The State Board of Education (SBOE) met Sept. 23. The first half of the day was devoted to committee meetings, and the full board met in the afternoon.

The meeting agenda is available through the button below. 

Adoption of Rules and Standards

The board approved SBOE Rule 160-4-2.39, Advanced Mathematics Requirements, a new rule to ensure alignment with the provisions of HB 1030, the Math Matters Act.

The board also approved the English Language Arts (ELA) achievement standards (cut scores) for the new Georgia Milestones Assessment System ELA assessments and a list of additional private schools authorized to participate in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program.

Finally, the board voted to initiate the rule-making process on SBOE Rule 160-5-1-.28 Student Enrollment and Withdrawal.

Further information on the proposed rules and standards, as well as instructions for submitting public comments, can be found HERE.

All items on the consent agenda were approved

Audit Committee Discussion & GaDOE Finance Division Presentation

During the committee meetings, Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Chief Financial Officer Rusk Roam provided an update on Dublin City Schools' finances, saying projections indicate the district will emerge from debt by the middle of FY 2028.

Sara McLeod, deputy director of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, then provided an update on the list of school districts considered a moderate or high financial risk. Responding to board member questions, McLeod clarified various points of the assessment and audit process as well as changes that will be made in response to the passage of HB 1164 and SB 472.

Following the Audit Committee presentation, Roam reported on the work of the GaDOE Office of Finance and Business Operations.

New Teacher of The Year Addresses Board

2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Charm Mapp, briefly addressed the board, stating that she is honored for the opportunity to grow in her understanding of the many groups and components that affect education in Georgia, and stressed the importance of remembering that students need to remain at the heart of all their actions.

Other Presentations

Newton County Superintendent Duke Bradley led the meeting's opening inspiration, highlighting the district's accomplishments. Newton High School JROTC students led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the school's choir ensemble performed for the board.

During his report, Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods reported on the work of GaDOE, including the introduction of the Adolescent Literacy Playbook. He highlighted the Georgia Public Schools: Stories That Shape Us event, which will be held Oct. 20 in cooperation with the Alliance Theater.

Prior to concluding the meeting, Board Chair Phenna Petty acknowledged the deaths of former board members, Martha Zoller and Scott Sweeney. The other board members took turns sharing stories and sentiments about Zoller and Sweeney. PAGE joins board members and other Georgians in celebrating Zoller’s and Sweeney’s many contributions.