001In the Muscogi County School District, creating we is more than words. It's our commitment. [music] Together, educators, staff, parents, and our community unite with one purpose to lift every student higher. to inspire every learner to succeed [music] and to build a stronger united community where our shared commitment shapes tomorrow. For students, creating Wii means learning in [music] an environment where they feel supported, connected, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. >> Creating Wii means we're all in [music] this together, helping each other succeed. For staff, [music] creating wei means teamwork, collaboration, and knowing every effort helps shape the future of our students. Here in the Muscogi County School District, when we say we, it means every educator [music] is united for student success. For our board of education, creating wei means ensuring every decision reflects
002our collective commitment to excellence, equity, [music] and opportunity for all. >> Creating we means we get to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For Superintendent Dr. David Lewis, creating Wii means leading with a vision that unites students, staff, [music] families, and the community as one. It's about fostering a culture where MCSD shines as a beacon of educational excellence, [music] where everyone is known, valued, and inspired. As [music] a parent, creating we means my child's success is everyone's success. >> We are the Muscogee County School District. Creating we means celebrating the spirit of unity where every voice matters and every action makes a difference. Every morning that you get there's a choice you haven't met. Well, here's some hope you can [singing and music] borrow. >> I have a dream that my four
003little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a [cheering] dream today. When we let it ring, all of God's children, black men and white men, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the spirit. >> Free [music] at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last. Now is the time >> and we as a people get to the promised land >> today. [music] There ain't no better. >> I still have a dream >> today. There you go. Heat. Heat. Good evening. Welcome to our January 20th um regularly scheduled board meeting. do want to welcome any um school leaders that we have. Just wave your hands.
004Principles, anyone on the leadership team and of course um our director of our library systems, Mr. Alan Harkness is Maryanne there. And our director of our museum, Mary Rickner. Thank you so much. And um I see Marquette Mcnite with me. [clears throat] Anybody else? missing. All right, we'll go straight into our inspiration. Dr. Chambers. >> Thank you so much, Madam Chair. This is our first official meeting of the year. I know last week we had the work session, but I wanted to read something to board members um that will hopefully lead the way for the rest of the year. As we gather tonight, I'm reminded that leadership is not measured by the volume of our voices, but by the weight of our responsibility. Every decision we make, every voice, every vote, every discussion touches the
005life of a child, a family, and a future that we may never personally meet. We sit here not just as board members but as stewards of opportunity. Our work matters. It matters in the classrooms, in the kitchens, and in the communities across the district. My hope tonight is that we lead with clarity, listen with intention, and remember that progress often begins with small, fateful decisions made consistently over time. May we keep students at the center of every conversation and move forward together with purpose. That concludes the inspiration for tonight. Thank you so very much. Also want to welcome Miss Erica Walker here with me. I knew you were with me, but I didn't want to make up a name and I didn't want to say the lady in the in the pretty pink jacket either.
006So So thank you so much. Next, we will have our pledge of allegiance by our Rigdon Road Bears, our scholars from Rigdon Road Elementary School. Come on down. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to republic of which it stands, one nation under God, with indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Now it's time for the Georgia flag. I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag of the principal which it stands. Wisdom, justice, moderation, and courage. Now it's time for the school pledge. Hey. Hey. [applause] >> Um, we're gonna we're gonna um we're going to do the school pledge. >> Okay. [laughter] They are prepared because you have prepared them and you lead lead the way, young man. >> Res pledge allegiance to be respectful.
007Responsible, excellent, and safe. We are Raknner Road Bears. [applause] >> Excellent job. >> We are the RNET Road Student Lighthouse Team. The student lighthouse team is a group of student leaders in the leader in me program. We help make our school a happy and positive place. We do this by showing the seven habits, helping plan school events, leading service projects, and sharing student ideas with teachers. Lighthouse team members are role models. We set goals, work well with others, and make good choices. We help plan spirit days, assemblies, and projects that help others. We also speak up for students and help make our school better. Students usually apply to be on a team. We work together with teachers and other students. Our work helps everyone feel included and learn how to be good leaders. >> Wait
008a minute. Oh, okay. [laughter] >> Our character word of the month is kindness. Kindness is the ability and willingness to express care and compassion for others. Kindness is a choice to use our time, talent, and resources to better live the lives of others and the world through genuine acts of love, compassion, generosity, and service. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Venenzo Blrave and I'm in fifth grade and my home room teacher is Miss Howard. >> Hi, my name is An Dubose and I'm in fourth grade and my home room teacher name is Winfield. >> My name is Ava Daniels. I am in the fourth grade and my home room teacher is Miss Whitfield. >> Hi, my name is Lennox Maul. I'm in the fourth grade and my home room teacher is Miss Price. >>
009Hi, my name is Avon Blood. I'm in the fifth grade and my home room teacher is Miss Howard. >> All right. [applause] And and um the principal is Miss Derek New. and parents of these scholars, if you would stand and wave. [applause] >> Thank you so much for all that you do to support our our scholars. Thank you. Good job, boys and girls. Excellent job. Need a motion to approve the agenda. >> Motion by Dr. Chambers, second by Miss Jackson. All in favor, raise your hand. All right, that passes. Uh, next we are going to item B. This is our annual um election of board officers. and I will turn it over to Mr. Ellington. So, uh, board members, the, uh, positions of chair and vice chair are voted on at your first, uh, meeting
010of the year. So, uh, the first thing we I want to point out is that I'll open the floor to nominations for those positions. Nominations don't require a second, but to carry we need five affirmative votes at least to carry uh the election to an office. So, is there a a nomination from the floor for somebody to serve as your chair for the coming year? I nominate. >> All right. Are there any other nominations to serve as your chair for the coming year? Hearing none, I'll close the uh the nominations. uh now ask that you uh all in favor of Miss Pat Hugel Green serving as your board chair again for the coming year all raise your hand. >> That appears to be unanimous. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much. >> We'll now [applause] conduct
011the same process with respect to electing a vice chair. Is there a nomination from the floor for somebody to serve as your vice chair for the coming year? >> All right. Any other nomination from the floor? All right. Hearing none, the nominations are now closed. Uh, all in favor of Miss McCrae serving as your vice chair for the coming year, all raise your hand in the affirmative. That appears unanimous. Again, congratulations to you. I do want to say um thank you board members um for an opportunity to serve again as the chair, but I do want to commend all of us and how we work together because it's just not one um voice or one person as we deliberate and discuss and keep um our children the the academic achievement of students as well as
012um the workforce for Msoga County School District first and foremost in the work that we do. So, I do want to say thank you for the vote of confidence and we're ready to rock and roll another year. >> Miss Buckner, did you your mic is on? >> Yes. I was going to wait for u Mr. Ellison. So the the next item of business with respect to elections is uh item B3 which is uh the the superintendent uh serves as the secretary of the board, the parliamentarian serves as the school board attorney and the treasurer serves as the chief financial officer. Those are all set by statute, but we have had a precedent of voting on that as a slate. Um, but would you like to make a motion? But >> I'd like to offer a
013motion that that slate that slate be um reinstated for 2026. >> All right. There's a a motion and uh nominations don't require a second. So, we'll call for the vote. All in favor of electing that slate for those offices. All right. Any opposed? That was unanimous again. Thank you. I'll turn it back over to you, Madam Chair. >> All right. Thank you again. Um, also I think we've done the welcome uh welcome to visitors. I just skipped around, huh? Um, now we will have our u district-wide recognitions. It's Kimberly Wright. Good evening. I'm Kimberly Wright, director of communications, and these are our January board recognitions. Congratulations to the Columbus High School sideline cheer team for completing an outstanding season and securing the GHSA 2A state championship in the game day cheerleading division on December the
0143rd, 2025. This remarkable achievement marks their second consecutive state title and reflects the team's dedication, discipline, and excellence both on and off the mat. Congratulations ladies. [applause] Hi, my name is Riley Faircloth. I'm a senior and I plan to attend Auburn University to major in biomedical sciences. >> Hi, I'm Christian Matthysse. I'm a senior and I plan to attend Wesleyan Wesleyan College and major in premed. >> My name is Rihanna Bell. I am also a senior and I plan to attend either Spellelman College or Howard University to major in marketing or economics. >> Hi, my name is Avery and I'm a senior as well. And after high school, I plan to attend college to major in health science. Hi, my name is Sophie Persons. I'm a senior at Columbus High School and I plan to
015attend a 4-year university and I am on a biology premed track. >> Hi, I'm Lily Phillips. I'm a senior and I plan on going to Auburn University and majoring in integrative biology. Hi, my name is Ameilia Huff. I am a senior and I'm planning to go to a four-year college to major in mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace engineering. Hi, I'm Snai Srey and I'm a sophomore. >> Hi, I'm Elizabeth Chestnut and I'm a sophomore. Hi, I'm Nella Harris and I'm a sophomore. >> Hi, I'm Laya Davenport and I'm a sophomore. >> Hi, I'm Katherine Chestnut and I'm a freshman. Hi, I'm Emani Howard and I'm a freshman. >> All right. [applause] [applause] Outstanding. I see your coach here. Are there by any chance any parents? >> Parents and supporters. >> All right. [applause] Thank
016you for all that you do in supporting. >> Congratulations again. >> Scholars >> and Miss Buckner. >> Go ahead, Miss Buckner. >> I'd like to know uh what's what's a GameStop cheerleading? Is that I'm sorry. I'll go. I'll get it later. I'm sorry. I should have done it. Thank you. >> Congratulations to the GW Carver High School Tigers football team. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> who captured their second consecutive GHSA Class 2A state championship on December the 16th, 2025 at the MercedesBenz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tigers secured a decisive 247 victory over Hateville Charter, capping off an extraordinary season. The Tigers finished the year undefeated with a perfect 15-0 record, marking the program's first undefeated season in 18 years. [applause] This championship also represents the third state title title in Carver High School's football
017program history. The Muscogi County School District is extremely proud of the team and applauds your dedication and commitment to the school district. Thank you and congratulations again. [applause] Congratulations. So, we're going to try to introduce ourselves in your grade if you're a senior, your if you're going to um where you going after high school, >> including the coaches. >> Uh my name Jamari Evans and I'm in ninth grade. >> Christian Gray, ninth grade. Jayen Hatch, ninth grade. >> Pier Walker, sophomore. >> Isaac Cotto, 10th grade. Ziggy Credle, sophomore. Demarley O'Neal, junior. Aiden Sanders, junior. >> George Davis, sophomore. >> Kayla Wilbur, ninth grade. >> Anthony Anderson, 10th grade. Kendrick P Spencer 10th grade. Jimmy Williams 10th grade. >> Chad Williamson, 11th grade. >> TJ Woodson, 10th grade. Sebastian Herd, ninth grade. Kevin Barber, 10th grade.
018Roman Jackson, ninth grade. >> Jason Mayo, 11th grade. >> Derek Bryant, 11th grade. >> Fabian and Stafford, 11th grade. Ortiz Stevenson 10th grade. Kamar Washington ninth grade. Jacob Shaher 11th grade. >> Jeremia Jenkins 10th grade. >> Jaden Taylor 10th grade. >> Kingston Brown 10th grade. >> KJ Miles 12th grade. >> Nquon Simmons 12th grade. >> Terren won the third junior. >> Zack Watts ninth grade. Benjamin Crowley Jr. ninth grade. Martez Jr. ninth grade. Demarcus O'Neal 12th grade. Travis Edmond junior. >> Darren Jackson junior. >> Aiden Ambrose freshman. Martes here junior ninth grade. [applause] >> Can the coaches introduce themselves? Coach, >> you're passing the mic. Okay, cuz we can't see. >> Coach [clears throat] Thurman Barnes, running backs. [snorts] >> Coach Oso, running backs. Coach Bowman, O line. >> Coach Antoine Young, assistant head coach,
019offensive coordinator. >> Coach Colin Gila, defensive coordinator. I'm a freshman. [laughter] >> Hey, head coach, Coach Jarvis Jones. And thank you all so much. [applause] Well, Coach Jones, this is a very young team. >> It is. Absolutely. I'm excited about it, too. >> That's outstanding. Thank you guys for all that you do and the way you represent the Muscogi County School District on and off the field and especially um how you represent uh Tiger Nation. So, we are extremely extremely proud of you and thank you to the coaches for the dedication and hard work that you do in inspiring and guiding our young men. Hit it again for me. >> Thank all of you. >> [applause] >> And and to all of our seniors, we want to wish you all the best of luck in
020your next level of competition if you play at the college level. And then also, Coach Jones, with a young team back to back, why not make it a three Pete? >> Outstanding. Are there any um parents, >> supporters, [applause] >> thank you for all that you do in supporting our our champions. >> Thank you guys. >> Great job. >> Good job. Good job. Oh, I need to send it to you also. The >> So, the tenative date is is January 25th. If it's inclement weather, it's going to be February 7th. >> And the principal is Mr. Laoya Day. Thank you so much. >> [applause] >> Um that concludes our January board recognitions. I now yield to Miss India Smith, HR recruitment and retention manager to present the power of we award. >> Good evening. The
021January 2026 Power of Wii recipient is Mr. Michael Ban, executive director of technology, learning and support. [applause] >> [applause] >> right here slash slashp [snorts] production director extraordinaire. Congratulations. >> This evening I will read one of four nominations submitted in support of Mr. Barton. And the nomination reads as follows. I'm honored to nominate Michael Barton for the power of we award. As a transformational change agent within the Muscogi County School District, Mr. Barton consistently looks around the corner to anticipate future organizational needs and proactively position the district for success. Under his leadership, the management of student and employee technology has been fundamentally re-engineered, resulting in increased accountability, streamline processes, and more strategic stewardship of district resources across schools and departments. Mr. Barton's initiatives have strengthened operational efficiency, reduced redundancies, and improved transparency, directly impacting how
022technology assets are tracked, deployed, and supported districtwide. Equally important, he leads beyond systems and structures. As a committed mentor, he invests in the growth of his team, equipping them with the tools, training, and trust needed to perform at a high level and deliver measurable results. His leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration and service. By consistently prioritizing customers, fostering cross departmental partnerships, and treating every colleague with dignity and respect, Mr. Barden has cultivated a culture of shared ownership and collective accountability. He is truly the epitome of creating wei, aligning people, purpose, and performance in a way that advances the mission and core values of Muscogee County School District. Congratulations [applause] speech. >> Well, everything rises and falls on leadership and our board shows strong leadership each and every day. Dr. Lewis, Ron Pleasant, um I appreciate
023your mentorship and uh you are the epitome of what leadership looks like both of you and I appreciate both of you. Thank you so much with me. I started the leadership journey with my father 40 plus years serving our country. My mom was retired here MCSD. So she may be small but she's strong. My beautiful Yeah. my beautiful wife Rebecca. I would say she's up and cominging leader, but that would be a dis disservice to her because she has arrived. She's doing amazing things at Aaron Con with uh Dr. Lawrence as the assistant principal. I'm very proud of her and my beautiful children Haley Hannah Bryley Banks and maybe future future Jackson back there as well. I'd like to thank the wonderful team. [clears throat] They are the reason I'm standing up here. It's all
024about them. They should be up here, not me because they they're the ones that are getting it done each and every day. Showing service and technology with a heart. It's like what we like to call it. And I'm so proud of them. I'm proud of our managers. I I saw Austin. I see Roger, um Jones, Stacy Martin, um and then all of our LS crew, our TSS crew, technology support specialist crew. They just do an amazing job and we're very very blessed here at MSCO County School District. So, thank you very much. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Congratulations. And thank you. And while you have your whole team here, I just want to say on behalf of the school board, we thank you all for um helping us, you know, click the right button
025and press the right tab and >> sign in creating our passwords over and over again. We appreciate everything that you do. Thank you so very much for your dedication. >> [applause] >> All right. Next, we have our public agenda. We have one speaker that's requested. It's Mr. Leroy Manners. Is he here today? All right. Come to the podium. And while you're on your way, I'll read our rationale. All official meetings of the board shall be open to the press and the public. However, the board may meet in executive session. Speakers remarks should be directed to the board and shall be limited to five minutes. Citizens are encouraged to address items on the board agenda or to initiate presentations of of issues appropriate for schoolboard consideration. If an individual desires to speak, they may contact the
026superintendent's office to be placed on the agenda. The board meeting or the work session is not the appropriate place to address either criticisms of particular employees or individual parent complaints with when such complaints have not been first addressed to the attention of the appropriate administrator for a resolution. Citizens are encouraged to follow the normal channels to address individual parent complaints or problems. And next we will hear from Mr. Leroy Manners. Welcome sir. Thank you. >> Thank y'all board right there. So y'all give it up to the Carver. That that's impressive. two years in a row. Y'all give it up to him. Now, I think we all come here, we all really cherish our kids in our days and times and everything. We go through so much times in our life right there. We have trials
