A monthly publication highlighting work session and regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education
Board Briefs
August 2019
The Barrow County Board of Education is composed of 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.
Highlights of Presentation and Discussion Items
Update on the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority
The U.S. Department of Education has approved Georgia to implement two of the innovative assessment models described in the state’s application – the Georgia Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Partnership and the Putnam County Consortium. Barrow County School System is part of the MAP Partnership.

Barrow County has implemented MAP testing the past three years with the goal to ultimately replace Georgia Milestones Tests with MAP testing. MAP testing is conducted three times a year and helps teachers target instruction in real time. Jennie Persinger shared that spring 2022 is the earliest that BCSS could start phasing out milestones, pending approvals from all educational agencies.
New High School
Construction Update
  • Charles Black Construction has installed 100% of the concrete slab on grade for the classroom building.
  • Structural steel for the classroom building is well under way including the first upper floor concrete slab.
  • The new parking lot has curb and base / binder pavement installed.
Summer Renovations Complete
Construction and maintenance crews were busy this summer working on improvements in our schools.
Apalachee High School – Phase I Mechanical Room

Grahl Construction completed demolition and installation of new piping and equipment. Cooling tower replacement, new boilers, and tanks have been installed in the mechanical room. The HVAC system is operational. The new press box has also been installed at the stadium. 

Westside Middle School Phase I Renovation

Grahl Construction completed demolition, furniture removal and carpet removal. All HVAC equipment has been installed and is operational. Interior painting, ceilings, lights, flooring, and exterior canopies are complete.
Yargo Elementary School Renovation

Grahl Construction is complete with demolition, furniture removal and carpet removal. Interior painting, ceilings, flooring, and exterior canopies are complete. New wood flooring for the gym is complete.
Center for Innovative Teaching

Callaway Site Services removed the landscaping and painted the exterior façade of the buildings. The conversion of the existing metal gym building to a makerspace / robotics lab has been completed. The conversion of the previous family and consumer science lab into a dance studio was coordinated with maintenance and CFIT administration and is complete.
Turf Fields

The installation of the new turf athletic fields at each of the high schools is still in progress. They will be completed in August before the first game at each high school.
Enrollment
Dr. Matt Thompson, Director of Student and Data Services, reported that system enrollment as of 5pm on Tuesday, August 6th was 14,482. This is considered a headcount until the 10 day drop period ends.
Finance Report
July 2019 Financial Update
Under System Navigational Beacon 6: Enhance school and system funding and resource effectiveness, Jennifer Houston shared the July Financial update.

Superintendent's Recognitions
New school administrators were introduced to the Board of Education. Pictured from left to right, front to back:

Sandy Bradshaw, Assistant Principal Yargo Elementary
Carrie Maxey, Assistant Principal Statham Elementary
Laura Watts, Assistant Principal Sims Academy
Chelsea Manning, Assistant Principal Westside Middle
Dr. Salethia James, Principal Statham Elementary
Dr. Andrea Neher, Principal Winder Elementary

Matt Sorrells, Assistant Principal Russell Middle
Meredith Wages, Principal Russell Middle
Jared Noblet, Assistant Principal & Athletic Director Winder Barrow High
Jessica Rehberg, Assistant Principal Winder Barrow High

Presentation of Colors

Cadets from the JROTC Program at Apalachee High School presented the colors.
  • c/COL Swain, Sterling A.
  • c/MSG Melendez, Favian
  • c/SGT Swain, Sydney M.
  • c/PVT Bedenbaugh, Kathryn Y.
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The regular business meetings of the Barrow County Board of Education take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the Professional Development Center (PDC) located at 179 W. Athens St., Winder, GA 30680.

Barrow County School System | BOLDly Committed to Student Success