[{"_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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6150339,"mediaKeyId","5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7","parentId",5508241,"title","Barrow County Board reviews measurable learning goals and seeks approval for assessment and curriculum platforms","audioSeconds",712,"startMs",3108000,"endMs",3820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7&start=3108&end=3820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7/thumbnail_3108000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6150339/Georgia/Barrow-County-Board-reviews-measurable-learning-goals-and-seeks-approval-for-assessment-and-curriculum-platforms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150339-90e76e731fd857c018ef8299a30fe973/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573270&Signature=EdvyQ6lHQNG36GyXMkaKvroTGt~jDVejeBeHr-105GcMkLfZ81YyA~pMQXCK8~ODIytZx2scfnlynN87cTdvoOuC0o4FnAPM7DnfDa-tdrvY9yv051B64VFhlRA1ZcCE0E91PpmuasfoaYXwBC18b7AcFHKkSOlQrWd-qLccBNAjITxUoX5m~R9EO7H2r3edbAue57mUsu0GSiWbRHLLyDSM-WcGx6JzzSwYZh6t5SlDsmg7H3mEOBgyk5baQg20NzDgxmar7cvMvAyorG1Vgc5T0sGa-alTMJWzpl7XDdnOikv8IsMBWwYHIagdK49TAGiG08kbEnFB3ajeGBIQmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-30T00:19:00Z","article","Chief Academic Officer Dr. Brown and superintendent Dr. Thompson presented the district’s short‑term measurable goals and related governance policy for the 2025–26 school year and requested board action on assessment and instructional platforms.

The district proposed five measurable goals, each targeting a 5 percentage‑point increase by June 2026: K–2 MAP reading growth, third–fifth grade reading on Georgia Milestones, sixth–eighth grade reading on Georgia Milestones, ninth–12th grade reading on the Milestones literature/composition end‑of‑course, and a high‑school math goal tied to the Algebra concepts end‑of‑course test. Dr. Brown emphasized these numeric goals as meaningful because each percentage point represents a set number of individual students (district staff quantified the 5% gain as equal to 156 K–2 students and 163 third–fifth students in the slides presented).

The superintendent recommended placing proposed Policy BAB (School Board Governance) on the August 5 agenda for public review and comment; Dr. Brown described the policy as a framework to align instruction to Georgia Standards of Excellence, provide consistent access to standards‑aligned materials, and emphasize a balanced assessment system.

Curriculum and assessment contracts were described: the administration recommended a multi‑year contract for NWEA MAP for K–8 MAP growth assessments (estimated cost $167,750 for ~11,500 K–8 students at $14.50/student plus a license fee). For grades 6–12, staff requested approval of Formative by Newsela (referred to in presentation as Formative/Newsela) including gold licenses, a vetted item bank, locked browser and AI item‑generation features; the FY26 price presented was $88,153.01 with an allowance for up to 3% annual cost increases.

Dr. Brown said the district has already trained staff in many of these tools and held a leadership summit to align board beliefs, system goals and school‑level planning. She recommended the board place Policy BAB on the table and approve the assessment and platform contracts at the August 5 meeting so instructional planning can proceed in the new school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCSS Work Session 7/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board heard a report on district measurable goals for 2025–26 that emphasize literacy and math growth and was asked to place a new governance policy (BAB) on the August 5 agenda; the administration also requested contracts for NWEA MAP and Formative by Newsela for assessments and classroom formative tools.","taxTitle","Barrow County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15313,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6150344,"Barrow County Schools approves purchase of 10 air‑conditioned buses and multiple fleet service contracts",0,5590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7&start=5590&end=5590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7/thumbnail_5590000.jpg","/articles/6150344/Georgia/Barrow-County-Schools-approves-purchase-of-10-airconditioned-buses-and-multiple-fleet-service-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150344-0600bdf7492feb8df1dc8fc554b8e91b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573270&Signature=gn52HLxvc6PBJnYo80hdsKoizfwZalShs5ldxf1Uqrkfl5U-r9N02KKlwM2nUHI22ayvvbZNwRErWyyho9YNxO8bnTLKAWGB~bY0SfdHuJLef9W9boEGL10pmu6Xn881ppAA6aaYJGyhSy7QwIPnzPfBR-5jRNL7PnqR6pawuxG1PICJP-IKotI3TZiFnib3EPICe1OcKdgGMeZM3OOKmdeAmhDUEXj-fTiMC12Gr9ZH2OPPTsbRkLwZrOMeBNPNfHNeeJvsPWxSY8RoMqgfXsu9LlHcwZFaANPSZ1qUW7~25WnOD-CxvUFTi06HH7yMdSy65MpO~6Uitu5fRidPrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barrow County Schools approved procurement actions July 29 to replenish and support its transportation fleet before the start of the 2025–26 school year. Director of Transportation Jason Ayers asked the board to authorize the immediate purchase of 10 in‑stock, 72‑passenger buses equipped with air conditioning from Rush Truck Centers (International chassis) and to approve a series of vendor contracts for repairs, parts and fuel.

