A monthly publication highlighting work session and regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education
Board Briefs
December 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
Photo Speed Enforcement Program
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith recommended that a new Photo Speed Enforcement program be adopted in the county to ensure that our students are safe in school zones.

Sheriff Smith shared some startling statistics to show the need for automatic traffic enforcement.
  • In a study completed during 5 days at one BCSS school, 8,700 cars were speeding in the school zone (11 mph+ over the posted speed limit of 25 mph).
  • When a pedestrian is struck by a car moving at 40 mph, only 1 in 10 survive.

Here's how the program will work. Photo enforced signs and flashing "speed in your zone" signs will be posted at schools where the program is implemented.
  • For the first 30 days, speeders will be given a warning during this grace period.
  • After the first 30 days, individuals will receive a $100 ticket if they are going 11 mph or more over the school zone speed limit.
  • All citations will be reviewed by the sheriff's department with due process.
  • No points will be applied to the drivers license, but failure to pay the fine will result in a license suspension.

The plan is to implement the program by late February or March. Some schools will not qualify to participate. All funds from the speeding tickets will be allocated to BCSS school safety.
Three-Tier Transportation Study
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ken Greene shared some of the unique logistical challenges BCSS faces with bus transportation. To best meet these transportation challenges, he has formed a study group to analyze and evaluate a range of options, including the possible transition to a three-tier system.

BCSS currently utilizes a two-tier system; a three-tier system would separate middle and high school student routes. The study group will work with an industry consultant to explore the best options. Recommendations will be finalized and shared later this spring.

Academic Calendars Approved
The Board of Education approved the student academic calendars for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. The recommended calendars were based on input from School Governance Teams and public survey results. Both of the calendars include these features:

  • School starts at beginning of August
  • Full Fall break
  • Full Thanksgiving break
  • ~Two-week Winter break
  • Long weekend in February & March
  • Spring break the first week of April
  • End in May
Superintendent's Recognitions
Student Holiday Card Winners

Over 50 entries were submitted for this year's school system holiday card. Two students were selected for their work to create the front illustration and inside message.
Molly Davis in 6th grade at Russell Middle
designed the front illustration.
Abigail Judd in 5th grade at Statham Elementary authored the message inside.

Marching Band Accomplishments

Congratulations to the Marching Bands at each of our high schools for their impressive season and accomplishments.
Congratulations to Apalachee High School Marching Band for their outstanding accomplishments this year, which include:

September 28 – Georgia Contest of Champions
Superior Band and Drum Majors
Excellent Color Guard and Percussion
1st Place Band
3rd Place Color Guard
3rd Place Drum Majors
3rd Place Percussion

October 19 – Lake Hartwell Marching Competition
Superior Rating – Drum Majors
Superior Rating – Percussion
Superior Rating – Color Guard
Superior Rating – Overall Band
Sweepstakes Award for all Superior Ratings
3rd Place Color Guard
3rd Place Drum Majors
2nd Place Percussion
3rd Place Band
The Winder-Barrow Bulldogg Band had a great season as the first year in Open Class competition. (Open Class is the largest size classification for Marching Bands.) The awards earned this season are as follows:

September 28th – Georgia Contest of Champions
Superior Rating – Drum Majors
Superior Rating - Percussion
Superior Rating – Color Guard
Superior Rating – Overall Band
1st Place – Drum Majors (Open Class)

October 19th – Lake Hartwell Marching Competition
Superior Rating – Drum Majors
Superior Rating – Percussion
Superior Rating – Color Guard
Superior Rating – Overall Band
Sweepstakes Award for all Superior Ratings
1st Place Drum Majors (Open Class)
1st Place Percussion (Open Class)
2nd Place Color Guard (Open Class)
2nd Place Overall Band (Open Class)

Three Schools Recognized as Top Performing Title I Schools

Barrow County School System had three schools recognized as a top performing Title I School by the Georgia Department of Education. Auburn Elementary and Russell Middle were recognized as Title I Reward Schools. Bramlett Elementary earned the honor of a Title I Distinguished School. 

The Georgia Department of Education (Department) honors K–12 Title I schools for significant progress in improving student achievement and/or making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. School measurements are based on the College Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) for each school.



Presentation of Colors

Cadets from the JROTC Program at Apalachee High School presented the colors (not listed in photo order):
  • Cadet Sergeant Madison Turner, 10th grade
  • Cadet Private First Class Nythanyal Henza, 9th grade
  • Cadet Private Catherien Vue, 9th grade
  • Cadet Private Katelyn Flanders, 9th grade
November Attendance Awards

Student
ES – Bramlett Elementary
MS/HS – Haymon-Morris Middle

Staff
ES – Statham Elementary
MS/HS – Westside Middle
Programs – Sims Academy

Transportation
Kennedy Elementary

School Food & Nutrition
Statham Elementary
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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