NCS Board Notes - OCTOBER 2025

The Newton County Schools Board of Education conducted a combined Work Session/Business Meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. 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 acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness Month, noting that the Board of Education and district office staff were wearing pink at the meeting as a symbolic gesture of collective support for all those who have been affected by breast cancer.

Mrs. Coggin congratulated the Newton County Board of Education as a body for being named a Quality Board by the Georgia School Boards Association. The Board recently received this honor, which is a distinction that signifies its shared commitment to effective governance in alignment with the core principles of strong Board leadership

Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley began his remarks by noting the district’s observances of Red Ribbon Week, Lights On Afterschool, and National School Bus Safety Week throughout the month of October. He said these commemorations collectively represent the many ways the school district remains committed to our students’ well-being and safety.

Dr. Bradley also celebrated the district’s principals as Newton County Schools observed National Principals Month in October. He pointed out that principals play an important role in the success and general function of Newton County Schools, noting they not only lead schools but also lead micro-communities.

Dr. Bradley concluded his remarks by highlighting the Parent Connect Live! Conference, which is one of the district’s vehicles to deepen parent engagement. He acknowledged the keynote address given by Board Vice-Chair Shakila Henderson-Baker during the conference. He expressed appreciation to the people who contributed to the planning of the event and to the families who attended, noting that the conference is designed to intentionally engage families, share resources, and strengthen awareness of the district’s ongoing work.

Laine McNutt and Derek Gawlinski were recognized during the meeting for being selected to serve on the 2025-2026 Georgia School Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. The Georgia Department of Education recently announced that seventy-nine students from across the state were selected from more than 1,200 applicants to serve on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Remarkably, two students from Newton County Schools were selected. Laine is a junior at Eastside High School, and Derek is a senior at Newton College and Career Academy and Eastside High School.

Newton County Schools’ 2025-26 Teachers of the Year were recognized during the meeting. Each school level Teacher of the Year, the district-level finalists, and the district Teacher of the Year Quinita Morrow were announced and presented with a financial award given by the Board of Education. Previously, these distinguished educators were lauded at the district’s annual Teacher of the Year Awards Program.

To view the presentation in its entirety, please click on this link.

Tracy Blackburn, Chief Learning and Leadership Officer, gave a presentation highlighting the Division of Learning and Leadership’s ongoing work to improve and strengthen Newton County Schools’ instructional core, which includes providing access to and using high-quality instructional resources; delivering rigorous Tier 1 instruction; providing a balanced and purposeful approach to assessment; providing standards aligned intervention; and providing ongoing professional learning within a culture of support and accountability. Mrs. Blackburn noted the team has devoted time to addressing frameworks for instructional delivery and socializing teachers and support personnel to new curriculum and standards.

Each of the components of the instructional core are distinct, but they work together to improve the academic experience of learners. In her presentation, Ms. Blackburn focused on the assessment component, which seeks to provide a balanced and purposeful approach to assessment. The district’s Balanced Assessment System is built on multiple types of assessments, each serving a specific purpose in supporting teaching and learning.

• Universal Screener - i-Ready Diagnostic is the district’s universal screener. Administering a universal screener is required by law.
• Interim Assessments – These assessments are given periodically to measure progress, guide instruction, and ensure accountability across schools. They are developed using the district’s pacing guides and are aligned to the rigor of the Milestones exam.
• Formative Assessments – These assessments are routine checks for understanding, as they provide immediate feedback that allows teachers to adjust instruction and opportunities for students to reflect on their progress. These assessments are designed by teachers to monitor learning in real time.
• Summative Assessments – These assessments provide a clear picture of what students have mastered and help evaluate the effectiveness of both instruction and curriculum. They are created collaboratively by the district’s curriculum teams and are administered at the end of a unit or course.

Together, these assessments create a comprehensive system that not only measures achievement but also drives continuous improvement, ensuring every student is known, supported, and growing.

Mrs. Blackburn spent some time speaking about the i-Ready Diagnostic Universal Screener, which is the anchor of the district’s assessment system. As mentioned earlier, administering a universal screener is mandated by law, and the district previously selected i-Ready as its universal screener. i-Ready does more than provide a marker for compliance, however. After each diagnostic window, teachers receive immediate insight into where each student is performing relative to grade-level expectations. These results help them identify students who may need early interventions; determine placement for specialized programs such as Gifted Education and the Early Intervention Program; and help tailor classroom instruction to meet students exactly where they are.

Another feature of i-Ready is the personalized learning pathway that it provides for students. Based on a student’s performance, he or she receives additional support in reading and math during scheduled intervention periods. The pathways also help address skill gaps during teacher-led, small group lessons. This dual approach ensures that data translate into meaningful classroom action, with the goal being to remediate and accelerate by helping students close gaps and move beyond grade level when possible.

