VALDOSTA – The Valdosta City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved three agenda items to continue the efforts of updating the district’s strategic plan Tuesday evening.

Chairwoman Tyra Howard had special guest Reyna Marie Hanks, a Pinevale Elementary School student, to call the meeting to order.

Superintendent Dr. Craig Lockhart went on to recognize the reappointments of Howard and Board Member Tad Moseley of District 6 and welcomed incoming Board Member Jason DeLoach to the school board.

Lockhart presented the action agenda items for strategic planning, which had been discussed at a meeting last month.

The items said VCS would contract with the Georgia Schools Boards Association (GSBA) to develop a new plan that will be active from 2024 to 2029 – a five year period. The total cost is $24,500 to be paid through general funds.

The board also considered additional services for a full manual revision and the adoption of Norms and Protocols as best practices for local governance teams to help board members and the superintendent to better manage relationships and communication among each other and with the public.

Shown documents said the cost for the manual update is expected to total $14,500.

Board members Warren Lee of District 3 and Brittney Coons-Long, At Large, raised concerns on the cost of services.

Lockhart responded that he will check with the association on any potential discount.

Dr. Christina Sneed, the assistant superintendent for Student Support Services, followed later in the meeting presenting a service contract with the staffing agency ProCare Therapy. The agency would be responsible for assisting the district with obtaining highly qualified personnel to meet students with disabilities’ diverse education learning needs.

The superintendent explained that the agency offers the district a wider net of people to consider for vacancies. “We have a shortage across the state and nation. This is another way for us to try to make sure we have really strong teachers in the classroom especially for those students that need that support the most,” he said.

The board discussed the technicalities of using the agency. Sneed clarified that the individuals would be employees of the company, not VCS.

The board approved with a vote of 9-0.

A memorandum of understanding was moved forward with Georgia Southwestern University to continue to support teacher recruitment and retention efforts in the district.

Dr. Alvin Hudson, the deputy superintendent of operations, came forward with the November 2023 finance report for information only and introduced a new software system called YOSS (Your One Source Solution).

He said the platform would create a uniform system that will replace two current programs the district uses and will ensure the flow from one function to the next allowing employees to spend their time on other tasks instead of re-entering data into multiple programs.

The program will cost about $68,000. After hearing concerns about the cost of the program and questions on its implementation, Hudson explained the payments and services would be transitioned gradually instead of a one-time payment.

Board members heard from Pinevale Elementary School Principal Tony Burgman and 5th Grade Chair Ashley McCoy about a potential overnight field trip request to Atlanta in May 2024. There was no vote on the request but board members shared support.

Lockhart gave an in-depth report about his first semester with the district. The full presentation can be found on the board’s online archive.

The board voted Dr. LaConya McCrae as the new director of special education; Dr. Cheryl Rice as the new assistant director of special education; and Russell Jackson as the new PROMISE Program director.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 at 7 p.m in the district’s office at 1204 Williams St.