Current Documents
School Governance Council Meeting Documents
Each meeting of the School Governance Council typically generates three public documents: an agenda; a brief summary of action items that occurred during the meeting; and a detailed set of meeting minutes. We will display these documents on our website for the current school year, along with those from the previous year. If you need to view older documents, please contact our School Governance & Flexibility Department at schoolgovernance@fultonschools.org.
2025-26 SGC Meeting Documents
August
September
Agenda
September Agenda
School: Heards Ferry Elementary School
Date: 09/22/25
Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Principal’s Conference Room
SGC Members:
Karen Cooke (Principal), Lori Dunagan (Staff), Leila Sadri (Teacher), Alexis Frank (Teacher), Laney Chambless (Teacher), Nathan Madigan (Parent), Meredith Camp (Parent), Stephen Saussy (Parent), Stephen Isbill (Community Member), Selena Baumann (Community Member)
7:45AM Call to Order (Madigan)
7:47AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Madigan)
7:50AM Action Item: Approve Previous Month’s Minutes (Madigan)
7:52AM Action Item: Finalize Council Staffing* (Madigan)
8:00AM Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities (In Person Officer Training and Cross Council) ** (All Members)
8:10AM Discussion Item: Determine SY25-26 Council Norms – sample below (All Members)
8:15AM Discussion Item: Review 2025 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives*** (All Members)
8:25AM Action Item: Approve Strategic Plan**** (All Members) See pages 2-3 for more detailed information
8:40AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Cooke)
8:50AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members)
9:00AM Action Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure (Madigan)
9:05AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Madigan)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Notes and Reminders
* Finalizing Council Staffing: Please ensure all member updates have been submitted to the Governance & Flexibility Team using the Council Information Form.
** SGC Council Development Opportunities:
SGC Essential Training
Our comprehensive SGC training course is essential for understanding the vital roles and responsibilities within the School Governance Council. This training is designed to equip members with knowledge about the SGC's core structure and key processes for successful school governance.
Login Instructions for Canvas:
1. Open your browser and go to fultonschools.instructure.com.
2. Click "employee log in" and sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Complete authentication and follow the prompts to reduce sign-in requests.
4. Once logged in, find the School Governance Essential Training listed under courses.
Requirements:
- All SGC members must complete all three modules by the end of August 2025.
- We suggest completing the training prior to your initial SGC meeting if possible.
2025 In Person Officer Training
All SGC Officers (Council Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Parliamentarians) are required to complete Officer Training (unless completed in previous years). Please note that this will be a more in-depth, hands-on training for newly elected officers. This is different from the Officer Training Module found in the Canvas Training.
Click below to register to attend one of the sessions.
In-Person Officer Training Sign Up Genius
Fall 2025 Cross Council Events
The Governance & Flexibility Team is excited to invite all School Governance Councils to our Fall Cross Council events—two engaging mornings designed to connect, collaborate, and inspire.
Dates & Locations
- Monday, September 29 | South Learning Center | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 3 | North Learning Center | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
These sessions are a unique opportunity for SGC members to learn from district leaders, the Governance & Flexibility Team, and each other. They bring together councils from across the district, creating space for collaboration within feeder patterns and across grade bands.
This year’s theme centers on three key pillars:
- Teamwork – Kicking off the governance year with energy and excitement for our shared work
- Integrity – Defining our goals and committing to action within our schools
- Accountability – Monitoring strategic priorities and sharing progress with our stakeholders
We are asking each school to send at least one representative to one of the two events (both sessions will cover the same material). Once every school has a representative registered, we will open additional spots for other members who would like to join.
Register now via our Sign-up Genius link to secure your spot and join us in shaping another successful year of governance in Fulton County Schools.
2025 Fall Cross Council Sign Up Link
*** SY25-26 Council Initiatives: Begin discussions to determine the focus of the council’s upcoming work. Lean on your school’s Semester Action Plan to ensure the work of the council is aligned with the goals and initiatives being targeted by the school leaders. Task the council with prioritizing 1 – 2 initiatives the SGC could lead or support throughout the year.
****Strategic Planning
August is the start of an important and exciting time for our School Governance Councils. Each year, councils work alongside their principal and school community to create a School Strategic Action Plan. This plan serves as a roadmap for the year ahead and focuses on the priorities that will have the greatest impact on student success.
