[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6388019,"mediaKeyId","2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64","parentId",2115427,"title","Votes at a glance: Jan. 14 City Schools of Decatur Board meeting","audioSeconds",1394,"startMs",6302000,"endMs",7696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64&start=6302&end=7696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64/thumbnail_6302000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388019/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-14-City-Schools-of-Decatur-Board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388019-9d8692c43d8dcdb23aacdb0a4340e2f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528468&Signature=BgOw~unZXHtYQyNgkvOtwdIbD2iud1xeh-vcGCL-e0AD7EptlOwCVD-R7~L5bMKbpBnh7nadYZVamgD54pyShboQumTahObRXKoAO-ue5ErO65NHW6Xr7iqAgX~gIHPRv~8V39pwaFtiF2O4wnw5ppz6ttOMMQpcW7jftXApBb8I0Kf8IoS2KG2lGtCqcrEXGqeasH2Gz1ya5B6dYr0TBBFmnU3UhTkX10C2nqb-3JlkvxojwlwfYq050evcValmHWLQhtvQdN2wBJCVX0HTJgFMV-mrWgYKIrAPXkU8U9og0hj1m56-sSeKsCZqvcGvpBGz6Zw5fPuHjI7Axl01sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-15T15:09:25Z","article","The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education recorded the following formal outcomes during its Jan. 14 prework and regular meetings.

Elections
- Board chair: Doctor Carmen Sultan elected board chair, effective Jan. 14, 2025 (vote: 5-0). No roll call of individual votes was recorded in the public transcript.
- Vice chair: Hans Bush elected vice chair, effective Jan. 14, 2025 (vote: 5-0). No roll call of individual votes was recorded in the public transcript.

Policies (first-read approvals)
- GAMA (Drug-Free Workplace): Board accepted policy GAMA for first read (motion carried; the transcript records a voice vote and \"motion carries\").
- GAMC (Responsibility to Report Criminal Charges to Employer): Board accepted policy GAMC for first read (motion carried unanimously; transcript records motion and voice vote).
- BCBI (Public Participation in Board Meetings): Board accepted policy BCBI for first read (motion carried unanimously).

Policy (second-read approval/action)
- BBFB (Governance Team / governance teams policy): Board approved policy BBFB for action at second read (motion carried unanimously).

Consent and other routine actions
- Consent agenda (monthly financial report, school nutrition report, personnel report, midyear budget amendment, Decatur High School PAC auditorium seating): Board approved the consent agenda items 1 through 5 (motion carried unanimously).

Notes on procedure and tallies: When the transcript did not include recorded roll-call tallies, outcomes are reported as \"motion carried\" or \"motion carries\" as recorded in the public proceeding. Where a numerical tally was announced (chair and vice chair elections), the transcript indicated unanimous board support and staff recorded the outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 14, 2025, Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions and outcomes from the Jan. 14 prework and regular board meetings, including officer elections, first reads of policy drafts, a governance policy adoption and consent agenda approvals.","taxTitle","City Schools of Decatur, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",38463,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388025,"Public hearings begin on HB 581 opt-out; brief public comment opposes board preemptive opt-out",132,9300000,9432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64&start=9300&end=9432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64/thumbnail_9300000.jpg","/articles/6388025/Georgia/Public-hearings-begin-on-HB-581-opt-out-brief-public-comment-opposes-board-preemptive-opt-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388025-1c35a097a4a7baef28984003d3085f75/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528468&Signature=j58OMkQHF4GYF65O97b41D1HteVLvpIkAzZR7jJkGml-DHPoM5~T829OpvygXIGiAhi6YxScYfi7URaD-Nc86R6ms7GHtU0za-VVVNqB9MjENGHt0x1-GIxqf~V~epsFJ9FhjF4ERiI6eTWAH4YaOLKtaNGxK07uimFcnwGwIGw6U-gaxDS35UAsgOknHhuYgeIbMpKD-DAqivjvWaENjz~6y-p~goTTZ-~BieQPzbJKuAt0c6Pqnl8V4YqTx835tL3fJOHJx2UfwI-CJxBc0wQDJ5z6hfFu~PEI7-w7GrklSaXMAg8mLAGtzzkLta7QUKrhIhbu08bG1po~wT2xNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Schools of Decatur held the second of five public hearings on Jan. 14 to gather public input on whether the district will opt out of the statewide homestead exemption authorized by House Bill 581. The district intends to complete required hearings before a board resolution is filed by March 1, 2025.

