The Board Brief
August 10, 2026
The Board Brief
Information
HPM Leadership Presents Consolidation Options
Representatives of HPM Leadership presented three consolidation options for the Board’s consideration, along with the analysis supporting each option. This update follows 1) work begun by HPM Leadership to assess redistricting options, as well as the District's extended consolidation studies two years ago; and 2) a vote by Board members in June 2026 to approve the FY27 Budget with a mandate to study the consolidation / closing of at least 2 elementary schools. Board members were not in favor of the options presented Monday night.
Background:
- Review the last presentation by HPM Leadership in March 2026.
- Review FY27 Budget action from June 2026.
- Review and watch the last consolidation presentation to the Board on March 20, 2025.
Consolidation options presented by HPM Leadership included:
- Option 1 – Carter Elementary and Hartley Elementary close
- Option 2 – Carter Elementary closes
- Independent Option – VIP Academy closes
To view all of the options in detail, along with proposed maps, click here.
Why were these options presented?
The new options were intended to further the conversation about consolidations and seek Board and community feedback about the direction for potential consolidations. HPM Leadership analyzed data points such as student impact, community considerations, facility conditions, and financial sustainability. New recommendations were based on data points, as well as Board and community discussion placing value on neighborhood schools and walkability. Carter has no walk zone and is not a neighborhood school.
What's next?
The District will continue to work alongside the Board to identify next steps. No decisions will be made about school consolidations or closures without community feedback.
Links
- To read more information and to view the presentation, click here.
- To watch the presentation, visit www.youtube.com/bibbschools.
Actions
GEAR UP Grant Program Evaluator Approved
Board members approved the renewal of Towering Your Success LLC to serve as program evaluator for the approved FY27 GEAR UP grant at the rate of $171,000. The U.S. Department of Education requires GEAR UP grant recipients to retain an external evaluator to collect, analyze, and report on output and outcome data to verify the project is accomplishing the proposed objectives.
GEAR UP is a seven-year U.S. Department of Education grant that serves 3,412 students in the Bibb County School District across 14 schools, including District special programs. These students are in the cohorts for the Classes of 2030 and 2031. The project provides comprehensive academic support, college and career readiness programming, mentoring, family engagement, financial literacy, and supplemental academic services to prepare students for success in high school, postsecondary education, and future careers.
To read more information and to view the presentation, click here.
Board Members
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. Boyd, At-Large, Post 8
To learn more about Bibb County Board of Education members, click here.