Mrs. Blackburn pointed out that behind every effective assessment system is a corresponding commitment to professional learning. Teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators are receiving targeted training in:

• Administering and interpreting diagnostic results
• Using data reports to inform small-group instruction
• Embedding formative assessment strategies into daily lessons
• Monitoring fidelity (school and district leaders)

Mrs. Blackburn emphasized that this component is not about adding more tests. It is about ensuring that the right assessments are given at the right time and for the right reasons. What defines a balanced system is not assessment volume, but their purpose and usefulness. When assessments are aligned to the standards and the district’s curriculum, they yield information that teachers can use to adjust instruction and support student learning.

The 2025-26 school year is one for introducing the balanced assessment approach. As a team, district staff, school leaders, school-level instructional support staff, and teachers are identifying the right mix of assessments, establishing the most effective timelines, and deepening collective expertise in how to interpret and act on the data that are generated.

The district’s Teaching and Learning team is reviewing feedback from teachers and school leaders, identifying patterns in the data, and making informed adjustments to strengthen both the process and the outcomes. This continuous improvement approach reinforces Newton County Schools’ commitment to responsive practice and ensures that our assessment system remains both meaningful and actionable for every classroom.

Mr. Trey Bailey expressed concerns about the amount of testing, questioning when teachers will have time to teach. He asked if something could be taken away for every assessment that has been added. He requested to see feedback from teachers regarding the assessments.

Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker pointed out that teacher burnout was not mentioned in the presentation. She says she has heard from educators asking about the timing of the assessments, particularly pointing out that testing may occur during a heavy workload for them (i.e. progress report completion, report card completion, etc.) She asked from whom the feedback is coming regarding the assessments. After being told that every teacher has access to a survey link after each assessment to share their feelings about the quality of the assessment, Mrs. Henderson-Baker raised a concern that the surveys do not provide a way for teachers to express how they feel about having to administer the assessment.

To view the presentation in its entirety, please click on this link.

Dr. Michael Barr, Chief Operations Officer, presented a report about the evaluation of district facilities, which is a Board organizational priority in the category of Advancing Operational Effectiveness. The report focused on ensuring that the district’s buildings and facilities are used efficiently, maintained effectively, and positioned to meet the district’s needs. The review also sought to identify opportunities for future use, right-sizing, efficiency, upgrades, and modernization.

Dr. Barr noted the district is not engaging in this process to produce a specific outcome. Its purpose is to take a step toward our obligation to ensuring a lean, well-run organization that maximizes the resources available to us. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that every facility provides a safe and high-quality environment that supports teaching and learning while making the best possible use of taxpayer resources.

Dr. Barr pointed out that Newton County Schools receives state capital outlay funding, which necessitates the development of a Local Facilities Plan that must be approved by both the Board of Education and the State Board of Education; thus, updating the district’s Local Facilities Plan serves as the primary vehicle for evaluating district facilities. The plan consists of ten components, and Dr. Barr focused on the progress of the first five in his presentation. These components form the foundation for informed decision-making about facility use, future planning, and capital investments across the district.

Facility Inventory

The district has thirteen elementary schools, one K–8 school, five middle schools, three high schools, and Newton College and Career Academy, which also houses the Porter Performing Arts Center and the STEM Institute. Other district facilities include administrative offices, support facilities, and the closed Ficquett facility.

Each facility is evaluated based on its condition and utilization. This baseline provides a clear understanding of where capacity exists, where challenges remain, and where modernization efforts are most needed.

Enrollment History

Dr. Barr reported on the official enrollment counts from 2010 to 2024. The district reached its highest enrollment in 2018 with 19,734 students and experienced a low of 18,661 students in 2022. Overall, a downward trend in student enrollment is observable over this period, which aligns with statewide patterns.

Enrollment Projections

The data reflect relatively stable student enrollment over the next five years in Newton County Schools. A declining birth rate and an aging population both significantly impact student enrollment. Trends in these numbers help explain the current and projected stability in local enrollment, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and long-range planning.

District Organizational Pattern

Currently, the district operates a traditional configuration of elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as one K–8 school. The Virtual Instructional Program and RISE Academy serve students in both middle and high school. Additionally, Newton College and Career Academy, the STEM Institute, and the Academy of Liberal Arts at Newton High School offer specialized programs for high school students.

As part of the facilities evaluation process, an important question is whether facility priorities align with the district’s organizational structure. This review helps determine whether the district’s buildings, programs, and grade configurations are positioned to support instructional priorities and operational efficiency most effectively.

