Barbara Alston

This document outlines the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education's legislative priorities for 2026, advocating for policies to enhance the public education experience for students. The plan focuses on key areas including student performance, family and community engagement, high-performing staff, local control, and organizational effectiveness and funding. Specific objectives include redesigning school accountability, increasing financial resources for educational technology, investing in community agencies for student basic needs, adjusting funding formulas for school safety and Pre-K, maintaining stable employee benefits, increasing categorical grants, incentivizing teacher development, strengthening retirement and salary systems, and preserving local control over superintendent appointments.

The document outlines district initiatives focused on enhancing teaching and learning through the GSCS Teaching and Learning Frameworks, which emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and problem-solving skills. It highlights a balanced assessment system, high-yield instructional strategies, and the development of college and career readiness skills. The Reading Improvement for Student Excellence (RISE) initiative aims to improve reading skills across all grade levels, while the Strive for 95 Campaign seeks to increase student average daily attendance by implementing comprehensive strategies and partnering with external entities.

The Griffin-Spalding Board of Education's mission is to empower each student to graduate college and career ready. The vision is to be a distinctive brand with strong leaders and great schools. Core beliefs include promoting educational equity, cultivating family and community engagement, investing in staff growth, and ensuring organizational and operational efficiency.

The Griffin-Spalding County Schools (GSCS) 2022-2027 strategic plan focuses on empowering students to graduate college and career ready. Key areas include improving literacy, enrollment, attendance, and discipline. The plan emphasizes high-quality instruction aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE), providing differentiated professional learning for teachers, and creating safe and supportive learning environments. Partnerships with families, businesses, and the community are central to the plan's success. The plan aims to increase the percentage of proficient learners, prepare college and career-ready graduates, and cultivate a high-performing staff through effective professional learning and growth opportunities. Operational efficiency and resource alignment are also key priorities.