[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6684770,"mediaKeyId","2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b","parentId",2101147,"title","Residents and community members urge Rockdale board to reconsider graduation venue, press for board visibility and HB 581 clarity","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3331000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b&start=3331&end=3331","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b/thumbnail_3331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6684770/Georgia/Residents-and-community-members-urge-Rockdale-board-to-reconsider-graduation-venue-press-for-board-visibility-and-HB-581-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684770-42c179efedff5d0a667ed5ae74985936/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799171&Signature=DWagwqd-EPclg2sIdleToguSA3Kt3e607hdihcDk-v1bYT-ouCj92scK-eMcMwDpm5TtMw0fEIRmCMaxvtxfFzjqpHcWyvgW6oo1mv0mDWjz7n~Oo1KqmInrN2cqjfPZBNk5GXKesYKVWG1h9640RyJ~YjSRyyJvsE97Snsea0~rEiLRmlV7JrijHmdmnsM~C-TMEDAeA3n8TgqzhwA479ZhviG1QemjBY-z5NgPPrtn-SqYXvtyqbXiLLgbyDdqZKZmCkrKZRYXzy6qf~VdGpgBP7rnauPm~4nRcsduRkQSC5G1Ev6HOh-rRUCSMX5oCrjBsxjt81~-wPjF1I9yEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-01-10T18:11:55.507Z","article","Several members of the public used the meeting's citizen comment period to press the Rockdale County Board of Education on a recent decision to hold graduation outside the county and to request greater board visibility and clarity about HB 581.

Alexia Derizio, representing the NAACP Rockdale County and speaking as a parent, said the decision to hold graduation outside the county — at a cost she cited as $90,000 — hurt community pride and presented transportation barriers for families. She said, \"The decision to have the graduation moved out of the County at a $90,000 cost is very concerning to most of us.\" Derizio urged the board to consider local venues and to think about student and family experience, saying that moving graduation away \"kills the sense of pride\" and can reduce turnout.

DeMarne Kenny also spoke in support of community engagement and thanked board members he sees at schools, encouraging continued presence: \"...continue to be engaged with your community because they need to see your faces.\"

Longtime resident George Kelleczyk reviewed the district's strategic plan and said the plan's citizen responses did not give education sufficient weight. He urged the board to make education a higher visible priority in community planning and made two recommendations: that each board member visit two schools per quarter and that a district representative attend county commission and city council meetings to follow strategic issues. He also said he would address HB 581 at a later meeting and that the county tax commissioner \"is currently developing a complete comprehensive assessment regarding HB 581. I'll see you next week.\"

Speakers were reminded by the board chair that the board does not normally resolve personnel matters during public comment and that administration has established grievance procedures for individual legal claims. The board did not take action during the public-comment period on graduation venue or on Kelleczyk's specific requests; those topics were discussed later or deferred to staff and subsequent meetings.

The board acknowledged the comments and later discussed the agenda process and whether HB 581 should be added to that evening's discussion; a motion to substitute a discussion of HB 581 for a previously scheduled budget-cuts discussion was made by Larry Cox, seconded by Justin Kenny, and failed because it did not attain a majority (members recorded three votes in favor but an abstention left the motion short of passage). The board chair said the HB 581 discussion would be scheduled later.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1-9-25 BOE Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple public commenters criticized the decision to move graduation out of the county and called on board members to increase school visits and engagement; a speaker said county taxpayers will receive a detailed HB 581 assessment from the tax commissioner.","taxTitle","Rockdale County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15315,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6684774,"Rockdale County presents social studies and science updates, emphasizes civic engagement and three-dimensional learning",680,3918000,4598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b&start=3918&end=4598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b/thumbnail_3918000.jpg","/articles/6684774/Georgia/Rockdale-County-presents-social-studies-and-science-updates-emphasizes-civic-engagement-and-three-dimensional-learning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684774-a1c4fec0e90d06f981b2b12d14f42716/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799171&Signature=NNpIqgN3iAOxaRLU69y-MvA15bD6uu6sI-SK0Jg~bjwUltUILOMaFG-neWCqh5ozemtaJ3r~4WfAK-0vJrYRGxx3wWBWvIAle4c7xeRauEXctMtTB0yn~3k0Wh091Y9Coxlolky29MSwA3KEkTbyb4dy3PlzPxQq22pLhmhj8lzP37dAUs~YbkXUKdMrCv3QM6sUbPp6yEZ8KM9wQ~kFlBQRjWWhwCPcXNqtUJEk0setjKEENnSbTF~m2Cu3WsUZc-2KPbkAfrF~ABFxUfExugVMT6WRyGkHXvNW5wnPRIbTXtiPkH-tNrV-5j1PjVAExdi74HAhFT012PNDqX660A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockdale County Board of Education heard semester updates from curriculum coordinators on social studies, science, health and physical education.

