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Board Briefs - November 2026

Posted Date: 11/12/26 (02:01 PM)
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Student Growth & Success

Student Calendars for 2027-2028 and 2028-2029
The Board voted to approve a revision to the 2027-2028 Student Calendar that increases the total instructional days from 178 to 180 by converting two previously identified teacher planning days to student instructional days. September 3 and February 18 will now be school days for students and staff.

The Board also approved the Student Calendar for the 2028-2029 school year.

Click the images below to see the calendars.
2027-28 Student Calendar
2028-29 Student Calendar
 
SAT and ACT Scores Reviewed
BCSS students who took the SAT and ACT during the 2025-26 school year scored higher than the state averages. See those results.
 
BCSS Unified Literacy Plan
The Board approved the BCSS Unified Literacy Plan that provides a framework for strengthening literacy outcomes for students through high-quality instruction, targeted support, family engagement, and community partnerships. The plan establishes a shared vision and coordinated approach to literacy across the district, while fulfilling the requirements of House Bill 1193. 
 
BOLD Spotlight: Yargo Elementary School
This month's BOLD Spotlight featured Yargo Elementary School. Principal Kari Maxey shared how the school is helping to support student success by creating a sense of belonging through building identity, strengthening connections, celebrating success, and reinforcing expectations.

Positive Culture & Safety

Additional Weapons Detector Purchase
In continuing efforts to expand current safety layers to outfit new facility additions (Performing Arts Center) and add to existing units at the Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy for campus coverage, the Board approved using state Safety Grant funding to purchase additional weapons detectors.

Quality Workforce

2026-27 Hiring Update
Since hiring for the 2026-27 school year began, 253 positions have been filled - 83 classified and 170 certified.

Organizational Effectiveness

Transfer & Withdrawal Regulation Changes
Changes have been made to Board Regulation JBCD-R(1). This includes an expansion of staff roles who are eligible for employee-child placement.
Additional Updates & Approvals
  • Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy Athletic Complex Guaranteed Maximum Price - Project Update
  • Increase to Transportation Fuel Budget

Superintendent's Recognitions

Dr. LeDuff with CW2 Law

Thank You to Our BCSS Veterans

As Veterans Day approaches, we wanted to recognize those who work with the Barrow County School System and thank them for their service to our country. Our veterans now serve in areas such as teacher, information technology, registration, bus driver, paraprofessional, substitute, school resource officer, and Board of Education member. Chief Warrant Officer Two Jeff Law served 27 years, 9 months, and 28 days and is now a JROTC instructor at Apalachee High School. Thank you!
Dr. LeDuff and Dr. Darby with WoodmenLife

Flags for our Schools & Facilities

Thank you to the WoodmenLife-North Georgia Chapter 1395 for always making sure our schools and facilities have our United States and Georgia State Flags flying as they should. They routinely visit and provide us with new flags while taking the old ones away to be properly disposed of. We appreciate their consideration and commitment to our community.
AHS JROTC Cadets

Presentation of Colors

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

  • Lieutenant Colonel Aiden Waters
  • First Lieutenant Kody Austin
  • Second Lieutenant Kimyla Cavanaugh
  • Corporal Cynthia Flores
 
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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.
 

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