This month, SGCs should begin conversations about their 2025–26 plan. These discussions are a chance to celebrate what is working well, identify areas for growth, and set clear goals that will guide the work of both the school and the council.
In September, councils will finalize their plan and take a formal vote to approve it. Principals will then submit the approved plan by September 30 using the online Strategic Action Plan form. All planning tools, including the form, metric definitions, drafting documents, and optional project planning templates, are available on the Charter System website Resources page.
In October, Zone Superintendents will review and approve each plan. Once approved, these plans should remain at the heart of SGC meetings, guiding decision making, tracking progress, and engaging the school community in the work ahead.
The strategic planning process is more than a requirement. It is an opportunity for councils to lead with purpose and to make a meaningful difference for their schools.
VAF/Programmatic Updates
All flexibility and programming submissions are due from schools by September 30 and can be completed using the VAF/Programming Form located on the Charter System Website Flexibility page.
Schools should use the form to submit the following:
- New Value-Added Flexibility Requests – Use the form to request any new flexibilities for the 2026–27 school year.
- Updates on Current Flexibilities – All schools approved for value-added flexibilities since 2021 must submit an implementation update. If your school has multiple approved flexibilities, you may select them from the dropdown in the form and submit a single update on overall progress. A separate update for each flexibility is not required.
- Magnet Program Updates/Requests – This includes requests for new magnet programs, updates on all current magnet programs, and notices of sunsetting or discontinuing magnet programs. All schools with magnet programs must submit an update for each program. Schools with multiple magnet programs will need to complete multiple forms.
All submissions require School Governance Council approval and a 30-day public comment period. Instructions for managing the public comment process are available on the Charter System Website.
Schools wishing to opt-in to one of the four district preapproved waivers should complete the short Opt-In Notice of Adoption form and follow the linked instructions.
Please contact the Governance & Flexibility Team with any questions or to request additional support.
Summary
September 2025 SOA
School: Heards Ferry Elementary School
Date: 08/26/2025
Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Principal’s Conference Room
SGC Members:
|
Present |
Absent |
|
Nathan Madigan (Parent), |
Meredith Camp (Parent) |
|
Lori Dunagan (Appointed Staff), |
Laney Chambless (Teacher) |
|
Selena Bauman (Community Member) |
|
|
Stephen Saussy (elected parent) |
|
|
Alexis Frank (Teacher)
|
|
|
Leila Sadri (Teacher) |
|
|
Karen Cooke (Principal) |
|
|
Steve Isbell (Community Member) |
|
|
|
|
Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:50 by Nathan Madigan.
Action Items –
The agenda was approved unanimously.
Finalized council staffing
Training opportunities for SGC members were discussed.
The norms were reviewed and no additions or edits were made.
The group reviewed the responses from the self assessment. We discussed that we will do this together as a group moving forward.
The strategic action plan was approved.
Ideas for charter dollar expenditures were discussed.
Informational Items –
-
A school update was given by Principal Karen Cooke
-
An Eagle Alliance update was given with upcoming events.
Announcements and Adjournment –
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 AM
Minutes
September Minutes
School: Heards Ferry Elementary School
Date: 09/22/25
Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Principal’s Conference Room
SGC Members:
Karen Cooke (Principal), Lori Dunagan (Staff), Leila Sadri (Teacher), Alexis Frank (Teacher), Nathan Madigan (Parent), Stephen Saussy (Parent), Stephen Isbill (Community Member), Selena Baumann (Community Member)
Absent:Laney Chambless (Teacher), Meredith Camp (Parent)
7:50AM Call to Order (Madigan)
7:51AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Madigan)
Bauman made motion to approve agenda, Isbell, 2nd, passed Unanimously
7:53AM Action Item: Approve Previous Month’s Minutes (Madigan)
Isbill made motion to approve previous months minutes, Dunagan 2nd, passed unanimously
7:55AM Action Item: Finalize Council Staffing* (Madigan)
Bauman made motion to finalize council staffing, Isbill 2nd, Passed Unanimously
7:57 AM Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities (In Person Officer Training and Cross Council) ** (All Members)
Frank attended officer training
Chambless is registered or has already done the training
7:58AM Discussion Item: Determine SY25-26 Council Norms – sample below (All Members)
Madigan reviewed norms, asked for feedback but no additions or edits
Dunagan made motion to approve, Sadri, 2nd ,Passed unanimously
8:00AM Discussion Item: Review 2025 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives*** (All Members)
3 people completed self assessment-reviewed those responses
We will complete it as a group going forward
Cooke Discussed using principal’s survey- will ask Foster
8:05 AM Action Item: Approve Strategic Plan**** (All Members) See pages 2-3 for more detailed information
Cooke shared strategic plan
Bauman made motion to approve strategic plan, Isbill 2nd, passed unanimously
8:36 AM- EA Update
Ackel shared poster maker has been delivered and staff trained, redoing staff area of cafeteria, new garden shed, screen beams for teachers that wanted them (waiting on county approval), stem day, boys night in October
8:40AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Cooke)
Cooke shared about new literacy standards
8:50AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members)
Add sub days for teacher planning to include ela and math
8:53AM Action Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure (Madigan)
8:55 AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Madigan)
Bauman made motion to adjourn the meeting, Dunagan, 2nd, passed unanimously
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Notes and Reminders
* Finalizing Council Staffing: Please ensure all member updates have been submitted to the Governance & Flexibility Team using the Council Information Form.
