The Fulton County Board of Education met for their monthly board meeting at 4 p.m. Feb. 7, 2022.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney calls on Coordinator of School Governance and Flexibility Frederick Benschine. 

Benschine presents the state of the Fulton County Charter System, this information can be found on the Fulton County Website. The district allotted 2.2 million dollars to schools focusing on school safety. The amount given to schools depends on school size and needs. 

Board Vice President District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart says she is glad for all the training they have done and she reminds the community that serving on a governance council in schools is a great way to be involved and the declaration window is open until March 24. 

District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren asks what are the standards for schools that do not have anyone that is interested in running. 

Looney says that active parents in booster boards and PTA are helpful and that Benschines staff will be ready to help those schools that do not have parents interested in the governance council. 

District 3 Board Member Katie Gregory also expresses her love for the school governance council and all the options that are available. 

District 2 Board Member Lillie Pozatek makes sure parents know that all meetings for the governance council are open for attendance for parents that do not have the time to be a huge part on it. 

Board President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove reiterates the duties that parents on the governance council will have. 

District 7 Board Member Dr. Michelle Morancie congrats centennial high school for passing the 5 year IB reevaluation to remain an authorized IB school and for hosting the Harlem Wizards. She also congrats Spalding drive is a 2021-2022 PBIS distinguished school and Dunwoody Springs Elementary School principal who used school governance charter dollars to add a wellness room to the school. 

District 5 Board Member Kristin McCabe shoutouts out the Chattahoochee boys swim and dive team for winning the 4-5A GHSA State Championships and the girls for placing 11th. She also shoutouts the Northview Swim boys team for finishing 3rd and the girls for finishing 5th in the state. In 6A the Johns Creek High School Boys team won the state championships for the third year in the row while the Johns Creek girls team finished 7th in the state. 

Dr. Looney shares that it is national school counseling week and this year’s theme is student counselors helping students dream big. This week the distinct is observing severe weather week by focusing on preparedness topics. He also shares that Governor Kemp has submitted his budget plan where every school will get more money to focus on school safety. 

Chief Operations Officer Noel Maloof reads the motion station. 

The motion is passed. 

Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones reads over item 6.01. 

Warren asks if the program has been thought to expand to native Spanish speakers in other schools. 

Looney says that the question will have to be analyzed by his team to see if the outcome is worth it. 

Gregory asks if there are teachers to full in the space.

Dr. Morancie asks what the prerequisites are for 6th graders. 

Jones says that these are advanced spanish classes so students must be well immersed in the language. 

McCabe asks if the program will eventually be rolled out to all the middle schools. 

Jones explains that when a course is adopted it become a part of the course menu and this does not mean that it will be added to every middle school but it is available to students who need it. 

McCabe asks if it starts in the elementary school. 

Jones says that there are programs that have graduated classes in fifth grade who have students that are excellent spanish speakers. 

McCabe asks how the program was started and what classes are offered in the high school that challenge these students. 

Jones says that the AP Spanish and dual enrollment programs will accurately provide to students who have shown their mastery of spanish. He will have to get back to her on how the program started because he was not a part of this project when it was started. The current schools with the program were chosen because at the time of being chosen they had the highest amount of Spanish speaking students. 

Dove asks if the new students being added to the course are ready for the course and if it is possible for other students to join the program. 

Jones says that they will get back to her. 

Looney says that Fulton County attempts to make sure every class is available to students that they want to take. 

Jones explains that there are a variety of programs for elementary aged children. 

Warren shows her appreciation for all the questions so they create the program correctly. 

Stuart expresses her excitement for how the program will grow. 

Jones describes that the class is taught in the native language. 

Jones presents item 6.02. 

Benschine presents item 6.03. 

Item 7.01 is given consent.

Item 7.02 is given consent. 

Charter Schools Coordinator Andread Copper Gatewood presents item 7.03 the renewal of KIPP South Fulton Academy Charter School.

Item 7.03 is given consent. 

Gatewood presents item 7.04 the nonrenewal of RISE Grammer Charter School. 

Warren asks what has been done within the school to address their problems. 

Gatewood shares that they would want to see how RISE Grammer Charter School would address their issues. 

Looney adds that the RISE Grammer Charter School has asked for a 1 year extension plan but this would have to be 3 year renewal because this 1 year renewal is not possible. He also expresses his concerns on the past load on where the money goes and for what purposes. 

Stuart expresses her feelings on how hard of a decision this was and how the board is concerned for the students and their parents. 

Dove asks to explain what an independent charter school is. 

Gatewood describes this difference. 

McCabe shows her appreciation for everything that has been done for RISE Grammer Charter School. 

Warren asks what would happen if this situation would occur in a regular Fulton County School. 

Looney says that he would recommend a reconstitution at the school and a rebuilding. 

Warren asks what support children will receive in their home schools. 

Looney describes his readiness to accept any students that return to Fulton County Schools as their home. 

