NCS Board Notes - MAY 2026

The Newton County Schools Board of Education conducted a combined Work Session/Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. All documents presented to the Board are available to the public and can be accessed on our website.

Please note that Newton County Schools Board Meetings may be viewed live on the district’s YouTube channel. Additionally, archived meetings are also available for public viewing.

Board Chair Abigail Coggin opened the meeting by highlighting the end of the school year. “The end of the school year is near, graduation is quickly approaching, and summer vacation is finally within sight,” said Mrs. Coggin. She urged everyone to “hang in there”.

Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley began his remarks by acknowledging May as Mental Health Awareness Month. “It is important, as a system and as a community, to reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our students and staff because mental health is not separate from academic success; it is foundational to it – and we join with others across our state and nation in elevating its importance,” said Dr. Bradley.

National Teacher Appreciation Week was celebrated recently, and Dr. Bradley acknowledged teachers as the backbone of the school district. “Through their daily commitment—often in ways that are unseen—they (teachers) continue to shape outcomes for children across our school system,” he noted.

Dr. Bradley also recognized National School Nurse Day, highlighting the important role nurses play in the district’s schools every day.

He also recognized Executive Director of Communications Sherri Partee and Communications and Visual Media Coordinator Derrick Barnes in honor of School Communicators Day, noting that they are an award-winning team whose work touches nearly every aspect of the district’s public presence.

Finally, Dr. Bradley highlighted the ribbon-cutting ceremonies that were held to commemorate the completion of the athletic complexes at each of the district’s high schools. To see highlights from the ribbon-cuttings please watch the video below:

Students were honored during the school board meeting for their outstanding achievement at the region and state Student Technology Competition, which highlights student innovation in areas such as video production, graphic design, digital photography, and 3D modeling. After winning first place in video production at the region competition, Amelia Sigrah and Calvin Thomas won third place at the state competition.

At the region competition, Rudra Talati (second place), Kamryn Duret (second place), and Adelaide Blackmon (third place) won awards in the 3D modeling competition. Jayce Hardge won second place in the digital photo production competition, and Harmoni Fox won second place in the graphic design contest.

Thomas Allan and Kyiana Andrews were recognized for their success as first place winners in the region Young Georgia Authors Competition. This writing contest is open to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade and includes all types of writing. Both students also are school and district first place winners, and they will now have their entries submitted for contention in the state competition. Thomas is a student at Oak Hill Elementary School, and Kyiana is a student at Newton High School and Newton College and Career Academy.

Brennon Blount, a senior at Newton High School, was lauded for being selected to participate in the Georgia All-State Chorus, which is made up of top student vocalists from across Georgia. Brennon was chosen through a highly competitive audition process that included thousands of students vying for a spot. This is the second time Brennon has been selected to sing with this prestigious group.

Azaya Foster, who is a student at Alcovy High School and the NCCA STEM Institute and Addie Consuegra and Joshua Adeoya, both students at Eastside High School and the NCCA STEM Institute, received recognition for being selected to attend Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), which is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students. GHP provides students with advanced instruction in a variety of academic and fine arts disciplines while also offering unique cultural, leadership, and social enrichment experiences.

Newton College & Career Academy’s VEX Robotics team 8682A Apollo was recognized for their performance at the VEX Robotics High School World Championship, which is the largest and most competitive robotics event in the world. This prestigious event brought together nearly 900 high school teams representing forty-three countries to compete for the world title.

Team Apollo achieved exceptional success, earning two World Championship honors - the Design Award in their division and Division Champion. As a result, Apollo is only the fourth team in state history to earn a division championship at the VEX World Robotics World Championship. Members of the team were Ian Carter; Nathan Igarashi; Logan Knight; Chloee Yaple; and Derek Gawlinski.

View the presentation.

Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley presented a report outlining the framework used to develop Newton County Schools’ FY27 budget and the process that will guide future budget development. The proposed budget is driven by the pursuit of cost containment. In future budgets, containment will likely progress to deeper reductions – each being necessary to sustain Newton County Schools and position it for long-term stability.

For more than a year, district leaders have signaled that the district’s current financial trajectory would become increasingly difficult to sustain without strategic intervention. This has been communicated consistently through public hearings, board briefings, financial reporting, and ongoing updates to ensure transparency and to generate broad stakeholder awareness.

The pressures that were previously forecast are now beginning to directly shape district planning. Dr. Bradley identified these pressures.

