• * Lack of professional development in regards to vertical & horizontal planning
• * Financial woes
• * Competitive wages
• * Technology growing, but not there yet
• Some resources are out dated/lacking
• Lack of parent involvement
• Attendance of student and staff including tardy/leave early
• * Hitting a moving target
• * Inconsistent Response to Intervention (RTI) procedures/process
• Parent resistance to parenting “tips”
• Collaboration
• Not ALL students are being challenged
• "We had always done it this way"
• Resistant to change
• * Communication-parent, in house
• * Consistent culture at all levels
• Following procedures/guides (we need to get to the root cause-don’t know or don’t follow
• No true data review, use, or informing of federal $
• TKES-do we really know what a 3 is?
• Same old uses of Federal $
• What is good teaching?
• Nothing to use as a guide to follow for improving achievement
• * Vertical work-Professional Learning Communities (PLC) (const. progression of living)
• * Lack of collaboration
• Effective assess for learning
  * Access to technology in every classroom
•  High staff turnover in some schools
•  Weak athletic/extracurricular support
•  Retirement community not supportive/not stakeholders
• Vertical+ horizontal collaboration across schools & grade levels
• LCMS limited further by physical structure of buildings
• Lack of consistency
• Lack of discussion of what each school already offers (career exposure)
• Broadening exposure to career paths (engineering/tech) from LCMS –LCHS
• Communications at all levels
•  Low county supplement
• Technology (uses)
• Nutrition
• Communication
• Salaries
• Graduation Plan is not used
• Start time
• Transition from Elementary to Middle/HS
• * Retaining teachers
• School pride

• Expand relationships w/colleges
• Flexibility allowed under the Charter
• Single Flagship High School
• Call on highly educated retirees for tutoring/mentoring
• Increased judiciary support for Truancy Laws
• Family connections
• UNG/Lanier Tech
• Mentor Program
• Counseling Program
• Helpful business ( Career Day)
•  Development of 400 corridor
• Community volunteers
• Rich cultural heritage (Music Arts)
• Government representatives supportive of education
• Chamber of Commerce
• UNG/Lanier Tech partnerships
• Retired educators
• Education Foundation (LCEF) (Pre-K integration)
•  * Utilizing Alumni
•  * Access to UNG
•  * Location (available resources close by)
• * UNG
• * Local service
• Family connection
• * Lanier Tech
• Move-On-When Ready (MOWR)
• * Chamber
• Business County
• * Elected official

• Wealthy school systems competing for our employees
• Student/Parent apathy
• Burnt-out educators (just get me to retirement)
• Lack of support from State Lawmakers
• Old school mentality of non-interest in growth
• Understanding poverty
• Range of demographics
• Lack of higher education
• Lack of life-long learner culture
• Decreasing tax digest-senior exemption
• Free/reduced members (continue to decrease-affect Title/Federal funding
• Communication infrastructure (Windstream-Google classroom)
• Lack of diversity-preparation for demographic change
• Unfunded mandates-State and Federal
• Lack of parent education
• Low funding
• Location
• * Tax base
• Demographic changes
• * Economic poverty
• Lack of HS experience (loss of)
• Time of or Business development
• Lack of diversity

1. How is Lumpkin County Schools’ performance for each of the following:
   1. Being responsive to the community
   2. Showing willingness to engage the community
   3. Being willing to change the culture to improve productivity

       Interest in seeing the outcome of this meeting (8)

      Reaches out to community groups and stakeholders (7)

      New admin (this event is a positive move) specifically new superintendent (4)

      Perceptions of students that culture does not hear complaints (7)

      CTAE—focus on employability—not enough business support (limited resources), need connection with hospital (6)

      If you see possible positive outcomes—more willing (6)

      When you have a voice, it is less scary (6)

      Needed—process for staff input at school and system level (5)

      Lots of community service provided by school (5)

      Arts and music programs are excellent (4)

      More responsive in E.S., less as kids grown into M.S. & H.S. (4)

      Family Connection bridges the gap well (3)

      Dr. Brown’s leadership will increase productivity/image of school (3)

      Willingness to change/step outside status quo (3)

      Could do better at reaching out to community (oftentimes this is teacher-planned and led) (3)

      “If you ask, they will come.”

      Cattleman’s etc. use of facilities/more than other communities (3)

      Opening facilities for community events ex. Six Gap/Business After Hours (2)

      Non-profits (2)

      Exposure to community resources via school (1)

      Improved positive relationships between community and school (1)

      Internships (1)

      Perception that admin doesn’t want to be involved with community

      One-sided relationship (taking from community donors)

      Interaction with fundraising

      Improving ex. Habitat for Humanity

      Partners in education

      Question—how are decisions made on what courses we offer?

