[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6323270,"mediaKeyId","2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b","parentId",2342748,"title","Parents ask Forsyth County board to allow Alliance Academy students to play sports at zoned schools","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4595000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b&start=4595&end=4595","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b/thumbnail_4595000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6323270/Georgia/Parents-ask-Forsyth-County-board-to-allow-Alliance-Academy-students-to-play-sports-at-zoned-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323270-ec49482fc3da54b6c7bdc64f7d26b87c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776406840&Signature=Ny4JeRjXaqY8HjLZ0K7xM3sg5-8uBvTAtSZUnYjqwqY-j1xfzMtt-tKrB~eyjKXGXdeJGHHSlcVMwIsTRDPmOJ5A2Q1meiNq78X4gd1f0O2R7U2kwRf~gwhCeSRqEnu4wiCnEF6apWoQJgGB3rTqodGPDdRAbuD5s334~IGyz7jFwy7XdAMfaw7-zGroEZtJY4eQhZD1gxsJ3KS54V-dxrNW-XsqRGNngZ0rsvJuPQ1HOU8T5l4XQ~7RsZVGCVw5L1JGBEOeWmUQ68JBdfQdJlXq2L3H7so6JeHnp48pG5z-TIWmhb~BxKzkZ~Cm7hn5G8pfa1uFvMvmKTCBnBl9AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-19T16:57:06.363Z","article","Several parents told the Forsyth County Board of Education on Feb. 18 that students enrolled at Alliance Academy for Innovation should be permitted to play athletics at their zoned schools, and they asked the board to revisit the district’s current policy.

Kathy Boyer, who said she is a Forsyth County taxpayer and the parent of an incoming Alliance student, told the board Alliance families pay taxes that support athletics at their zoned schools but are restricted from participation. She said neighboring districts allow innovation-school students to take part in zone-school sports and asked the board to “call for a revote” at the March board meeting to permit Alliance students to play out of their base schools beginning in the 2025–26 school year.

Boyer told the board the current policy leaves Alliance students at a disadvantage compared with homeschooled students and students in Forsyth Virtual Academy, who have broader access to extracurricular activities. She cited studies — without naming specific titles in her remarks — showing high-school athletes tend to have higher academic performance, graduation rates and better mental-health indicators.

Sita Pethel (transcript name), who identified herself as a Forsyth County property owner and parent with children in district schools, said her daughter had struggled with the decision to attend Alliance because it would forfeit the chance to play high‑school softball. Pethel read a response she said she received from the district stating that Alliance students “will sign a document agreeing to give up all GHSA eligibility for athletics” and that the policy reflects the charter arrangement under which Alliance operates. She asked the board to allow Alliance students access to extracurricular athletics and noted Alliance fields an eSports team that competes outside GHSA channels.

Neither the superintendent nor any board member recorded a formal change of policy during public comment. The transcript shows parents asked for a revote and urged the board to consider parity for Alliance students; no board response with a definitive timetable for reconsideration was recorded in the public transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Forsyth County School | Board of Education Regular Meeting | February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple parents urged the Forsyth County Board of Education to revise policy so students enrolled in Alliance Academy for Innovation can participate in athletics at their zoned schools, saying the current policy denies extracurricular opportunities to taxpaying families.","taxTitle","Forsyth County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15379,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6323275,"SPLOST-funded Lakeside Middle addition highlighted; finance director reports January 2025 statements",383,3818000,4201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b&start=3818&end=4201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b/thumbnail_3818000.jpg","/articles/6323275/Georgia/SPLOST-funded-Lakeside-Middle-addition-highlighted-finance-director-reports-January-2025-statements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323275-d18447333f468214a956105f10113516/orig.mp4?Expires=1776406840&Signature=oNpMtLQB6p9BNITQRGlN4Wjpa6TMBUnaECcpWUyXtrN6NexGTp82XvLQnb9qoKUc0uLQ8XINtIreTojWdjfNdmrYGsHtpnrnLyfupRGLkdDFpROj0oGIAaUHM76O-td7x~8jizb6UeiOWHve40uXHwqlQZeR~i4Cau86PhI7mDXEl9tSaLnlBRnr3li0XdTKhnsx2qCtNjRu2AuasADRT5XGC89HwVnDtPgz-xOx24Wxk0eEMKj4XWOwmDxeaGmN4dtTc6RqbKyR27MGVsLARmgkJ8Ls4hAM7Y4p9vOLpQ65xSzxkfgtOzGPqKSIkebMWIjOm4eU~35lv9td-vjUrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forsyth County Schools staff on Feb. 18 showed the board a SPLOST-funded addition at Lakeside Middle School and reviewed the district’s January 2025 financial statements, emphasizing SPLOST project delivery and cash-management figures.