• Enrollment decline
• Decreases in state equalization funding as a result of increasing property values
• Rising health insurance and benefits costs

Dr. Bradley pointed out that the Board of Education’s action in the midst of these challenges was actually a boon to local taxpayers. “The irony of it all is that this Board has consistently leveraged the only mechanism that you control, which is the millage rate, to better support our community, by lowering the rate — thereby foregoing approximately $19 million in revenue through rate reductions,” he said. Millage rate reductions, although made in the spirit of goodwill, raise a prevailing question of how to sustain core resources and services.

Recent legislation also has intensified the financial challenges facing public school systems across Georgia. Senate Bill 33, which will soon take effect, caps the annual homestead property assessment at the rate of inflation. This legislation places additional long-term financial pressure on school systems at a time when educational costs continue to rise well beyond the rate of inflation.

District leaders have already begun taking action to address the financial future of Newton County Schools by implementing LEAN, a multi-year resource stabilization plan. LEAN is an acronym that stands for:

• Lean Operations, which involves improving efficiency, reducing redundancies, and streamlining operations;
• Effective Resource Alignment, which prioritizes the direct alignment of resources to district priorities;
• Academic Priority Protection, which protects instructional services and student-facing supports; and
• Necessary Cost Controls, which strengthens long-term financial planning and avoids short-term solutions

LEAN represents efforts to stabilize the district’s resources by improving operational efficiency, aligning resources to our highest priorities, protecting the classroom, and implementing cost controls that support long-term sustainability.

Some of the actions taken thus far this year include:

• District leadership and division teams have implemented adjustments designed to address emerging pressures early, with many of these adjustments reflected in the FY27 budget proposal.
• Based on historical trends, expenditures were projected to increase to approximately $280 million. By applying the LEAN framework, expenditures were limited to around $269 million, which is approximately 3.8% lower than projected and is a decrease in expenditures from the amended FY26 budget. As a result, the projected ending fund balance has increased three-fold.

Work within the LEAN framework will be guided by data; informed by deep, multi-year financial analysis; strengthened through the expertise of industry professionals and third-party consultation; and shaped through Board collaboration, oversight, engagement, and stakeholder input.

Mr. Trey Bailey commended Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley and his team for developing the LEAN framework. Mr. Bailey spoke directly to the community by saying “we always operate in a lean manner”.

View the presentation.

Erica Robinson, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, presented an overview of the FY27 tentative budget. During the budget development process, which involved months of planning and collaboration, leaders sought to develop a fiscally responsible budget that supports student achievement, addresses operational needs, and aligns with the district’s strategic priorities.

Newton County Schools’ budget is made up of various fund types, each having a specific purpose to meet the diverse needs of the district.

• The General Fund is the district’s primary operating fund, covering day-to-day expenses such as salaries, benefits, supplies, and utilities.
• The Special Revenue Fund accounts for revenues that are legally restricted for specific purposes, such as federal and state grants.
• The Capital Projects Fund is dedicated to funding major construction or renovation projects within the district, including infrastructure improvements and facility upgrades.
• The Debt Service Fund manages the repayment of long-term debt obligations incurred by the district, such as bonds issued for capital projects.

Ms. Robinson spent some time sharing the projected revenue outlook for FY27, noting that although Governor Brian Kemp has signed the appropriations bill, the allocation information has not been released by the Georgia Department of Education. As a result, the state revenue projections still are preliminary. Newton County Schools is expecting a net increase in state funding of only $1.5 million.

The district’s local five mill share contribution, which is tied to the local property tax digest, is projected to increase by $577,000, which reduces state funding.

There is a projected increase of $12.4 million in local funding, due to an anticipated increase in the local property digest and anticipated funds from the Joint Development Authority.

Overall, the proposed revenue budget reflects the important role that local revenue growth plays in sustaining district operations and supporting the needs of students and staff. While state revenue growth for FY27 remains relatively modest, the projected increase in local revenues helps the district address rising financial demands and maintain operational stability. These revenue projections provide the foundation for the district to continue delivering high-quality educational services while supporting the Board’s strategic priorities and maintaining long-term financial stability.

Regarding expenditures, the tentative FY27 General Fund budget totals approximately $269.9 million, with 88.61% allocated to salaries and benefits for the district’s employees. There are several strategic investments in the budget that focus on supporting employees, maintaining operations, and meeting state requirements. These investments include:

• employee step increases to support retention and compensation progression
• addition of literacy coach positions required by the state
• increased employer health insurance and Teacher Retirement System contribution costs
• higher fuel expenditures
• increased funding for facilities maintenance due to rising operational costs

At the same time, however, the district has identified multiple cost reductions to help manage expenditures responsibly. These include:

• reductions in software programs and subscriptions
• reductions in contracted services across divisions
• a redesign of the district-funded supplemental retirement plan to reduce long-term costs

During its meeting on May 12, 2026, the Board of Education approved the tentative FY27 budget.

