The Bulloch County Board of Education discussed a proposal for a school-based health center at Langston Chapel Elementary (LCES) and Langston Chapel Middle School (LCMS). The board also highlighted Nevils Elementary in their school spotlight at their Regular Session on March 13th, 2025.
From Nevils Elementary, fifth-grader Emma Greer opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance after a moment of silence.
The chair of the board, Elizabeth Williams, moved to amend or adopt the agenda, which the superintendent recommended to be approved. The agenda was approved by the board unanimously.
Next, some of the board members made comments. Lisha Nevil commented on the Literacy Luau that was held last week and how amazing the Book Bus is. Nevil also commented on how fun it was to be back in the classroom when she went to read at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School.
Donna Clifton said how excited she is for Pre-K registration coming up.
There was no public participation.
Superintendent's Report
The first topic in the Superintendent's Report was the recognition of the recipients of the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education's Spring Innovation Grants. Chianti Grant-Culver, the Grants Chair for the Foundation, announced the grant recipients. The recipients were:
- Ansley Mays- Enhancing Literacy through Decodables- $1497
- Jenny Hendrix, Leana Radcliffe, Stilson Elementary Vocabulary Voyage- $1,198
- Samuel Walter- Roaring for Great Behavior- Foundation Grant proposal- $1,500
- Melissa Schubert- Equitable Access to Math Instruction for EL students, Southeast Bulloch High- $450
- Jodi Thomas- Let's Talk About Books, Student Support, and Wellness- Sally Bellow $1480.96
- Josh Hall- Bill Part Two, Statesboro High School- $1,500
- Rachel Murray and Natalie Mincey- Wild Animal Safari Trip, Sallie Zetterower Elementary School- $500
- Jennifer Johnson- Peer Support Community- Field Trip, Southeast Bulloch Middle School- $1172
- Jill Smith- Field Trip to Atlanta Aquarium, Langston Chapel Middle School- $1,500
- Angela Selph- Bears in the Wild, Julia P. Bryant- $1,437.50
- Chloe Ledbetter and Sarah Jones- Baffle of the Books, Langston Chapel Middle- $1,500
School Spotlight
Next in the meeting was the school spotlight with Nevils Elementary School (NES). Principal Rob Lindsey introduced the school and their presentation.
Nevils Elementary was recognized as a Title I Distinguished School and a Math Leader Award school. NES uses a 90-minute block schedule that allows teachers to work with students who receive tier one, tier two, and tier three instruction, and the students who receive special education and gifted services.
"Integration is interdisciplinary," Lindsey said. " So if we talk about Ms. Akins in her class, she uses social space to teach the ELA and in science and our writing class at first through fourth, we use writing to teach the science while Mr. McNeely uses science to teach the writing, so it's all integrated and embedded into what we do."
NES uses a dyslexia screener, which screened about 300 students from Kindergarten through third grade. 25 of those students scored with an "at risk" for dyslexia. Out of those 25 students, 24 of them are already receiving special education. NES is also a pilot school for Specifically Designed Instruction (SDI).
School-Based Based Health Center Update
After NES's presentation, Superintendent Wilson recognized the members of the board during Board Appreciation Week and commended each member for their good work.
Next, an update was given on a developing project: the school-based health center for Langston Chapel Elementary School and Langston Chapel Middle School.
Dr. Dawn Tysinger is the executive Director of Student Wellness and Support.
"School-based health centers can reduce student full-day absences by up to 50% and also decrease student early dismissal," Tysinger said.
A school-based health center is a fully functioning medical clinic inside or on school campuses to serve students and staff members. The services include primary care, immunization, physicals for students, treatment of chronic illnesses, minor injuries, and referrals to other specialists.
School-based health centers do not replace the needs of school nurses.
By Georgia Law, school-based health centers do not provide contraceptives or sexual education materials, no surgeries, and they do not see students without parental consent.
The school-based health center will accept Medicaid, Peach Care, and private insurance, and for families with no insurance, there is a sliding scale fee.
Fiscal Year 24 Audit Reports
The 2024 fiscal year received an unmodified audit with no financial statement of federal award findings.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was adopted unanimously.
The tentative 2026-2027 school year was placed on the table for approval at the next meeting. It was approved unanimously.
School Resource Officers
Superintendent Wilson recommended that the board make a request to the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department to provide more School Resource Officers in the Statesboro schools. The recommendation was approved unanimously.
The Statesboro High School Repair and Replacement process was approved with a total cost of $325,219.40.
Executive Session was not recommended.
Two personnel actions were presented. The recommendations for March 13th, 2025 and the fiscal year 2026 contracts were approved.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