      Responding to parent (community) concerns shared through Facebook posts, etc.

      Time to reach out to community is an issue (doesn’t need to be in addition to…)

      Culture change—staff input (using technology to increase productivity specific to community relations)

      Career days (2)

      Career days—open to community businesses (2)

      Relay for Life (1)

      Easter egg hunt/Family Connection/L.C.S.O. (1)

      Good relationship with UNG (science endorsement, students teachers, admissions) (1)

      Invite participation, like tonight, input/suggestions (1)

      Allowing UNG to use facilities

      LCPR use of facilities

      Church use of facilities

      Economical restraints for some, too many other activities for others (3)

      Teachers often do not separate school and community (it’s seen as one) (3)

      We may not reach out enough to the resources the community has (3)

      Willing to change and produce change (3)

      United system resources—food and babysitters when parents are invited to events (2)

      Governance team (2)

      4-H/D.A.R.E. (1)

      Safety (Jr. Law Enforcement) (1)

      Availability of faculty to parents only during business hours—need extended hours (1)

      Willing (1)

      Mentor programs (1)

      Field trips (1)

      Clientele—apathy by people that need to be involved (1)

      What is measure of productivity? (1)

      Community is changing; change is hard—unknown (1)

      Resources for parents—Family Connection (1)

      Schools engage with the community, schools give to the community (1)

      Teachers model behavior of giving (1)

      LCSO driver safety for teens

      Ranger Camp helicopter experiences

      Lumpkin Youth Leadership

      Community trips/connections with Sped population (jobs)

      Trust that school is doing well—no need as parent to be involved

      Teacher’s perspective—yes

      To parents, to business

      Parental fear of school

      Responsive

      Too much; everyone has an agenda (too responsive to individuals) (4)

      Family Connection (4)

      Reactive more than proactive (3)

      More than in past; told to stand up for school on social media (2)

      Connectability

      Clubs, organizations, athletics

      Engaging

      This event is evident (2)

      Small community, too few businesses to call on (2)

      Community engagement varies by H.S. department (1)

      Need better ways to connect with community groups, partners in ed, etc. (1)

      Middle school effort (PFO, etc.) is improving

      Productivity

      Need parental buy-in into their child’s education (4)

      Perception is there is willingness (Ron Clark, STEM, etc.) (3Important to make connections (1)

      Need to be open minded

      Takes vulnerability

2. What is Lumpkin County DOING WELL in each of the following categories?
   1. Teaching and Learning (providing a challenging curriculum, etc.)
   2. Climate and Culture (safe, caring environment, partnership with families, community members and school staff, etc.)
   3. Personnel and Programs (quality teachers and staff, quality programs in place, appropriate learning environments for the 21^st century, etc.)
   4. Resources to support students and staff (technology, facilities, safe, secure and inviting campuses, time, etc.)

       Teaching & Learning

      Extracurricular opportunities to extend academics (4)

      Needs of students (academic) being met (3)

      Teachers have embraced curriculum and are supporting curriculum (3)

      Teachers trained in teaching all types of learners (at the same time) (3)

      Offerings—many/varied (3)

      Resources of library (2)

      AP offerings (classroom & online) (2)

      M.S.=high school credit opportunities (2)

      H.S. credit options in 8^th grade (2)

      Allowing field trips and experiences (2)

      Pace of honor’s courses (1)

      Pathways options are good (even going off-site) real-life opportunities offered (1)

      Family Connection—to meet basic needs (1)

      Career days, college fairs (1)

      Quality teachers (1)

      Dual enrollment (1)

      Data driven (1)

      Focus on learning environment (1)

      Reading—literacy prep.

      AP fees paid for students

      21 Essential Skills

      Great experiences for students

      Extra-curricular activities

      TKES give expectations

      Learning styles targeted

      Lesson different/changing

   5. Climate & Culture

      Good working environment (5)

      Mentorships at the high school (3)

      Admin and system personnel are proactive in dealing with difficult behavior (3)

      Students feel safe (2)

      Students safe place to be (happy, safety plans, clean, learning environment) (2)

      Safe school (check-in system, cameras, SRO’s)

      Safe school environments

      Perception of safety, positivity, welcome (1)

      Cameras in all buildings, visitor security processes in place but could still improve (1)

      Positive attitudes of faculty and staff (1)

      System provides for needs of students and teachers to the best of their ability (1)

      Family comes first for employees—much appreciated! (1)

      School like home/family (1)

      Dedicated, caring teachers

      Open communication between parents and teachers

      Communication (Facebook, One Call, AP, Remind, website)