Two public hearings will be held to give stakeholders opportunities to offer feedback on the proposed budget - May 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. and June 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. It is anticipated that the Board of Education will adopt the FY27 budget at its June 16, 2026, meeting.

Mr. Trey Bailey asked if the FY27 tentative budget is based on a one mill increase in the school district’s millage rate.

View the presentation.

As of May 1, 2026, there are 18,332 students enrolled in Newton County Schools.

A. Requested Board Action Relative to Adoption of the FY 2027 Tentative Budget

The Board adopted a tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2027.

APPROVED by 3-2 vote with Mr. Trey Bailey and Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker dissenting.

B. Requested Board Action Relative to Supplemental Retirement Plan Amendment

The motion to amend the current supplemental retirement plan from a fixed employer contribution structure for TRS members to a matching contribution model in which the district would match employee contributions up to five (5) percent of their salary.

FAILED by 2-3 vote with Mr. Trey Bailey, Mr. Anderson Bailey, and Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker dissenting. The Board then proposed a motion to table the proposed changes to the supplemental retirement plan to the June 16, 2026, combined meeting. That motion passed unanimously.

C. Requested Board Action Relative to Parent Information Guide and Student Code of Conduct

The Board approved the proposed 2026-2027 Parent Information Guide and Student Code of Conduct.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

D. Requested Board Action Relative to Purchase of Contracts for Teaching and Learning

The Board approved multiple purchases for instructional resources from vendors as follows:

1. HMH Education Company of Chicago, Illinois for K-12 ELA curriculum resources. HMH Into Reading (K-5) and Into Literature (6-12) offer high-quality instructional materials approved by state committees. During the 2026-2027 school year, HMH Into Reading with Writable and Into Literature with Writable will offer resources aligned to structured literacy, in-depth learning opportunities, and other resources to support literacy and Georgia’s K-12 English Language Arts Standards. The total cost is $2,719,670.97 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
2. HMS Education Company of Chicago, Illinois, for elementary instructional science resources. HMH Georgia Science with Hands-On Kits offers an engaging, phenomena-based approach to science instruction that promotes inquiry, collaboration, and deeper understanding of core scientific concepts. Aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence, this comprehensive program combines high-quality digital resources with hands-on kits that bring science to life for students in every grade level. The kits include materials for experiments and investigations that encourage students to think and act like scientists—asking questions, designing solutions, and analyzing data. The total cost is $124,947.33 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
3. BFW Publishers of Gordonsville, Virginia, for Advanced Placement (AP) ELA curriculum resources. BFW Advanced Language & Literature (for AP Seminar), The Language of Composition (for AP Language and Composition), and Literature & Composition (for AP Literature and Composition) offer high-quality instructional materials aligned to the College Board’s AP course frameworks. The purchase will include Teacher Editions with Online Teacher Resources; Teacher Achieve Licenses (digital textbook and resources, including a test bank); Student Textbooks; and Student Achieve Licenses. The total cost is $158,487.68 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds.
   
   
4. Really Great Reading of Cabin John, Maryland, for K-5 EIP Reading Curriculum Resources. EIP serves kindergarten through fifth grade students who are at risk of not reaching or maintaining academic grade level in reading and/or math. The program seeks to provide additional reading and/or math instruction, as well as instructional resources, to help these students reach timely grade-level performance. Really Great Reading provides a comprehensive set of tools to help diagnose and teach students who demonstrate challenges in their foundational reading skills. The curriculum helps teach the necessary skills that lead to a student becoming a fluent reader. The diagnostic assessment identifies a student’s challenges and the skills needed to address them. Teachers receive a manual with hands-on letter tiles to work on phonemic awareness and decoding, as well as online resources to make the lessons engaging and interactive. Students receive a workbook to support the instruction they receive from the teacher. Really Great Reading provides ongoing professional learning to ensure teachers are comfortable and correctly using it in the classroom. The total cost is $56,323.83 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
5. Imagine Learning for an academic online learning platform. Imagine Learning is a leading provider of online and blended learning solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of Cognia accredited K-12 digital curriculum. They present engaging, state-standards-aligned content that can be customized to meet the unique needs of a diverse student population. The content is delivered through a combination of teacher-led videos, interactive media, and text to promote a varied approach to learning that addresses multiple learning modalities. Students can access the program via Classlink. The comprehensive package includes site licenses for RISE students, all secondary schools, and our self-paced virtual program. The total cost is $425,464.76 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   

APPROVED by 4-1 vote with Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker dissenting.

