe, Union Grove High School

AAAAA State Champion in the 100-meter hurdles

• LaTonya Richards, Principal

 

Players and Coaches of the Year

• Nathaniel Ashmon, Luella High School

Region 5-4A Baseball Coach of the Year

• Brandi Hardnett, Principal
  
  

• Dereck Foster Jimenez, Stockbridge High School

Region 5-4A Pitcher of the Year

• James Thornton, Principal
  
  

• Luke Greer, Union Grove High School

Boys Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year

• LaTonya Richards, Principal
  
  

• Allen Franklin, Union Grove High School

Region 2-5A Baseball Coach of the Year

• LaTonya Richards, Principal
  
  

 

 

 

PERSONNEL

 

Name	New Position	Previous Position
Michelle Hill*	Assistant Principal Dutchtown Elementary School	Instructional Lead Teacher Hampton Elementary School
Shenique McLeod*	Assistant Principal Fairview Elementary School	Student Support Facilitator Smith-Barnes Elementary
Donald Helm*	Assistant Principal Ola High School	Assistant Principal Ola Middle School
Larita Wiggins	Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership	Senior Director of School Support
Matt Thompson	Director of Information Services	Network Coordinator Information Services
Dr. Kevin Morris	Coordinator Exceptional Student Education	Speech and Related Services Supervisor
Lavonda Clarington	Supervisor Student Conduct, Prevention, and Intervention	Assistant Principal Stockbridge High School
Kenyatta Anderson	Assistant Principal Oakland Elementary School	Instructional Effectiveness Facilitator
David Griffin	Assistant Principal Ola Middle School	Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator
Nikki Lee	Assistant Principal Smith-Barnes Elementary School	Instructional Effectiveness Facilitator
Priscilla Ray	Assistant Principal Stockbridge High School	Graduation Specialist

    *Asterisk denotes approval at the June 24, 2024 Special Called Board Meeting

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

District Board Member	Comments
District 1, Dr. Pam Nutt	Dr. Nutt recognized several students from Locust Grove High School for attending Future Farmers of America (FFA) camp in Covington, GA over the summer.    Dr. Nutt recognized the School Resource Officers for providing self-defense workshops to women.   Dr. Nutt mention there will be an opportunity for students returning to school to receive backpacks next Saturday (7/20), from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at Heritage Park in McDonough.
District 2, Annette Edwards (Vice Chair)	Mrs. Edwards congratulated Chris Strong from Stockbridge High School on winning the High School Elite Division of the Peachtree Road Race.
District 3, Holly Cobb	Mrs. Cobb congratulated the Lady Mustangs Basketball team for winning the summer league championship.   Mrs. Cobb recognized the students that have taken advantage of the summer programs and thanked the staff for their hard work for these summer programs.
District 4, Sophe Pope (Chair)	Mrs. Pope thanked McDonough High School for hosting the Fine Arts Camp Showcase this summer, highlighting music, drama and visual arts.
District 5, Mackenzie McDaniel	Mr. McDaniel recognized Hampton High School graduate, Daniel Roberts, as he will be competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.   Mr. McDaniel thanked Henry County alumni Will Anderson and Antonio Gibson for holding the summer football camps for our HCS student athletes.   Mr. McDaniel congratulated Mike Johnson from Dutchtown High School class of 2026 for committing to Mississippi State University.   Mr. McDaniel asks for prayers for the Hampton families and community as we remember tragedy that happened in the Hampton community one year ago.