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Lonita Broom reviewed the bills provisions and the districts planned opt-out procedures. House Bill 581 would permit the state to establish a statewide homestead cap on property-tax increases tied to inflation. Local entities (cities, counties and school systems) can opt out through a formal process that includes public advertisement and at least three local hearings; Decatur staff advertised multiple dates and scheduled five hearings to maximize access. Broom provided a conservative projection showing a potential revenue reduction to the district of roughly $0.5 million in FY26 under the assumptions used in their slide set and a projected cumulative shortfall that grows over subsequent years (the staff presentation used a conservative CPI estimate and digest-growth assumptions to model impacts).

Broom told the board the district relies on property-tax revenue for about 60% of its general fund and warned that a tax cap could force cuts to operating services, staffing, and programs if local revenue is constrained: \"The reduction in the general fund operational budget from the property tax cap will negatively impact the district's ability to provide adequate educational services and competitive salaries,\" she said.

The hearing format allowed for three-minute public comments. Three in-person speakers asked to be heard. One speaker urged the board not to preemptively opt out of the state law, noting that a majority of county voters had supported the amendment in the November election and asking for more outreach to homeowners. Another speaker said the district had not widely publicized the in-person hearing and urged improved outreach. One additional commenter said they opposed the board opting out.

Ending: The district will hold additional virtual hearings on Jan. 21 and Jan. 30. After the full series of hearings, the board is scheduled to adopt a resolution for filing if it votes to opt out; staff said the earliest possible filing date would be Feb. 13 with adoption on the Feb. 11 board meeting agenda.","As required by law, City Schools of Decatur held the second of five public hearings on whether the district will opt out of the statewide homestead exemption enacted by House Bill 581; staff laid out projected multi-year revenue impacts and several members of the public urged the board not to opt out.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388029,"Midyear STAR results show high overall proficiency but persistent low-growth pockets; district to add K-5 roles after state review",386,7860000,8246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64&start=7860&end=8246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64/thumbnail_7860000.jpg","/articles/6388029/Georgia/Midyear-STAR-results-show-high-overall-proficiency-but-persistent-low-growth-pockets-district-to-add-K-5-roles-after-state-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388029-799060b45c889b67aba357bdb2ccf7d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528468&Signature=DzvfIgU8kx6pEOwDW3Zuu8DLwHa8io6IFYMlIlwS0xohXzp2x6NDm23Lk1sZvpKmDCYAGiKgPf7aLWRgCbiDBogLw3WvAE80ox6vg9NOmcxmc7Iu8Dvs9ncCpzaweyLHa0WOuwda69zNCRnxs~Eb2utJObp-1VB7MyUGCvZTex99Q6nB3g7towWLo320bjhNcz9rGtRjcH~k~vX6Ce9xSaiRrP6kAYR63DSmxVAFilUCOi1P536Txms3X6nAveYlWnP8GiKheFmu4Fd1dPpjZYFOTkuI9y6GnfZ3~nqe2j8GsVJCyxmdne5x2RHBi4VVEVkpQ91M83vjoiJcOrIrzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Schools of Decatur presented midyear STAR assessment results on Jan. 14 that showed the district has strong overall achievement in reading and math, but administrators cautioned that persistent low-growth pockets among certain student groups require targeted intervention.

Deputy Superintendent Karen Newton Scott and Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Burton led a data briefing, explaining how the STAR suite (Early Literacy, STAR Reading, and STAR Math) is used for K-12 screening and growth tracking. Scott explained the district switched from MAP to STAR for K-8 after the states advisory list and the Georgia Literacy Act guided the choice.

The district reported that, districtwide, 72% to 79% of students scored at or above proficiency across assessments at midyear and that many students demonstrated typical or high growth between fall and winter administrations. But administrators flagged a consistent pattern: about 30% of students across racial subgroups were in the low-growth category on several measures. Scott illustrated how the STAR growth metric compares students with peers who had similar fall scores, so two students who finish at the same winter score can show different growth percentiles depending on their starting point.

Burton said the teaching and learning team will work individually with schools to create action plans for students who did not make adequate growth, focusing on students below the 30th percentile. \"We are looking at each student as an individual,\" she said, describing interventions such as adjusted intervention schedules, added intervention time, \"lunch bunch\" language groups, and steps to remove attendance barriers that limit access to instruction. District staff said action plans will be monitored centrally and will include co-created supports with school teams.

