[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6627155,"mediaKeyId","2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f","parentId",2730071,"title","Board recognizes student artists, reading-bowl teams, TEAM cohort and PBIS schools","audioSeconds",1543,"startMs",1167000,"endMs",2710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f&start=1167&end=2710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f/thumbnail_1167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627155/Georgia/Board-recognizes-student-artists-reading-bowl-teams-TEAM-cohort-and-PBIS-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627155-42aaf1a7b08c10c62807d6e15e30af9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627820&Signature=lI-yktLd0vDWIScXvUC4T80nacryQOhJeengJTbc8jDwxkzhzI8-VuvkPbKhMcRMYh31N9KwqnEI1G3zzFFSQN3t9CJRDd7xJTDnIWEP3~58A9bswxXbUi4WvOKRUc3FSjNMIqZVRiI4jamEuFx0wKpXN3e2EaAaw0RaKeXcBHNpqvaqYR84F8NMExs7ExbAEjoXNFd8GaBvNYMlr345fx14ONxhKPeGeAVHFPPJGkTR6b~jrgmfzjtR3B6jDqkPEe2N2wc5BnqrhgCb4D1fjkrgALIaJY665zDJc3-I~en~b5FQ-WYqU5Z-S9-HQ-AFULe5UPAYz-G3rJhsiEG4~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-03-21T18:11:59.43Z","article","The Rockdale County Board of Education honored students, staff and schools with several recognitions during the meeting.

For Youth Art Month, the board announced the state flag winner from Heritage High School, Kaylee William, whose design will be displayed at the National Art Education Association convention. The board also recognized 16 students selected for the statewide Capital Art Exhibit, listing winners from Honey Creek Elementary, Lorraine Elementary, Conyers Middle School, Heritage High School, Rockdale County High School, and Salem High School.

The board celebrated Lorraine Elementary and Barksdale Elementary teams for the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl; Lorraine won first place in the district and third place in the region while Barksdale placed second at the district level and participated in regionals. Coaches and student team members were recognized onstage.

Board members also congratulated the 2023–24 TEAM cohort (Training Educators for Athletic Management), which included athletic directors and coaches from multiple schools across the district, and recognized schools for fidelity of PBIS implementation; Flat Shoals Elementary, Heritage High School, C.J. Hicks Elementary, Honey Creek Elementary, Pine Street Elementary and Sims Elementary were named.

No formal motions were associated with the recognitions; they were ceremonial acknowledgments of student and staff achievement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03-20-25 BOE Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Rockdale County Board acknowledged winners in Youth Art Month, the Capital Art Exhibit, Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl teams, the TEAM cohort for athletic-management training, and multiple schools for PBIS implementation.","taxTitle","Rockdale County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15315,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627160,"CFO reports February financials: revenues and fund balance figures presented to Rockdale board",118,3372000,3490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f&start=3372&end=3490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f/thumbnail_3372000.jpg","/articles/6627160/Georgia/CFO-reports-February-financials-revenues-and-fund-balance-figures-presented-to-Rockdale-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627160-6d37f1bcd199e1da04404e255b27e4a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627820&Signature=TuKaHOL2YhXN83BfcDMRD6MYTuZWTDv9SMcQFGfYPgofnChGqzwZ4I72MDvJNaRwCfcXa~PtkHApiXJD8a2RWZmhVRGGuPu2d-zVZb25JfQnrUTM4WGd-bBWoy7ZRzdR-94vD7~L33BCfYzXDXpPAMxW5ck1ubfcFM1wrqXMDsBkllQhTLvn~UafKPLpf50~VVkcolEmlgEjsiHHFnz5V8VviA9tNgf5O2JjnjOTBJqfapmcZOWgqVKWLFcBkzr30tTMNpPaAJb8-Cfh8GtCl1GX2P4XMukVaMiuAP~y~fEIFhfBL9awonUjhyVMizvi2Q3UqGMgirRfjIU92wCZSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joycelyn Smith, chief financial officer for Rockdale County Public Schools, presented the district’s final financial report for the month of February to the Board of Education.

Smith said, “Our revenues were 10.7 for the month. Year to date, we're at 175,000,000, representing 80.2% of the budget.” She compared the current year to the prior year and gave expenditure figures for the month and year to date, and reported the fund balance: “Our fund balance is $59,733,077. Last year was $55,307,743.”

Smith also reported that the district’s expenditures for February were $17,500,000 and that year‑to‑date expenditures were approximately $143.9 million, representing about 64.8% of the budget. She concluded the presentation by inviting questions; none were raised that required additional follow-up during the meeting.

