NCS Board Notes - MAY 2025

The Newton County Schools Board of Education conducted its regularly scheduled Work Session on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, and its Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 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.

At the Work Session, Board Chair Abigail Coggin opened the meeting by announcing that Newton County Schools has been re-accredited by Cognia for another six years, noting that the district’s overall accreditation score was significantly higher than other districts who have been accredited recently. Mrs. Coggin also acknowledged Teacher Appreciation Week. To see highlights from Teachers’ Appreciation Week, watch the video below.

Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley began his remarks during the Work Session by pointing out May as a month of celebration for Newton County Schools – “a fitting continuation of a year spent recognizing and uplifting our people”. He acknowledged Fairview Elementary School’s Partner in Education, Office Depot of Conyers, as the school district’s Partner of the Year. All Partners in Education were recently recognized at a district ceremony, with Office Depot receiving the special accolade due to its continued investment, generosity, and commitment to the students and staff at Fairview Elementary School.

Dr. Bradley also recognized National School Nurse Day, highlighting the important role nurses play in the district’s schools every day. He ended his remarks by lauding Sherri Partee and Derrick Barnes in honor of School Communicators’ Day.

At the Business Meeting, Mrs. Coggin thanked the Newton County community for its support during the school year. “From SPLOST to sporting events, from the first day of school to the last, and from the moments that brought us joy to the moments that made us gasp, it’s all been part of a fun, exciting, and memorable journey this year,” said Mrs. Coggin.

Likewise, during the Business Meeting, Dr. Bradley expressed his gratitude to the district’s teachers and staff and the Board of Education. He spoke about the remarkable strides the district has made this school year, which were the result of “late nights, quiet sacrifices, an unapologetic insistence on pursuing excellence, sustained focus and enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to doing what is right and good for students.”

Kennedy Carlock and Lucas Montalvo were recognized for their achievements at the 2025 Braille Challenge, which was held at the Georgia Academy for the Blind. Kennedy, a second-grade student at the Newton County STEAM Academy, won first place honors in the apprentice competition. Lucas, a sophomore at Alcovy High School, won third place in the junior varsity competition. The Braille Challenge is the sole academic competition in North America designed for students who are blind or visually impaired, and both Kennedy and Lucas have won awards at the competition for multiple years.

Several elementary school students were honored for their success at the 2025 K-5 State Science and Engineering Fair, which was held at Georgia College & State University. The students represented Newton County Schools at the state level by submitting projects that displayed their hard work, curiosity, and dedication to scientific inquiry. Award winners from Newton County Schools were Kennadie Hicks; Sierra Tukes; Kane Whitaker; Kennedy Carlock; Ryan Crawford; Nazanin DuBose; Rudra Talati; Jozee Jones; and Jakari Jett.

Matthew Lynn, who is a junior at Eastside High School, was recognized for receiving the Distinguished Gifted Teen Award from the Georgia Association for Gifted Children. This prestigious award is given to one gifted student from the state between the ages of 13 and 17 who has shown exceptional giftedness, dedication, creativity, and a strong commitment to helping others.

Several middle and high students were honored for their success at the 2025 Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Award winners from Newton County Schools were Carynn Jefferson; Evan Angeles; Jaylen Fannin; Abigail Pitchford; Isaiah Igwilo; and Nathaniel Ehret.

Members of three high school robotics teams won awards in state robotics competitions that afforded them the opportunity to compete in the VEX World Robotics Championships in Dallas, Texas. All three teams come from Newton College & Career Academy, and NCCA was the only school in the state of Georgia to send multiple teams to the World Championship event. The winners of the VEX High Stakes state championship were Noah Carter; Jack Gambino; Cassandra Schneider; Maria Monreal-Mendez; Paul Knowles; and Jacob Wilson. Members of the team that earned the Amaze Award at the state championship were Chase Evans; Jose Martinez; Will Walden; Derek Gawlinski; Jessalynne Yaple; and Aoqi Xu. Third place winners in the state Skills Challenge tournament were Logan Knight; Ian Carter; Nathaniel Igarashi; and Chloe Yaple.