** SGC Council Development Opportunities:
SGC Essential Training
Our comprehensive SGC training course is essential for understanding the vital roles and responsibilities within the School Governance Council. This training is designed to equip members with knowledge about the SGC's core structure and key processes for successful school governance.
Login Instructions for Canvas:
-
Open your browser and go to fultonschools.instructure.com.
-
Click "employee log in" and sign in with your Microsoft account.
-
Complete authentication and follow the prompts to reduce sign-in requests.
-
Once logged in, find the School Governance Essential Training listed under courses.
Requirements:
-
All SGC members must complete all three modules by the end of August 2025.
-
We suggest completing the training prior to your initial SGC meeting if possible.
2025 In Person Officer Training
All SGC Officers (Council Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Parliamentarians) are required to complete Officer Training (unless completed in previous years). Please note that this will be a more in-depth, hands-on training for newly elected officers. This is different from the Officer Training Module found in the Canvas Training.
Click below to register to attend one of the sessions.
In-Person Officer Training Sign Up Genius
Fall 2025 Cross Council Events
The Governance & Flexibility Team is excited to invite all School Governance Councils to our Fall Cross Council events—two engaging mornings designed to connect, collaborate, and inspire.
Dates & Locations
-
Monday, September 29 | South Learning Center | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
-
Friday, October 3 | North Learning Center | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
These sessions are a unique opportunity for SGC members to learn from district leaders, the Governance & Flexibility Team, and each other. They bring together councils from across the district, creating space for collaboration within feeder patterns and across grade bands.
This year’s theme centers on three key pillars:
-
Teamwork – Kicking off the governance year with energy and excitement for our shared work
-
Integrity – Defining our goals and committing to action within our schools
-
Accountability – Monitoring strategic priorities and sharing progress with our stakeholders
We are asking each school to send at least one representative to one of the two events (both sessions will cover the same material). Once every school has a representative registered, we will open additional spots for other members who would like to join.
Register now via our Sign-up Genius link to secure your spot and join us in shaping another successful year of governance in Fulton County Schools.
2025 Fall Cross Council Sign Up Link
*** SY25-26 Council Initiatives: Begin discussions to determine the focus of the council’s upcoming work. Lean on your school’s Semester Action Plan to ensure the work of the council is aligned with the goals and initiatives being targeted by the school leaders. Task the council with prioritizing 1 – 2 initiatives the SGC could lead or support throughout the year.
****Strategic Planning
August is the start of an important and exciting time for our School Governance Councils. Each year, councils work alongside their principal and school community to create a School Strategic Action Plan. This plan serves as a roadmap for the year ahead and focuses on the priorities that will have the greatest impact on student success.
This month, SGCs should begin conversations about their 2025–26 plan. These discussions are a chance to celebrate what is working well, identify areas for growth, and set clear goals that will guide the work of both the school and the council.
In September, councils will finalize their plan and take a formal vote to approve it. Principals will then submit the approved plan by September 30 using the online Strategic Action Plan form. All planning tools, including the form, metric definitions, drafting documents, and optional project planning templates, are available on the Charter System website Resources page.
In October, Zone Superintendents will review and approve each plan. Once approved, these plans should remain at the heart of SGC meetings, guiding decision making, tracking progress, and engaging the school community in the work ahead.
