The Fulton County Board of Education met for their monthly work session on Dec. 23, 2023.

• District 2 Board Member Lillie Pozatek congratulates the great work that the programs have accomplished.

• District 3 Board Member Katie Gregory applauds the ESOL and language immersion programs.

• Board Vice President and District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart highlights peak program.

• Board President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove questions the students transition from peak back to regular school.

• District 5 Board Member Kristin McCabe congratulates Northview student Erica Gabrielson as one of five students accepted into rotary exchange program.

• Various board members note the one-year anniversary of the induction of four board members.

• Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes leads the board in discussing legislative prioritize. https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/fcss/Board.nsf/files/CXYRFF6DC675/$file/2024%20Fulton%20County%20BOE%20State%20Legislative%20Priorities.pdf

• Katherine Gregory speaks about the lack of equity and inclusion in consideration for GSBA and QBE and that it should be a priority to consider.

• Board President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove pushes for the packet to be sent to the legislative assembly.

• Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney congratulates the police department in hosting the GREAT program. He also announces the “It’s ok not to be ok” campaign and the sending of resources to schools to participate in the “It’s ok not to be ok” week.

• The board unanimously approves the executive session items.

• Board enters ten minute recess.

• Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes recognizes Taylor who was the youngest to be chosen on the YAC (youth advisory council) to represent Fulton Schools.

• The board approves Item 6.01 for consent for Fundamentals of the Music Industry I-II as a new course

• The board consents Item 7.01

• The board consents Item 7.02. The board changes the location for the board meeting for the January meeting and the date for the May Meeting

• Aaron King presents Item 7.03 and 7.04. The changes are:

• December 20, 2024 is the last day of first semester

• January 3, 2025 will now be a holiday for students and staff

• January 6, 2025 will now be a teacher workday

• January 7, 2025 is the first day students report for second semester

• Spring Break will now be April 7, 2025 through April 11, 2025

• Spring break will align with neighboring counties.

• The board consents Item 7.03.

• For the 2024-2025 school year, it will consist of:

  • 177 Total Instructional Days (S1: 88, S2: 89)

  • Pre-Planning Begins on July 24, 2025

  • First Day for Students is August 4, 2025

  • Full Fall Break for Students and Staff in October

  • 4 Professional Development Days (includes pre-planning)

  • 9 Teacher Workdays (includes pre- and post-planning)

  • Last Day for Students is May 21, 2026

• Looney emphasizes that some employees may have different work schedules. He also emphasizes that the additional teacher workdays will consist of meetings and local professional development.

• District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren emphasizes that community members would like another winter break in February. Looney discusses the importance of matching Fulton School calendars with other district calendars.

• District 5 Board Member Kristin McCabe speaks about the lack of professional development, especially in the first semester. She also questions whether all employees have fall break off, which Looney says is not the case.

• Andrea Gatewood presents Item 7.05 and Item 7.06 for the renewal of contracts for Amana Academy and Skyview Charter High School. Looney emphasizes the opportunity to review the contract after four years for accountability for the latter, especially. Board President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove emphasizes the opportunities they give out.

• The board consents Item 7.08.

• The board consents Item 7.09, removing enhanced math timelines

• The board consents Item 7.10 and Item 7.11.

• The board consents Item 7.12 and Item 7.13.

• The board consents Item 7.14, on various funding throughout the district.

• The board consents Item 7.15 to provide services to families.

• The board consents Item 7.16 for telepractice speech therapy.

• The board consents Item 7.17 for the purchase of fuel.

• The board consents Item 7.18 and Item 7.19

• The board consents Item 7.21, which increases funding to items such as middle school reading teachers, AI assistants, and the ESOL program.

• The board goes over Item 7.23, which details human resources changes.

• The board consents Item 7.25.

• The board adjourns the meeting.