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

Tracy Blackburn, Newton County Schools’ Chief Learning and Leadership Officer, provided an overview of the Division of Learning and Leadership’s work for the 2024-25 school year and clarified future work. The report highlighted significant progress in strengthening the district’s instructional core, in alignment with Dr. Bradley’s 90-Day Entry Plan Report. Key actions during the school year included focusing on instructional leadership, improving teaching practices, and enhancing systems that support academic growth. The district also worked on aligning instructional resources and strengthening the framework for Professional Learning Communities to drive improvement.

Identifying and standardizing the core curriculum was a priority, and this work was supported by a comprehensive resource audit to ensure alignment with educational standards and compliance requirements. The audit led to the removal of underutilized, ineffective, and duplicative resources and better positioned the school district to negotiate costs.

The district also made strides in literacy improvement, which includes a strict adherence to the requirements of House Bill 538. Universal screeners have been identified and are currently in use; prescribed instructional minutes for literacy have been standardized and will be incorporated into each school’s master schedule; and all elementary school teachers have received Science of Reading training.

Early grades teachers at South Salem and East Newton Elementary Schools were exposed to rigorous, research-based professional development in reading as part of the REAP pilot, and the highly successful program will expand to six additional schools for the 2025-26 school year.

Looking towards the 2025-26 school year, the Learning and Leadership Team plans to anchor their work in the fundamentals. Schools will be supported in planning standards-based lessons, ensuring that instructional staff are teaching with fidelity, monitoring student progress daily, and using assessments strategically to inform instruction.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

Dr. Shelia Thomas, Newton County Schools’ Chief Strategy and Support Services Officer, presented a report outlining the results of the district’s Cognia Engagement Review. Cognia, a global accrediting body, conducted a thorough, evidence-based evaluation during the school year to assess the district’s quality and effectiveness. At the conclusion of the review, Newton County Schools was re-accredited for another six-year term.

As a part of the reaccreditation process, the engagement team reviewed specific artifacts that supported the district’s continuous improvement journey, which generated an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) Score. The IEQ score is a metric designed to evaluate the overall performance of educational institutions. This score ranges from 100 to 400, with higher scores indicating stronger performance and deeper integration of effective educational practices.​ The score is derived from an analysis of four areas: stakeholder feedback, student performance, learning environments, and culture of learning.

Newton County Schools earned an IEQ score of 330, surpassing the district’s previous score in 2019 of 321.13 and exceeding the Cognia Improvement Network average of 296. The district also exceeded expectations in four key areas: Culture of Learning, Leadership for Learning, Engagement of Learning, and Growth of Learning. Particularly high ratings were given for leadership that fosters fairness and equity; student well-being; and promoting lifelong skills like creativity and collaboration. In a nod to the Board of Education, a four-star rating was given to the governing authority for demonstrating a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the district’s priorities and to drive continuous improvement.

Two areas for improvement were identified. Cognia noted the district should seek to strengthen integration of digital resources to support engagement and diverse learning needs as well as enhance behavior support systems through increased consistency, professional development, and family engagement. Dr. Thomas pointed out that both recommendations align with the district's strategic priorities for future progress and work already has begun to address them.

Newton County Schools’ reaccreditation is a direct reflection of all stakeholders’ commitment to continuous improvement, affirming the district’s mission to provide educational excellence for all students. To hear Board Member Trey Bailey speak about the district’s Cognia accreditation, watch the video below.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

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

Erica Robinson, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, presented an overview of the FY26 tentative budget. The budget process, which involved months of planning and collaboration, aims to align financial resources with the needs of the district while maintaining transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

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 FY26. The most critical takeaway is a net decrease in state funding of approximately $2.2 million, a shift that carries significant implications for the district’s future financial planning. The local five mill share will increase by $2 million, further reducing state contributions.

