Carroll County board hears third-grader read, approves consent agenda additions and reviews finances

CARROLL COUNTY — The Carroll County Board of Education on Tuesday heard a third-grade reading demonstration and was asked to continue districtwide literacy work mandated under the Georgia Early Literacy Act and the Dyslexia Act.

Third-grader Abigail Seymour spoke to the board about classroom reading routines and strategies she has used at Glanton Hindsman Elementary School, naming programs such as Hegarty, Saxon Phonics and Hello Literacy. "Reading is not just something we do in school. It's the key that opens the door to everything," Abigail told the board as part of a brief on how phonemic awareness and decoding practice built her confidence.

Cecilia Brown, principal at Glanton Hindsman Elementary School, described a case in which a newly enrolled fourth-grade student arrived unable to identify letters. Brown said teachers, interventionists and support staff implemented a targeted, daily phonics plan and small-group supports that led the student to read decodable sentences and show sustained progress. "When we teach a child to read, we don't just change their school year. We launch them into a future that positively transforms their entire life," Brown said.

Dr. Jessica Ainsworth, the district's student achievement lead, told the board the district's literacy core team will present the Georgia Department of Education rubric showing how Carroll County has bundled supplemental literacy resources. She asked the board to continue the district's literacy efforts; the board agreed to place that request on the consent agenda for the regular board meeting Thursday.

Board members asked about additional funding tied to the state literacy work. A board member asked, "Did they send you any extra money?" staff deferred a full answer and said they would follow up with details at a later date.

The board also received an update on facilities and career-technical programming. Glenn Harding reported that work has started at Mount Zion Middle School and Temple Middle School, with security fencing, site prep and demolition at Mount Zion underway. Harding asked that posted November fundraisers, overnight trips and field trips be reviewed and placed on the consent agenda, and he requested that proposed policy JCDAF (use of electronic devices by students in K–8) be added for consideration; the board consented to add those items.

Finance presenter Deline Wolfe reviewed monthly financials for September. Wolfe reported general fund revenues of $12,100,000 and expenditures of $16,400,000, leaving a fund balance of $25,800,000 and $5,100,000 in outstanding encumbrances. "We receive SPLOST monthly at the end of the month," Wolfe said, adding that those receipts are one month in arrears. Lost receipts were reported at $1,900,000 (a 3.3% increase). Staff said the budget approved by the board included an estimated midterm adjustment of $400,000, pending confirmation from the state.

Jared Griffiths thanked board members for attending the teacher of the year ceremony and previewed the proposed 2026–27 board meeting calendar, which will return for consideration in December. The public input period drew no speakers.

The board voted to meet in executive session to discuss the future acquisition of real estate; safety and security personnel; pending or threatened litigation; and recommendations exempt from disclosure under the Open Records Act. After reconvening, the chair announced, "There is no action coming out of executive session." The work session then moved to member comments and adjourned.

What happens next

The literacy rubric presentation and the items added to the consent agenda will be considered at the board's Thursday meeting. Financial adjustments tied to any state midterm allocation will be reported to the board when the district receives confirmation from the state.