BCSS Board Briefs - December 2025

Posted Date: 12/03/25 (05:30 PM)

Academics & Student Success

Student Calendars Approved for 2026-2027 & 2027-2028

The Barrow County Board of Education approved the student calendars for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years at their December 2 meeting. The approval comes after the drafts were posted for public comment for 30 days on eBoard. A public survey, along with feedback from school administrators, teacher leaders, and School Governance Teams, helped determine the calendars. Read more about the process through this link.

Distraction Free Education Act Update

A regulation for policy JCD, titled Regulation JCD-R(3), will go into effect in January of 2026. This regulation is being put in place due to the requirements of HB340, the Distraction Free Education Act, passed in the 2025 legislative session. This regulation enforces the new Georgia law by prohibiting student access to personal devices throughout the school day beginning with the 2026-2027 school year for all students in grades K-8. Watch Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Dr. James Bowen explain more about this update.

BOLD SPOTLIGHT: Bramlett Elementary School

This month's BOLD Spotlight featured Bramlett Elementary School. Principal Chris Whitworth and Assistant Principal Robyn Allen were proud to highlight their SOAR program. SOAR stands for Strategic Opportunities for Acceleration and Remediation and is aimed at helping students strengthen core academic growth. Watch the video below to learn more about SOAR.

Other Academics & Student Success Items:

Update on the Progress of two BCSS Schools Federally Identified as Needing Targeted Support
Enrollment Trends Update and 60th Day of School Student Enrollment Count: 15,202
2024-2025 College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Review
Approval of Purchase of IXL (personalized learning platform) for RMS, YES, SES, and WES
Approval of Policy IHF: Graduation Requirements
Update to Policy JBC(1) approved to match the most recent federal definition of homelessness

Finances & Infrastructure

HB 581 Public Hearings

During the November meeting, the Board voted to approve moving forward with public hearings to seek input on continuing to opt out of House Bill 581. HB 581 is the statewide floating homestead exemption that limits the annual increase in property tax assessments on homesteaded properties to the inflation rate of the previous year. The third and last public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. The final vote to opt out/stay will be January 6, 2026.

Watch the HB 581 Presentation

New Websites & App to Help Connect You to BCSS

BCSS is in progress on launching new websites and a communications platform to help keep you informed and connected to your school and the district. You have already been receiving some messages, like this Board Briefs email, through the ParentSquare platform. You can now also download the app and be synced with your school calendars, news, and more. New websites will go live in January. We hope you find this new tool helpful and engaging!

More about ParentSquare

Other Finance & Infrastructure Items:

Open Enrollment and Benefits Update
Approval of Purchase of 3 Buses for Special Education Students
Vote to Elect Lisa Maloof as Chair and Paige Maddox as Vice Chair for 2026

Superintendent's Recognitions

2025 Holiday Card Winners

We can't wait to send out this year's holiday card with the beautiful creation and message from two of our talented students! Thank you and congratulations to Mallori Duren from Kennedy Elementary School for designing the winning message and Jakhyra Mayweather from Apalachee High School for drawing the winning cover art. Look for the card in your email soon!

Dr. LeDuff with School Nutrition Director Nicole Trunk

Farm-to-School GaDOE Award

Congratulations to our School Nutrition Team for being recognized with the Farm-to-School Award from the Georgia Department of Education. Our team was honored because of their commitment to serving and educating students about locally grown produce. Read more.

Bramlett Elementary Honored with School Bell Award

We are proud to recognize Bramlett Elementary School for being honored with the School Bell Award from the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals. The award is given to schools that implement exemplary curriculum and organizational leadership programs. BRES Principal Chris Whitworth thanked Counselor Dawn Boseman for her work on the program. Read more.

Transportation Appreciation

This month's Transportation Team recognition included Winder-Barrow High School student Derek Chung who helped his bus driver Diane Cork ensure safety and response during a medical concern. Director Jason Ayers also recognized school staff members who were praised by Transportation for the kindness they show.

Markita Sims - AES
Jacqueline Greene - KES
Kimberly Lester - BRES
Yajaira Lopez - KES

Custodian of the Month

Our Custodian of the Month recognition praised the team from County Line Elementary. CLES Principal Grace Stone says the team's hard work and dedication to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment are vital to contributing to the positive school culture.

Presentation of Colors

Cadets from Winder-Barrow High School JROTC presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting.

Cadet Tyler Patrick
Cadet Emily Bentley
Cadet Haylen Noorda
Cadet Bryan Vargas

The Barrow County Board of Education (BOE) has nine members. Board members serve a four-year term, with three districts elected at-large and six elected by district. The Board is the official governing body of the Barrow County School System. The regular business BOE meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Professional Development Center (PDC) at 179 W. Athens St., Winder, GA 30680. BCSS uses eBoard to be transparent in governance and operations. You can find the most recent information concerning the BOE meetings on eBoard.

Visit eBoard Transparency Portal

Board of Education meetings are live-streamed on our YouTube Channel.

Quick Links:

Upcoming BOE Meetings:

Board Meeting: Jan. 6, 2026
Work Session: Jan. 27, 2026
Board Meeting: Feb. 3, 2026
2026 BOE Calendar