State Board of Education Meeting Report - June 2025
- Josh Stephens
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
The State Board of Education (SBOE) met June 11 and 12.
A meeting agenda is available through the button below.
Georgia Teacher of the Year Holly Witcher's Final Meeting PAGE member Holly Witcher has served admirably as the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year. During her time in this role, she has inspired educators and future educators. Witcher impressed upon many audiences, including the Georgia General Assembly, the value of teachers. She served as an ex-officio member of the SBOE, and the June meeting was her last official meeting. PAGE thanks Witcher for her service and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors. |  |
Hospital/Homebound Services Rule Update and Additional Schools Approved to Accept Special Needs Private School Voucher
The board approved initiating an amendment to Rule 160-4-2-.31, which governs Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services for public school students. School districts have experienced a rise in HHB students since the COVID-19 pandemic, and technology has shifted since the rule was last updated in 2009. The amendment removes the distinction between physical and mental health, as more students utilize HHB services due to mental health conditions.
The public comment period for the rule is open. Comments can be provided here.
The board also approved adding nine private schools to the list of schools accepting Georgia Special Needs Scholarship vouchers, bringing the total number of approved schools to 330
Updated Charter System and Strategic Waiver School System Contracts
The board approved several charter renewals for charter schools in addition to the conversion of Webster County Schools from a "Title 20" school district to a Strategic Waiver School System (SWSS), leaving only one "Title 20" district in the state, Buford City Schools. Board members learned that Clayton County Schools approved the first locally-approved charter school in seven years.
Georgia's lack of locally approved charter schools caught the attention of state legislators, leading to the passage of SB 82 by Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett). A description of the bill is available in PAGE's 2025 Legislative Session Summary.
In addition, the board approved SWSS contracts for Richmond County Schools, Bibb County Schools, and approved a charter system contract for Evans County Schools. The contracts proposed for the three districts are for one year. Typically, flexibility contracts are approved for longer terms. Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) officials requested the one-year contracts so the department can continue checking in on specific district issues. Representatives from Richmond County and Bibb County requested that the board amend the contracts for longer than one year, which spurred discussion from board members. Ultimately, the one-year contracts were approved.
Superintendent's Report
GaDOE Deputy Superintendent for Assessment & Accountability Allison Timberlake provided an overview of the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI), Georgia's school accountability system. Woods has indicated he intends to provide more informative presentations on various topics due to the high number of new SBOE board members.
Woods also introduced 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year Christy Todd as the new chief of staff at GaDOE. Todd replaces longtime Chief of Staff Matt Jones.
Literacy Focused Chair's Report
During the Chair's Report, DeJarnett highlighted that the FY2026 state budget contains funds for additional Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA)-based literacy coaches. DeJarnett noted that the Georgia Council on Literacy is expected to conclude work on the State Literacy Plan by the end of June, and recommendations centered on the plan are expected in the fall. DeJarnett encouraged board members to attend the next Council on Literacy meeting on July 22 at Dalton State College.
 | Next Meeting
The next board meeting will be held July 16 on Jekyll Island. The full 2025 SBOE meeting calendar can be found here. |