The Fulton County Board of Education met for their monthly board meeting at 6 p.m. on January 19, 2023.

• Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney calls Dr. Moore.

• Dr. Moore introduces item 6.01: RISE Grammar Charter School.

• District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart makes motion.

• District 4 Board Member Franchesca Warren asks for more information on the issue. 

• Board President and District 6 Board Member Kimberly Dove expresses concern for the school’s potential closure and for parents with students at that school. Dove asks to see a fully thought-out plan if RISE Grammar Charter School closes. 

• District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart congratulates students. She appreciates Dr. Moore recognizing this topic as news to parents, but this topic is not news to administration and the staff. 

• Warren expresses concerns for parents due to the lack of communication between the parents and the administration. She explains that parents weren’t aware that RISE could disappear after three years.

• Dr. Moore responds that there have been many lines of communication and strategic decision choices over the past three years. There was a poll to consider adding a high school. Expanding capital was also considered.

• McCabe inquires as to whether the Milestone scores that were shared last week at the FCS meeting with students’ parents.

• Dr. Moore responds that all charter schools follow state regulations and federal requirements, so the parent contact method was done following state protocol.

• McCabe asks about the loan RISE took out, whether it was used for students who are struggling. 

• Dr. Moore responds that the loan was not supposed to go through, because the school was on academic probation. There is a sizable fund that the school still possesses. 

• Dove asks those in favor to the first read. She clarifies that first read is when the item is presented to the community, and Dr. Looney and board members consider the issue. The second read for this item will occur on Feb. 6. 

• Dr. Moore shares that all the documents can be found on the BoardDocs website under the agenda. 

• Dr. Moore introduces 6.02 Renewal of RISE Preparatory Charter School.

• Warren asks about more ways for parents to get involved and understand what is going on with the school. 

• Looney responds that a parent meeting event will be held before the second read to inform parents. 

• 6.02 passes unanimously. 

• Looney appreciates students speaking today. Feb. 6 kicks off severe weather week until Feb. 10. That week will be planned and supported by multiple public safety agencies. He recognizes College Park Elementary School and proud of their work. He calls Bell to go over the district bridge to success update. 

• Bell reviews 3.02. There are now seven initiatives to success titled, American Rescue Plan. The seven initiatives are student safety, FOCUS, business continuity, leadership development, expanded program options, textbook adoption, and every child reads. 

• Every Child Reads with expanded program options work with textbook expansion, each month Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef will present a financial breakdown. This will implement intense strategies for student support of literacy. It includes online teaching for all students and teacher training who receive a stipend for at least 80% correctly completed. This includes funds for field trips and virtual expansion, including a learning platform for Fulton County students. 

• FOCUS will concentrate on summer school, extended learning, and small group teaching. Student safety will help with behavior and academic involvement. 

• Business continuity will focus on program management and wellness. 

• The reminders and next steps constitute the six-month review. Sustainability options will be introduced and considered, and budgets will be regulated and discussed. 

• Bell shares www.fultonschools.org/bridgetosuccess for constituents to check on updates. 

• Board Vice President District 1 Board Member Katha Stuart expresses appreciation for the thorough PowerPoint and making sure parents have access to this initiative. 

• District 2 Board Member Lillie Pozatek expresses that the QR code is helpful, and she feels that the extra tutoring is especially important, as does Warren. 

• McCabe asks for more information on how high dosage tutoring is distributed throughout the district.

• Bell responds that all schools are required to set up some extra tutoring program. Data is used to determine who needs to benefit from these programs before reaching out to parents. Parents and schools collaborate to determine the best ways to reach the students. Elementary schools use small group tutoring para, which are usually no bigger than 2 students per 1 tutor. 

• Looney calls on Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef to present item 6.03 Proposed Budget Adjustments for January. 

• Motion passes unanimously.

• Dereef presents item 6.04 Banking Resolutions. 

• Motion passes unanimously. 

• Dereef presents item 6.05 Employee Travel for January 2023. 

• Dereef reads the funds out to the board members.

• Pozatek asks about the literacy conference several staff members attended that came out of the funds. 

• Deputy Chief Academic Officer Gyimah Whitaker answers Pozatek answers that it is for the staff to learn and implement the practices. Those who attend the conference pass the information to multiple schools. 

• Motion passes unanimously. 

• Dereef presents item 6.06 Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. 

• Dereef wishes to briefly discuss the annual financial report that ends in June 2022. 

• He highlights the artwork created by students on the report. He also shows a shirt with the artwork on it. 

• Board President Kimberly Dove thanks informational board members for walking the other board members through the procedures. 

• The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report passes unanimously. 

• The February Board meeting is scheduled. 

• The meeting is adjourned.