Forsyth County Schools board meeting: Big Creek spotlight, finance update, policy changes and public comment
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Summary
At its Sept. 16 meeting the Forsyth County Schools Board heard a Big Creek Elementary presentation on reading and professional learning communities, received an August finance report, adopted three policy updates and approved routine personnel and a disciplinary tribunal; one public commenter addressed the board.
The Forsyth County Schools Board met Sept. 16 and spent the evening on school recognitions, classroom initiatives, routine approvals and a finance review.
In a "superior spotlight," Big Creek Elementary Principal Courtney McKinney and staff described the school's continuous improvement goals, which focus on English language arts growth, collaborative professional learning communities (PLCs) across five elementary schools, and student engagement through a schoolwide reading initiative. Instructional coach Dana Ramsey said the literacy plan uses monthly "playbooks," anchor texts and weekly student "huddles" to build classroom routines; MTSS coach Michelle Jarvis described biweekly student reading surveys and 1‑on‑1 conferences to set goals.
Larry (finance presenter) reviewed August 2025 financial statements, reporting cash balances that fell from about $146 million to $114 million and explaining the variance largely by a transfer of roughly $10.7 million to other funds (reserve and fund‑301 transfers). He described revenue collections at about 8.43% for the period, noted SPLOST 6 spending nearing completion, and said federal carryover funds and certain new budget items had been approved.
The board approved several routine and policy actions by unanimous vote: adoption of the consent agenda, approval of personnel items, upholding student disciplinary tribunal number 228868, and adoption of policy revisions to GAAA (equal opportunity employment), GARH (employee leaves and absences), and IFBG (Internet acceptable use). Mike Evans said the IFBG updates reflect requirements from Senate Bill 351 to incorporate digital‑citizenship instruction.
One public commenter, Jerry Rochelle, delivered a lengthy non‑agenda statement that included a prayer and a series of political remarks; he asked the district to scan employees' social‑media feeds and urged policy changes he described as purging certain materials from schools.
The board adjourned after a final unanimous voice vote. No further follow‑up meetings or special sessions were scheduled during the meeting's public portion.