Enrollment and Capacity by School

Dr. Barr presented student enrollment and capacity by grade band. Current elementary enrollment is 8,419 students, with a total capacity of 10,981. Middle school enrollment is 3,921 students, with a capacity of 4,824. High school enrollment is 6,047 students, with a capacity of 6,825.

At the district level, total capacity exceeds current enrollment. The district has a total enrollment of 18,430 students, and its overall capacity is 22,630. The inference is that although there is sufficient space overall, we should determine whether our facilities are effectively configured to support student needs. Ensuring that the district facilities align with enrollment patterns supports fiscal responsibility and maintains high-quality learning environments.

In addition to updating the Local Facilities Plan, a review of properties owned by the Board of Education also is underway. This review includes four key phases that help ensure informed, strategic decisions are made about the district’s facilities and land assets.

• Inventory and Data Collection - A comprehensive list is compiled of all district properties, including schools, parcels, and support facilities, to ensure the data are complete and accurate.
• Needs and Utilization Analysis – There is a comparison between current and projected student enrollment numbers and how existing facilities and properties are being used.
• Reporting - This involves developing summary reports and maps that highlight key findings and trends, enabling clear communication and informed data-driven decision-making.
• Board Action - Once the analysis is complete, the findings are presented to the Board of Education for review and discussion, which will help guide the next steps in planning.

This process ensures that all district-owned properties are being evaluated strategically to support instructional, operational, and long-term planning priorities.

Reflections and Comments from School Board Members

Mr. Eddie Johnson asked a question about the omission of Sharp Stadium from the presentation. He commented that Sharp Stadium is a fixture in Newton County. He suggested that when the district’s schools play each other, they should play at Sharp Stadium rather than their home sites.

Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker suggested that alternative plans be made just in case future enrollment projections change.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

Benjamin Roundtree, Chief of Staff, presented an update on the district’s efforts to deepen community and stakeholder engagement, which is a Board Organizational Priority in the category of Advancing Culture and Engagement.

He noted that the goal for richer engagement is two-fold: to invite and elevate community voice and to ensure that the district’s stakeholders have a clear understanding of where we currently stand as a district and where we aspire to go.

Mr. Roundtree announced a months-long series of Community Conversations, led by Superintendent Bradley, members of the Executive Cabinet, and selected staff. These sessions are designed to create opportunities for shared learning, joint planning, and authentic dialogue from across all corners of our county. Planned engagement opportunities include:

• a Community Conversation at Newton High School on November 10, 2025
• a Community Conversation at Eastside High School on January 15, 2026
• a Community Conversation at Alcovy High School on March 16, 2026

As we enter a pivotal moment in the life of Newton County Schools, direct outreach to stakeholders is proving more necessary than ever before.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

As of October 1, 2025, there are 18,392 students enrolled in Newton County Schools.

A. Requested Board Action Relative to Adoption of a Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Calendar

The Board approved a tentative budget calendar for fiscal year 2027. The budget calendar is set to coincide with the adoption of the final budget prior to the adjournment of the final board meeting in May. Once enrollment projections are finalized, schools will receive an allotment that will have projected student enrollments and staffing for the 2026-2027 school year. Staffing will be based on a maximum class size as approved by the State Board of Education. The calendar provides time for principals to discuss budgets and receive input from their staff prior to submitting their guaranteed budget. Time is set aside for the Board to hold budget work sessions and public hearing as may be needed or required.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

B. Requested Board Action Relative to Contract for Athletic Trainer Services

The board approved a contract for athletic trainer services with Piedmont Newton Hospital, Inc., of Covington, Georgia. For many years, the district has benefited from a strong partnership with Piedmont Newton Hospital, which has provided athletic trainers at no cost to the district. As the hospital aligns its practices with standards used across the state, the district will transition into a cost-sharing model over the next three years. The new three-year agreement would be retroactively effective as of July 1, 2025, and would end on June 30, 2028. Piedmont Newton Hospital will continue to assign certified and licensed athletic trainers to each high school. These trainers will provide comprehensive services, including injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as support during practices, games, and playoff events. Additional coverage may be arranged for special events. The agreement maintains compliance with all applicable laws and privacy protections and ensures that student medical records remain the property of the school district. Both parties are required to maintain appropriate insurance, and indemnification provisions are in place to protect the interests of the district and the hospital. The financial structure of the agreement is designed to being shared responsibility for the program. In year one, the school system’s responsibility is $0.00; in year two it will increase to $65,835; and in year three the cost will be $131,670. This agreement reflects the long-standing partnership between the school district and Piedmont Newton, aligning with statewide practices to ensure that student-athletes continue to receive high-quality care and support.