There is a projected increase of $2.9 million in local funding, due to an anticipated increase in the local property digest and anticipated funds from the Joint Development Authority. Ms. Robinson pointed out that these increases will be partially offset by a projected decline of $550,000 in collections from intangible and real estate taxes, title ad valorem tax, and investment earnings.

Regarding expenditures, there is a heavy emphasis in the FY26 budget on making strategic investments in the district’s personnel, which has been bolstered by the board-commissioned classification and compensation study. Since the classification and compensation study was first commissioned last spring, the Board has consistently communicated that enhancing compensation is both a priority and a strategic goal. The FY26 budget includes the full implementation of the classification and compensation study, representing an estimated investment of $8 million.

During its meeting on May 20, 2025, the Board of Education approved the FY26 budget.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

To hear Board Members Abigail Coggin and Trey Bailey speak about the district’s finance audit, watch the video below.

To view the presentation, please click on this link.

Dr. Ashante Everett, Newton County Schools’ Director of Student Services, presented a report summarizing some of the key legislation from the 2025 Georgia General Assembly that impact education. The legislative session ran from January 13, 2025, to April 4, 2025, and nearly 160 bills having an impact on policy or practice in K-12 education were tracked. By the end of the session, fifty of these bills emerged as key pieces of legislation. Some of the bills highlighted in the report are:

1. HB 92 - Postpone Date for Opting Out: This bill moves the opt-out deadline for HB 581 (2024 session) back to its current deadline of March 1, 2025. Additionally, it requires local boards of education opting out of HB 581, to complete the notification, public hearings, opt-out resolution, and all other requirements and provisions regarding hearings and advertising by March 1, 2025. The Newton County Board of Education has already acted regarding HB 58. The board will conduct the opt-out process once more in 2027 for it to remain effective and comply with notices specifically outlined in the bill every year until December 31, 2029. If the district chooses to rescind the decision to opt out, it must do it by 2029. The district will certify rates with the tax assessors’ office and tax commissioner no less than fifteen days prior to the notice of assessment.

2. HB 268 - Safety, Health, and Well-being of Students: This bill requires schools to have up-to-date mapping and mobile panic alert systems; requires student records to be transferred within five school business days so dangers may be addressed quickly; provides for a Student Advocacy Specialist grant program to reimburse districts for hiring; requires local boards of education to offer anonymous reporting programs; and creates the offense of “terroristic threat”.

3. HB 307 - Georgia Literacy Act: This bill amends the Georgia Literacy Ac” by ensuring the Georgia Professional Standards Commission adopts rules for state-approved teacher preparation programs that are aligned to the Science of Reading.

4. HB 340 - Distraction-Free Education Act: This bill requires local school systems and public schools to enact policies and procedures regarding using personal electronic devices at school and school-sponsored events by students in grades K-8. The required action for this bill is to remove access to personal devices or personal electronic devices at school-sponsored events and during school hours.

5. SB 1 - Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act: In middle school, high school, and college sports, this bill prohibits males from participating in interscholastic competitions on teams designated as female and prohibits females from participating in competitions on interscholastic teams designated as male. This bill also requires multiple-occupied restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters to be designated for use exclusively by one gender. The required action for this bill is to adopt and publish grievance procedures for complaints and designate multiple occupancy restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters for use exclusively by one gender.

6. SB 82 - Local Charter School Authorization & Support Act: This bill requires local boards of education to evaluate charter school petitions and provide written reasons for denial and a list of the deficiencies to the charter petitioner, the State Board of Education, and the Office of Charter School Compliance within twenty business days.

To hear Board Member Eddie Johnson speak about the legislative summary, watch the video below.

As of May 1, 2025, there are 18,783 students enrolled in Newton County Schools.

A. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

The Board adopted the FY 2026 budget for all governmental funds as approved in the April monthly meeting. For the FY 2026 General Fund Budget, a beginning fund balance of $55,748,816 is anticipated. Projections indicate total revenues of $241,255,832, marking a 0.28% increase from the FY 2025 amended budget. Anticipated total expenditures stand at $265,051,983, reflecting a 6.82% increase from the FY 2025 amended budget, primarily due to the full implementation of the classification and compensation study and an increase in employer health insurance premiums and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) contributions. This budget forecast anticipates an ending fund balance of $31,952,655 for FY 2026.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

B. Purchase Contracts for the Curriculum Department

1. Elementary ELA Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of ELA curriculum resources needed for the school system from HMH Education Company of Chicago, Illinois. HMH Into Reading offers high-quality instructional materials approved by state committees. During the 2025-2026 school year, HMH Into Reading V3 will be offered, which includes updates with structured literacy through grade three, a more in-depth Know It Show It practice book, and other resources to support literacy. The total cost is $989,578.74 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds upon approval.
   
   
2. Elementary EIP Reading Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of literacy resources from Really Great Reading, of Cabin John, Maryland. EIP serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students who are at risk of not reaching or maintaining academic grade level in reading and/or math. This program seeks to provide additional reading and/or math content instruction as well as instructional resources to help these students reach grade level performance in the shortest possible time. 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 he or she needs to work on to overcome these challenges. 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 using it and are correctly using it in the classroom. The total cost is $79,426.80 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
   
   
3. Purchase of K-5 Math Supplemental Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of math supplemental curriculum resources from Happy Numbers, Inc., of San Francisco, California. Happy Numbers presents a compelling solution to enhance mathematics instruction through differentiated, data-driven approaches. They provide a robust, standards-aligned instruction tailored to each student’s needs. While teachers lead small group instruction, Happy Numbers offers individualized, adaptive practice for selected students to meaningfully engage in targeted learning. The platform is backed by ESSA evidence, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving student outcomes, particularly for diverse learners and those requiring intervention. One-fourth of the schools in our district purchase it for their students and have seen growth with the program. With real-time reporting tools and actionable insights, educators can make informed instructional decisions, monitor growth, and close achievement gaps more effectively. The total cost is $102,500.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.
   
   
4. Purchase of Elementary Science Core Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of secondary instructional science resources needed for the school system from HMH Education Company of Chicago, Illinois. 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 (GSE), this comprehensive program combines high-quality digital resources with hands-on kits that bring science to life for student in every grade level. The hands-on kits include materials for experiments and investigations that encourage students to think and act like scientists—asking questions, designing solutions, and analyzing data. With built-in support for differentiation and literacy integration, HMH Georgia Science empowers teachers to deliver meaningful, real-world science experiences. The total cost is $1,270,892.07 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
   
   
5. Purchase of Secondary Science Core Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of secondary instructional science resources from McGraw-Hill LLC of Columbus, Ohio. The McGraw-Hill Inspire Science series for grades 6-12 is a comprehensive science curriculum resource that is aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science. As the state has transitioned to newer science standards that are more closely aligned with the Next Generation Science standards, Inspire Science has developed a program that places student engagement at the forefront. Each module and lesson is designed to tap into students’ natural curiosity about the world around them through the investigation of real-world phenomena. Student engagement is further fueled through an innovative digital experience, and the connections to real-world applications with the STEM Career Connections and STEM module projects. Inspire Science fosters deep learning for every student by providing built-in support for differentiated instruction, EL strategies, and language-building resources at the module level and at multiple points throughout each lesson. The total cost is $1,287,417.06 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
   
   
6. Purchase of High School AP Science Core Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources needed from Bedford, Greeman & Worth Publishing Group, LLC of New York City, New York. BFW Publishers offers various AP science textbooks and resources. They have specifically designed textbooks for AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Physics, which are aligned with the College Board’s Course and Exam Descriptions. These textbooks integrate AP-specific content, exam prep, and science practices. This series was written specifically for AP students in the high school setting; they are not college textbooks that are used in college classrooms. The BFW texts include information on how to prepare for the AP exams, including DBQ’s and test practice questions to allow students to build those skills before the exam.
   
