Subscribe
Donate

APS Board Update – February 2025

Accountability

Academics Update – Teaching & Learning

Led by Dr. Shakeatha Butler, Chief of Teaching & Learning

  • The district is prioritizing accountability, equity, and access through data-driven decision-making, targeted instructional support, and expanded learning opportunities.
  • Key Strategies: Curriculum alignment, instructional coaching, tiered support, assessments, and literacy interventions.
  • Assessment Improvements: Implementing the “5 Keys to Quality Balanced Assessment” for clearer goals and student progress tracking.
  • Teacher Training: Strengthening instructional support through Science of Reading training and instructional coaching in partnership with TNTP (The New Teacher Project).

Monthly Financial Update

Presented by Lisa Bracken, Chief Financial Officer

  • The FY2025 budget totals $1.27 billion, with 76.76% revenue collected and 45.67% of expenditures spent as of December 31, 2024.
  • Challenges: Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) have led to $2.36 billion in lost potential revenue.
  • FY2026 Budget Development: Prioritizing fiscal accountability, equity in funding, and sustainable financial planning.

SOFG – Student Outcomes Focused Governance

  • College & Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) increased from 59.7 (2023) to 64.0 (2024), surpassing the district goal.
  • Areas of Concern: Literacy scores show a slight decline; interventions are being developed.
  • New College & Career Readiness Initiatives: Expanded AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment opportunities.

✅ Action Items:

  • Continue Science of Reading training & instructional coaching.
  • Finalize FY26 school budgets by Feb 28, 2025.
  • Expand middle school literacy support & workforce/college partnerships.

Equity

  • Special Education Improvements: Fall 2024 audit findings inform new instructional strategies, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) training, and cross-functional instructional focus walks.
  • Tiered Support System: Schools receive differentiated resources based on student needs.
  • Budget Equity Adjustments: Increased funding for low-income students ($3M), gifted students ($4.8M), and slight increases for English Learners & Special Education.

✅ Impact on Families:

  • More targeted academic support in high-need schools.
  • Expansion of exceptional education services and training for inclusive learning environments.

Access & School Options

  • Expanding Early Postsecondary & Advanced Courses: More AP courses, ASVAB readiness, and Dual Enrollment pathways.
  • Career Readiness Growth: Increasing workforce development partnerships, Career Pathways, and school-to-career transition programs.
  • School Funding Adjustments: Some ESSER-funded positions will be phased out, impacting schools with pandemic relief staff.
  • Pathway Completion Growth: 4.69% increase in students completing career pathways and AP African American History launching in all schools next year.

✅ Next Steps:

  • Finalize AP, IB, and Career Pathway expansion plans.
  • Address literacy gaps through targeted interventions.

Community Public Comment Themes

  • Public Comment on HB 581: A new statewide homestead exemption aims to cap property tax increases but allows local governments to opt out.
  • Student Advocacy – March for Our Lives: Students are advocating for a district-wide gun safety pledge.
  • Support for Media Specialists: Multiple community members requested continued funding for school media specialist roles.

📢 How to Get Involved:

  • Provide feedback via the district’s online forum on curriculum updates.
  • Attend public hearings & community sessions on school funding and academic initiatives.

Board Questions & Comments

Academics & Teaching & Learning

  • Is the district on track with the “Readers Are Leaders” training for 2,000 teachers? Data is currently being analyzed.
  • How is student voice incorporated in the Literacy Task Force? Teacher and principal advisory groups are involved.
  • Are we aligning the K-12 curriculum to ensure seamless progression? Efforts are underway to realign curriculum across all grades.
  • How are we improving college & career readiness to ensure students complete pathways? AP expansion and other initiatives are in place to address completion gaps.

Financial & Budget Concerns

  • How can we ensure that budget adjustments don’t negatively impact student services? Budget planning focuses on preserving student-facing initiatives.
  • Can funding for ISS paraprofessionals become a permanent budget item? This is being explored to ensure ongoing support.
  • What strategies are in place to address concerns about double funding for students in virtual and traditional schools? Per-pupil funding is being adjusted to prevent inefficiencies.