The strategic planning process is more than a requirement. It is an opportunity for councils to lead with purpose and to make a meaningful difference for their schools.
VAF/Programmatic Updates
All flexibility and programming submissions are due from schools by September 30 and can be completed using the VAF/Programming Form located on the Charter System Website Flexibility page.
Schools should use the form to submit the following:
-
New Value-Added Flexibility Requests – Use the form to request any new flexibilities for the 2026–27 school year.
-
Updates on Current Flexibilities – All schools approved for value-added flexibilities since 2021 must submit an implementation update. If your school has multiple approved flexibilities, you may select them from the dropdown in the form and submit a single update on overall progress. A separate update for each flexibility is not required.
-
Magnet Program Updates/Requests – This includes requests for new magnet programs, updates on all current magnet programs, and notices of sunsetting or discontinuing magnet programs. All schools with magnet programs must submit an update for each program. Schools with multiple magnet programs will need to complete multiple forms.
All submissions require School Governance Council approval and a 30-day public comment period. Instructions for managing the public comment process are available on the Charter System Website.
Schools wishing to opt-in to one of the four district preapproved waivers should complete the short Opt-In Notice of Adoption form and follow the linked instructions.
Please contact the Governance & Flexibility Team with any questions or to request addition
October
Agenda
October Agenda
School: Heards Ferry Elementary School
Date: 10/28/25
Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Principal’s Conference Room
SGC Members:
Karen Cooke (Principal), Lori Dunagan (Staff), Leila Sadri (Teacher), Alexis Frank (Teacher), Laney Chambless (Teacher), Nathan Madigan (Parent), Meredith Camp (Parent), Stephen Saussy (Parent), Stephen Isbill (Community Member), Selena Baumann (Community Member)
7:45AM Call to Order (Madigan)
7:47AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Madigan)
7:50AM Action Item: Approve September Minutes (Madigan)
7:52AM Discussion Item: SY25-26Council Initiatives* (All Members)
8:00AM Discussion Item: Review SGC Website for Compliance** (All Members)
8:10AM Discussion Item: Debrief Fall Cross Council Meeting(All Members)
8:15AM Discussion Item: Strategic Plan Update/Review All Members)
8:25AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members)
8:30AM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (Madigan)
8:30AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Cooke)
8:40AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Madigan)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Notes and Reminders
* SY25-26 Council Initiatives: Begin discussions to determine the focus of the council’s upcoming work. Lean on your school’s Semester Action Plan to ensure the work of the council is aligned with the goals and initiatives being targeted by the school leaders. Task the council with prioritizing 1 – 2 initiatives the SGC could lead or support throughout the year.
**SGC Website Audits
Each school year, the Governance & Flexibility Team periodically performs website audits to ensure all School Governance Councils throughout the district are in compliance with Georgia Open Records and Meetings laws. These audits require councils to post information related, but not limited to the following:
-
Date, Time, Place/Access Instructions for all Meetings
-
Council Documentation (Minutes, Agendas, Summaries of Action)
-
Council Roster, Term-End Dates, FCS E-mail Addresses
-
Officer and Committee Information
The Governance & Flexibility Team will be completing website audits for all schools at the end of the month. For a list of SGC website requirements, please review the SGC Website Audit Form.
Summary
Minutes
November
December
Agenda
December Agenda
School: Heards Ferry Elementary School
Date: 12/16/25
Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Principal’s Conference Room
SGC Members:
Karen Cooke (Principal), Lori Dunagan (Staff), Leila Sadri (Teacher), Alexis Frank (Teacher), Laney Chambless (Teacher), Nathan Madigan (Parent), Meredith Camp (Parent), Stephen Saussy (Parent), Stephen Isbill (Community Member), Selena Baumann (Community Member)
7:45AM Call to Order (Madigan)
7:47AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Madigan)
7:50AM Action Item: Approve October Minutes (Madigan)
7:52AM Discussion Item: Schedule Spring Committee Meetings* (All Members)
8:00AM Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Council Update (Isbill)
8:10AM Discussion Item: Strategic Monitoring Update (Cooke & Dunagan)
8:20AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members)
8:25AM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (Madigan)
8:30AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Cooke)
8:40AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Madigan)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Notes and Reminders
*Committee Meetings
Outreach & Communication Committees should plan to meet in January to start planning for the Spring Parent & Teacher Elections. Budget & Finance Committees should plan to meet in February to prepare for the council’s annual budget approval.