All students enrolled in the Chattooga County School District will receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the 2026-2027 school year.
A new Georgia law designed to reduce educational disruptions for children in foster care is now in effect, requiring public schools to enroll foster students within three school business days of a request for enrollment.
Southeast First National Bank has made a donation to support athletic programs throughout the Chattooga County School System.
The contribution was presented by Suzanne Hurley-Bowman and Barry Hurley of Southeast First National Bank to Chattooga County School System Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie and Chief Academic Officer Robert Beach.
Barry Hurley said the bank remains committed to supporting local schools and organizations that serve the community and its young people.
“We are proud that over the years we have been able to support our school systems and other entities that serve the citizens and youth of our community,” Hurley said.
School officials expressed their appreciation for the contribution, noting that partnerships with local businesses help strengthen athletic opportunities and provide additional support for student-athletes across the Chattooga County School System.
More than half of Georgia’s public school teachers are now using artificial intelligence to help prepare lessons and complete other classroom tasks, according to a new report highlighted this week by the Georgia Recorder.
The report, based on findings from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, found that 54 percent of teachers surveyed said they use generative AI tools for lesson planning, classroom activities, grading, or other instructional purposes. At the same time, many educators expressed concern that students’ growing use of AI could negatively affect learning, critical thinking, and academic integrity.
The findings come as school systems across Georgia continue developing policies for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in classrooms. State education leaders have also released guidance encouraging schools to use AI in ways that support teaching while protecting student privacy and promoting ethical use.
Opioid overdose reversal kits are being distributed to 180 schools across Northwest Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is partnering with Northwest Georgia RESA as part of a statewide effort to equip every public school in Georgia with Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
A “Stuff the Box” event was held Tuesday, April 21, where local education, behavioral health, and public safety professionals helped assemble the kits for schools in the region. Several schools picked up their completed kits the same day.
State officials say the effort is funded through opioid settlement dollars and supports Wesley’s Law, which allows schools to obtain and administer opioid antagonists while providing legal protections for staff acting in good faith.
The statewide initiative has already reached more than 1,300 schools, with a goal of equipping 2,300 schools by the end of the school year.
Trion City Schools is now accepting applications for a Literacy Coach position aimed at improving student reading outcomes and strengthening classroom instruction across the district. The role will focus heavily on supporting teachers and students through evidence-based practices grounded in the science of reading.
As the Georgia General Assembly wrapped up its 2026 regular session last week, State Senator Chuck Hufstetler of Rome is pointing to early childhood literacy as one of the most important issues addressed by lawmakers.
Chattooga County Schools will begin kindergarten registration for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year on April 15.
A major education bill aimed at improving reading skills across Georgia has become one of the biggest political fights at the State Capitol as lawmakers head into the final days of the legislative session.
The Georgia Department of Education is modernizing its Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) structure, reducing the number of career clusters from 17 to 14 to better align with today’s workforce needs.
State leaders say the updated framework keeps all 152 state-approved pathways in place while improving connections between high school coursework, college programs, and in-demand careers across Georgia.
Among the key changes is a stronger focus on high-demand industries to help build a more prepared workforce. The state is also introducing the “Construction for Geometry” option starting in the 2025–2026 school year, allowing students to earn math credit through the Carpentry Pathway.
Officials say the updates are part of Georgia’s “Top State for Talent” initiative, aimed at ensuring students graduate ready for enrollment, employment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship.