001Board meeting for the Social Circle Board of Education on April the 3rd, 2025 is called to order. The first on item on our agenda is prayer. Our Father in heaven be named will be done on earth in [Music] heavenres us. Amen. At this time, I would like to introduce two members of our army, [Music] JRC, Cadet, Captain Evan, and Cadet, First Lieutenant Katie. They are here to lead us in our pledge of allegiance. Remove your hat and place your right hand over your heart. To the flag of the United States of America. to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next is the approval of the agenda. Miss Chapman, are there any [Music] changes? Do I have a motion to accept the agenda as presented?
002Do I have a second? I second. Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously. Next, I'll turn it over to our acting superintendent, Miss Chhatta. Good evening. I am Jennifer Chadam and I have served as the assistant superintendent here in Social Circle City Schools since January of 2023 and I am looking forward to sharing with you some exciting updates this evening. And most importantly, I'm excited to recognize our incredible students. Before we begin, I want to take a moment to thank you all for being here. It is always a testament to the beauty of this community. to see so many of you here to show your support for our schools and our students. I'd like to begin by sharing our school climate survey results. School
003climate describes the quality of school life by measuring student, parent, and staff experiences related to academics, relationships, safety, and the physical environment. I am so proud to announce that every one of our campuses received a five-star rating, the highest possible, reflecting strong relationships, supportive learning environments, and a shared commitment to success. Next, I'd like to provide you with an update on our new elementary school. As you can see in this video, here we go. As you can see in this video, our general contractors are making great progress as they work to prepare our new school building for our youngest learners. I am excited to report that we remain ahead of schedule. Currently tracking two two months tracking two months ahead of our original contracted completion date. The board has approved a contract with Mr. Malcolm
004Ryan who will serve as project manager as we complete the final stages. of this exceptional project. We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our community and we'll be sharing details soon about our ribbon cutting ceremony which we anticipate hosting in mid July. As many of our students are aware, next spring break, next week is spring break. We wish our students and staff a restful break and look forward to seeing you again on Monday, April 14th. Later this month, on April 22nd, the board will hold a budget work session to assess next year's budget. This meeting will be held in our administrative building at 6 p.m. April is full of exciting celebrations. Yesterday we recognized World Autism Day where we honor the unique strengths of our students with autism. Here in Social Circle City
005Schools, our teachers do an exceptional job promoting understanding, inclusion, and Today is pair professional appreciation day. Pair professionals assist teachers by providing instructional instructional, behavioral, and other support in various classrooms throughout our district. Their dedication and care help create positive learning environments and ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive. We will end the week by celebrating our media specialists on National School Librarian Day. These ladies work tirelessly to provide a space for learning, imagination, and exploration. Miss Melanie Brewark serves our younger students at the primary and elementary school, while Molly Tyrie serves at our middle and high school campus. Once we return from spring break, we will celebrate our amazing assistant principles who play a vital role in supporting student success, maintaining a positive school culture, and ensuring smooth daily operations across
006our campuses. Their leadership, compassion, and dedication make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, staff, and parents every day. Volunteer recreation day is April 20th. Volunteers are an integral part of our district, generously giving their time, energy, and talent to support our students, staff, and schools. From helping classrooms to organizing events and and mentoring students, their contributions strengthen our school community, and we couldn't do what we do without their unwavering support and dedication. Last, but certainly not least, are our administrative professionals. All in the first faces to greet students, families, and visitors. These dedicated individuals serve as the heart of our school, balancing countless tasks, managing unexpected challenges, and providing essential support with grace, professionalism, and guidance. Their behind the scenes efforts keep our schools running smoothly, and we are deeply grateful for
007all they do to support our students, staff, and community. Next, as we recognize and celebrate our students, of course, as our very favorite thing to do here at our board meetings, I would like to invite Miss Reigns, our primary and elementary school music teacher, to come forward and introduce those students who were recognized for all state choice. [Music] Good evening. Before I recognize the students, I would like to take a minute to say thank you to the members of our board of education, our board office staff, and our SC administrators for seeing the importance of music education and supporting music in our school district. It is your support that helps me and my music colleagues continue to work to build a thriving music community here in the circle. Music touches everyone and we greatly appreciate
008your support. This evening I would like to recognize five amazingly talented and hardworking elementary students. These students represented social circle at the Georgia statewide elementary honor for us last month. It was originally scheduled for January but we got snowed out. I'm very grateful that GMBA was able to reschedu our event. All state for elementary chorus is a yearly event sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association. Students selected to participate work in advance with their teacher to learn five songs from memory with one being in a foreign language. This year we sang in an African dialect. After a few short rehearsals with their teacher, students then gather with other students from across the state of Georgia to work with professional clinicians and then perform a concert for friends and family. This evening, I will be awarding
009them with their allstate medal and certificate. I am so proud of each one and I'm glad that we got to share this experience together. I hope that this will be a lasting memory for each of these students and their families. Students, remember that music is a gift and I hope that each one of you will continue to use that gift and share it with as many people as you can. Unfortunately, not all could be in attendance tonight. I'm going to call all five names. Will you please hold your applause until they're all called? Alice Jenny, Avery Cobbs, EJ Fierce, Drew Turner, and Jason Young. Would you please come forward to get your medal and certificates? Thank you so much. [Applause] So next I'm excited to share that we have two students who have been named
010governor's honors program by pilot max and sharing more about these remarkable students. Hello I'm Laya Maddox. I've had the privilege of being Hannah Gwyn's teacher for the past two years. I've had the opportunity to witness her intellectual curiosity for chemistry and physics and her dedication to learning. Her enthusiasm for learning is contagious as she actively engages in classroom discussions and consistently seeks challenges to broaden her knowledge base. She challenges herself with honors, AP, and dual enrollment courses. Beyond her academic pursuits, Hannah is well-rounded individual who actively activity participates in extracurricular activities. She has been a valuable member and recruited almost all of the members of the science team. She also is a part of the technology student association, French club, beta club, showcasing her ability to balance multiple commitments while maintaining good grades in her
011academics. Last year, I nominated Hannah to apply for Governor's Honors Program, also known as GHP. The Georgia Governor's Honors Program is a residential summer program for skilled, knowledgeable, and talented high school sophomores and juniors. GHP offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders. GHP is held in a midsummer and is a residential educational experience on a college or university campus. Students attend classes in the morning and afternoons in specific areas of study and they participate in a wide variety of social and instructional opportunities every every evening. Meals and rooms are provided by the program. They only required an expected cost to the students are travel expenses
012to and from the semifinalist event and host campus. A few basic supplies for classroom and dorm rooms and spending money as desired during the program. Last year, Hannah made it to the second round and was not selected as the finalist. One of Hannah's characteristics is perseverance and she applied again this year and was chosen as a finalist. This is a huge honor, Hannah. I am so proud of you for being chosen as GHP [Applause] finalist. Hello everyone. I'm Ashley Adams, a Spanish teacher here at the high school. And I'm here to brag a little bit on Luke's robot. So, first time I met him was a Spanish one in 8th grade. And he something about him I noticed right off the bat was I could say one word. He heard it one time. He would
013grab it, run with it, use it in other contexts. And I knew right there he was set apart from the others. I have him right now in Spanish 3. and he he really embodies what all teachers want for their students, which is that learning is not just a means to an end, but there's actually joy in it just in learning. And so that is that is what he's shown me along the way for sure. He um is going to GHP. I told him I was like, Luke, you got to apply for this. I mean, he stands out of all students I've taught in my whole career. And so he did. We did the mock interview to prepare him all in Spanish to prepare him for the final interview. After our practice interview, I had to
014pick my jaw up off the floor. He amazed me with how advanced his Spanish was, his composure, his approach. It was amazing. And so, Luke, all I can say is you deserve this. Have fun. You're going to grow as a person. You're going to grow in your Spanish. And you're going to have an amazing time. Thank [Music] y'all and students. What I love most about that is that there should be joy in learning. And I'm so glad to hear that you are finding that here. At this time, um, Miss Robinson will introduce our young Georgia authors. Good evening, everyone. Uh, the Young Georgia authors writing competition inspires students to grow their passion and skills in writing, celebrating their creativity and academic accomplishments. It directly supports our district's strategic goal of enhancing student achievement, readiness, and
015engagement by offering students an authentic audience and purpose for their work with and it aligns also with multiple characteristics of our portrait undergraduate. This prestigious statewide competition now in its third decade is open to all Georgia public school students in grades K through 12. It's sponsored by the Georgia language arts supervisors, the Georgia Resa Network, and is also supported by the Georgia Department of Education. Social Circle City School's grade level winners were selected by teacher teams as outstanding examples of student writing and they were advanced to the regional competition. So, please join me in congratulating our school systems grade level winners and students after your name is called, please stand up front so we can get a picture of everyone at the end of the list. Okay, our kindergarten winner was Ellie Bryant for Herpes
016the beach. [Applause] Our first grade winner, Oliver Morehead, for his piece Snow Dog. Our second grade winner, Sophia Cook for Hercu. Our third grade winner, Claire Ruby for one cat, two dogs. The fourth grade winner is Kinsley Mormon for Oh, get up. The fifth grade winner was Drake Von Segard for Day of Anthony. At sixth grade, the winner was Maline Hill for one little dare. The seventh grade winner was Coen Moon for My Life as a Director. [Applause] The eighth grade winner, Dante Watson for Desperation, the European Air War. [Applause] Our ninth grade winner, Laney McCart, for Gateway to the Roman Realm. The 10th grade winner was Sophia Brand for Trapped. The 11th grade winner was Ava Middlebrooks for what I should have said. She's in her field right now, so she will accept her
017certificate shortly. Okay. Our 12th grade winner was Taran Stanley for What the Octopus Said to the Invert Girl. Great job students. We are so proud of you for being the grade level winners for our system. And we're going to snap a few pictures of you real quick. Let's give all of our great winners one more chance. I'm not done yet because this year the regional competition has been going on and we actually have two winners at the regional level of competition as well. So these students will go on to represent our whole region at the state level competition. Um, and both of these students were from the high school. We have Laney [Applause] McCart. And then the other winner was Ava Bill Brooks for what I should have said. [Applause] Okay, we are so proud
018of all of the work that all of you students are doing to express your thoughts and ideas. So, let's just one more time because they can't hear enough. to all our last but not least and it comes as no surprise has returned to recognize the incredible dedication and hard work of our schools. Thank you so much. Feel like maybe walk out songs or something from up here. I don't know what mine would be. It's probably wish I was a little bit taller. I don't know. Um, thank you board of education for your continued support. Can't thank you guys enough. Uh, parents, coaches, admin, athletic director, coach Harrow's out here somewhere. I know. I appreciate all your support. Community, you know, thank you so much. This is number 15. We're super excited about that. So, keep
019updating that sign. I think we're a little behind, so we need to get that card up, but that's okay. It's all right. Everybody knows it's good. Um, I do want to say a special thanks to uh Miss Chap. I I just want to say that uh if anybody doesn't know, I'm teaching elementary P. you don't know. I love my new job, but I really believe um it's made me a better coach, you know. Um it's got me in better shape cuz get to play all day. But uh getting to connect with the kids on all levels is has been great. Maybe getting to recruit, see the best athletes and get to see them at a young age was pretty cool, too. So, I appreciate you. Thank you so much for what you've done to help
020me in in the new role and the connections. I truly appreciate that. Means a world to me. Thank you so much. So, circling back to wrestling, just want to go ahead and recognize our individual champions first. So, I want to start off with our 106 106 pounder state champion, Gable Park. I didn't do nothing. I promise you. His stand right there is good. You look good right there, son. I That guy looks completely dish. I don't know. Looks good, though. I love it. All right. At 132 lbs, twotime state champion James Severs throwing up to two there. It's awesome. A lot of fun. your 138-lb threetime state champion CJ [Applause] Tur. And at 157 lbs, state champion Dan Craft. [Applause] We have multiple guys we used to podium that helped earn this uh traditional state
021title, but we talk about it all the time, you know, as a team, we win those titles in the room in practice every day. And um we also won as as duels, dual state champions as well. So to win both in traditional indument, super proud of that. All that has been made possible with a wonderful coaching staff. I've truly surrounded myself with coaches that are better than me and I'm so proud to have that and a great staff. Um they got recognized this year at the state tournament for being the uh coaching staff, best coaching staff in the state of Georgia. So compliments to my coaching staff, right? And I'll take all the credit because I hired I want to get the team. You guys come down. Let's get the team recognized for also Wednesday.
022Guys, let's go. Careful with that. sir. One, two, three. gentlemen. [Music] At this time, we will have a short break before we enter the business portion of our meeting. Um, A through L in one slate. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes as presented? All right. First, do I have a second? Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed like sign? All minutes are approved. Next on our is public participation. We had two sign up for public participation. So at this time, I'll ask Colonel Bruce Chick and Mrs. Amanda Davis to come forward. As a reminder, as stated in our board, BCBI participants have three minutes to address the board, and the board will not respond to comments made by the speaker during public participation. And I
023think Willis is going to keep time for us. All right. Okay. [Music] Okay, you ready? I'll start by saying we only having 3 minutes to articulate the true death of the news that our superintendent, Dr. Carrie Brewer, is not contained. We're not able to begin to shape the magnitude of your decision. We know that no matter what we say here today, we reverse your decision or bring it back to us. We haven't gone through that. However, what we want each of you to know is that one single decision sent shock waves across zone 5, Wall County, the state of Georgia, and the effects that I have never seen in 10 years that I've been here in your school district. Her family who will be in front of you tonight were informed of her not being
024detained by email at 3:26 p.m. Before sundown that same day, Walt Tribune posted an article of her departure. The next day at 3:15, the central office held a meeting hosted by the assistant superintendent. The mood and atmosphere in the room was similar to losing a family member and not knowing why or for what they departure. Why didn't she close out honor graduation and return during post planning to share with us of her departure? Everyone in that room would have appreciated the news come from all board members, not an email or an article online. Everyone in this room for the past 10 years has either hired, coached, mentored, or provided overhead cover to mitigate risk in order to do our job and keep our students safe and educated. The word equity was not used as a
025crutch. It was word that Dr. Hoover believed in and sanctioned on a daily basis so that our students could grow and leave social circle the soft skills needed to be successful. There are three tents that the high school principal shares with his students and staff every morning. their care, respect, and leadership. Ever since 25 March, last Tuesday through 26 p.m., almost everyone in this room has had to feel and respond to questions from Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, email, text messages, phone calls, rumors, innuendos, and students in class, parents, court line, coaches on the baseball field, softball field, tennis courts, track and field, and staff members from all three campuses, administration, not only our school, but from schools around the state. We are all in complete disbelief. Dr. Boomer's legacy and reputation at Social Circle City Schools
026will be written as one that will not be easily replaced. She is loved, cherished, respected, and admired for her courage, honor, integrity, and transparent leadership regardless of color, race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. She has completed her resume. She has checked every block in the Department of Education and will recover with grace and dignity. At the end of most things, at the end, the most important thing we all hope and pray for is that she and her family are in good health, for jobs and titles will come and go. Neither of the two will ever define Dr. Boo. Men and women in positions of the decision-m cycle, but not remembered by all the great things they do, but rather by the one mistake they make that affects those of us that rely on your selfless [Music]
027service. The decision to not retain Dr. car will go down against history of social city schools as a mistake and it'll have cash in the face. Thank you, Colonel J. All right, my most important voices. A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she the leader if all she sees is herself. On Tuesday, March 25th through 26th, the faculty and staff of Central Park City Schools learned through an email that our leader was no longer desired education. A leader who dedicated dedicated to our system not only led with strength and dignity, but he was students, his staff and community. A leader who valued the voice of others not just of those authority, but those of students who we believe were thankful for greatness. She had epitomized the idea that all students deserve an equitable
028education and made her mission to help make that true devastate but that loss is tenfold because of the information disseminated in the email. Social schools have been a family 26 years that I've been we have faced difficulties before but we've always done it together. Traditionally difficult decisions of news sensitive nature have been shared in person but this news was sent in an email. The same email and the press received. I have never in my professional career felt as disregarded if I did on the 25th of March at 3:26. Sending information of this magnitude by email is egregious. The faculty and staff social pools should be treated with professionalism, but that did not happen when we told the news that the board of education believes it is wrong to begin a chapter of leadership effective immediately.