   
7. Purchase of Forensic Science Core Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from Cengage Learning of Independence, Kentucky. With popular television programs, movies, and books about criminal justice and crime scene investigation, students often have a passion for exploring forensic science. That excitement can be guided into valuable learning experiences with the help of Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, 3e. This dynamic, visually powerful text has been carefully crafted to ensure solid scientific content and an approach that delivers precisely what is needed for high school courses. It offers a truly experiential approach that engages students in active learning and emphasizes the application of integrated science. Student materials combine math, chemistry, biology, physics, and earth science with content aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Capstone projects integrate the concepts learned throughout the text. Comprehensive, time-saving teachers’ support and lab activities deliver exactly what is needed to ensure that students receive a solid, integrated science education that keeps readers engaged at all learning levels. Supported by MindTap with an eBook, online assessments, Interactive Labs, and Virtual Labs, students learn content and practice skills like real forensic scientists. The total cost is $139,293.00 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
   
   
8. Purchase of Elementary Social Studies Core Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from Gallopade of Peachtree City, Georgia. The Gallopade Curriculum aligns with the K-5 Georgia Standards of Excellence for social studies. Designed specifically for young learners and their teachers, it offers an interactive and flexible approach to instruction. The curriculum integrates core social studies concepts with Georgia’s Connecting Themes, Map and Globe Skills, and Information Processing Skills. Gallopade combines engaging print and digital resources with tools that support literacy development throughout the content. Its user-friendly design allows teachers to present information in manageable segments, check for understanding through reinforcement activities, and assess learning with mini standards-based assessments. With various formats, instructional strategies, and implementation ideas, Gallopade empowers educators to tailor lessons to their students’ needs, supporting a personalized learning experience for all learning styles. The total cost is $171,184.22 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
   
   
9. Purchase of Middle School Social Studies Core Curriculum Resources
   The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from Gallopade of Peachtree City, Georgia. Gallopade offers Social Studies curriculum for grades 6-8 in Georgia, aligning with the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Their curriculum provides a comprehensive and flexible program that integrates both print and digital resources, offering a variety of teaching tools and assessments. The materials are designed to be engaging and interactive, incorporating activities like study guides, writing prompts, and vocabulary builders. The program is designed to be flexible and can be used in various classroom models, including whole group, rotational learning, and student-led teaching. The total cost is $102,941.76 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.
   
   
10. Purchase of Social Studies Middle School Supplemental Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from the American Book Company of Woodstock, Georgia. The Georgia GSE Success series by American Book Company is a comprehensive educational resource designed to align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for middle school students in grades 6-8. These resources are tailored to prepare students for the Georgia Milestones assessments by providing structured content in Social Studies. Each workbook is aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence, ensuring that the content is relevant and up-to-date with state standards. The total cost is $117,096.87 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.
    
    
11. Purchase of Spanish Core Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources needed from Vista Higher Learning of Boston, Massachusetts. Senderos is a comprehensive Spanish language program developed by Vista Higher Learning, designed for students ranging from introductory to intermediate levels. The curriculum emphasizes a communicative approach, integrating language development with cultural exploration to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. The total cost is $325,915.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.
    
    
12. Purchase of French Core Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources needed from Vista Higher Learning of Boston, Massachusetts. D’accord is a comprehensive French language program developed by Vista higher Learning, designed for high school students ranging from introductory to intermedia levels. The curriculum emphasizes a communicative approach, integrating language development with cultural exploration to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. The total cost is $54,975.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.
    
    
13. Purchase of K-8 Music Core Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from QuaverED of Nashville, Tennessee. QuaverMusic is a comprehensive online music education program used in schools. It offers a variety of resources, including songs, games, and interactive activities, to help students learn about music theory and musical concepts. It’s designed to be engaging and accessible for various grade levels, with customizable lessons and assessments. The total cost is $139,230.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.
    