Vernaliza (Vernalise) Princeup, K'12 coordinator for social studies, told the board the program has five goals for 2024'25: identify effective Tier 1 social studies strategies; develop supports for digital resources; increase civic engagement opportunities; integrate at least five historically underrepresented figures with culturally responsive practice; and develop structures for civic and civil discourse. Princeup said the district provided \"80 plus hours of professional learning\" focused on Tier 1 social studies instruction and reported a student-registration effort: 125 students were registered across high schools during a September initiative.

Princeup said the district surveyed seniors after registration outreach: \"237 students participated in the survey. What we learned from the survey is that of those 237 students, 191 students were not eligible to vote at the time of the election.\" She described a mock election (hosted by the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement) in which roughly 90% of K'12 students participated in some form and students received \"I voted\" stickers as part of the learning activity.

Science, health and physical-education updates were presented by Heather Tolliver, K'12 science and health/PE coordinator. Tolliver described the district's emphasis on three-dimensional science learning and the eight science-and-engineering practices that underpin instruction, and said the district's professional learning includes \"connecting the dots,\" \"facilitating sense-making sessions,\" and guided planning to support teachers. The science program established a Science Innovation Team of teacher leaders and continued a \"Teaching Science with Confidence\" series focused on grade 8 and biology.

In health and PE, Tolliver described an adoption process for health education materials that included a vendor solicitation and reconstituted a health advisory committee \"as mandated by OCGA 20-2-143, also called Aaron's Law.\" The public review of the health materials was announced as open until Jan. 17; Tolliver said the public can review materials in the atrium at schools and online and is encouraged to participate.

Board members asked for more detail on cross-curricular integration and the coordinators described explicit strategies for using mathematical and literacy practices in science lessons and for training teachers to implement those cross-disciplinary supports.

The coordinators closed by thanking the board for budget support and for attending district events.","District curriculum leaders outlined five social-studies goals including expanded civic engagement and reported student voter-registration activities; science and health/PE coordinators described professional learning, three-dimensional instruction and a public review for health materials required by state law.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6684776,"CFO outlines December finances; HR proposes international recruitment and virtual-teacher options for hard-to-fill positions",5761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b&start=5761&end=5761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b/thumbnail_5761000.jpg","/articles/6684776/Georgia/CFO-outlines-December-finances-HR-proposes-international-recruitment-and-virtual-teacher-options-for-hard-to-fill-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684776-fbeed038dd857b959eb5437d749f5b13/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799171&Signature=LmoK7bvoLggZkrzIQDzincYasW9atFp9IQTybERFXKfz5B9TcLtK1RpEN533iEgeFeGt3-dnQQDMqOpwo9VxMTWUltKptRYE0grxXYfWen0nMd4cYQwgrx~vtX1Y6o-l~fcDmkiir7Ypkv0G58pLcyx3zjbHIyPzNCG0cJC0sXf8IzuE0pMsysvvz3OzvTaFxujbFedoFDeKoRJ4qKqtHjVdTqyK0wI8XUr-FbXQrir58NHAoTwEEHQZ~DfuJk4v17WPoPkdXhPAL4yKu5Mo0ctRrwdSBolc5M6cbEUVra5-rimUnu1PdAeWAbqYXjeP-gyPlk96kgCxYp~3KlvSEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockdale County Board of Education received a preliminary financial report for December and a presentation on the FY26 budget calendar, and the district's human resources chief proposed several staffing strategies for hard-to-fill positions.

The Chief Financial Officer reported December revenues of $85,400,000 and year-to-date revenues of $151,000,000, representing 69.2% of the adopted budget. Year-to-date expenditures were $107,800,000, or about 48.6% of budget; encumbrances totaled $2,073,362. The CFO noted the district's current fund balance at $71,810,355 and cautioned that reliable revenue projections typically arrive at the end of March or in April, a factor that affects the tentative budget timetable.

The FY26 budget calendar calls for earlier-than-usual deadlines: schools and departments must submit budget requests by Jan. 24, 2025, with the district emphasizing zero-based budgeting to scrutinize non-salary expenditures and new position requests. The CFO said the process will include a budget committee (superintendent, cabinet and principal representatives), followed by board finance committee meetings with the board and public input before tentative and final adoption.

Michelle Stevens, Chief Human Resources Officer, presented staffing allotments and three action-item recommendations for addressing hard-to-fill positions:
- International recruitment through Intellodge: renewal to supply hard-to-fill positions (31 teachers) with a current cost estimate of $232,500; Stevens said Intellodge teachers typically hold J-1 visas and can remain 3'5 years.
- International recruitment through Educational Infotech International Resources (EITIR): a second agency with a minimum cost of $49,900 for six teachers and a potential maximum of about $96,000 if additional hires are added.
- Elevate K12 synchronous virtual instruction: use live, Georgia-certified teachers delivered remotely to classrooms supported by a district paraprofessional. Stevens presented a minimum financial impact of $509,817 and a not-to-exceed figure of $835,917 (figures based on multiple scenarios and an existing partner discount).

