Imagine having academic challenges, being thrust into a pandemic with limited instructional time, and now being expected to continue through your educational journey, with many of your original academic challenges.

This is the reality for many of our students. During the onset of the pandemic, school districts across the country were forced to find a way for students to learn, while keeping everyone safe. The solution in most cases was limited virtual learning. Limited interaction and time, which can be hard for a child who is already having academic challenges. Post pandemic, these children are trying to learn new material, while strengthening the initial areas where they struggled. 

Many of our schools implemented after school programs, and in school courses, which aided in student growth and improved district scores for 2023 Georgia Milestones and End of course testing. 

During the school board’s public hearings on the budget expenditures, it was discussed:  

• As schools are merged and closed through the Comprehensive Facilities Plan, savings are expected in the budget as closed schools will not need staffing.

• The new budget will allow our school district to retain and recruit new teachers.

How can these two things assist with continued growth of our students, while also improving core academic struggles students may have?

• In most situations, our teachers are teaching the curriculum needed for promotion, while also conducting classes or after school programs to reduce learning deficits.  

• With the budget changes expected, the district can employ, and train, dedicated staff to work with our students on reading literacy, math skills, study skills, standardized testing readiness, critical thinking, problem solving, etc. Students could also receive specialized coaching and teaching as there would be staff specifically dedicated to student growth. 

Having dedicated staff members to teach skill enhancement can improve student achievement thus producing positive results. 

We must make the best use of resources, while improving areas of concern. Which programs worked, which did not? What caused the program not to work? Where did we strengthen from last school term? Where did we weaken? What academic struggles do you see in your child, that may not have been yet discovered? 

It is my goal to determine root causes while offering solutions. A collaborative effort within our community can assist in our students’ continued success. 

Consistency in our practices is vital to school safety. Exterior doors that allow access to our schools must be always locked. Visitors entering schools must show their ID when entering. An adult staff member must be seated in the front office to monitor visitors entering and leaving the school.  These are established practices in our district; however, they are not always followed. We must ensure schools are following the established policies through retraining.  We must ensure we are addressing mental health concerns with our students and staff. In some areas, we have become comfortable. Comfortability leads to vulnerability. 

I also propose we reinstate random searches utilizing the metal detector wands used at athletic events in the county. The search would be random as it would not be announced in advance. Bus drivers must check buses before exiting to ensure students are not hiding prohibited items on the buses to avoid searching. The search would apply to all parties entering the school that day. This would have to be a collaborative effort between the RCSS and the RCSS police. Random searches could assist with school security as the person bringing prohibited items would not want to risk bringing items on the day of a random search. Any items found during the search would be addressed based on the Richmond County School System Code of Conduct.

School board meetings are open to the public. The public can make comments and ask questions. However, to keep the meetings organized and free of chaos, a response is not returned for the comment or question. Many community stakeholders have advised there is not a desire to attend board meetings due to the no response element. The public feels their thoughts and opinions are not valued. As a district 4 board member, I will implement in person meetings within the district 4 community. A date will be set for community stakeholders to send agenda items in advance. During the meetings we can also discuss any area of confusion from a board meeting.  I am of the belief to effectively represent the community, you must be in communication with the community.

Also, the board meetings are recorded, and available for replay on the RCBOE website. I have found many people are unaware they can replay the board meeting live streams. I would ensure the community stakeholders are educated on the board member section of the RCBOE website.