    
14. Purchase of K-8 Music Supplemental Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from Make Music Inc. of Dallas, Texas. MakeMusic Clous (formerly SmartMusic) is an interactive, web-based music education platform that supports music practice, performance, and assessment for student and teachers. It provides access to a vast library of high-quality sheet music, method books, and ensemble literature, along with tools for individualized practice, real-time feedback, and teacher -assigned assessments. MakeMusic Cloud enhances student engagement, supports differentiated instruction, and helps teachers monitor progress and provide targeted feedback—making it a powerful tool for strengthening music education programs across grade levels. The total cost is $74.614.89 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
    
    
15. Purchase of K-8 Health/PE Core Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of instructional resources from QuaverED of Nashville, Tennessee. Quaver Health and PE is an innovative curriculum that brings technology and physical movement together to enhance students’ physical capabilities. With engaging resources for students and well-designed tools for teachers, QuaverHPE is preparing students for healthy, active lifestyles. The total cost is $114,660.00 to be paid for with FY 2025 General Funds.
    
    
16. Purchase of K-8 Health Core Curriculum Resources
    The Board approved the purchase of Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe curriculum. Child Help Speak Up Be Safe is a school-based curriculum that helps children in grades Pre-K through 12 learn skills to prevent or interrupt cycles of neglect, bullying, and child abuse—physical, emotional, and sexual-through developmentally appropriate lessons. The program uses an ecological approach, providing materials to engage parents and caregivers, teachers, school administrators, and community stakeholders. It increases children’s ability to recognize unsafe situations or abusive behaviors and helps them build resistance skills and a responsive safety network with peers and safe adults. The total cost is $26,932.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

C. Requested Board Action Relative to Purchase of Assessment Program

The Board approved the purchase of an assessment program from Lennections, Inc. In alignment with the district’s efforts to strengthen standards-based instruction, improve the quality of common assessments, and use data to inform instructional decision-making, the district will purchase the District and School Connect (DSC) Premium Platform Access from Lennections, Ind. For the 2025-2026 school year. This platform provides robust tools for schools and the district through standards-based instruction. Teachers will have access to high-quality, Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)-aligned assessment items to ensure rigor and alignment in daily instruction and assessments. The DSC platform allows for the creation of common formative and summative assessments, supporting districtwide consistency and comparability of data. Real-time reporting and analytics enable schools and district leaders to make timely, data-informed instructional decisions to support student success. All students across the district will have equitable access to quality assessments and opportunities for academic growth and the platform supports formative and summative assessment practices aligned to school and district pacing. The effective date will be July 1, 2025, and the expiration date will be June 30, 2026. The total contract value is $92,350.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

D. Purchase of Contracted Services for Professional Learning

This board item was tabled until the June 17, 2025, meeting by a unanimous vote to research concerns voiced by board member Shakila Henderson-Baker and also to vet the services with school leaders.

TABLED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

E. Renewal of Contract for Pupil Transportation Management Software

The Board approved the renewal of a contract with Tyler Technologies of Plano, Texas, for pupil transportation management software for an additional contract period. Tyler Technologies provides a comprehensive integrated suite of products that include Routing and Planning, Fleetvision, e-Link, Triptracker, Onscreen, My Stop, and Telematic GPS. The school system will use a contract managed by Sourcewell, a national purchasing cooperative, to purchase the software needed for the school system. The effective date will be July 1, 2025, and the expiration date will be June 30, 2026. The total contract value is $127,789.89 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds, upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

F. Renewal of Contract for Natural Gas Supplier

The Board approved the renewal of a contract for the provision of natural gas to selected schools and facilities from True Natural Gas (EMC Natural Gas Inc.) of Palmetto, Georgia. The proposal covers thirteen accounts covered by the Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) area. These are facilities that do not reside within the City of Covington or its natural gas jurisdictional authority. The effective date is June 1, 2025, and the expiration date will be May 31, 2026. The estimated contract value is $90,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2025 and FY 2026 General Funds upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

