FCBOE Work Session- November
The Fulton County Board of Education met for their monthly work session at 3 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2021
Chief Talent Officer Ron Wade presents an ATLAS update to the Board. ATLAS is a system FCS will use to connect technology, processes, and people in order to increase efficiency and improve time management. View the presentation below for more details.
Graphics courtesy of Fulton County Schools
Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney emphasizes that the purpose of ATLAS is to protect employees and ensure they get paid when they work overtime.
District 3 Board Member Gail Dean echoes Looney’s sentiment, saying she doesn't want employees to feel disenfranchised.
Wade stresses that ATLAS is not punitive and expresses appreciation for those working to improve ATLAS.
Wade goes over ATLAS training protocol and how it differs for certain employees, such as custodians, teachers, and principals. FCS is planning an “ATLAS Week” and making informational videos to prepare employees for using ATLAS time.
Wade plays a video that goes over the basics of ATLAS.
Non-exempt, or hourly, employees will use ATLAS to punch in at the start of the work day and punch out at the end of the work day to track their hours. They will do this via mobile app or computer.
Exempt, or non-hourly, employees will only use ATLAS to track time they work outside their normal hours.
Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove acknowledges the employees developing ATLAS and asks Wade whether assessment questions are included in the ATLAS self-guided training. She also asks if the district can track which employees have completed the training.
Wade answers yes to both questions.
Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove asks if Wade has a plan in place to address time tracking errors.
Wade says even if there is an error, FCS will ensure employees get paid, even if it’s by check.
District 5 Board Member Linda McCain asks how employees will get paid if they forget to punch in at the start of the day.
Wade says on-site time managers will be monitoring time reports, giving people reminders to punch in and out, and addressing time tracking errors.
Board President and District 7 Board Member Julia Bernath asks what will happen when employees are on leave or teachers have substitutes come in.
Wade says ATLAS will account for these absences.
Board President and District 7 Board Member Julia Bernath thanks Wade for his presentation and calls the meeting to order.
Dr. Looney asks veterans to join him for the pledge of allegiance in honor of Veterans’ day on Thursday.
District 5 Board Member Linda McCain congratulates and recognizes District 5 students and staff.
The Chattahoochee High School Academic Quiz Bowl for ranked in the top 25 teams nationally.
A Findley Oaks Elementary student was a finalist in the Fulton County Art calendar competition.
Medlock Bridge Elementary School student Alex Jay competed in Math-o-Ween and tied for first place in Region 2.
On Veterans’ Day, Findley Oaks students and staff members will honor veterans with a walk.
An assistant principal at Taylor Road Middle School saved a student who has choking on a grape using the heimlich maneuver.
Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes overviews the Board’s recommended legislative priorities. The Board has provided some feedback; the two major changes were a consideration for the testing alternative and a bill that addresses an IEP issue.
District 3 Board Member Gail Dean asks that the Board’s request to reinstate the IEP program and create more flexible meeting options be prioritized.
District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren discusses the fiscal impact of reinstating the IEP program and potentially restructuring the Georgia Milestone exams.
The board moves to discussing the Board Member Redistricting Plan. The Board has come to a unanimous agreement regarding the adjustments of each district. The new map will only change the geographic areas a school board represents. There will be no impact on where individual students will attend school.
The Board will move to submit the map to review to the State’s legislative delegation. A final proposed map will be considered at the 2022 General Assembly for final approval. The Board plans to bring a map to vote to submit to the State’s Legislative Delegation by the next board meeting.
The Board moves to extend Dr. Looney’s contract for one year, applauding his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Looney thanks The Board for its support and discusses his experience serving lunch at Woodland Middle School.
The Board votes unanimously to extend Superintendent Mike Looney’s contract.
Dr. Looney congratulates the Alpharetta High School Governance Council for being voted governance council of the year.
He emphasizes the importance of appreciating school psychologists during National School Psychology Week and also thanks Fulton County veterans for their service.
Wade presents new information regarding COVID-19.
In Fulton County, there are currently 111,294 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 1600 confirmed deaths, and a 3.7% positive rate.
Most of the seven districts are under 100 cases per 100,000 people.
16,736 COVID-19 tests have been distributed.
View the presentation below for more details.
Graphics courtesy of Fulton County Schools
Dr. Looney moves to discuss the executive session action items. The Board moves to carry all motions unanimously.
Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones asks for public display and review of the revised K-12 English Language Arts texts. A previously created and reviewed rubric is now presented to The Board.
The Board consents to action items 7.02 to 7.07. There have been no changes made to these action items since last month.
Action Item 7.12 was reviewed and changed to acknowledge legal concerns.
Action Item 7.13 was revised to reformat the ATLAS program.
District 2 Board Member Katie Reeves asks if any thresholds have been changed.
Executive Director of Strategy & Governance Dr. Ryan Moore answers no.
Deputy Chief Academic Officer Dr. Gyimah Witaker delivers a presentation on Middle College Design Concepts, during which she defines a Middle College and its proposed academic plan. View the presentation below for more details.
Graphics courtesy of Fulton County Schools
A Middle College is an alternative path to graduation, and Dr. Witaker requires the remaining coursework credits be used to train in competitive fields.
Atlanta Technical College will help provide a career ready-curriculum.
McClaren School will provide courses in the Middle College Program on computer networking, cyber security, early childhood care, welding and education.
There are plans to update the classrooms in McClaren School and transform them into flexible learning labs.
The current budget to renovate and reinstate the Middle College Program is between 23 and 25 million.
Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove asks clarifying questions about the new format of the building.
District 5 Board Member Linda McCain asks about the difference between Middle College and Fulton County’s College and Career center. She also asks if FCS has made any efforts to gauge parents’ and younger students’ interest in the program.
Dr. Witaker says FCS has not made any formal efforts yet. She does not expect the program to be created by fall of 2022, but thinks it will be ready by fall of 2023 or 2024.
The Board moves to take a break.
The Board watches a video of the Alpharetta High School’s band thanking the Board and Dr. Looney for recognizing their achievement in making it to the Bands of America National Competition.
Jenny Box, teacher of Hopewell Middle School, is recognized for winning the Health and Physical education award.
Alpharetta High School’s Audiovideo Technology and Film program is recognized for its 26 awards from the National academy, the most in any school from the Southeast United States.
The Board moves to address public comments.