Superintendent Dr. Eva Whitaker also announced that because the district had a long history of disproportionality for special-education identification, the Georgia Department of Education conducted an on-site review in October and will provide targeted technical assistance. Whitaker said the district will post several new K-5 positions to address inequities: two roles at K-2 and one role at grades 3-5, placed at school level and reporting to principals. She said positions will be posted in February and the district is seeking candidates with experience reducing disproportionate outcomes.

Ending: District leaders said STAR provides actionable growth measures that will guide school-level intervention plans and that the state review will include follow-up support; the board and staff said they expect school-based hires and action-plan monitoring to begin this spring.

","District midyear STAR assessments showed strong proficiency and growth for many students but identified roughly 30% of students in low-growth categories across subgroups; a Georgia Department of Education review found longstanding disproportionality, and the superintendent announced new school-based positions to address K-5 inequities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388035,"Board reviews FY26 pay concepts: HR proposes COLA plus smoothing; board asks finance for cost scenarios",171,4148000,4319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64&start=4148&end=4319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64/thumbnail_4148000.jpg","/articles/6388035/Georgia/Board-reviews-FY26-pay-concepts-HR-proposes-COLA-plus-smoothing-board-asks-finance-for-cost-scenarios","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388035-0d3d9023fb9e8f4cd45827a373f8bb7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528468&Signature=VJE80ERqaXWeQfcjfb0k22uXVKgKVjKSEuegIclORJrBOfbMkb9BO21uVaMJUC0AVf9HrIWKDh9ejMZQMaV-A1dWZ7PfZqanS6syWbblcK50IJDtLL60qGAq3ON2cPhfMzUWuPdMNjqwwTAeiUuSAI5z8ILWLpx0PhfXUtKYKvt63Xw7IsaaGCP98U6XxIf9vc2MGtVLAweWrGmpbmJdwoCqbx1xU6s2ZwwDQ3cTnyKZyU5BYIH8uJ2yM1mUXDV0FKKHiMyv2omNhLeCrLxvSeP8JXvGzrdZ2blC9dgVDa-ul0tcS~6zlOP~RSrPGlzzrBDCu5fUgbA-Ef4iXlubDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Schools of Decatur human resources staff presented multiple FY26 compensation concepts on Jan. 14 that would combine a cost-of-living adjustment with scale smoothing for teacher step increases and targeted adjustments for non-teaching roles.

Adena Walker, Chief of Human Resources, told the board the districts stated goal is to place City Schools of Decatur in the top quartile of comparable metro Atlanta districts for total teacher compensation by FY28. Walker summarized four concepts: two use a 3% COLA (concepts labeled 3a and 3b in the districts materials) and two use a 4% COLA (4a and 4b). Each pair differs on whether the district applies a smaller per-step smoothing (3a/4a) or a larger per-step smoothing that raises the base and increases the dollar-per-step increments (3b/4b). Walker said concept 3a would increase teacher entry salary to about $59,431 and cost roughly $1.3 million; concept 3b would smooth steps more aggressively and cost about $2.2 million. Concept 4a raised entry pay to about $60,000 at an estimated $1.6 million and 4b to roughly $2.5 million.

Walker explained the district is also proposing targeted level-sets for non-teaching staff categories that did not receive adjustments last year. Examples included paraprofessionals (a proposal to raise base hourly pay to $18), nurses (a proposed 7% level set), and other specialist/coordinator categories. Walker provided cost estimates for those targeted moves and for modest annual supplements for some adapted-special-education positions.

Board members pressed staff on affordability and sustainability. Several members noted the difference between a COLA (which other districts are likely to provide and will therefore not change comparative rankings) and a separate rank-raising \"rate\" on top of the COLA. One board member said a 3% COLA is a reasonable assumption while others asked staff to model the multi-year budget impact of the larger step smoothing (the 4b-style options) because the annual funds required would grow as long-tenured teachers progress through a new, larger-step scale.

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Lonita Broom told the board finance would price each option and present two draft budgets: a base budget and a budget incorporating the more aggressive options so the board could compare sustainability and year-to-year increases.

