[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6575273,"mediaKeyId","3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2","parentId",3123807,"title","Rockdale County Schools say teacher used unapproved activity about Ruby Bridges; NAACP and parents call for accountability","audioSeconds",423,"startMs",3810000,"endMs",4233000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2&start=3810&end=4233","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2/thumbnail_3810000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575273/Georgia/Rockdale-County-Schools-say-teacher-used-unapproved-activity-about-Ruby-Bridges-NAACP-and-parents-call-for-accountability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575273-023de1afe37bf156a719148fcb91ae4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659421&Signature=h5UfE~Xf5Y3QTJaHxz4~8-5wH-IulnuNUz8QtU2wDdeuLg4iWpSDK8d4e9Sx6DIooDIclmPxNuZMXqmJhFU7fNXBU4KkVay7zQXXsadOyx2p2HMHPG7KtQEaRbTmZ6tf-3lboncbuNpsFCrS7fQAGXZ~5P2-IFTS2HVk8iabEqMJTKXaXlyOrI2CfkYzhP6L9-jsaE39zIZ7NwEelOaGTXb-ZUX7oGasObwm6up1iD2qZzMc3pusML18zb2VnpjXIsiT1uesMypJhIudUyl~4HqRgLHEuhwnDvMVxHo7HHHMjFHxrSCyY8Zl5Rl8-LfprDLlk~MAkDsVfgNb0yp5jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-04-25T12:09:07.113Z","article","Superintendent Shirley Chester told the Rockdale County Board of Education that school officials have investigated a report of an unapproved social‑studies activity involving the historical figure Ruby Bridges at Honey Creek Elementary School and that the activity did not follow district‑approved lesson materials.

The district’s social studies coordinator, Vernalisa Printup, explained to the board that Georgia’s first‑grade social studies standards direct students to study historical figures — including Ruby Bridges — and to compare aspects of daily life such as food, clothing and transportation. Printup said the district provides unit guides, print and digital readers and small‑group materials aligned to the standard, and that a Studies Weekly reader includes an age‑appropriate unit on Bridges.

“Rockdale County Public Schools provides our teachers with curriculum documents that include recommended embedded resources and activities,” Superintendent Chester said in the meeting. She said the teacher involved did not follow the approved resources or the school’s approved lesson plan, that the district’s human resources office launched an investigation when two signs were posted in the school cafeteria, and that school administrators communicated with the parents of students who may have been affected. The superintendent said the preliminary investigation found no discriminatory intent and that the activity “was not a prank,” but also that it “did not align with district expectations” and may have been hurtful.

During public comment, Josie Dean described painful personal memories and urged schools to teach Black history and protect students. Kiva Copeland, president of the Rockdale County NAACP, called the act “offensive” regardless of intent, asked the district to ensure accountability for those involved and requested clearer rules about when teachers may use materials outside vetted curriculum resources. “We do not understand the context that it was left within a specific group of students,” Copeland said, adding that the NAACP seeks “acknowledgment that it was considered inappropriate and that there is zero tolerance for this type of offensive action.”

District leaders emphasized steps already taken: an HR investigation, a principal letter to families, and direct communication with parents of possibly affected students. The superintendent told the board the district “will always investigate things thoroughly and address any inappropriate actions identified and reported to us.” No disciplinary outcomes were announced at the board meeting.

Board members and community speakers pressed the administration for clarity about policies and for prevention steps, including whether teachers must obtain prior approval to deviate from vetted lessons and how the district will ensure sensitive lessons are age‑appropriate. The social studies coordinator reiterated that unit guides and recommended resources are provided to teachers, and that materials such as the Studies Weekly reader are intended to support inquiry‑driven instruction about Bridges and other figures.

The district did not report any formal personnel action or board vote about the incident at the meeting; the board requested the administration’s follow‑up and took public comment during the meeting’s citizen comment period.

The district’s statement and the curriculum explanation framed the incident as a deviation from approved materials and not as an example of intentional discrimination; community leaders said that was not sufficient and sought both accountability and clearer guidance to prevent recurrence.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/24/25 BOE Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Shirley Chester told the Rockdale County Board of Education that school officials have investigated a report of an unapproved social‑studies activity involving the historical figure Ruby Bridges at Honey Creek Elementary School and that the activity did not follow district‑approved lesson materials.","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},6575261,"Board approves summer‑reading purchases, several personnel moves and consent agenda; unanimous votes recorded",7081,526000,7607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2&start=526&end=7607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2/thumbnail_526000.jpg","/articles/6575261/Georgia/Board-approves-summerreading-purchases-several-personnel-moves-and-consent-agenda-unanimous-votes-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575261-89d552d5f32c0ba321bd6351b9572f86/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659421&Signature=myP2gInDJM9qJqQKEPjxiJKjIaEKkXAHWDvgsttsi1N89LuCmAO8Te0jv-ASxGgu-L5dxSUorkaSyGMFlqDtnGn3KkqM7rwtDHK6e0OLCWvzyjsDV8ghGHC~DrfzqYLg~XyNV-OZhzetxeqNKDN3bZaj-AyQJDKIwGqu~nYOL4WjPTnVkSsYF7GBplXqsZcuaBKssUucDeLT2ogDGxo0iPp8X5FaSTvLSuXD7piMcrXzGLBQ6jhWchV~TlkzplTCRZtGV9Mo61Dq18Su7pSSF3ZVHs8QqrhLA5YT0gdoSx-dMMieKMydjPPqgihQSUK5jzhlyoURcHKMUn-c6vuoeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockdale County Board of Education voted unanimously on a set of purchases and personnel recommendations during the meeting.

Major purchase approvals (each vote recorded 7‑0):
- Purchase of Follett Content Solutions, $54,149.36, to support summer learning materials for grades 6–8 (motion moved by Board member Janie Jones; second recorded).
- Purchase of Follett Content (high school materials), $110,417.47, to support summer learning for high‑school ELA (motion moved by Heather Duncan; second recorded).
- Purchase of teacher‑created materials, $381,340.05, to support summer learning kits for K–5 (motion moved by Ella/Heather Duncan; second recorded).

The superintendent also recommended and the board approved the purchase plans funded through the L4GA grant and related sources; presenters said these purchases create take‑home summer reading kits for students so that materials are available at home in advance of implementation of revised ELA standards.

Other board actions (all approved 7‑0):
- Motion to amend the agenda to move the superintendent’s update to follow recess (moved by Heather; second recorded). Vote: 7‑0.
- Approval of the March board minutes (motion moved by Janie Jones; second by Heather Duncan). Vote: 7‑0.
- Approval of the consent agenda (motion moved by Heather Duncan; second by Janie Jones). Vote: 7‑0.

Personnel approvals following executive session (each approved 7‑0; motions moved and seconded as recorded): transfers and appointments effective 07/01/2025 included principal and assistant‑principal assignments across multiple schools. Examples recorded by motion text: transfer of Dr. Kanisha Richmond to assist principal at CJ Hicks Elementary; appointment of Ronnie Banyard Jr. as principal at Shoal Creek Elementary; transfer and appointment actions affecting Sherry Wade, Melanie Hooley, Dr. Shawna Green, Keila Jones, Zon Bridal Morton, Nicole Porter and several others. Each personnel action was presented as the superintendent’s recommendation and approved by the board.

The board did not report any failed or split votes during the meeting; all listed motions were approved unanimously.

","The Rockdale County Board of Education approved three summer‑learning purchases totaling about $545,907 and approved minutes, the consent agenda and numerous personnel transfers following an executive session. All recorded motions passed unanimously (7‑0).",{"_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},6575263,"Board hears update on opioid antagonist policy, training and planned town hall; 75 staff trained and county partners to convene May 12",427,6551000,6978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2&start=6551&end=6978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2/thumbnail_6551000.jpg","/articles/6575263/Georgia/Board-hears-update-on-opioid-antagonist-policy-training-and-planned-town-hall-75-staff-trained-and-county-partners-to-convene-May-12","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575263-bab86ec3fa15574af10e8a8a4bc7257d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659421&Signature=YGICE0IlJFsieh9aq4qLJ0QhsIx2oh0x4l1f48syqeNjZb3UmQuops8q~ZUFnCp7OAVSIp2KyXlhgUWgn-y-oh9AlyR8gtrTZCY4FEn29PD7KlkfAA7sH9MusjOG5zimaCSa58pqNFOg1sd5UVnZ05VQLK7gS5GrqCXp4GV~eNACDCVD7ZXqRsAkqukzS70piN8B-NTkmmxF-ycV1m-dUyhqEcLMo3AI2SQpV-pZNkjQ1agEsa46LojuRoQKqxrinNCx-MZvoiDlsat1tPxy2z7GN4SKIYdC1ePbXJOXZ0xlSzKJ0zejXnK1Sg0aaoZ5fyrQWoOJxQgb7nrUEJ9~-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockdale County Board of Education heard an update on the district’s opioid response, training and communications plan following state action enabling trained school staff to administer opioid antagonists.

A cabinet presenter, identified in the meeting as Miss Ball (filling in for April Fallon), briefed the board on Senate Bill 395 (often referred to in public discussions as Wesley’s Law) and the district’s current programs. She said 75 staff members have received training and kits from the Gwinnett‑Newton‑Rockdale Public Health partnership; trained groups include clinic staff, school safety staff, athletic trainers and pupil‑instruction specialists. The district also participates in a Direct Relief program that provides free Narcan kits for high schools.

The presenter said clinic sites at elementary, middle and high schools carry opioid antagonist kits and that school resource officers also carry kits through their law‑enforcement agencies. She said the kits received in 2023 currently expire in 2025 and that Direct Relief has offered to resupply kits around the October expiration window.

District and community leaders described a recent intergovernmental safety meeting called by the city of Conyers’ police chief and said the meeting included the sheriff, hospital emergency‑room leaders, community providers and school safety staff. From that meeting the district said it will deploy short, localized educational video vignettes featuring superintendent and law‑enforcement messages for homeroom time and will convene a community town hall at Rockdale Career Academy on Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m. to discuss prevention and response with health and addiction experts, family members and community partners.

A board member, Justin Kenny, urged legal guidance on potential liability for staff administering opioid antagonists and counsel’s office follow‑up; the district said counsel is reviewing regulations and that the proposed regulatory updates will include Wesley’s Law language and consultation with the solicitor/counsel’s office.

Presenters told the board they were aware of one school incident since the district began carrying kits in 2023 and that the district plans annual training at minimum for clinic staff. Board members emphasized outreach to younger students and to families because children can encounter opioid‑containing products in homes and communities; the district said videos and a progressive rollout through elementary, middle and high schools were part of the planned education effort.