Stevens described supports for internationally recruited teachers: agency screening, virtual interviews, assistance with Georgia certification, visa sponsorship and induction programs; principals reported high retention and preference for the international hires versus long-term substitutes. For Elevate K12, the district indicated principals would use point allotments to fund the positions and would review the virtual-teaching option each semester.

Board members asked several procedural and fiscal questions about timing, whether virtual services could be terminated if an in-person hire became available and how principals are trained to produce meaningful school-level budgets. The CFO said training is in place and additional sessions are offered for principals who need support.

Board members later moved the cabinet's action items onto the consent agenda for the upcoming regular session: motion to place action items on the consent agenda was moved by Heather Duncan and seconded by Akita Palmer and approved by the board.

No final contract approvals were made during the work session; the HR recommendations were presented as action items to be placed on next week's consent agenda for formal board consideration.","The district CFO reported December preliminary finances and a budget calendar for FY26; the HR chief recommended contracts for international teacher recruitment and for Elevate K12 virtual instruction to cover hard-to-fill positions, with cost estimates.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_46":103,"_48":104,"_50":105,"_52":106,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":107,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":108,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6684777,"Sandra Jackson Lett elected Rockdale County school board chair after roll call",196,2509000,2705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b&start=2509&end=2705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101147-40c1d8caee08efb9db423be1cf82046b/thumbnail_2509000.jpg","/articles/6684777/Georgia/Sandra-Jackson-Lett-elected-Rockdale-County-school-board-chair-after-roll-call","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684777-06ab07915cde7ce4ae01938274e57e9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775799171&Signature=f9iNaVmhoMJ9PowkDdXZGvTOHq1axCaBwMPQGltFeMq0iNxObRE~FpWaMZ5WWQ1Vcx~~BUhh3TbM2S~x9~lVyMbapa0INBPqZNeCf4cxtV6VoLLqHWa7-T6T9krFWbqjVAUC47zLE5Ai92rEzoq~UhHzjGE0Hv3RgXYxu-rrGtFo6i9k2s0trvwXQFKMlgAbrjv39Nun7hZ0L-bVzLp376aEwdbV15TggbdgJO-0cP0YV7-1KT7Sltjg54-gB1wkXIyxhD83j0I749Y60O8br3xQFJiuFHMxsBAUHcxQtUFeEKxzxPkHbkMGMTLzY8bZyJ4oMUP-Qy7GOV5QnAgVSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandra Jackson Lett was elected chair of the Rockdale County Board of Education at the board's work session after a roll-call vote of board members.

Nominations opened for chair with superintendent Dr. Terry Oates presiding. Board members nominated Sandra Jackson Lett and incumbent Pamela J. Brown. Pamela J. Brown declined the nomination, saying, \"I want to not accept the nomination at this time.\" The board then proceeded with a roll-call vote on the sole remaining nominee, Sandra Jackson Lett.

During the roll call, several individual votes were recorded aloud: Board member Heather Duncan said, \"That's a no for me.\" Board member Pamela J. Brown stated, \"I abstain from my vote today.\" At least one board member voiced a yes: \"It's a yes for me.\" Following the roll call, the board announced that Sandra Jackson Lett \"has received the majority of the vote and is elected the new board chair.\" The meeting was then turned over to Chair Jackson Lett to preside over selection of the vice chair.

The board held a separate roll-call election for vice chair immediately afterward. Janie Jones was nominated and, after the roll call, \"has received a majority to vote and is elected the new board vice chair.\" During that roll call, Akita Palmer announced, \"I abstain.\"

The board did not take other formal actions tied to the chair vote during that item. The chair and vice chair elections followed the board's nomination and roll-call procedures; the board subsequently continued with the evening agenda.

The new leadership takes over at the start of the board's calendar year. The session included public comment, superintendent and cabinet reports, and a presentation on the budget process that the board discussed later in the meeting.

(For the record: roll-call tallies were conducted by oral roll call during the meeting. The transcript includes named individual votes (Pamela J. Brown: \"I abstain from my vote today.\"; Heather Duncan: \"That's a no for me.\") and at least one explicit yes. The full roll-call record as announced in the meeting was summarized by the board as a majority in favor of Sandra Jackson Lett and a majority in favor of Janie Jones for vice chair.)","At a Rockdale County Board of Education work session, Sandra Jackson Lett won the board chair election by roll call after nominations and discussion; several members abstained or voted no during the roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and community members urge Rockdale board to reconsider graduation venue, press for board visibility and HB 581 clarity

Rockdale County presents social studies and science updates, emphasizes civic engagement and three-dimensional learning

CFO outlines December finances; HR proposes international recruitment and virtual-teacher options for hard-to-fill positions

Sandra Jackson Lett elected Rockdale County school board chair after roll call