The board did not take any funding votes or direct staff to change budget allocations during the session; the presentation was recorded for the board’s regular oversight of district finances.","Chief Financial Officer Joycelyn Smith presented the February financial report showing month and year-to-date revenue and expenditure figures and a fund balance of $59,733,077; board asked no substantive follow-up questions at the meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627164,"Rockdale County High School administrators describe Student Success Academy and targeted interventions to boost graduation and test performance",248,286000,534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f&start=286&end=534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f/thumbnail_286000.jpg","/articles/6627164/Georgia/Rockdale-County-High-School-administrators-describe-Student-Success-Academy-and-targeted-interventions-to-boost-graduation-and-test-performance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627164-679d9e9f5ca1654f8d9f7b22ce8a0ff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627820&Signature=H9Ctomf3wHiau41dDYxOIfOxbJlNLTiNCxV7nUz8e7W49~Ni2mTFRyfxr8OhbSUumyETruM6zNg~cLp4gWfUyPrn8ZOgQj4Er-mhJmnIh53ZOiwkJYizc1MNV-bsmw1rVogDHvCkvzSMl4vXwBEuf4h1Ro3NysAQQrnBiddfST8cUzP9PVOt5GB5p08HIACK0wRXrtH0PGv7JKdIrS3wEk6oA46OVTH2YlU4VPHIHV6tLjYKxDULoKXJ~k2MEg391wVpgVe022v1hDSVP4~AAraEUvuuGZ0XTE7aW-sMIPZkvbcy7RZtp66SKVPx2v8Vp2GLoFVukTWRNlxTj1n6vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Administrators at Rockdale County High School detailed programs intended to close achievement gaps and increase on-time graduation, telling the Board of Education the school expanded a Student Success Academy (SSA) that provides targeted academic and wraparound supports.

Dr. Ogie Dennis highlighted data-driven targeting: students are identified through the school’s Early Warning System (EWS), which focuses on attendance, behavior and grades, alongside STAR and other assessments. “Students are identified by our EWS data, which is our Early Warning System data, which focuses on our ABCs, which is attendance, behavior, and grades,” Dennis said.

Dennis and the administrative team described SSA components that now include after-school tutorials with certified teachers and peer tutors, Milestone Mania (targeted support for biology, algebra, U.S. history and American literature), year-round credit recovery (including holiday, weekend and virtual options), Saturday academy, and “Making Athletes Successful Students” for athletes to receive academic help before practices. The program also provides meals and transportation to remove barriers to participation.

Administrators said the school’s overall attendance was 92.58% and that disciplinary incidents fell from 205 last year to 54 this year; in-school and out-of-school suspension counts also declined. Staff said teachers compile grade-distribution data every 4.5 weeks to identify students needing intervention.

Administrators emphasized flexibility to meet students’ schedules: virtual sessions for those with jobs or appointments and weekend options for working students. Dennis said the initiatives are intended to increase student growth and graduation on time: “We want to see all of our kids succeed. We want to see them all graduate on time.”

No formal board action was taken; this was a presentation of ongoing programs and outcomes and the board did not vote on new funding during the meeting.","School leaders described a Student Success Academy that expanded beyond after-school tutoring to include Milestone Mania, credit recovery, weekend and virtual options, transportation and meals, and specialized support for student athletes; administrators reported attendance at 92.58% and a marked reduction in disciplinary incidents.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627168,"Board appoints Shirley Chesser interim superintendent through June 30, 2026 at $230,000 base salary",362,4872000,5234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f&start=4872&end=5234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f/thumbnail_4872000.jpg","/articles/6627168/Georgia/Board-appoints-Shirley-Chesser-interim-superintendent-through-June-30-2026-at-230000-base-salary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627168-c38220aacdaaac03ac12067cdd99638e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627820&Signature=GXGCAl671e~mz6mSmvsPMdUyGdfxZIKBujPy2PKbMG9ynUdqRQbxo4de3EWEf5Nm9OU7N5GvJOGauf~r4meOWJdV1qZHSQ~dGGsJ8ckMDLb2pkbHIVy5dwQ~qvPpOOhNsZt9oftQ03Kl5esgHroLt-n5Jo3eAuf7ZxlRi8-~57CO6NqAij9eMIbDrsmF7reHLkCxAbXB3ZM4oNX6RiNfPSk5YQdqNF6dJLB52wtWHM2hxz18vVJo3kj36vZ79IVBHpVgFM4-yH4~8Ja4xFGM5WEdS6J9-lNR8-ae57d82YZ99rbjgZ2lkXTb~l0I03QW7PStF2QohwruXXRK5Z~QEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After an executive session to discuss personnel, the Rockdale County Board of Education appointed Shirley Chesser as superintendent for an interim term beginning April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Board Chair called for the motion to appoint Chesser “from 04/01/2025 to 06/30/2026 at a base salary of $230,000 subject to final approval of the contract.” Board member Justin moved the appointment and Heather seconded. The motion passed unanimously by a 7 to 0 vote in open session.