G. Lease of Facility for RISE Academy

The Board approved a commercial lease agreement with Top Leasing LLC for commercial property to be used to house RISE Academy. The base annual rent is $89,600. The school system will also be responsible for common area maintenance expenses, property taxes, and fire and extended coverage insurance. The estimated total cost is $105,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds, upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

H. Contract for Work Flow Management Software

The Board approved the contract for work flow management software from Incident IQ. Incident IQ provides a comprehensive program to support help desk ticketing for the technology department and maintenance work for the facilities department. The school system will purchase the software needed through a contract managed by TIPS, a national purchasing cooperative. The cost is $39,650.22 to be paid for with FY 2026 General Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

I. Contract for Roof Repair and Replacement for STEM Building/Porter Performing Arts Center

The Board approved awarding a contract to Dusty Greer Roofing, Inc. of Winder, Georgia for roof repair and replacement at the STEM Building/Porter Performing Arts Center. This project involves the replacement of asphalt shingle roofing, Polyvinyl-Chloride retrofit roofing over metal roofing, and PVC recover reroofing. Four vendors participated in the solicitation process and upon evaluation, it was determined to be in the best interest of the school system to award the contract to Dusty Greer Roofing, Inc. as they provided the lowest overall cost. The contract value is $226,300.00. This cost will be paid for with budgeted capital funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

J. Renewal of Contracts and Purchases for School Nutrition Program

The Board approved the purchase of software needed for the school nutrition program from Horizon Software International. The Horizon One Source software suite provides a variety of tools for the School Nutrition Program. The Front of the House module incorporates claims and reimbursements and point of sales capabilities for all schools. The Back of the House module includes menu management and planning (including production and nutrient analysis), ordering and receiving, and inventory management. The effective date will be July 1, 2025, and the expiration date will be June 30, 2026. The total cost is $35,960.96 to be paid for with FY 2026 School Nutrition Program Funds upon approval.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

K. Maintenance and Repairs for School Nutrition Program

The Board approved the purchase of contracted services from Wilson Bryant Air Conditioning. The scope of work covers repair services as well as routine maintenance on a variety of types of kitchen equipment including refrigerators, walk-in freezers, warmers, ovens, fryers, milk boxes and ice makers. The total cost is $40,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2025 School Nutrition Program Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

L. Purchase of Service Vehicles

The Board approved the purchase of services vehicles needed for the facilities and procurement departments from Covington Ford. This purchase includes one cargo van for the procurement department at a cost of $48,989.00 and one service truck for the facilities department at a cost of $47,683.00. One vendor—Covington Ford, submitted bids in response to the solicitation. The total cost is $96,672.00 to be paid for with FY 2025 Capital Funds.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

M. Facility Usage Agreement

The Board approved a facility use agreement for the Indian Creek facility. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Taylor Made Foundation Inc. requested to use Indian Creek Middle School for a summer youth program. The agreement is for June 2, 2025 to July 16, 2025 for select areas of the school. The principal has consented to the arrangement.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

N. Surplus Property

The Board approved selected items to declared surplus and disposed of per Board Policy DO.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 20, 2025.

O. Superintendent’s Recommendations in Executive Session

The Board approved Superintendent’s recommendations presented in executive session in both the May 13, 2025 and May 20, 2025 meetings by unanimous vote.

APPROVED by 5-0 vote on May 13, 2025 and May 20, 2025.

At its May 13, 2025, meeting, the Board of Education named Ms. Keisa Gatewood as the principal of Cousins Middle School; Dr. Vanshelle Turner as the principal of Indian Creek Middle School; and Mr. Michael Chapple as the principal of Alcovy High School.

To learn more about Ms. Gatewood, Dr. Turner, and Mr. Chapple, read our news article.

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
Twitter: @NewtonCoSchools