Ayers said Rush Truck Centers offered a per‑bus price of $145,000; the total purchase amount for 10 buses was presented as $1,450,000. He told the board the buses are in stock and available for prompt delivery. Board members moved the item to be considered that night so the vehicles could be accepted and put into service as soon as possible.

The board also approved recommended vendors and contracts to maintain operations: a three‑year pool of outsourced repair vendors (estimated $500,000/year) to provide flexibility when the district’s six mechanics cannot complete large or specialized repairs; Basell Oil Company for petroleum/fuel supply (estimated $1.2M/year); a set of local and OEM vendors for brake parts, batteries and shop supplies (estimated $775,000/year); Southern Tire Mart LLC for fleet tires (estimated $200,000/year); Connor Automotive for white‑fleet service (estimated $80,000/year); continued use of WEX fuel cards for off‑site refueling (estimated $400,000/year); and CalAmp Synovia tablets for fleet tracking and driver support (estimated $160,000/year).

Ayers explained the vendor pools are three‑year contracts subject to inflation or tariff adjustments and said outsourced repair options reduce downtime when in‑house mechanics are at capacity. He also noted immediate need for air‑conditioned buses for routes currently running without AC, citing driver and student comfort during a high heat index. The board approved the recommended purchases and contracts by voice vote.","The board approved acquisition of 10 new 72‑passenger buses and authorized multiple transportation‑related contracts for outsourced repairs, fuel, parts, tires, white‑fleet service and fleet tablets to support operations for the coming school year.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6150348,"Barrow County Schools to share GNETS program costs with three districts after board approval",355,4305000,4660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7&start=4305&end=4660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7/thumbnail_4305000.jpg","/articles/6150348/Georgia/Barrow-County-Schools-to-share-GNETS-program-costs-with-three-districts-after-board-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150348-6056891c1c9fcfa3b0ed1b87836e1089/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573270&Signature=kqhXtmPpMqa~S5utBjLAUxlqpprxWCnquDZ1ST9KYNRZwjxz4t~I1~rAv~RHqvvQKy0w4xozlSScaVDrXGDZdjCf9JAHEQCZQDDkCt3OQT3GYfqsKSEof5GJIDPenJC5eKXJYZRedKrWLUe7fEB4GLBUvFqsWRXVweqNE3qCalrCIAp-ww5z~QGz8HJKkaq4p6cU~HSXL146bVQoDgsP7uyiVpg~5D5QeLQC6toKLjWOR01mZJMYbLBPWR7ahgrbc8oJ6mGe1MHNd9POM-78A83~kve4rzEBbTnOAhmbafN20D7iHCy-woHuxLOhDzo3W7s78eXINm4nb3eU6VmHpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Barrow County Board of Education voted July 29 to sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) expanding the Georgia Network of Educational and Therapeutic Supports (GNETS) hosted by Barrow County Schools to include Jefferson City, Oconee County and Social Circle City Schools. The agreement spreads operating costs among participating districts and formalizes shared services for students with intense social, emotional or behavioral needs.

Special‑education director Amy Wadley told the board Barrow has hosted the GNETS program for two years and that the new agreement lowers Barrow’s share of staff costs from 50% to 25% because two additional districts will join the cost pool. \"The total estimated cost for the program is anticipated to be $657,000,\" Wadley said; Barrow’s 25% share was listed at approximately $164,250.

Wadley described program placements and consultative services: five students at County Line Elementary, four at Winder‑Barrow High School and four at Russell Middle School in the program’s current arrangement, plus consultative placements in partner districts. The IGA clarifies responsibility for supplies, therapeutic services beyond GNETS capacity (for example occupational or physical therapy) and direct reimbursements where required.