Dr. Michelle Dugan presented a short SPLOST spotlight video showing the Lakeside Middle School addition built with SPLOST funds; the district held a recent ribbon cutting and said the project preserved students’ placement in the existing school while adding classroom and creative space.

The board was told SPLOST projects are paid cash (the presentation and subsequent remarks stated the projects are funded without additional long-term debt). Dr. Dugan and a board member noted that about 40% of SPLOST consumption-tax receipts come from visitors and nonresidents, which helps fund projects.

Larry Hamill, the district’s finance presenter, reviewed January financials: he said the district began the month with about $335,000,000 in cash and ended the month near $309,000,000; overall collections were tracking close to last year’s pace and property-tax collections were strong. He flagged that TAVT (title ad valorem tax on vehicles) receipts have been slower than prior years and that total collections to date stood at roughly 76.4% of the annual expectation. Hamill said SPLOST 5 is nearly expended and SPLOST 6 held about $17.3 million at the time of the report. He also highlighted that the district’s large treasury deposits were earning about 4.4% interest in the LGIP.

On debt-service accounts, Hamill noted some SPLOST funds were used to reduce debt-service requirements in prior years and that certain debt and OGB account balances were lower than last year’s balances; he said the district expects to collect sufficient revenue to meet upcoming payments.

Board members and staff thanked project teams and construction staff; no new debt authorization or budget amendments were recorded in the public transcript during the presentation.","District communications and finance staff showcased a SPLOST addition at Lakeside Middle School and reviewed January financials, including SPLOST balances, tax-collection rates and investment yields.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6323280,"Forsyth County Schools merges safety and student support under new Department of Student Support, presents staffing and program data",971,2787000,3758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b&start=2787&end=3758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b/thumbnail_2787000.jpg","/articles/6323280/Georgia/Forsyth-County-Schools-merges-safety-and-student-support-under-new-Department-of-Student-Support-presents-staffing-and-program-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323280-e6bd5a0f4d4ee2ccc161575006b17c79/orig.mp4?Expires=1776406840&Signature=IInm78rSCEqOSNifrtUl~xYP4xFmeq1i5FyOhyDccFkFBL9uqjMu9PLfxbhRJhDs54Gqd7H4Nb5NM2ru-KO5-8aZ6isRSC5b~Ex0OPJPbjpRoLjELsL5sQY8fPtPXEP23jz7Jjv-PYf~OESRESsjAqYR5jNQ3xpHJjduza94xLoeGMW60TcMPo1Sxxgdw-LlLrJN3Pee1QRWsg7DuM1ycljHCW5QqiN41FWcXzeMnr7LybPvBRQ6p8pxsdZKoGPhIHUIJlUjya0k0ayKh48uVtPrxhpml6IPbLG0zmJCgvD2LADDvxtmV2VB94sN3MhpJQnS4TiVh4MddyJvuYMl7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forsyth County Schools leaders told the Board of Education on Feb. 18 that the district has consolidated school safety and student support functions into a single Department of Student Support to coordinate physical, social and emotional student safety.

Todd Shirley, who introduced the update, said the restructured department brings counseling, nursing, social work, student advocacy specialists (SAS), resource officers and other teams “under one umbrella” so staff can focus on students’ safety and connection to learning.

Sarah Vanish, introduced on the record as the director of student support, said the department’s priority is ensuring students “feel safe physically, socially, and emotionally.” She outlined programs that now operate together, including PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports), MTSS-aligned services, counseling and nursing.

District leaders gave several program metrics during the presentation: the social work team has carried out 528 attendance or dropout-prevention interventions so far this school year; secondary schools that implemented PBIS saw a 3% decline in behavior incidents; 76% of elementary counselors lead PBIS teams at their schools; the district has held six staff and community suicide-intervention or mental-health trainings (including ASIST, Signs of Suicide, SafeTALK and Youth Mental Health First Aid); and student advocacy specialists are following just over 1,700 students for additional support.

Steve Hahn, director of school safety and discipline, described a “circle of support” for students and families during crises and said first responders and district teams coordinate to provide immediate and long-term services. Hahn told the board that staff prepare for both the immediate response and months and years of follow-up where needed.