APPROVED BY 4-0-1 vote on October 28, 2025, as Mr. Trey Bailey abstained due to conflict of interest as he serves on the Hospital Board.

C. Requested Board Action Relative to Renewal of Contract for Print Management Services

The Board approved the renewal of a contract for print management services with Ricoh USA, Inc. for another term. Over the last year, the school system’s copy center, located at the Newton College and Career Academy, has averaged almost 750,000 copies per month, at a cost lower than possible at schools or facilities, while maintaining its goal of a 2-to-3-day turnaround time. Since the program was initiated, the school system has realized an aggregate savings of approximately $91,734.00 from rightsizing the fleet (reduction of machines, lease payments, and copy costs) at schools and facilities. The school system will use a contract managed by GovMVMT, a national purchasing cooperative, for the renewal of the print services. The effective date will be October 29, 2025, with an expiration date of October 28, 2026. The estimated cost for the program is $250,000 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds and FY 2026 Capital Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

D. Requested Board Action Relative to Purchase of School Buses

The Board approved the purchase of eight (8) buses from Peach State Truck Centers of Jefferson, Georgia. Peach State Freightliner provided the lowest available cost based on the current State of Georgia purchasing contract for school buses. The total cost of the purchase is $1,247,600 to be paid for with budgeted FY 2026 Capital Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

E. Requested Board Actin Relative to Renewal for Fuel Card

The Board approved the renewal of a contract with McPherson Companies, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia for the use of a fuel cards system for the pupil transportation department for an additional term. Fuel cards allow drivers to refuel at the Service Center, and/or designated and pre-approved sites located along the driver’s route within their district. Each vehicle has a car assigned to it while each driver has an individual pin number. This allows data tracking based on the amount of fuel purchased per vehicle, and who purchased it. The data is reported in an online format in real time and is viewed by administrators overseeing the accounts. Those buses for which it is more cost effective to fuel offsite are identified and designated to do so. The rest continue to fuel at the Service Center. Transportation administrators conduct weekly and monthly reviews of data gathered and adjust, if necessary, to maximize the utility and savings opportunities available from the use of the fleet card. Administrators are able to place restrictions on each card such as limiting the card to fuel purchases only, limiting the dollar amount of fuel that can actually be purchased, or capping the amount of gallons purchased for a set amount of time. The school system will utilize a contract managed by the Omnia Partners, a national purchasing cooperative, to access the fuel card program. The effective date of the renewal will be October 29, 2025, and the expiration date will be October 28, 2026. The estimated contract value is $900,000 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

F. Requested Board Action Relative to Easements for Palmer-Stone

The Board approved a grant of easements to the City of Oxford for road and pedestrian travel improvements. The easement grants the City of Oxford a permanent easement and perpetual right-of-way over, across, and under the property of Newton County School District located in Land Lot 291 of the 9th Land District of Newton County. The easement is for road improvements and the addition of sidewalks beginning at Emory Street (State Road 81) and south down E. Soule Street along the Palmer Stone property. The amount of the said tract amounts to 360 square feet or 0.0083 acres. Additionally, two temporary easements are requested to be granted to the City of Oxford along E. Soule Street for the period of construction of the road improvements and sidewalk installation, totaling 5,357 square feet or 0.1230 acres and 11,060 square feet or 0.2539 acres.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

G. Requested Board Action Relative to Surplus Property

The Board declared selected items as surplus to be 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 practical.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

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

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

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on October 28, 2025.

Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker spoke about the band programs at Alcovy High School and Newton High School, both of which performed at college football games during the month October. Alcovy High School’s band was the featured band at Fort Valley State University’s homecoming, substituting for the university’s band. Newton High School’s band performed in the homecoming parade at Alabama A&M University. Mrs. Henderson-Baker attended both games, and remarked that the district’s bands represented very well.

Mr. Trey Bailey recognized Mansfield Elementary School, which was named a Title I Distinguished School by the Georgia Department of Education. Mr. Bailey noted that Mansfield is the only school in the district that was named a Title I Distinguished School, which means it is in the top 5% of Title I schools in the state based on consistent high academic achievement in English/Language Arts and math.

Dr. Bradley spoke about the district observances of White Cane Day, National School Lunch Week, and National Custodian Appreciation Day during October. He explained that White Cane Day is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and to acknowledge the white cane as a universal tool of independence. He also recognized the value and impact of the school district’s school nutrition workers and custodians.

Mrs. Abigail Coggin congratulated the Eastside girls’ softball team for advancing to the state tournament in the race to the state championship title.

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