Sammie Edwards

The meeting focused on establishing the Go Team for the school year. The team filled a vacant staff seat and held elections for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Cluster Representative. Members reviewed and adopted the public comment protocol to be posted on the school website. Furthermore, the team planned the meeting schedule for the remainder of the academic year.

The meeting provided a detailed overview of the fiscal year 2026 budget parameters and strategic planning priorities. The discussion centered on improving literacy and mathematics performance for all students, with a specific focus on closing achievement gaps. Additional priorities addressed included leveraging whole child interventions, enhancing student attendance and mental health support, improving leadership opportunities, and retaining high-quality staff. The presentation covered the allocation of signature program and turnaround funds, and addressed projected staffing reductions resulting from anticipated enrollment declines. The committee also reviewed the utilization of security grant funds for facility improvements.

The meeting centered on the final budget recommendation, with a review of staffing allocations and line items related to STEM initiatives. Discussions covered potential partnerships with Georgia Power, a summer STEM camp at Clark Atlanta University, and the school's standing regarding STEM certification. The team reviewed the school's history with Georgia Tech partnerships and discussed the process for potential state certification through the Georgia Department of Education.

The meeting focused on operational matters, including printer access for summer school, and a comprehensive review of spring MAP assessment data in reading and math. Participants compared spring results with fall data to identify performance trends and conducted a needs assessment to establish academic priorities for the upcoming school year. The discussion also addressed the ongoing challenge of student attendance.

The meeting focused on the finalization and approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget. Significant discussion occurred regarding the impact of a funding loss, resulting in the elimination of staff positions. Members addressed concerns about declining enrollment, the loss of students to charter schools, and the potential implications for staffing levels should enrollment numbers fluctuate. Additionally, updates were provided regarding upcoming student assessments, including MAP testing and Georgia Milestones.