The Board Brief

The Board Brief newsletter is a summary of the information presented and actions taken at Bibb County Board of Education meetings for Bibb County School District in Macon, Ga. Review meeting agendas, district policies, Board member contact information and more on Simbli at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=4013.

• The third Budget Work Session provided updated data and documents for Board members to review District planning for the FY 2027 Budget.
• The District faces declining enrollment, reduced state funding in some areas, and modest revenue decreases, while adding costs for summer school and locally funded literacy coaches to support student achievement.
• Budget decisions focus on recruitment and retention, efficient staffing aligned to state funding, expanded student pathways and dual enrollment, and continued investment in teacher and school leader quality.

• The District is evaluating sustainability options, including tax revenue, efficiencies, and long‑term cost drivers.

• Tentative budget adoption is scheduled for May 14.

The FY2027 General Fund Budget Work Session No. 3 provided Board members with an updated look at projected revenues, expenditures, and strategic priorities as the District prepares for tentative budget adoption. To view the presentation, click here.

The budget reflects continued enrollment decline, with Pre-K through grade 12 FTE (full-time enrollment) projected to decrease by 555 students compared to FY 2026, along with the expiration of $1.8 million in state mental health and poverty grants. At the same time, the District will receive an increase in state equalization funding and new state support for literacy, partially offset by required local funding to fully staff 21 elementary literacy coach positions.

Budget priorities remain focused on recruitment and retention, staffing efficiency, future readiness, and leader and teacher quality. The District plans to maintain competitive salary structures, align staffing with state‑funded class size allocations during ongoing teacher shortages, and invest in student pathways tied to workforce and postsecondary success. Investments in leadership development and instructional quality are intended to strengthen classroom experiences and better respond to student needs. New expenditures since the last work session include funding for summer school and the full cost of literacy coaches, while overall state QBE funding and tax revenue projections have declined modestly.

The presentation also outlines key fiscal considerations facing the District, including the long‑term effects of millage rate rollbacks on local revenue growth. As the Board evaluates options to ensure sustainability, areas under review include operational efficiencies, future compensation adjustments, contract structures, program alignment, and facility utilization based on enrollment trends.

The tentative FY 2027 budget is scheduled for adoption during the Board's monthly meetings on Thursday, May 14, 2026, followed by public hearings in June. The final budget adoption is required by June 30, 2026.

• To review meeting agendas, District policies, Board member contact information and more on Simbli, visit https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=4013.
• To review previous issues of The Board Brief, visit https://www.bcsdk12.net/departments/communications/the-board-brief-boe-newsletter.

• February 10, 2026: Budget Planning for 2026-2027 School Year Under Way with FY 2027 Preliminary Budget Priorities

• March 4, 2026: Board Engages with Consultant on Enrollment Trends and Facility Utilization

• March 12, 2026: Budget Brief Update

• March 19, 2026: Board Brief Update

• March 27, 2026: Board Retreat

• April 9, 2026: Budget Brief Update

• April 16, 2026: Board Brief Update, Redistricting Update

Vendor Changed for Ballistic-Resistant Window Film Installation

Board members approved Safe Haven Defense US LLC to complete the installation of ballistic-resistant window films at designated District facilities. The total project amount will not exceed $68,800 per location, consistent with the funding allocation under the School Security Grant. Ballistic-resistant and security-rated window films provide increased glass retention and resistance to forced entry, improving campus safety. This project was previously awarded to another vendor, Clear Armor; however, after award, Clear Armor advised the District that they are unable to complete the scope of work by the June 30, 2026, deadline as required in the RFP for the Safety and Security grant. Due to the original awardee being unable to complete the project by the due date of funding, the District issued a change of contractors. For more information, click here.

Truist Authorized for District's Banking Services

Board members authorized the District to enter a contract with Truist Bank beginning July 1, 2026, for all banking services as outlined in RFP 26-033. Truist is the current provider for the District's banking services. For more information, click here.

GSBA Delegate, Alternate Selected for June Conference

Board members voted on a delegate and an alternate delegate to represent the Bibb County Board of Education at the GSBA Delegate Assembly during the GSBA Summer Conference this June in Savannah. For more information, click here.

Westside Assistant Principal Appointed

Board members authorized the appointment of Timothy Statham as Assistant Principal of Westside High School. For more information, click here.

Board Votes on Resolution

The Board voted to adopt a resolution formally recognizing the foreign exchange students at Rutland High School during the upcoming commencement ceremony. For more information, click here.

Reimagining Virtual Learning in Bibb County School District

Brian Butler, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, made a presentation to Board members about reimagining virtual education in the District. To view the presentation, click here.

The District is reviewing how virtual learning is offered to better meet the needs of students and families. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, VIP Academy has provided a fully virtual option for students across the District. During the 2025-26 school year, the District launched In School Academies at each high school. These programs offer flexible options such as virtual learning, blended schedules, credit recovery, and alternative learning spaces while allowing students to stay connected to their home schools. Because these options sometimes overlap, the District is reviewing what works best for students now and in the future.

Enrollment at VIP Academy has declined in recent years, especially at the middle and high school levels, while participation in In School Academies has grown. In School Academies allow students to learn in ways that fit their needs while still having access to teachers, counselors, transportation, and extracurricular activities at their home schools. Both VIP Academy and In School Academies use the same online learning platform, Edgenuity, but operating a fully virtual school is more expensive than offering virtual options within existing schools. These factors have prompted the District to explore how virtual learning can be delivered more effectively and efficiently.

The District is considering several possible options for implementation in the 2027-28 school year, including transitioning VIP students to In School Academies, shifting some staff roles to support high school vacancies, or keeping VIP Academy while expanding its support role. At this time, no decisions have been made.

Moving forward, the District will gather feedback from families, staff, and the community and review student needs, programming, and costs. This input will help guide a future recommendation to the Board, ensuring decisions are made thoughtfully and with students’ best interests at the center.

For more information about BCSD's virtual learning review and opportunities to provide feedback, visit www.bcsdk12.net.

The following Board Members were present at this meeting:

Mr. Daryl J. Morton, At-Large, Post 7 - President

Dr. Sundra M. Woodford, District 5 - Vice President

Mrs. Kristin C. Hanlon, District 3 - Treasurer

Ms. Myrtice C. Johnson, District 1

Dr. Henry C. Ficklin, District 2

Mr. Barney T. Hester, District 4

Mr. James M. Freeman, District 6

Dr. Lisa W. Garrett-Boyd, At-Large, Post 8

To learn more about Bibb County Board of Education members, click here.