In a meeting that highlighted the complexity of recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Bulloch County Board of Education (BOE) tackled significant topics ranging from extensive storm damage to the challenges of restoring lost instructional time.
With hurricane recovery still ongoing, the board emphasized transparency and flexibility as they navigated through insurance claims, facility repairs, and adjustments to the academic calendar.
Storm Damage and Immediate Response: A Collaborative Recovery Effort
Superintendent Charles Wilson opened the meeting with a detailed account of the district’s storm recovery efforts to date. The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene extended far beyond initial projections, leading to substantial damage to school facilities and disruption to normal operations.
Despite the widespread impact, Wilson praised the district’s ability to respond rapidly, thanks to close coordination with the Bulloch Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and other local entities.
"These storms are meant to be temporary, but their effects linger," Wilson said. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting that the district’s partnerships with power companies, local law enforcement, and emergency services allowed for a more organized and efficient recovery process.
In particular, the district relied heavily on temporary generators to power essential systems, though some generators failed under pressure. "We had a few generators blow out, but we quickly mobilized our maintenance crews to restore service," Wilson said.
One of the district’s most effective communication tools was its use of 9-1-1 radios for twice-daily check-ins, implemented to overcome limited cell service and internet connectivity during the immediate aftermath of the storm.
The check-ins, suggested by Dr. Jeff Tysinger based on his military background, provided real-time updates on the state of each school and allowed the district to maintain a clear line of communication across departments.
Documenting Damage Across Campuses
The first phase of recovery focused on assessing damage. Principals and assistant principals were instructed to photograph both interior and exterior damage across their respective campuses. These images were uploaded into a shared folder and documented via a centralized spreadsheet, providing the district with a comprehensive overview of the impact across its 15 campuses.
"This process helped us document everything from roofing damage to fallen trees," Wilson explained.
While minor damage, such as blown-over signage and fencing, was common, more severe structural issues were reported at Langston Chapel Elementary, Nevils Elementary, and William James Middle Schools. One of the most critical areas of damage was the awning at Langston Chapel Elementary, which required immediate removal to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Coordinating Insurance and FEMA Assistance
As the district worked to recover from the storm, Wilson emphasized the importance of staging debris for potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. “We’re not just pushing debris off to the side,” Wilson said. “FEMA measures the height, width, and length of the piles, so proper staging is crucial.”
In terms of insurance, the district recently transitioned from Liberty Mutual to Utica as its primary insurer. Utica has begun sending adjusters to the district to assess the damages. "We’ve already filed several claims," Wilson explained, "and we’re working closely with both our insurance broker and Utica to ensure we get the coverage we need."
However, decisions on filing claims are complicated by deductibles. For example, the district’s wind deductible is 2%, which, on a high-value property like Langston Chapel Elementary, would require damages exceeding $600,000 before a claim becomes viable.
"In some cases, like Langston Chapel’s roof, the repair may not meet the deductible, and filing claims for smaller issues can impact premiums," Wilson pointed out. Conversely, smaller facilities like weight rooms and pump houses are insured for lower amounts, which means repairs on those buildings might reach the deductible threshold, making it worthwhile to file claims.
"We’re making these decisions carefully, weighing the financial impact of filing claims against the long-term effect on our insurance premiums," Wilson said.
The district is also in ongoing communication with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and FEMA about possible federal assistance for large-scale damages.
Instructional Time: Navigating 11 Days of Lost Schooling
In addition to physical damage, Hurricane Helene caused significant disruption to the academic calendar, with the district losing 11 days of instructional time total, between Hurricanes Debby and Helene. The Bulloch County School District, operating under a strategic waiver, has more flexibility than traditional school systems, which are typically required to make up only four days of missed instruction.
Flexibility Under the Strategic Waiver System
Dr. Wilson highlighted that the district’s strategic waiver allows them to waive the requirement for making up school days lost due to natural disasters. "It’s a local decision," Wilson said, clarifying that the district is not legally obligated to make up the full 11 days.
However, the loss of instructional time remains a significant concern, especially in key areas like End of Course (EOC) testing. Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement at Bulloch County Schools Dr. Teresa Phillips provided an in-depth overview of the district’s plan to recover lost instructional time.
"Our focus is on mastery, not seat time," Phillips explained. The district has already adjusted its curriculum pacing to focus on essential standards, ensuring that students are exposed to the most critical concepts despite the shortened time frame.
Challenges with High School Testing and Dual Enrollment
The most pressing issue lies in the high school EOC courses—American Literature, U.S. History, Biology, and Algebra—which must be completed within a state-mandated testing window.
"The testing window is November 18 to January 8," Phillips said. "Even if we could push testing back, the state deadlines restrict us from extending the semester beyond that."
Additionally, dual enrollment courses, which allow high school students to earn college credit, present further challenges. These courses follow a separate academic calendar, and extending the high school semester would overlap with new college courses starting in January.
"We can’t ask dual enrollment students to balance two sets of classes at once," Phillips noted.
Creative Solutions for Instructional Time
To address these challenges, the district is exploring innovative strategies to maximize the remaining instructional time. Phillips outlined several approaches, including:
- Spiral Review: Teachers will use bell-ringer activities and other methods to keep essential concepts fresh in students' minds.
- Pre-Tests: Teachers will administer pre-tests to identify concepts students have already mastered, allowing them to focus on areas needing more attention.
- Enrichment Periods: The district may utilize enrichment periods for targeted instruction, helping students catch up on critical skills.
Phillips also mentioned the possibility of after-school or weekend academies, similar to programs previously offered during the era of Georgia’s Graduation Test. "These are the types of solutions we want to brainstorm with principals," she said.
The district is committed to making up for lost time, but Phillips emphasized that the focus must remain on the quality of instruction rather than merely extending school days.
Board Procedural Matters and Personnel Decisions
The meeting concluded with the board addressing standard procedural matters, including personnel recommendations and general housekeeping.
Field Trips and Personnel Approvals
A brief discussion took place regarding revisions to field trip and excursion policies, which were approved without debate.
Following this, the board unanimously passed the superintendent’s recommendations for personnel changes. "I’m recommending that the board approve the personnel listing that has been presented to you this evening," Wilson stated. The motion was approved with a 7-0 vote.
Looking Ahead: A Community and District in Recovery
As Bulloch County continues to recover from the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene, the district remains focused on both physical repairs and ensuring that students receive a quality education despite the loss of instructional time.
"It’s not over yet—there’s still a lot of work to do," Wilson said. From coordinating with insurance adjusters to collaborating with teachers and principals on curriculum adjustments, the district is facing these challenges head-on.
The board closed the meeting with a unanimous motion to adjourn, but the work of rebuilding the district’s infrastructure and academic schedule is far from finished.
As the district moves forward, it will continue to adapt, innovate, and recover, with the goal of restoring a sense of normalcy for the students, staff, and community of Bulloch County.
