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Board approves agenda items and consent measures; executive session convened; student disciplinary ruling modified
Summary
The Rockdale County Board of Education approved its agenda and multiple consent items, accepted the December financial report, and recessed to executive session. After executive session the board considered a student-discipline appeal and voted to find the student guilty of violating the student code with a modified punishment of time served.
The Rockdale County Board of Education approved routine business items and entered executive session at the end of its regular meeting Wednesday; the board also took a modified disciplinary action following executive session.
Votes and motion summaries
- Approve meeting agenda: Motion by Janie Jones, second by Heather Duncan; approved 7-0.
- Approve minutes for December board meetings: Motion by Heather Duncan, second by Akita Palmer; approved 6-0 (one board member absent as noted in the record).
- Approve amended FY25 local board training plan: Motion by Heather Duncan, second by Akita Palmer; approved 6-0.
- Approve consent agenda (multiple action items placed on the consent agenda): Motion by Heather Duncan, second by Akita Palmer; approved 6-0.
- Executive session (to discuss personnel and other matters): Motion by Vice Chair Janie Jones, second by Justin Kenny; approved 7-0. The board recessed for executive session and later returned to open session.
Student disciplinary tribunal
After returning from executive session, the board considered whether to affirm a student disciplinary hearing committee's finding and penalty imposed on a student for conduct on Dec. 18, 2024 (alleged violation of rule 5.3 of the student code of conduct). A motion to affirm the committee's original findings and punishment was made but did not carry (the record shows only two board members voted to uphold that initial ruling). The board then approved a substitute motion to find the student guilty of the rule 5.3 violation with a modified punishment of time served; the substitute motion passed by roll call (five in favor, two opposed). Board staff read instructions on the student's right to appeal the board decision to the State Board of Education under Official Code of Georgia Ann. a7 20-2-1160.
Financial report highlights
Chief Financial Officer Joseph Smith presented December financial statements: revenues for the month were reported at $85,400,000 and year-to-date revenues at $151,000,000 (69.2% of budget). Expenditures for the month were $18,500,000 and year-to-date expenditures were $107,800,000 (48.6% of budget). The general fund balance was reported at $71,813,109. SPLOST 5 and SPLOST 6 collections, expenditures and current balances were summarized (SPLOST 5: approx. $108,100,000 revenue, $102,600,000 expenditures, $5,500,000 balance; SPLOST 6: approx. $9,900,000 collections, $5,300,000 expenditures, $4,600,000 balance).
Why it matters: The approvals moved routine business forward and set district administrative processes; the modified disciplinary ruling resolves an individual appeal but the board's split votes on the issue were recorded. Financial figures provide a snapshot of the district's year-to-date revenues and SPLOST balances.
Next steps: The board will follow up on items referred to administration and handle any appeal filed in the student-discipline matter according to state law.