Equity & Special Education

  • How can we support teachers who are not on track with required training? Additional encouragement and accountability measures are being considered.
  • Are we ensuring that all schools, including TSA schools, receive the tiered support they need? Yes, support is provided based on data-driven needs.

Access & College/Career Readiness

  • Are we focusing on both access and readiness in AP/IB programs? Yes, efforts are in place to increase student preparation earlier in their academic journey.
  • How are we training counselors to better support post-secondary readiness? Organizational shifts are being made to enhance support structures.
  • Are there innovative ways to expand career and workforce partnerships? The Dual Enrollment Task Force is exploring new opportunities.
  • Are there plans to implement hybrid AP courses? There is a preference for in-person support, but options are being explored.

Next Steps

📌 Upcoming Deadlines & Follow-Ups:

  • FY26 staffing allocations & budgets finalized by Feb 28.
  • March 19-21: Senior Cabinet Retreat to finalize district-wide financial planning.
  • Further review of assessment & literacy strategies to improve reading scores.
  • Regular check-ins with school leaders to ensure needs-based funding and support.

📣 Stay Informed & Take Action!

🔗 State of the District/100 Day Progress Update Visit: APS Every Child Initiative

See Full Presentations Below

Additional Board Meetings

APS Board Update – June 2025

Read More

APS Board Update – May 2025 

Read More

APS Board Update – April 2025

Read More
Scroll to Top

Dr. Keith Colbert

Dr. Keith A. Colbert has served in the Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) system since 1998, starting his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Northcutt Elementary School. After a two-year tenure at Northcutt Elementary, he transferred to Morrow High School, where he served as a math teacher, special education teacher, and assistant head basketball coach. To gain insightful leadership experience, Dr. Colbert shadowed the administrative team, gained useful school leadership experience, and obtained a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Troy State University.

Dr. Colbert was selected as assistant principal of Mundy’s Mill High School (MMHS) in 2003 under the leadership of Dr. Anthony W. Smith. During his tenure at MMHS, he was instrumental in preparing the first class to graduate from the newly constructed school.

Dr. Colbert was recognized as a future principal leader in the district and was selected as one of twelve future leaders to participate in the principal preparation program, “A Forward-LEAP.” After completing this program, Dr. Colbert was appointed principal of Lovejoy Middle School in 2006, where he led more than 1,400 students. At the time, Lovejoy Middle School was the largest middle school in the district and considered underperforming. Dr. Colbert and his team led the school to substantial improvements in student achievement and were consequently selected as the 2008 Georgia PTSA Principal of the Year.

Driven to nurture a class of students from 6th grade to graduation, Dr. Colbert was appointed principal of Lovejoy High School in July 2009, where he served for seven years. He is one of the few principals in traditional high schools who is fortunate to have guided sixth graders to graduation with the Class of 2013. During his tenure at Lovejoy High School, the school was recognized as a Title I Rewards school in 2012 and 2013, SAT’s greatest gains school in 2012, and a USA News top high school in 2011. Dr. Colbert’s achievements led to a finalist for Principal of the Year for Clayton County Public Schools in 2011 and 2013.

In June of 2016, Dr. Keith A. Colbert was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Clayton County Public Schools.

Cayanna Good, Ph.D.

Dr. Cayanna Good serves as Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Impact at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), where she leads systemwide strategic planning and drives organizational improvement across all institutional pillars.
Previously, she served as Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Adult Education, overseeing statewide literacy initiatives, workforce alignment, and Georgia’s high school equivalency credentialing program.

Before joining TCSG, Dr. Good held leadership roles at the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, the Georgia Department of Education, Teach For America, and TNTP. Her career began in the classroom in Houston — an experience that continues to ground her unwavering commitment to equity, access, and opportunity for all learners.

Dr. Good earned her bachelor’s degree from Fisk University, her master’s from Georgia State University, and her doctorate from Mercer University. She serves as Chairperson of the State Charter School Commission, she is a member of the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Brookwood High School Local School Council.