E. Requested Board Action Relative to Purchase of Contracts for Assessment and Accountability

The Board approved the purchase of multiple resources from the following vendors:

1. Progress Learning, LLC of Atlanta, Georgia, for a supplementary assessment resource platform for all 1st – 12th grade students. The comprehensive, standards-aligned assessment platform is strengthened through the acquisition of Lennections, a provider of high-quality, standards-aligned instructional and assessment content. Progress Learning offers access to more than 200,000 assessment items across core content areas, including College and Career Readiness courses. With the integration of the University of Georgia (Lennections) item bank, the district will gain access to an additional 24,000+ Georgia-aligned items, significantly expanding assessment resources. The effective date will be July 1, 2026, with an expiration date of June 30, 2027. The total contract value is $150,294.49 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
2. School Data Solutions of Novi, Michigan, for Homeroom Plus Dashboard to enhance data-driven decision making across the district. This tool will support early intervention, student performance tracking, and instructional improvement through streamlined access to real-time student data. The system will enable educators to identify opportunity gaps using intuitive dashboards and early warning indicators; monitor student performance through integrated assessment data, attendance tracking, and behavioral insights; customize data analysis to reflect district priorities and individual school needs; and reduce administrative burden on educators by automating data organization, allowing more instructional time with students. The effective date will be July 1, 2026, with an expiration date of June 30, 2027. The total contract value is $67,771.25 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
3. K-12 Assessment Solutions of Lawrenceville, Georgia, for contracted service for assessment writing support. Newton County Schools will partner with Georgia K-12 Assessment Solutions to deliver a comprehensive, strategic approach centered on assessment quality, alignment, and continuous improvement. A key component of this partnership includes professional learning opportunities designed to build capacity among district and school staff. These sessions will focus on strengthening assessment literacy, understanding best practices in assessment design and administration, and supporting the effective use of assessment data to inform instruction. The partnership also includes a comprehensive assessment audit of the unit summative assessments that have been constructed by the NCS curriculum team. The effective date will be July 1, 2026, with an expiration date of June 30, 2027. The total contract value is $65,778.04 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
4. Curriculum Associates of North Billerica, Massachusetts, for i-Ready Universal Screening Suite. I-Ready will continue to serve as both a universal screener for grades K-9 and a dyslexia screener for students in grades k-3 in alignment with the current Georgia House Bill 307 and proposed Georgia House Bill 1193. The proposal from Curriculum Associates includes i-Ready Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction (Math and Reading); Teacher Toolbox for elementary and middle school Math, Reading, and Writing resources; and professional learning and implementation support. The effective date will be July 1, 2026, with an expiration date of June 30, 2027. The total contract value is $655,936.00 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   

APPROVED by 4-1 vote with Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker dissenting.

F. Requested Board Action Relative to Renewal of Software Agreements

The Board approved the renewal of contracts and purchases with multiple vendors or various software as follows:

1. ClassLink for the renewal of the single sign-on software for the district. ClassLink provides students and educators with instant access to their learning and productivity resources. It is a one-click, single sign-on software solution accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. ClassLink makes all your apps and files available on any device with a web browser. The school system will use a contract managed by TIPS, a national purchasing cooperative, to procure the software. The total cost is $70,099.20 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
2. Renaissance Learning, Inc. of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, for Nearpod, a collaborative instructional platform that combines formative assessment and media for live and self-paced learning experiences in and out of the classroom. It provides teachers with resources to engage students through standards-aligned lessons formative assessments, and educational content that ignite curiosity and engagement in math, science, social studies, and English/language arts. The purchase includes district-wide access to Nearpod’s Premium Plus and Digital Citizenship and Literacy packages, along with professional development resources. The school system will use a contract managed by TIPS, a national purchasing cooperative, to procure the program. The total contract value is $148,230.00 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.
   
   
3. Parent Square of Goleta, California, for mobile messaging. Parent Square (formerly Remind) provides both one-way and two-way communication via text message, mobile app or email. It is designed to allow teachers, parents, students and administrators in K-12 settings to more readily communicate with one another. The contract value is $77,638.64 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds. The school system will utilize a contract managed by TIPS, to procure the platform.
   
