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Gwinnett BOE elects Adrian Simmons chair; board ratifies 2025 calendar, legal counsel and media designation
Summary
At its Jan. 16 business meeting the Gwinnett County Board of Education elected Dr. Adrian Simmons chair, confirmed Dr. Therese Johnson Morgan as vice chair and approved routine governance items including the 2025 meeting calendar, continuing legal counsel and the Gwinnett Daily Post as the district's official media organ.
The Gwinnett County Board of Education on Jan. 16 elected Dr. Adrian Simmons as board chair for 2025 and confirmed Dr. Therese Johnson Morgan as vice chair, and then completed routine governance business including adoption of the board's 2025 meeting calendar, appointment of the district's outside legal counsel, and designation of the Gwinnett Daily Post as the board's official media organ.
The board unanimously approved Dr. Simmons as chair. Dr. Therese Johnson Morgan was elected vice chair; the vote included at least one dissenting vote but she was confirmed in the role.
The board also reaffirmed and readopted its policies for 2025 in a unanimous motion, saying the annual action keeps the district focused on operational effectiveness and school improvement. The board ratified its official meeting schedule for monthly business sessions in 2025, set for the third Thursday of each month except March and June, with meetings beginning at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center in Suwanee.
Superintendent Dr. Watts recommended retention of Pereira, Kirby, Kinzinger and Wynne LLP as the board's legal counsel for 2025; the board approved that appointment unanimously. The board also voted to designate the Gwinnett Daily Post as the district's official media organ; that designation passed with four votes in favor and one abstention.
Board members and the superintendent framed these votes as routine, governance-focused items that allow the board to proceed with its calendar and to ensure legal coverage and public notice for district business.
Votes at a glance - Election of board chair: Dr. Adrian Simmons — motion and confirmation unanimous. - Election of vice chair: Dr. Therese Johnson Morgan — motion passed (vote included at least one nay). - Reaffirmation/readoption of board policies for 2025 — approved unanimously. - Ratify 2025 board meeting calendar — approved unanimously. - Appointment of Pereira, Kirby, Kinzinger and Wynne LLP as board legal counsel for 2025 — approved unanimously. - Designation of Gwinnett Daily Post as official media organ — approved (4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain).
Members present conducting the votes included Chair Dr. Adrian Simmons; Vice Chair Dr. Therese Johnson Morgan; board members Rachel Stone, Steven Knudson and Steve Gasper; and Superintendent Dr. Watts. The board said detailed work-session materials would be posted online for public review.
The meeting continued into substantive agenda items following these governance motions.