Ending: The board signaled more appetite for the moderate smoothing option (4a) but asked HR and finance to provide detailed, multi-year budget projections showing the ongoing cost of each concept and the effect of different COLA assumptions before the board makes a final FY26 decision.","Human Resources presented four compensation concepts that combine a district-wide COLA with step smoothing for teacher salary scales; board members asked for affordability analyses and two budget scenarios before choosing a preference.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388039,"City Schools of Decatur combines safety and IT; rolls out Syntegix alerts, visitor checks and camera upgrades",175,3284000,3459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64&start=3284&end=3459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64/thumbnail_3284000.jpg","/articles/6388039/Georgia/City-Schools-of-Decatur-combines-safety-and-IT-rolls-out-Syntegix-alerts-visitor-checks-and-camera-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388039-047cc5e5510dcecfc400a5964e7bb778/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528468&Signature=XIa35or9rDakmZ6CwVk7yG1WPOt~5WZj3L~swwJss~KsYLdkemPfPnIN3u2H-Y7xqY59UgCvo1XkeETMdIx3MCQcEbkSmejRG5T65BK1ns0RZV~fnj79Z9jtHXMINHSyvlzKcsjaTp2XUuiV5lJPdBsBDJ~0D~r7Dl4NQlWc~LcyxTSik57lw7Fa2PC6~~NhrsXdOiQFEAS--NKamBcYriV-7IBdeAN8QbdYYQE6ZFGoI~Lko~rbG4osCvnexVyOM3KhyA5OKSZydagjAbKMizsrCHTSsSxE9zdqbwu5X48GnopS9zegFJHn6aeZ82JetOTb6cc3q4mN0TxgnKsopA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Schools of Decatur presented a major reorganization and a slate of safety and technology projects on Jan. 14, describing how new tools and procedures aim to improve crisis response and day-to-day campus security.

Esten Nelson, Chief of Safety and Technology Services, told the board the district merged Information Services with Safety and Security last summer to form a single division and has hired Director James Brown to lead daily safety operations and Carol Gibson to strengthen the districts Infinite Campus and data tools. \"Step 2 this summer was to hire a new shepherd for Infinite Campus and we were fortunate to have Carol Gibson join our organization,\" Nelson said.

Nelson described four major initiatives already underway or coming this semester: 1) Syntegix wearable alert devices; 2) a standard response protocol (SRP) aligned to Syntegix alerts and intercom messaging; 3) CrisisGo for incident communications and accountability; and 4) a visitor-management pilot plus a design-and-pricing process for security vestibules and a camera upgrade at Decatur High School funded by a Department of Education grant.

On Syntegix, Nelson said employees wear an alert badge that can be pressed three times as an \"I need help\" signal for non-life-threatening assistance; eight presses initiate an immediate lockdown. He said the system already triggered multiple times, three of them inadvertently, and the district treated those occasions as learning opportunities: \"We consider these to be instructional speak assessments for learning, what not to do,\" Nelson said, and stressed that staff training and communications are part of the rollout.

The SRP posters have been distributed to schools and the district will publish SRP guidance on the website and educate families about what each alert label (shelter, lockdown, evacuate, secure) means. Nelson said Syntegix integrates with the Decatur 911 center so an eight-press lockdown notifies local dispatchers immediately.

CrisisGo will be used for unified communications and will allow staff to take roll and coordinate during incidents, Nelson said. He also described a pilot of a visitor-management system at Westchester Elementary that will require visitors to scan a state-issued ID; the software checks IDs against registries and issues a guest badge showing the visitors location in the building. District staff said they will design messaging and processes to handle false positives and people without state IDs.

Nelson said the high school will receive an upgraded, enterprise-grade camera system to be architected by a district contractor; the district also issued an RFP for design-build work on secure vestibules and expects to recommend a contract next month. He said the majority of work on the Syntegix, SRP and CrisisGo rollouts is expected to be complete by the end of the semester, with camera installations and construction timelines depending on design complexity.

