For the fifth consecutive year, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education was awarded Exemplary Board Status from the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA). The GSBA Board Recognition Program is a three-tier process to achieve the highest level of board governance. The three recognition levels are Quality, Distinguished and Exemplary with Exemplary being the highest level. Approximately 60 school boards achieve this level of distinction in Georgia each year.
The Griffin-Spalding school board attended 12 hours of training, completed a self-review, utilized a thorough strategic plan, participated in the Georgia Vision Project and engaged with an exemplary committee for collaborative assessment to earn this award for the highest level of recognition. Congratulations to board members: R. Syntel Brown, Barbara Jo Cook, Will Doss, Zach Holmes and Sue McDonald.
The board would also like to recognize the members of the exemplary board committee for their time and influence. Thank you to Adam Pugh, Elbert Solomon, April Bama, Sharon King, Shannon Thomson, Zach Holmes, Mignon Shoats and Sue McDonald.
For the second consecutive year, Griffin-Spalding County Schools (GSCS) has also been named a recipient of a GSBA Leading Edge Award for 2023. The district was recognized at the annual GSBA conference in Atlanta on December 1.
This unique achievement recognizes the innovative design and implementation of projects and programs by school systems that are having a significant and positive impact on students. Those recognized are seen as “leading the way” in student achievement and engagement, ensuring students are competitive in an ever-changing global market.
GSCS, specifically GSCS Executive Director of Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Dr. Tiffany Taylor, was awarded the Leading Edge Award for the district’s RISE (Reading Improvement for Student Excellence) Initiative to promote literacy. Through the district’s zero to five initiative, a storybook-themed pumpkin painting partnership with the Griffin Downtown Council, new book vending machines, community reading programs such as Real Men Read and Pumps, Pearls and Books, storybook character meet and greets and story time at the Made in Griffin Second Saturday Event, GSCS is on the leading edge in literacy. GSCS has also incorporated the use of the LETRS and Orton Gillingham systems in early grades to teach phonemic awareness. GSCS organized a literacy task force that meets quarterly to continue to seek new and innovative ways to improve literacy among elementary students through the RISE initiative.
Approximately 40 of Georgia’s 181 school districts received the Leading Edge Award. Throughout the year, award recipients may be asked to present on their recognized program at GSBA training events to influence other school systems in the state.