029The new strategic plan calls for us to be one circle and that we pride ourselves in transparency. However, with the abruptness of school barriers seem to such something inethical or moral in the same place. The lack of drinks in New York City causing questions of rumors in the community are classrooms to pick up the grocery store and our houses. When people are nervous around it comes across in all aspects of their lives and makes it difficult for work environment. My hope as the board goes forward is that our value of faculty and staff will be thought up when making decisions of this magnitude. will allow our voices to be considered and will share this type of information. Thank you. Next financial update from our CFO, Mr. Cross. So as of March 1st 28.9 So they're
030about 35 [Music] days. We'll move on to our 67% of our 70% currently we're on track about 98% of behind our tax for the general fund. Next are special revenue funds. The awards will stand out. [Music] Next% our bills are still about And last year's lost funds received in February 1,000 26. This is an increase of 6% right instruction instruction about I think one of our last mention that we have plans for neighborhood. Yes. All the recent changes we are. All right. Do I have a motion to approve the February financial report as presented? Do I have a second? Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone like? All right. Motion carries unanimously. Thanks. All right, we have a few new business or action items for the board to consider. First being
031we have an action item to approve the fiscal year 25 tuition rate. Do I have a motion for the board to opt out of the floating homestead exemption as outlined in House Bill 581? Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed like sign? Motion carries unanimously. Next, we have an action item to approve donations and a budget amendment. Do I have a motion to accept the donations and approve the budget amendment as presented? [Music] Okay. So, let's go back and rehear that motion just to make sure that we have it correct. Thank you. Amen. Yeah. Okay. And what is the the fiscal year 26 tuition rate is? Perfect. An increase of $385 from the prior year. Perfect. Do I have a motion to approve the
032fiscal year 26 tuition? Great. All right. Mo Amber makes the motion. Do I have a second? Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone like sign? Motion carries unanimously. All right, let's go back. All right. Now we have an action item to approve donations and a budget amendment. Do I have a motion to accept the donations and approve the budget amendment as presented? Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? List the peach tax credit. So 25,000 is 500. All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? Fine. Motion carries unanimous. We have an action item to approve an overnight field trip for FFA to extend this attend the state convention in Mon from April the 24th to the 26th. Do I have a motion to
033approve this overnight trip? Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed by sign? Motion carries unanimously. Next, we have an action item to consider for personnel recommendations from our acting superintendent for certified staff. The recommendations are Ashley Bagwell, math teacher at SCHS, Gracie Bernell, PE teacher at ACHs, Jessica Hester, preK special education teacher, SCES. resignation. We have Olen Alman, band director, SHS. Addie Hawkiday, CTAE, agriculture teacher, SCHS. William Schneider, teacher at SCMS. Jennifer Toninati, teacher at SCHS and retirement of Melanie Rumor, media specialist at SCEES. Do I have a motion to approve the certified staff recommendations as presented? Do I have a second? Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? Like time. Motion carries unanimously. For classified staff, we
034have the resignation of Greg Morgan, transportation and maintenance director of SECS. Do I have a motion to accept this personnel recommendation from our acting superintendent? So move. Do I have a second? I second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone oppose like sign. Motion carries unanimous. For overnight shaper rooms, we have recommendations of Kimberly Bettingfield, Ashley Cole, Britney Casey, Jacqueline Goddard, Kristen, I'm not sure how to pronounce that one. Corey Hall, Patricia Heath, Samantha Moss, Jennifer Reynolds, and Kayla Srell. Do I have a motion to accept these recommendations as presented? Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? Like fine. Motion carries unanimous. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Do I have a second? I second. All those in favor,
035please signify by saying I. Anyone opposed? Like time. Motion carries unanimous. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you.