The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, for its regularly scheduled Board meeting at the North Learning Center. Following are highlights of some of the more highly discussed topics, with the full agenda available online. Other topics discussed or approved are available via BoardDocs. Summaries of Board actions can be found here and Board policy updates can be found here. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS district homepage. Recordings will be available within 48 hours.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Looney reinforced the safety and security of students and staff continues to be a top priority. Additional safety drills will occur this year in accordance with new state law changes. He noted the FCS Police Department is in a strong position due to successful recruitment efforts for law enforcement officers but is still seeking candidates to fill 11 vacant positions.

New top leadership appointments
The Board approved two new leadership appointments that will partner together with the hiring of current Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Cliff Jones, who was named Chief of Staff, and former FCS leader Brannon Gaskins as the new CAO.

This new dynamic team will work in tandem to double down on its academic focus on leadership with the implementation of the Science of Reading, Every Child Reads and other educational initiatives. The Chief of Staff position is a newly-created one in which Mr. Jones will work directly under Dr. Looney striving to unite people in and out of the organization by working with the superintendent, leading cross-functional district executive teams, and collaborating with school building-level leaders.

Mr. Gaskins returns to Fulton after serving in several distinguished educational leadership roles and will be uniquely positioned to collaborate with Mr. Jones as they take the district’s academic program and staff development to the next level.

New Hires and Promotions
The following individuals were approved for a new position at the July 11 meeting:

• Clifford Jones | Chief of Staff
• Brannon Gaskins | Chief Academic Officer
• Dr. Shannon Kersey | Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Teaching
• Thomas Garrett | Principal, Ridgeview MS
• Felipe Jackson | Principal, Hamilton E. Holmes ES
• Shamona Harrell | Director, College, Career, and Student Supports
• Amanda Swerdlow | Director, Program Evaluation
• Kerri-Ann Williams | Director, K-5 Literacy