FCBOE Work Session - April

The Fulton County Board of Education met for their monthly work session at 3 p.m. on April 15, 2021.

• Meeting is called to order.

• Supt. Dr. Mike Looney moves to introduce the presentations.

• Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef, Louis Mosely and Mr. Dunn present a financial update. The presentation is part of an overview of the Capital Plan of 2022. Visuals can be found below.

Graphics courtesy of Fulton County Schools

• District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren asks if the Global Impact Academy will be able to fit 900 students, Louis Mosely confirms that is true.

• District 3 Board Member Gail Dean thanks Louis Mosely for his presentation.

• District 2 Board Member Katie Reeves requests to see the original budgets related to the presentation.

• District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart thanks and welcomes Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove wants the public to know that students throughout the district are learning about construction.

• Board President and District 7 Board Member Julia Bernath also thanks Louis Mosely for the presentation.

• District 5 Board Member Linda McCain welcomes Mr. Mosely to the executive team.

• Board President and District 7 Board Member Julia Bernath invites District 5 Board Member Linda McCain to ask questions.

• McCain has no questions but is excited that plans have become real and thanks Mr. Dunn for presentation.

• District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart thanks the Technology Team for the new surge of school devices during this pandemic.

• District 2 Board Member Katie Reeves compliments the technology team and the taxpayers who made this possible. She later thanks Mr. Dunn and everyone involved in the presentation.

• District 2 Board Member Katie Reeves asks the board to conduct a deliberate discussion on the usage of school devices in grades 2-5.

• Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove is glad that the board invested in technology infrastructure early, and asks about parent professionals keeping their devices.

• District 3 Board Member Gail Dean thanks the IT team and appreciates the presentation.

• District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren thanks the efficient nature of the IT team, especially in situations of technology issues.

• Board President and District 7 Board Member Julia Bernath thanks the IT teams and is glad the board listened and was proactive in developing tech infrastructure.

• Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef moves to present the financial numbers behind the Capital Budget plan.

• District 3 Board Member Gail Dean asks if a list of potential projects will be provided. Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef says yes.

• District 5 Board Member Linda McCain and Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove reiterate their appreciation for the Capital Plan and the presentation.

• The board moves to present the second agenda item, the Budget Mark-up. 

• Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef presents the included PowerPoint.

Graphics courtesy of Fulton County Schools

• District 2 Board Member Katie Reeves thanks Supt. Dr. Looney for the budget parameters and thanks Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef for the presentation.

• Members of the board thank Supt. Dr. Looney for the budget parameters and thanks Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef for the presentation.

• The board moves to take a five minute break.

• The meeting and Pledge of Allegiance are called to order.

• Don Bolia, Laura Norton and Janelle Adams on behalf of the Peachtree Government Relations review the various House and Senate Bills in question of the Board Matters. Visuals are provided below.

Graphics courtesy of Fulton County Schools

• District 3 Board Member Gail Dean asks the difference between Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 445.

• District 5 Board Member Linda McCain thanks Bolia, Norton and Adams for the presentation. 

• The governor has 40 calendar days to sign or veto the pending bills. The date is scheduled for May 10.

• District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart says that 2805 employees got their first shot, and 2712 second dose shots were given out this week. Stuart thanks everyone who worked at the vaccine event.

• Roswell North Elementary school collected pre-packaged snacks for people who distributed vaccines. They also raised over 2000 dollars for a leukemia organization.

• The Milton High School Boys basketball team played in the State Championship and played against IMG Academy, but lost.

• Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove congratulates Woodland School for taking Healthcare Science classes, where Morehouse School of Medicine played a vital role in this event. During Spring Break, Dove attended a virtual conference where Leslie Odom reiterated the importance of education. An organization called CUBE has been on the forefront of helping urban schools strive for excellence, Dove says. They recently conducted their Chair elections which Dove was a part of.

• Board President and District 7 Board Member Julia Bernath exclaims that Haynes Bridge Middle School has received a new Announcement Sign at the entrance of the school. 

• Board Vice President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove volunteers to be a delegate on the GSB board. District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren will serve as an alternate. 

• The Board moves to present recognitions and public comments.

• Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones is pleased to recognize the winners for the National Center for Women and Informational Technology. Nine women from Chattahoochee, Northview, Johns Creek and Milton High School were selected for various National awards.

• Various Alpharetta High School students are also recognized for winning the National Championship for Policy Debate. Chattahoochee literary magazine staff were recognized by REALM. 

• Three students from the Northview High School Speech and Debate team are also congratulated for winning the Georgia Varsity State Championship. 

• Sarah Stauphel from Alpharetta High School wins a staff award for her dedication to arts and theater. AP Environmental Science Teacher Patty Laurmor at Riverwood National Charter School was recognized as Harmony Hero by EarthKind.

• The board moves to begin public comments.

• Supt. Dr. Mike Looney presents three items: halting the K-2 ELA adoption process, re-using internal and external facilities, reviewing new guidance regarding masks. 

• Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones moves to review 10 course proposals: items 6.01 to 6.06, including new Greek and Media Art lessons.

• Supt. Dr. Mike Looney presents a schedule revision for the 2021 September meeting to occur a week later.

• Dr. Ryan Moore presents item 7.03, a series of Bill of Rights meant for students, parents and teachers.

• Dr. Moore continues to present Agenda Item 7.04, which includes a revision to the grading policy review schedule. 

• Agenda Item 7.06, 7.07, 7.08, and 7.09 have no changes to the policy since last month and are consented by the board. 

• Agenda item 7.10, which discusses Systemwide Standardized Testing, includes many proposed changes.

• Supt. Dr. Mike Looney calls Interim Chief Operations Officer Louis E. Mosley to review the rest of the action items.

• Action Item 7.16 addressed Creekside High School Additions and Renovations.

• Action Item 7.19 is a continuation of the requirements in the contracts of Occupational and Physical Therapists

• Action Item 7.20 is consented by the board and includes an increase of 8 million dollars to the contracts of networking hardware, professional services and managed services

• Action Items 7.21-7.26 are consented.

• Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef moves to present financial and budgetary based action items.

• The meeting is adjourned.

• The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday April 22nd.