GCPS LINKS
September 18, 2025
In this issue...
- Superintendent Search — We want to hear from YOU!
- What if E-SPLOST doesn't continue?
- Library Media Month
- 2026-2028 Student Calendar Survey
- AKS review
GCPS Highlights
Superintendent Search Meeting in your District
We want your input! In September, each Board of Education member is hosting a gathering in their district, with conversations led by the Alma Advisory Group. All meetings are open to everyone in the GCPS community. Meetings begin with a brief overview of the superintendent search process, followed by small-group discussions where every voice can be heard. All meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. There are three gatherings remaining:
- Monday, September 22 — Ms. Rachel Ruffin Stone, District I, Grayson High School
- Tuesday, September 23 — Dr. Adrienne Simmons, 2025 Chair, District IV, Shiloh High School
- Wednesday, September 24 — Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, 2025 Vice Chair, District V, Meadowcreek High School
Interpretation and childcare will be provided at every meeting. If you plan to attend a meeting, please register and learn more about the search process on our website at www.gcpsk12.org/supt-search. Registration is not required.
In addition to the in-person meetings, the Board of Education also invites you to take this survey. The survey is open to all GCPS students, families, employees, and community members, and will help inform the Board’s selection of the district's next leader.
"What If E-SPLOST Doesn’t Continue?"
If E-SPLOST isn’t renewed, GCPS would lose its main way to pay for building repairs, classroom additions, and new technology.
Without E-SPLOST funding, the district might need to:
- Delay important upgrades
- Raise property taxes
- Use general funds that would normally support students and teachers in the classroom
This vote gives the community a say in how school improvements are funded in the years ahead. Tuesday, November 4, is Election Day in Gwinnett. That’s when voters will decide whether to continue E-SPLOST. To vote, you must be registered by October 6. Visit www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ to:
- Register
- Update your address
- Check your voting location
Your voice matters in decisions that impact our schools. Visit our website for more details on our Capital Plan and for more information about how we use E-SPLOST funds in GCPS.
Reminder: September 19 is a Digital Learning Day
Friday, September 19 is a Digital Learning Day (DLD) for all students. On scheduled DLDs, students access lessons in Google Classroom through their Learning Space but may not have virtual class time with their teachers.
To ensure that students have a nutritious meal to fuel their learning, our bus drivers will be on the road and at every bus stop to deliver meals prepared by the School Nutrition Program staff. Families should expect buses to run their routes from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon, beginning at the first stops on the route. These delivered meals are provided at no cost to families and are provided to anyone 18 years old and under. Learn more about Digital Learning Days in GCPS.
There's more to know about what's happening in our schools:
Celebrate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week
GCPS is proud to recognize Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week, September 15-19. Community School Coordinators support three areas: family and community connection, educational opportunities for all ages, and support services.
Learn more about:
How to Get Involved
Share your input on the GCPS School Calendar!
GCPS is reviewing school calendar features for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, and your voice matters. Families, staff, students in grades 6-12, and community members are invited to share feedback on the features that are most important to them. The survey closes on Wednesday, October 8.
Help shape the future of GCPS!
The Superintendent search community survey is now live. This survey, available in six languages, is open to all GCPS students, families, employees, and community members. The survey is open through Friday, October 3.
There's still time to share your feedback on the AKS
We welcome your review of proposed AKS standards online. Please visit this link for a list of the courses with AKS under review. To review the AKS and provide feedback, please use this link. Comments will be accepted through Thursday, September 25.
GCPS Announces 2025–26 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council
GCPS is proud to introduce the members of the 2025–26 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC). Nearly 800 students, representing grades 6-12, applied for the opportunity this year, reflecting strong interest from across the district. They also mirror the rich makeup of the diverse GCPS student body and will bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor shared his enthusiasm for the new council, “Our Student Advisory Council is a powerful reminder that our students are leaders today—not just tomorrow. Their ideas, perspectives, and creativity will help shape the future of GCPS, and I look forward to learning from them this school year.”
To learn more about the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, visit the SSAC webpage.
Plan to attend the next Family Advisory Council meeting
The GCPS Family Advisory Council (FAC) is a group designed to elevate the voices of parents and guardians from across the district. The next meeting is scheduled for October 7, and all current GCPS parents are encouraged to engage with their school communities and are also invited to attend the districtwide council meetings.
Please register by October 2 to attend, and view the meeting schedule at www.gcpsk12.org/FAC.
Family and Community Resources
Families + Schools = Safer Schools
School should always be a safe place for learning, friendships, and growth. As parents and guardians, you play a critical role in making sure your child understands what is appropriate—and what is not—when it comes to school behavior and safety.
September is Library Media Month!
From free English classes, author talks, and programs for all ages, there’s something for everyone at your local branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library.
Attention Percy Jackson fans! Authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro are scheduled to talk about their new book on September 27.
Mark your calendar for the middle grade author series, featuring Scott Reintgen (author of the Talespinners series) on November 18 and Kwame Mbalia (author of the Jax Freeman series) on December 11.
Don't forget... Come Book it for the Bus!
The GCPS Book Mobile 5K is set for Saturday, October 25. Please register and bring the whole family to support the GCPS Book Mobiles and Van!
In Case You Missed It...
- GCPS Links September 4
- Connected September 11
Coming soon in GCPS....
- Keep Connected with news from GCPS TV… the next episode airs September 25!
- The next regular Board meeting is October 16. (Online, find links to sign up for the public comment sections of the meeting.)
- Watch for the next issue of GCPS Links on October 2!