Todd Shirley used an extended analogy in his remarks to emphasize staff commitment, saying the district’s counselors, nurses, SASs, SROs and social workers “charge this valley to clear the path” for other departments so students can learn. Shirley also shared a recent text he received from a student thanking an SAS for intervention that, the student wrote, had prevented self-harm.

Board members and the superintendent thanked the teams on the record; the transcript records expressions of appreciation and the chair indicated possible “bold action” in coming weeks, but no formal policy change or board vote on staffing levels was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The presentation emphasized coordination across roles rather than a discrete new spending action; several figures given by presenters indicate expanded tracking of interventions and continued training and staffing needs.","District leaders described combining school safety and student support functions, cited program statistics (attendance interventions, PBIS results, suicide-prevention training) and said more sustained long-term support for affected students is planned.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6323285,"Forsyth County Board proclaims Black History Month; approves personnel and consent agenda",110,155000,265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b&start=155&end=265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342748-6cb877f1250e396f2defe9be40c7817b/thumbnail_155000.jpg","/articles/6323285/Georgia/Forsyth-County-Board-proclaims-Black-History-Month-approves-personnel-and-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323285-a63a5c5dbf959be657de0ae18e3cf78b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776406840&Signature=hNww5fKrLkE5iQSHYV7W1zpvjDOCtL9OTE~Py~FygEDHjRq7ZrGkH18NVXYWwsVPPp-cQY-LLOL3KkLfAyG-PHC4Mte4Hu7aJ9j9UBOB1gXV4wrPcchfk8EmQ26SKXG~K77XyTln~SXEn9Lup96qxxFCofI5Vw4OwPER-I1IeAHR-jgv240HBjzaHvDsvHpO3hYlDP1vPHpZ70x0eQf02EFJE5L7pHWD1UEOd-g7iIBs9fKi3TN7otzm6jgPUMoavxo4aJGN3eBIFAvjreVC0XUnO1dNr-7rxwykYOKvErVHTe02iRRK1WpbktuVepsxB3~tXfJ6ZwIs44XNpAlWqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forsyth County Board of Education members unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring February 2025 Black History Month and approved personnel actions and the consent agenda at the board’s Feb. 18 regular meeting.

The Board voted to adopt the proclamation after Chairman Valdez read the text recognizing the contributions of Black Americans and noting that 4.42% of Forsyth County School students are Black or African American. The adoption was recorded as “Motion by Mr. Usherwood, a second by Mr. McCall. All in favor? Unanimous.”

The board also voted to approve personnel items listed in three groups the chair read aloud as “A, 1 through 4; B, 1 through 5; C, 1 through 13.” A motion to approve those personnel items passed by voice vote with no roll-call names recorded for mover or seconder on the transcript; the chair indicated the vote was unanimous.

Earlier in the meeting the Board voted to exit an executive session and then, later in the agenda, members adopted the consent agenda. The consent agenda motion was recorded as made by Mr. Grimes and seconded by Mrs. Hoyes; the chair called the vote unanimous. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn moved by Mrs. Hoyes, seconded by Mr. Grimes, and carried unanimously.

No board action on policy changes was recorded during these votes; the personnel approvals and consent agenda items were taken as presented in the board packet.

Votes at a glance
- Exit executive session — motion moved and seconded on the record; outcome: unanimous (transcript did not name mover/second). Notes: motion to exit was followed immediately by personnel vote.
- Personnel approvals (A, 1–4; B, 1–5; C, 1–13) — motion and second recorded on the audio; outcome: unanimous. Details: items read by the chair; specifics not listed in the public transcript.
- Proclamation: “Proclamation for Black History Month, February 2025” — motion by Mr. Usherwood; second by Mr. McCall; outcome: unanimous.
- Consent agenda — motion by Mr. Grimes; second by Mrs. Hoyes; outcome: unanimous.
- Adjourn — motion by Mrs. Hoyes; second by Mr. Grimes; outcome: unanimous.

The board took these votes during the regular meeting; no formal dissent or roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.","At its Feb. 18 meeting the Forsyth County Board of Education unanimously adopted a Black History Month proclamation and approved personnel items and the consent agenda, board members said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents ask Forsyth County board to allow Alliance Academy students to play sports at zoned schools

SPLOST-funded Lakeside Middle addition highlighted; finance director reports January 2025 statements

Forsyth County Schools merges safety and student support under new Department of Student Support, presents staffing and program data

Forsyth County Board proclaims Black History Month; approves personnel and consent agenda