   

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

G. Requested Board Action Relative to Purchase of Cloud-Based Phone System

The Board approved the purchase of a cloud-based phone system from Byteworks of Duluth, Georgia. Newton County Schools is transitioning from its on-premises Cisco phone system to a cloud-based Cisco solution due to the end-of-support status of the current system. Moving to a cloud-based system will provide ongoing support, regular updates, and stronger security. It will also improve disaster recovery and system uptime while allowing staff to access phone services from multiple devices and locations. The transition will reduce the need for on-site hardware, lowering maintenance costs and simplifying system management. The total contract value is $584,247.05 to be paid for with FY 2026 Capital Funds. The district will utilize a state of Georgia contract managed by the Department of Administrative Services and a cooperative contract managed by Omni to procure the new system.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

H. Requested Board Action Relative to the Purchase of Amplification Equipment and Installation

The Board Approved the purchase of materials and services needed for the installation of a bi-directional amplifier from Motorola Solutions. The school system’s interoperable radio system was implemented at the beginning of the 2024-2205 school year. Since its implementation, the system has provided reliable communication for the district’s transportation department and schools, while ensuring interoperability with all Newton County public safety agencies. Based on a continuing assessment of coverage, it was determined that Newton High School needs additional signal amplification to ensure proper functionality. The total cost is $189,913.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 Capital Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

I. Requested Board Action Relative to Contract for Natural Gas Supplier

The Board approved the annual renewable contract for the provision of natural gas to selected schools and facilities with NextEra Energy Services, LLC of Atlanta, Georgia. The proposal covers thirteen accounts covered by the Atlanta Gas Light Company area. These facilities do not reside within the City of Covington or within its natural gas jurisdictional authority. Three vendors submitted bids in response to an invitation for bids. After review, it was determined that the proposal submitted by NextEra Energy Services, LLC, offered the lowest cost to the school system. The effective date will be June 1, 2026, with an expiration date of May 31, 2027. The estimated contract value is $75,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 and FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

J. Requested Board Action Relative to Lease Facility for RISE Academy

The Board approved a commercial lease agreement with Top Leasing, LLC to house RISE Academy. The base annual rent is $92,000.000. The school system will also be responsible for common area maintenance expenses, property taxes, and fire and extended coverage insurance. The effective date will be August 1, 2026, with an expiration date of July 31, 2027. The estimated total cost is $111,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2027, General Funds, upon approval.

APPROVED by 3-2 vote with Mr. Anderson Bailey and Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker dissenting.

K. Requested Board Action Relative to Contract for Comprehensive Custodial Program

The Board approved the annual renewable contract for a comprehensive custodial program with Thornton Brothers, Inc. of Athens, Georgia. The solicitation prescribes a turnkey solution and includes the following components: the extension of an environmentally friendly cleaning program (products and processes); a full line of supplies, including consumables, chemicals, dispensing stations, janitorial products, and supplies; the delivery of a master plan detailing processes to ensure clean facilities; and the implementation of a comprehensive training program that teaches the skills required to achieve the objectives of the master cleaning plan. Two vendors submitted proposals in response to the solicitation. Upon review, the proposal from Thornton Brothers, Inc., received the highest score and was deemed the vest value to the school system. The effective date will be July 1, 2026, with an expiration date of June 30, 2027. The estimated contract value is $515,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2027 General Funds, upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

L. Requested Board Action Relative to Facility Use Agreement

The Board approved a request from Next Level to use Alcovy High School for a volleyball program. The agreement is for July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, for select areas of the school.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

M. Requested Board Action Relative to Surplus Property

The Board approved identified items to be declared as surplus property and disposed of per Board Policy DO. The school system makes every effort to redistribute and reuse its equipment and property throughout the component’s useful life, or as long as practical. Items are only designated as surplus when they are deemed no longer necessary for school purposes. They are then aggregated and disposed of utilizing one or more of the approved methodologies outlined in Board Policy DO. Care is taken to discard items in as environmentally friendly manner as it is practical.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

N. Requested Board Action Relative to Superintendent’s Recommendations in Executive Session

The Board approved recommendations presented by Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley, III during executive session.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote.

During the meeting, school board members made several announcements.

• School Board Vice-Chair Shakila Henderson-Baker spotlighted Batini Farris, media specialist at Live Oak Elementary School, for being selected as the South Metro Region Media Specialist of the Year.

• Mr. Anderson Bailey highlighted the district’s music programs in recognition of Newton County Schools receiving national honors for excellence in music education for the second consecutive year.

• Mr. Trey Bailey recognized Piedmont Newton Hospital, who was named the district’s Partner of the Year for its outstanding support through its partnership with Newton College and Career Academy.

• School Board Chair Abigail Coggin reminded the community of the district’s upcoming graduation dates – May 19, 2026 (Eastside High School); May 20, 2026 (Alcovy High School); and May 21, 2026 (Newton High School).

Email: info@newton.k12.ga.us
Website: www.newtoncountyschools.org
Location: 2109 Newton Drive NE, Covington, GA 30014, USA
Phone: 770-787-1330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewtonCountySchools
X: @NewtonCoSchools