The appointment followed the board’s earlier vote to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters. No additional contract details were shared at the meeting beyond the base salary and effective dates; the contract remains subject to final approval.

Formal action recorded at the meeting requires staff to complete any outstanding contract paperwork and implement the personnel change according to the district’s human-resources processes.","The Rockdale County Board of Education voted 7-0 to appoint Shirley Chesser as superintendent from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, at a base salary of $230,000 subject to final contract approval following an executive session.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627171,"Rockdale school leaders warn of rising vaping, THC-edible incidents; ask for Narcan inventory and staff certification review",266,3764000,4030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f&start=3764&end=4030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730071-c8252e8425af4a9cc70c1044af21452f/thumbnail_3764000.jpg","/articles/6627171/Georgia/Rockdale-school-leaders-warn-of-rising-vaping-THC-edible-incidents-ask-for-Narcan-inventory-and-staff-certification-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627171-ff6fd12a068a3ec705315417782709c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627820&Signature=SZlIiXJadCikrUPO6qxdZ2UsmH2czp3dCU2Rn5UmUXZ4e7ZJKqp3M8ZoTanZIG06Ea0TQNYmxasqR6oLC4~OABFBCierq-tULdLirV2RFs-Iprbyizi4eE6iJRjjUctcq4qWao1V~Wk~I6ccIIIUzv9jdE3-6QpPJRWNMLGeaDmPwxsYfziUJx~xWe-E4KqCCALNwdRPE-DwNFT5s4Xoi9mQYLGpWKL52bTdmUOUCgrUkuHXJbzp1~ZMIPWuNkA8DOYgHs6g9ptIE5U0uJPNlEmdZdPMen4kA3fQDOqvyIkhA85dmPJVfWA6Z03usktw85Ww3dfZS4IEdfjSlFQh6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockdale County Public Schools officials told the Board of Education they are seeing a renewed spike in student use of e-cigarettes and THC-containing edibles and are working with law enforcement and public-health partners to respond.

Acting Superintendent Shirley Chesser said the district is working with Newton and Rockdale county law enforcement after a student’s death that occurred outside school hours and that grief counselors have been deployed. “This tragic event took place after school hours in Newton County. Grief Counselors have been on campus today and will continue to be available for all students, staff, and families as needed,” Chesser said.

Director of Safety Mr. Green presented detailed examples of products that can hide nicotine or THC and said some designs are being marketed to youth. He showed items that resemble a highlighter and a smartwatch and said of one product, “it contains about as much nicotine as 50 cigarettes.” He and the superintendent said some packaged edibles resemble ordinary snacks and cited an example discussed in another state where a single package could contain far more THC than adult limits.

Mr. Green described district observations and national data trends and said the pattern is not unique to Rockdale: “This is not a problem unique to Rockdale. This is a problem statewide and nationally.” He told the board that school nurses and safety personnel previously received Narcan training and that Narcan kits are carried by campus safety staff, but the board requested a current inventory and an updated list of staff whose Narcan certification needs renewal.

Board members pressed for specifics about how younger students obtain these products. Mr. Green replied that the district does not have a definitive source: “I wouldn't be able to give you an honest answer as to how, but we know that they are.” Chesser said the district is sending parent communications and will enforce the student code of conduct for prohibited items, adding that enforcement can range from school discipline to law-enforcement involvement depending on circumstances.

The district asked staff to compile and share: (1) the number of Narcan kits and where they are located, and (2) which staff certifications need updating so the board can confirm ongoing coverage. Board members also heard that the district is coordinating with Sheriff Levitt and local chiefs and will continue parent education about identifying risky products.

Less-critical details: Mr. Green noted that House Bill 577 (state level) had advanced and was intended to create a registry and restrictions on disposable flavored vapes; the board did not take legislative action but discussed education and enforcement steps.

The board did not adopt new policy at the meeting but directed staff to return with the requested Narcan inventory and certification status and to continue communications to families.","Rockdale County Public Schools officials reported an uptick in student vaping and THC-laced edibles, described products that mimic everyday items, cited potential health risks, and asked staff to inventory Narcan kits and certification status while working with law enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recognizes student artists, reading-bowl teams, TEAM cohort and PBIS schools

CFO reports February financials: revenues and fund balance figures presented to Rockdale board

Rockdale County High School administrators describe Student Success Academy and targeted interventions to boost graduation and test performance

Board appoints Shirley Chesser interim superintendent through June 30, 2026 at $230,000 base salary

Rockdale school leaders warn of rising vaping, THC-edible incidents; ask for Narcan inventory and staff certification review