The board did not take a formal vote on policy wording at the meeting; the administration said it will update the medication regulation attached to regulation JGCD to align with state law and follow up with legal counsel.","Board heard that Georgia law (SB 395/Wesley's Law) and district regulations allow trained staff to carry opioid antagonists; the district reported 75 staff trained, participation in Direct Relief Narcan for Schools program for high schools, one school‑level incident reported since 2023, and a community town hall set for May 12 at Rockdale Career",{"_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},6575269,"Rockdale board hears data on student homelessness; district outlines McKinney‑Vento services and funding",888,5110000,5998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2&start=5110&end=5998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123807-fd091be2b8bf861fff43aaca3cc4c3b2/thumbnail_5110000.jpg","/articles/6575269/Georgia/Rockdale-board-hears-data-on-student-homelessness-district-outlines-McKinneyVento-services-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575269-d5468fb48aa97d66738d23abfc043a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659421&Signature=OoS13cUR~BD7OhcT9Wbm2qNr9IuVFnU8LMDND77Ag1IAsEN2pZC1gF54i7sqA~oUsZeq~wz4At~isLzc4l7anakxLFHmwCd2q44uyZLKCpp~YBBemZIl4GTK-j7UmLMbpeh7vop78P~w3Wr0cNnmdFmEMTXPLxHRcHN993MwN8z7X4H-b~SvvTqogWXDROKmtFvVpHxoZIdSvOgpeV990CCmByg1pngBcEOyV3X7RyvyRW70YPa8NaZB51tYeWZdXpLQzpcJsJWQ~tIFkx0SM~A9xC1kqTvsm1oeCQv0uzynBRxNKakMj1d1frkKnNYxxjv3X4dPOAlVROz9V~Ko6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockdale County Board of Education received a detailed briefing on students experiencing homelessness and the district’s McKinney‑Vento supports, including enrollment protections, transportation, referrals to community partners and federal grant funding.

Megan Sayago, director of community, family and student engagement, told the board that Rockdale identified just under 1,600 students experiencing homelessness during the current school year and that identification has increased since 2021, peaking at just over 1,900 in 2023–24. Sayago said the majority of those students — about 86 percent — are “doubled up,” sharing housing with others. The district identified about 134 students living in hotels or motels, 53 staying in shelters and 14 living in other unstable situations such as cars or RVs.

Sayago reviewed McKinney‑Vento protections: immediate enrollment without some required documents; school‑of‑origin transportation when feasible; and an appointed McKinney‑Vento liaison, named by the district as Kathea Brown, who coordinates services, referrals and record recovery. Sayago described past uses of federal relief funds (ARP) to pay for short hotel stays, grocery and clothing vouchers, a community navigator, and transportation vouchers; she said RCPS can no longer use ARP funds but has been awarded a McKinney‑Vento Homeless Education Grant beginning this school year that will run on a three‑year cycle.

The district also described operational supports. Transportation staff coordinate with neighboring counties (DeKalb, Henry, Gwinnett and Newton) to maintain students’ school stability when families are displaced out of county. The district runs an After School Connections program that lets displaced students who live outside Rockdale wait at Rockdale Career Academy for longer days with supervision, homework help and snacks while buses finish routes.

Board members asked how the district identifies families who do not self‑report; Sayago said hotels and community partners often refer families and that school staff, social workers and principals help flag students not attending school. She said the district uses an early‑warning system in its student information system to monitor attendance and grades and that social workers wrap services around identified students, though high caseloads make individualized interventions more difficult as numbers rise.

Sayago urged stronger community collaboration for rent and bill assistance — needs the district cannot meet directly — and said community organizations may contact the district's liaison to coordinate referrals. She also said the district is planning an MV parent advisory panel and increased capacity at school and district levels to better serve students.

The board heard a mix of statistics and real‑world examples to illustrate the district’s work, including a case where staff paid for a one‑night hotel stay and a meal so a displaced family could rest and plan next steps. The presentation underscored transportation and enrollment protections as the most costly recurrent needs, the district said.

The board took no formal vote on the presentation but directed continued collaboration with community partners and noted the new McKinney‑Vento grant as a funding source for the next two years of the three‑year cycle.

","District staff told the board Rockdale identified roughly 1,600 students experiencing homelessness this year, described how most are “doubled up,” and outlined services including transportation, hotel vouchers (previously supported with ARP funds), a dedicated liaison, and a new three‑year McKinney‑Vento grant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockdale County Schools say teacher used unapproved activity about Ruby Bridges; NAACP and parents call for accountability

Board approves summer‑reading purchases, several personnel moves and consent agenda; unanimous votes recorded

Board hears update on opioid antagonist policy, training and planned town hall; 75 staff trained and county partners to convene May 12

Rockdale board hears data on student homelessness; district outlines McKinney‑Vento services and funding