Pictured (l-r)

• GSBA Board Picture: Kia Chambers, Dr. Lewis, Pat Hugley-Green, Naomi Buckner, Vanessa Jackson, and Dr. Edmondson

Columbus, GA – The Muscogee County School District was recently recognized as a 2019 Exemplary Board during the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Summer Conference and Delegate Assembly. In addition, during the conference, Board Chair Patricia Hugley-Green was elected as President-Elect.

GSBA has served public education school boards since 1951 by advocating for local control of public education and offering programs and assistance to local boards of education and school systems.

The GSBA Board Recognition Program is a three-tier process to achieve the highest level in board governance with ranking levels of Quality, Distinguished and Exemplary. Exemplary is the highest level of recognition. Criteria for recognition as an Exemplary Board include:

• Submitting an implemented strategic plan
• Providing a list of 15 Vision Project recommendations that were incorporated into the Board’s system’s strategic plan
• Superintendent evaluation to include Superintendent’s goals, evidence and/or data
• All Board members meeting state training credit requirements and exceeding the annual training requirements by a minimum of three credit hours

The Muscogee County School District Board of Education has also been recognized as a GSBA Distinguished Bard. For more information about the Georgia School Boards Association and its awards programs, click here.


Pictured (l-r) - GSBA Officer Election: President-Frank Griffin, Lee County, President Elect-Pat Hugley Green, Muscogee County, Vice President- Bryan Preston, Coffee County, Past President-Katrina Young, Rockdale County, Executive Director-Valarie Wilson, and GSBA Treasurer-Ron Hopkins, Jefferson City

FY 2020 General Fund Budget 6-10-2019 Board Presentation.pdf
Budget Document FY 2020 5-31-2019 Rev'd 6-7-2019 Final Combined.pdf

The “summer slide” refers to the learning loss that often occurs during the summer months when students are on break from the academic schedule. Summer does not have to be a break from learning. If you are looking for some ways to keep the learning going, here a few resources to consider:

1. MCSD has compiled a list of summer reading list to encourage all students to read at least 15 minutes a day. Click here for our summer reading list.
2. Visit learning attractions. Check out educational attractions such as the Columbus Museum, National Infantry Museum, Columbus Botanical Gardens, and more. Visit the Chattahoochee Valley libraries for free passes to selected attractions.
3. Download educational apps for children including PBS Kids Games, Quick Maths, TeleStory, Spelling Stage, and more. Click here for a list of more educational apps.
4. Watch educational TV programs and videos. PBS Kids provides many educational shows to help your child learn. Click here for a list of shows you can watch this summer.
5. Follow educational and family blogs online. Parents can follow educational blogs for ideas and tips for their child during the summer. Here is a website for parents: https://www.pbs.org/parents

Research articles:
1 - Boston-Expanded-Learning-Afterschool-School-Handout-2017.pdf
2 - Hanover Research - Instructional Time and Elementary Student Achievement.pdf
3 - Hanover Research - Review of Expanded Learning Opportunities.pdf
4 - Increased-Learning-Time-Planning-Guide.pdf
5 -Getting Beneath the Veil of Effective Schools.pdf
6 -The Case for Improving and Expanded Time.pdf
7 - Hanover Research - Extended Learning Strategies.pdf

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Survey results:
Extended Day Survey Summary-Parents.pdf
Extended Day Survey Summary-Teachers.pdf

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Proposed Bell Schedule:
Proposed Revised Bell Schedule.pdf

The Muscogee County School District will accept applications for GSNSP Transfers (Senate Bill 10) June 10-24, 2019.
Please click here for more information and a link to the application.

Questions may be directed to the Division of the Program for Exceptional Students, 706-748-2230.

Columbus, GA- The Muscogee County Board of Education today announced its intention to adopt a millage rate for fiscal year 2020 that will require an increase in property taxes by 0.05 percent.

The Board has determined that this proposed mill levy is necessary to provide the resources needed for all students to achieve as we continue in our efforts to be a premier school district. Recent achievements include the following:

• During the 2017-2018 school year the district increased its percentage of students identified as Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 50% (12 out of 24) of the content areas assessed by the 2018 Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) and End of Course (EOC) tests. The district also decreased its numbers of students identified as Beginning Learners in 50% of those areas and outperformed the other Tier II Districts in 18 out of 24 assessed areas.
• Continued year-over-year graduation rate gains. Over the past four years, the MCSD graduation rate has increased by 4.3 percentage points, from 84.6 in 2014-2015 to 88.9 in 2017-2018 while the state’s graduation rate increased by only 2.8 percentage points, from 78.8 in 2014-2015 to 81.6 in 2017-2018. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the District’s performance has surpassed the state of Georgia at a higher rate.
• The 2018 American College Test (ACT) composite and subject results for the Muscogee County School District mark the second highest set of scores for the District to date. In addition, the number of students tested in Muscogee County increased year-to-date for the 2017-2018 school year. Further, the Muscogee County School District 2018 SAT results saw improvements in the District’s composite and reading and writing scores. The District’s reading and writing scores exceeded both the state and national averages for the first time. In addition, the District noted an increase in the number of test takers during the 2017-2018 school year.

This proposed levy will work to restore some of the shortfalls faced by the District as a result of sixteen consecutive years of the State’s inability to fully fund its share of public education. The funding shortfalls or State Austerity Reductions from fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2018 totaled $192.6 million.

These state budget cuts are again compounded by the fact that the property tax digest for Muscogee County has not increased significantly in recent years. The property tax digest for the current year is again projected to realize a nominal increase. The Board of Education must then levy 6.08 mills of tax to provide the local five-mill share revenue required for participation in the state education funding program.

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 23.321 mills, an increase of 0.011 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 23.310 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $125,000 is approximately $.40 cents and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $175,000 is approximately $.77 cents.

The proposed millage rate requires a millage rate higher than the rollback mill rate. Georgia law requires that before the Board can set a final millage rate, it must hold three public hearings to allow for public input.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held in the Board Room on the 1^st floor of the Board of Education, 2960 Macon Road, at the dates and times indicated.

• Monday, June 10, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.
• Monday, June 10, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, June 24, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

The millage rate for 2019 will be set at a meeting held in the Board Room on the 1^st floor of the Board of Education, 2960 Macon Road on Monday, June 24, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4 | 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Muscogee County Public Education Center
2960 Macon Road | Columbus, GA 31906

WHAT: The District invites all who are interested in pursuing a career in education to this meeting. Pre-registration is not required to attend, but individuals should possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 grade-point average. During this meeting, Human Resources and Professional Learning will share pathway options and specific details about the process to transition into a career in education.

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

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Called School Board Meeting Notice

WHEN: Monday, June 3| 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Muscogee County Public Education Center

2960 Macon Road | Columbus, GA 31906

WHAT: The purpose of this meeting is to take official action on the proposed plan for a Behavior Supports Continuum of Services, provided by ChanceLight, Inc., for students with varying eligibilities.

Behavior Supports Program Proposal FAQS (1).pdf

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.