January Meeting The State Board of Education (SBOE) met for its January committee meetings and full board meeting on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14. The board now includes two new members appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp: Dr. Stanley DeJarnett (10 District), a career educator and former superintendent of Morgan County Schools and former director of The Georgia Vision Project and Matt Donaldson (12 District), mayor of Twin City and Assistant Vice President at Durden Banking Company. The SBOE’S full agenda is available HERE.
Budget Committee Discusses Federal CARES Funding During SBOE committee meetings on Wednesday, Jan. 13, the Budget Committee discussed the distribution of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. $1.7 million in CARES2 grant funding will be allocated to local school districts for the purpose of supporting districts throughout the ongoing pandemic.
Math Standards Revision Update
Georgia Department of Education Chief of Staff Matt Jones updated SBOE members on an ongoing mathematic standards revision. The process which included a convening of more than 200 Georgia teachers and subject matter experts and a standards review and revision by hundreds more Georgia educators, covered math standards in all K-12 courses.
DeKalb Parent Addresses Board
Along with their children, several mothers of students enrolled in DeKalb County Schools attended the board’s full meeting Jan. 14. One mother addressed board members during the public comment portion of the agenda, expressing concern about the education she believes her child is currently receiving and encouraging more state oversight. DeKalb has not opened school doors to most students since March 2020 and is one of several metro-area districts grappling with the challenge of safely opening schools during the pandemic.