027right there. Um, but you know when uh on uh September the 26, 2025, when someone comes to someone and tells them they've been sexually assaulted, it shouldn't take but about 60 days or at least you strive for about 60 days to come up with a res resolution. We're at 117 days now. 117 days for a resolution to find out if someone been sexually assaulted. I always thought it was just how, when, where, and why. I think we would all agree. We've all had times where we've heard people get touched and somebody doesn't stand up for other things. I thank y'all and everything for actually voting on a time to be able to do another Title N coordinator. I do appreciate that with the council. Uh thank you for your time and I appreciate it. Y'all
028have a great day. >> All right. Thank you, sir. So thank you. I do have to address that um from the standpoint that um we take all matters very seriously and there is a process by which we conduct all investigations especially those that fall under title N. There are specific timelines and requirements that have to be met and completed. So just want to make sure that everybody in the audience is fully aware and apprised of that. I don't know if Mr. Ellington has anything more to say about that, but there are certain prescribed timelines and investigation investigative processes and procedures have to be followed. Uh, >> As well as mandated reporting. That's correct. And so with all that involved, I just want to make sure everybody is fully aware that we take all those matters
029very seriously, investigate everyone that was brought to our attention, but we do have to go through the uh prescribed procedures in law. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Moving into our action agenda. Item number one is the board meeting schedule for 2026. Please make sure that you up you sync your calendar with this calendar. [laughter] then you'll be able to adjust your calendar around this calendar so that we can um meet our meeting obligations. Are there any additional questions or >> Oh, hold on. >> All right. >> Just was going to thank Miss Jones and highlight that our June had to be moved around some due to GSBA conference and then also just needs with the budget. So, thank you for working on that. Everybody do notice in June it's it's a bit different.
030>> Motion by Miss Buckner, second by Miss Chambers. Are are we ready to vote now? Electronically, we're ready to vote now. might also mention we did include this year the tenative board training date. So please note that date as well. That's something we have not included in this calendar previously but it is on there for this time to make sure that we can get our required board training. >> One more Buckner. Miss Buckner. >> Okay. All right, that passes item. See the IT team left too soon. [laughter] She she wants to She wants to She Thank you. Miss Jones going to update it. Miss Buckner, now you're on the IT team. Miss Miss Jones, >> you said you voted to recuse yourself. [laughter] >> All right. Item two. >> All right. Motion by Miss Frey,
031second uh by Dr. Chambers. and that is the Columbus, Georgia and the Kiri, Japan have been sister cities since the late '7s. Um, this is a 50-year milestone in 2027. Um, the proposal is a reciprocal exchange offering our delegation the opportunity to experience uh Japan firsthand and further strengthen the bond between our communities. And this is a proposal that allows the team to explore um the opportunity. Then once those details are determined, it will come back for further consideration. This is just to give the administration um the consensus to go ahead and explore the reciprocal exchange opportunity. All right, we're ready to vote. Any other questions? All right, we're ready to vote now. All right, that item passes. Next, we have our um consent agenda that we discussed each item um last week. Does anyone
032have any additional questions or want to pull any particular item out for any additional clarification for a separate vote? Not I need a motion to accept. All right. Motion by Miss >> Buckner. Okay. Second by everybody. I saw Miss Paty's hand, Mark Canrell, Dr. Chambers. So, it's been motioned and second. We're ready to vote now. And I do want to say thank you to the citizens for um the donations. The continued um support of public education, the public private partnerships is how we get things done um here. and we are certainly grateful for the community in their support of our boys and girls in the MSCO County School District. >> Dr. Lewis, >> um did pass. It did pop up that pass. >> Just want to take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Floren Dawkins for
033receiving the unity award presented by Alphi Alpha at the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Unity Breakfast yesterday morning. Very welld deserved. and she is our liaison officer uh for with our community and does a great job providing for many resources that our families and children need to be successful. So uh again very welld deserved and want to congratulate her for that. >> Congratulations Miss Dawkins [applause] and she's super good to us. We >> Well, I I would just say we get good treats. I'm not going to I don't want to start any requests so we don't get bumped down to but we appreciate um the decorations and all the small things that are really big things that matter um in supporting um the work that we do um anyone have any other anything else all
034right so yeah quick meeting I'll take a motion to adjourn >> all right that's a motion and a second wave goodbye Okay. Good night. >> All right. Hey, hey, hey. You got the best of my love. You got the best of my [singing] love. You got the best of my love. Changes. I love [singing] I love my love. You got the best of my love.