Board discussion praised the district’s regional role. The motion to approve the IGA was moved by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Ms. Hendricks; the board voted in favor. District staff said there is no planned increase in Barrow staff as a direct result of adding partners and that participating districts will reimburse their shares of identified expenses.","The board approved an intergovernmental agreement to host the Georgia Network of Educational and Therapeutic Supports (GNETS) program with Jefferson City, Oconee County and Social Circle City School Districts; cost estimates and student placements were discussed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6150350,"Barrow County Schools outlines multi‑layered safety plan and timeline to implement HB 268",2354,224000,2578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7&start=224&end=2578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508241-e6bc5ff748d618109bb32aa48c5813b7/thumbnail_224000.jpg","/articles/6150350/Georgia/Barrow-County-Schools-outlines-multilayered-safety-plan-and-timeline-to-implement-HB-268","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150350-6bdfce739b0e2072a9faf6ed1705424e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770573270&Signature=ZK7SyWF~lUcu7j3mmrsQaaR52RoiVEHl6Dgo-YRKXP-d0YhE7q6qU8SimVqiofwwBsZKzq6KkUwwJPwGGoOx7qg-44vAYskl9gchy7PwSze1bQwGzsKe54FS7pwT-W74qHaSFAkVchuHrdpjmJrGaEC6RCvPcUhYWbrKn~8-RRo6l1biEG0QBUqe6YTucvHGlHcgcK~5HGnt5v~IZ7SXiS2jvCOduvFox5WpfEkQWDMIZJJGkA5i6x1gHPWn2LMcRWhRcMizy5b~46JNk-VNayDxrw2sgnEszrbAJ8xMc58o9v-zfrn66niFP2kd4oFDVI7S193NvtdDloBN2ymUQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barrow County Schools officials on July 29 laid out a layered set of safety measures and a timeline to implement HB 268, the omnibus school‑safety law signed April 28, 2025. Superintendent Dr. Thompson and safety staff described upgrades already in place and requirements the district must meet in the coming year.

The presentation said the district will keep school resource officers in every school and continue day‑to‑day weapons detection at middle and high schools, while adding systemwide posture and technology. \"Safety is always going to be an evolving process,\" Dr. Thompson said. \"We need a consistent web of layers and that's what we're looking to add as we go forward.\"

District staff described existing and planned measures: security vestibules and upgraded door hardware districtwide; upgraded and expanding camera systems; upgraded school‑bus cameras; audio systems with emergency buttons; a systemwide school dog safety app; Syntegix mapping and blueprint software; and a mobile panic alert requirement already in place in Barrow. The district said Syntegix mapping and campus blueprints will take about five or six months to complete across campuses.

Records transfer and timelines were highlighted as an immediate change under HB 268. Jenny Persinger, describing new regulatory timelines, said parents can now request an electronic copy of a student record and the district must deliver it by 5 p.m. on the third business day following the request. Districts must also provide critical student records — academic transcripts, attendance, discipline records, any guilty finding of a felony and psychological evaluations — electronically to a receiving district within three business days of a request, Persinger said. If records remain missing after 10 days, the law allows districts to move students to remote learning or hold a case‑management meeting to determine interim services.

The law requires a 24/7 tip line and an integrated mapping tool; district staff said Barrow already has an anonymous reporting form and is onboarding the StopIt app, which they expect to launch in September 2025. Jennifer Houston summarized recent and prior safety grants and how district and community funds were used for access control, AEDs, cameras, panic alert systems, weapons detectors, classroom phones and temporary classroom pods. Houston said project‑serve federal funds covered certain short‑term pod leases and related costs but do not cover grading or long‑term construction costs for pods.

Officials said the bill phases in some requirements: memorandum‑of‑understanding updates with off‑site instructional providers were due Oct. 1, 2025; mapping and panic‑alert full implementation have deadlines of July 1, 2026; statewide school‑safety plan changes are effective Jan. 1, 2027, pending guidance from GEMA and other agencies; and required suicide‑awareness and violence‑prevention trainings will be rolled out for the 2026–27 school year. Dr. Thompson said the law also provides funding for at least one student‑advocacy position funded by the state in districts the district's size, with job descriptions and appropriation timing to be finalized by the Georgia Department of Education.

Board members asked about enforcement and penalties for noncompliance; district staff said the bill as passed does not include specific automatic sanctions and that implementation and compliance monitoring will be a subject of ongoing legislative and local discussion. \"There's a lot of great things in this bill, but they'll only work if all of you out there implement them,\" a district attorney who advised the district said in a related conference summary the superintendent referenced.

Officials closed by stressing partnerships: county law enforcement, fire agencies, Northeast Georgia Health System, mental‑health partners and local legislators provided input during drafting and will be partners in implementation.

The district did not propose any new board action at the meeting beyond continuing planned purchases and policy/regulation updates and scheduling stakeholder meetings with law‑enforcement partners.","Superintendent Dr. Thompson and district safety staff reviewed existing security layers, new tools and timelines for implementing HB 268 (Ricky and Alyssa's Law) including panic alerts, mapping software, an anonymous tip app, student‑record transfer deadlines and training requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Barrow County Board reviews measurable learning goals and seeks approval for assessment and curriculum platforms

Barrow County Schools approves purchase of 10 air‑conditioned buses and multiple fleet service contracts

Barrow County Schools to share GNETS program costs with three districts after board approval

Barrow County Schools outlines multi‑layered safety plan and timeline to implement HB 268