At last month’s board meeting, the Chattooga County Board of Education approved a series of updates focused on student safety, district finances, and personnel.

The board recognized the district’s 2025–2026 REACH Scholarship recipients—Layla Annalynn Stewart-Miller (Lyerly Elementary), Karli Brooke Taylor (Menlo Elementary), and James Moore IV (Summerville Middle School)—along with a Family Engagement Month proclamation and School Bus Driver Appreciation.

Among the action items, the board unanimously approved a new student policy, JCDAF, covering the use of electronic devices by students, and approved financial statements for September 30 and October 31. The board also approved renewing a six-month CD at 3.6% and voted to provide employee bonuses, including a $1,000 retention bonus for eligible full-time staff hired before January 1, 2025, and a $500 sign-on bonus for eligible full-time staff hired on or after that date, with part-time amounts adjusted accordingly.

In student support and safety, the board approved a teletherapy services agreement with Atrium Health Floyd, updates to the 2025–26 Student Parent Handbook, a revised agreement with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Department for School Resource Officers, and implementation of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System to comply with Georgia House Bill 268.

The board entered executive session briefly and reported no action taken. Personnel changes, including resignations, transfers, and new hires, were also approved before the meeting adjourned.