Ending: The district invited the public to a Jan. 27 Safety Summit at Decatur High School to present SRP materials and answer questions with city and district partners; staff said they would continue testing and training and refine communications to reduce inadvertent alerts.","District announced a new Safety & Technology Services division and described recent rollouts: wearable Syntegix panic/assistance buttons, an SRP (standard response protocol) tied to intercom alerts, CrisisGo communications, a visitor-management pilot and a grant-funded camera upgrade at Decatur High School.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388044,"Decatur board debates how broadly to limit staff political activity in proposed policy",611,2983000,3594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64&start=2983&end=3594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115427-fb7992cb1286c43d483af272a4798a64/thumbnail_2983000.jpg","/articles/6388044/Georgia/Decatur-board-debates-how-broadly-to-limit-staff-political-activity-in-proposed-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388044-0671f2d2f394ff53450f479bd80897d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528468&Signature=L4vJ03AgycH3RXkDJ5TLdn9fnzCI~5nASfsG5ZrsEE-TnYzva8Od8hLZ4K6WEgTmvNGvsGgIOTf-85ajiY85J~E6kI3HPikn61nff0erDZMp4gTNlfwiAZrbS0T9lDhzGqOPZXbua1SW6Pl6i2TqKEhYSWbsv1-y7i4tL8LoAlVRWQn5c7G8DbT3duAmMYKtC~HydRG1RVi3EIRbqztGj-GkiVlxrkRk811naPdRoJLfGEzfd0~G5hSd23rd0EZUxFKnlZZK0VHWS52JZs-BgBOUwUC1C6Pf5~dyz0v4kqx1r~M0TgRM99GmbEYXRvQRGEY9u1t-UZt20YRMtOGsCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education took up a draft policy intended to limit political activity by employees, focusing the discussion on whether the rule should be limited to campaigning for partisan candidates or expanded to proscribe broader social-issue advocacy in classrooms and on campus.

Board members discussed the draft at length during the boards January 14 prework session. Carrie, the districts legal counsel, told the board the draft was intentionally narrow and that the district had used the federal Hatch Act definition as a point of reference: \"activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, a candidate for a partisan political office or a partisan political group,\" she said. Counsel cautioned that Georgia does not have an identical controlling statute and that the board must choose how broad it wants the policy to be.

The debate centered on two approaches. One, supported by several board members and legal staff, would target campaign-like activity: using district time or resources to advocate for or against candidates, running campaign materials in classrooms, or having staff use district copiers to produce campaign literature. The other approach, urged by some members, would broaden the restriction to include staff advocacy on social issues (for example, instruction or displays that promote particular positions on abortion or gun policy). Several board members said they were concerned that a broader prohibition could implicate First Amendment protections and collide with instructional needs.

Carrie told the board that the policy as drafted would cover partisan campaigning and the use of district resources for candidate advocacy and offered a concrete example from the draft: \"staff shall not display any political billboard, pictures, signs, posters, badges, buttons or any other political advertisements at any school facility or on their person during normal business hours or while performing job duties.\" She added that if the board wanted to include social-issue advocacy, the language would need careful rewriting and that doing so could create legal risk because the line between curricular instruction and advocacy is legally fraught.

Board members repeatedly returned to classroom examples. One member said they would oppose a teacher using class time to promote a political position and agreed that the draft should prevent use of school time and resources to campaign. Other members urged care so that normal instructional activities (instructional materials discussing politics as part of curriculum, historical or civic instruction, or invited non-partisan speakers) would remain usable under existing curriculum exceptions. Administrators noted the draft already includes exceptions for instructional activities and student elections, and the board discussed maintaining those carve-outs.

Superintendent Dr. Eva Whitaker and school leaders also asked the board to be mindful of enforcement and of the difference between prohibiting campaign activity and policing speech about social issues. Carrie recommended keeping the policy narrowly focused on partisan political campaigning and use of district resources for political campaigns, and addressing classroom conduct by other policy routes if the board wished to regulate it.

Board members asked staff to redraft the policy with clearer definitions and an explicit list of exceptions tied to curriculum and school-run student elections. The board directed staff to return a revised draft at a later prework session for further consideration and additional legal review.

Ending: The discussion did not produce a final vote; staff will return a revised draft. The board emphasized it wants a usable, legally defensible policy that clearly differentiates partisan campaigning (which the draft would prohibit during work hours or using district resources) from curriculum-driven classroom instruction and permitted student activities.","Legal counsel and board members debated whether a draft policy on staff political activity should narrowly bar campaigning for candidates or be broadened to cover social-issue advocacy in schools; attorneys warned wider language could raise First Amendment issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Jan. 14 City Schools of Decatur Board meeting

Public hearings begin on HB 581 opt-out; brief public comment opposes board preemptive opt-out

Midyear STAR results show high overall proficiency but persistent low-growth pockets; district to add K-5 roles after state review

Board reviews FY26 pay concepts: HR proposes COLA plus smoothing; board asks finance for cost scenarios

City Schools of Decatur combines safety and IT; rolls out Syntegix alerts, visitor checks and camera upgrades

Decatur board debates how broadly to limit staff political activity in proposed policy