Darlene Hudson

The meeting commenced with the election of the Board Chairperson for 2026, resulting in Joey Duncan being elected, and the election of Russ Nelson as the Board Vice Chairperson for 2026. Key recognitions included the presentation of the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award to Jamie Smith and the Service Above Self Award to April Morganfield for exemplary dedication to a Deaf student and family. The Superintendent's report celebrated the Scripps Spelling Bee Champion, provided an update on the Habersham Works workforce program, confirmed a school resource officer in every school, and acknowledged staff/student attendance awards for December 2025. The report also announced the upcoming retirement of Daphne Penick, Principal of South Habersham Middle School. The Board unanimously approved personnel recommendations, including several retirements and resignations, approved field trip requests, approved the December 2025 financial reports, approved HEMC as a Bandwidth provider under the ERate Program, and approved the Habersham County Family Connection Fiscal Agent Designation for FY 27.

The Work Session agenda was accepted by the Board. Key discussions included a facilities report presented by David Leenman, Staci Newsome, and Denise Gunn, and information regarding Family Connection presented by Superintendent Franklin. A Technology Presentation was delivered by Jennifer Rider and Calter Moore. The Board voted to enter and subsequently exit an Executive Session for Personnel and Real Estate reasons, during which no action was taken.

The work session included a presentation from Mauldin & Jenkins regarding financial, SPLOST, and federal reviews. The facilities report was presented, covering the transportation department's surplus property, which is slated for approval during a subsequent regular monthly meeting. A presentation was also delivered regarding the Counseling Program. The Board entered and exited Executive Session for Personnel and Real Estate reasons, with no action taken during the Executive Session.

The meeting commenced with the call to order, invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance. Recognition was given to Claire Stevenson, a teacher at Habersham Central High School, who received the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award for her dedication to boosting faculty and staff morale. The financial report was presented. In the Superintendent's Report, recognition was extended to the Pioneers in Education Award recipient, Fred Holbrooks, and appreciation was shown to contributors to the REACH program. The Board recognized top performing schools for student and staff attendance in November 2025. Key business items included unanimous approvals for various per diems and several field trip requests for school organizations scheduled in early 2026. Personnel actions involved accepting several retirements and resignations, alongside approving new personnel appointments for the 2025-2026 school year. The Board also approved the November 2025 financial reports, a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Baldwin for gasoline fuel purchases, the sale of surplus property, the reappointment of the Board Attorney for 2026, and the 2026-2027 school system calendar, along with setting the 2026 and January 2027 meeting dates.

The work session included presentations on the facilities report and literacy. Key discussions involved a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Baldwin regarding the purchase of gasoline fuel. The calendar committee process was explained, and two draft calendars for the 2026-2027 school year were presented for future approval. The Board also discussed the schedule of meeting dates for 2026 and January 2027. The session concluded with the Board unanimously entering and exiting an Executive Session for Personnel and Real Estate reasons, with no action taken during the executive portion.