Jones adds that Fulton County has a commitment to these students. 

Looney compliments Gatewood for her advocacy to charter schools. 

Gregory expresses her understanding for parents concerns and that Fulton County is a supportive welcoming place for them. 

Dr. Morancie shows her devastation over the school closing and how the parents did not know that the school is closing. 

Pozatek encourages all of the parents to hold the new schools accountable for their children to not have a repeat of RISE Grammar School. 

Gatewood presents item 7.05 of the nonrenewal of the RISE Preparatory Charter School. 

Warren asks what can parents do so they are not dependent on someone else to know how their school is doing.

Looney says that they must hold schools accountable to do what is right. He is making sure to keep parents informed. 

Dove tells parents that there are powerpoints available on the Fulton County website for parents to read over. 

Dr. Morancie requests more information about the issues within special education. 

Dr. Looney shares that the information can be given at a later time, in private. 

Item 7.04 and 7.05 will be placed on discussion. 

Erin Nusnbaum presents item 7.06 Board Policy Review Schedule.

Mcade shares concern about moving operating guideline from discussion to information for transparency.

Dove says that we can still discuss topics if they are informational.

Item 7.07 Board Policy IK Complaint Resolution Process for Material Harmful to Minors goes to consent.

Item 7.08 Board Policy JBF Closed Campus is presented.

Pozatek asks about virtual classes for students and suggests adding more language.

Dr. Looney says schools have a case by case basis on closed campuses.

Item 7.09 Board Policy JGFC Emergency Release of Students and Dismissal Precautions goes to consent.

Item 7.10 Board Procedure GBM Employee Transfers goes to consent.

Item 7.11 Board Procedure JGFC Safety Dismissal Precautions goes to consent. 

Noel Maloof presents item 7.12 RFP No. 412-23, Riverwood High School Renovations.

Mcade asks about roof replacement, sign, and the budget. 

Item 7.12 goes to consent.

Angela Young presents item 7.13 Contracting Report for $100,000 and $1,000,000. 

Pezatek asks about the Literacy Boxes and the choice of schools. 

Mcade asks about social emotional learning program and make it an opt-in program.

Dr. Looney says they will get back to the board with another report.

Warren looks at temporary custodial personnel for elementary schools.

Stewart goes back to Literacy Boxes and says it has great materials. 

Item 7.13 goes to consent.

Item 7.14 Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling is presented.

Dove says that this money is well spent to make sure every student reads. 

Pezatek thanks them for the thorough presentation and enjoyed the sustainability of the program. 

Gregory says great job with the information and says she is excited for the Science of Reading.

Stuart says it is amazing to see its reception and impact on kid’s lives.

Warren thanks for the presentation and wants to encourage them to talk about this to the public. 

Mcade gives big shoutout to Dr. Looney and staff for bringing the program to this county. 

Morancie says she listened to a shocking podcast and is now very excited to see children’s improvement in spelling and phonics. She asked if the teachers would get more planning time. 

Item 7.14 goes to consent.

Young introduces item 7.15 RFP No. 132-21, Healthcare & Engineering Career, Technical and Agriculture Education (CTAE) Programs Internet, Catalog or Sales Representative Ordering.

Warren says that the computer being offered is very cool and ask how we can secure them.

McCade follow ups on whether every middle school gets these computers.

Stuart asks if it will be tied with the engage class and asks about a demonstration. 

Item 7.15 goes to consent.

Item 7.16 RFP No. 119-21 Server, Storage, Data Center Hardware and Professional Services goes to consent.

Item 7.17 RFP No. 160-19, Grounds Maintenance goes to consent.

Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef presents item 7.18 Financial Update.

Dove asks about the College Park payments.

Item 7.18 goes to consent.

Item 7.19 Monthly Capital Programs Report is presented.

Stewart comments on a mistake on the presentation so that it can be fixed.

Item 7.19 goes to consent.

Item 7.20 Banking Resolutions will be held for discussion.

Item 7.21 February Budget Adjustments will be held for discussion.

Item 7.22 2023-2024 Georgia Pre-Kindergarten Grant Program is presented.

Stuart adds comment on the normal procedure of this program. 

Item 7.22 goes to consent.

Dove begin the information reports and presents the following items:

8.01 Field Trip Report for February 2023

8.02 Employee Travel for February 2023

8.03 Contracting Report for $25,000 and $99,999.99

8.04 Change Order Report for Errors, Omissions and Unforeseen Condition

8.05 Special Revenue Fund/Grant Budget Adjustments

8.06 Facility Alteration Requests Report for February 2023

8.07 Operating Guideline GARF Employee Surplus Process  

8.08 Operating Guideline GBM Employee Transfer Proces

8.09 Operating Guideline IHF Graduation Requirements 

8.10 Operating IK Complaint Resolution Process for Material Harmful to Minors 

The February Board meeting is scheduled. 

The meeting is adjourned.