CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — School safety, transportation and the opening of the new school year will be among the topics discussed when the Habersham County Board of Education holds its monthly work session Thursday evening Aug. 6.
The work session begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Board of Education office in Clarkesville and comes less than 24 hours before approximately 7,000 students return to classrooms for the first day of school on Friday.
Following a summer focused on preparing campuses, upgrading emergency communications and rolling out new technology, board members will receive updates on several key initiatives before the school year officially begins.
The meeting opens with a facilities report from Assistant Superintendent David Leenman, Maintenance Director Denise Gunn and Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome.
District officials are expected to provide updates on summer projects after the board approved a $106,840 contract Monday to replace two HVAC units at Fairview Elementary School. Earlier this summer, administrators also announced the completion of exterior painting projects at North Habersham Middle School and Cornelia Elementary School.
Board members also will receive a strategic plan progress report and school safety update from Murray Kogod. The presentation is expected to provide an overview of the district’s strategic initiatives and safety efforts as students return to campuses.
Transportation Director Stephanie Walker will follow with a presentation on the district’s transportation department. During the July 27 board meeting, Superintendent Patrick Franklin said the district’s new countywide radio system would be operational for the first day of school, improving emergency communications between school personnel and first responders.
Franklin said the previous system covered about 67% of Habersham County and often did not work inside school buildings. The new system provides approximately 97% countywide coverage and works in every district school and facility, he said.
The board will also hear a first-day-of-school discussion from Leenman and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Susan Davis. The presentation is expected to focus on the district’s readiness as students and staff return Friday.
At the July meeting, Franklin said schools are prepared for the new academic year, crediting maintenance staff, custodians and district employees for completing summer projects.
The district also is launching ParentSquare, a new communication platform that replaces its longtime One Call system. ParentSquare allows schools to communicate with families through text messages, emails, phone calls, push notifications and a mobile app while integrating with the district’s student information system.
Following the public work session, board members are scheduled to enter executive session to discuss personnel and real estate matters.
No votes are expected during the work session, though any recommendations made Thursday could be considered during the board’s regular meeting Aug. 10.
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