The System Wide Teacher of the Year Was announced she is Cheryl Clark of Spalding High School.  She was picked by the selection committee from the three finalists that included her self, Debbie Hudson Teacher of the Year at  Cowan Road Middle School, and Patrick Wallace Teacher of the Year at Griffin High School

Also during the Meeting the Board recognized the young Georgia Author's State Winner Baele Harmon of Griffin High School.

During the Public Comment portion of the Meeting Annie Clark addressed the Board in relation to the activities of the Alumnae Chapter - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and what they do for our teachers and school system.

The Human Resources Committee briefing was conducted by Chairman Raymond Ray who along with the board approved action items that included the election of 4 Certified Staff, 6 Classified Staff, Two Transfers, 4 Resignations, and 4 retirements. 

The Board approved Field Trip Requests for Cowan Road Middle School Junior Beta Club to attend the Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC Sunday January 18th thru Wednesday January 21st., also the Taylor Street Middle School Chorus to participate in a clinic at The University of Central Florida and performance at the Disney Magic Music Days on Wednesday May 6th, 2009 thru Sunday May 10th. Taylor Street Middle School Gifted students to Williams burg Virginia on Wednesday May 13 thru Sunday May 17th.

The Board approved a Joint City of Griffin, Spalding County and Board of Education Resolution to work more closely for the betterment of our community through coordination of future meetings and discussions. 

The Heron Bay Charter School Proposal was turned down by the board following a briefing by Dr. Curtis Jones, who pointed out that the new school would also require coordination and approval by the Henry County Board of Education who indicated they were not in favor of the school there would be approximately 200 henry county children at the school and about 10 students from Spalding county.  The Kennedy Road Middle School Charter School Proposal was also turned down by the Board following Dr. Curtis Jones, Dr. Bradley, and several members discussion in relation to the approximately 1250 students families that will be involved that need input as to their wishes.  There were only 30 members of the Kennedy Road parents in attendance that were approving the issue but no one was aware of the remaining number of parents or how they felt about the school becoming a Charter School. A Charter school could be both good and bad for our school system.  The State recently sent out a letter to superintendents stating that they should look at the Charter School Concept as they could then increase the size of classes and cut the number of teachers and staff at the school systems.  The number of students per class had been originally directed by the state.  Now its is unclear as to why the state has taken a stand like this unless they expect the school systems to correct the states problem of funding. The Board members Mrs. Barbara JO Cook, Pete Graham, Raymond Ray indicated they were unsure as to what the future will hold after the state legislature meets next years as to funding.  Already the system knows they will have to cut 2 percent form this years budget and three percent next year.  In addition the amount of funding to all schools in the system will need to be on par and the addition of Kennedy Road as a Charter School could prove to be more cost for that one school is received for operations of Taylor Street, Cowan and Carver Road  The issue was extended until October 30 th.

The Rehoboth Road Middle School Equipment Bids were presented by Bruce Ballard and the low bidder was H.E Hodge Company with a bid of 452,178.00 as well as a bid for Spalding High School Expansion for Lockers and Science Casework of 165,160.00.

Ballard also updated the board in relation to the Study of Natural Gas vs Propane option for Rehoboth Road.  The Study of the problem indicated that in the future consideration of the addition of a Elementary school at that location in the future the decision to have Georgia Natural Gas run a 189,000 pipe line to the school would be more cost effective. The board approved the issue 5-0.;

The Board rescinded Flynt Street Property Resolution with Griffin Technical College until the consolidating of 14 colleges is settled wit the state.  Griffin Technical College and Flint River Technical College in Thomaston are among some other 14 Technical Colleges being directed to consolidate operations by next June.