      Middle school pep club

      Positive climate and culture

      Everyone belongs

      Personnel & Programs

      CTAE connects with businesses, schools, real-world exposure (5)

      The arts (4)

      Expanding CTAE opportunities (A/V, scoreboard, etc.) (2)

      Fine arts programs excel (2)

      Video technology program (1)

      21^st Century program (2)

      Technology

      Technology is useful and able to use without problems, up-to-date, apps connected to standards

      Willingness to take new approaches to programs (1)

      RTI process more streamlined (1)

      Professional development is offered (1)

      Hiring quality staff (1)

      Quality personnel—all highly qualified

      Good teacher retention at most schools

      Dual enrollment

      Some teachers are caring and encouraging

      Resources & Facilities

      Well-maintained facilities (6)

      Great, clean, attractive facilities (3)

      Clean inside and out

      Quality space management

      Custodial staff

      Learning time is not interrupted (3)

      Guidance counselors (availability) (2)

      Powerschool, other apps—very informative (auto calls) (2)

      Computer labs and technology (2)

      Access to technology is good but improve application (1)

      Good technology (1)

      Technology

      Doing a good job implementing Google for Education (1)

      Drive-in conference (1)

      Parents are willing to meet needs—volunteer (1)

      Training available for teachers

      Safety—SRO, keypads on doors

      Safe (office key pad, SRO, security cameras)

      Separate buses for elementary students

      Positive climate

      Needs are met

      Family Partnerships

      Outreach to needy families (financial, emotional) (3)

      Centralized registration—good for military (3)

      School nurse, SRO, Fine Arts—working well—must keep (6)

      Needed—full time fine arts teachers at each school (4)

      Family Connection—works well—must maintain (3)

      Teachers have some flexibility use of curriculum materials (3)

      Availability of technology for student use (3)

      Mentorship program (3)

      Teachers are highly qualified/quality teachers (2)

      Service organizations/clubs, groups (2)

      Summer Inspiration Camp—fabulous experience (2)

      JROTC—character building (2)

      Debt-free! (2)

      Probe college fair/50+ colleges—very positive experience (2)

      Departmentalization in 4^th/5^th at LCES and maybe LBES allows for a more challenging environment (2)

      Hands-on learning available at LCHS—variety of programs offered (2)

      LCHS—many AP/Honors offerings, many CTAE offerings (2)

      Scores/honors recognitions are a good reflection on the community (1)

      Considering the data regarding free and reduced numbers compared to the graduation rate and scholarship amounts—wow! (1)

      Collaboration/sharing of resources (1)

      Differentiation! (1)

      Feel very secure—keypads/SROs—very visible, involved (1)

      Staff recognitions (1)

      Paraprofessionals are valued (1)

      Performance on test scores

      Dedicated teachers

      Increased seriousness relating to academics as well as service

      PFO—active at individual schools—fundraising

      PFO meetings with grade level shows

      Fun Fridays

      CAMP

      LCMS (6^th) good job bringing 3 schools together as one, (7^th/8^th) good preparation for HS (2)

      Staff/faculty maintains high standards, truly cares about student well-being, makes the most of what we have (2)

      Extended learning time (2)

      Facilities are in very good shape (LCES is the exception) (1)

      Very clean facilities

      ES—Gifted, ESOL, Sped—student needs are met regardless of need, mentoring program (1)

      Peer mentors (1)

      Common planning time

      Extra curricular activities/programs available at all levels

      21^st Century after school program

      21^st century learning

      Lots of technology training

      Lot of technology available (Chrome Book carts, I-pads, labs, document cameras)

      Technology is being maximized for student learning

      System supports adding endorsements

      Counselors on staff

      Key codes—safety

      Teacher/students mentoring, tutoring

3. What does Lumpkin County Schools need to IMPROVE UPON in each of the following categories?
   1. Teaching and Learning (providing a challenging curriculum, need for differentiated instruction, better special education, ELL or gifted services, etc.)
   2. Climate and Culture (safe, caring environment, partnership with families, community members and school staff, etc.)
   3. Personnel and Programs (quality teachers and staff, quality programs in place, appropriate learning environments for the 21^st century, etc.)
   4. Resources to support students and staff (technology, facilities, safe, secure and inviting campuses, time, etc.)

      Teaching & Learning

      Need SAT prep course (6)

      More student accountability for academic performance (less teacher coddling) (4)

      Two-track diploma system needed to meet student needs (3)

      AP program along with Move on When Ready (3)

      More AP classes offered (2)

      AP scheduling availability problems (AP exams nationally are given in May) (2)

      More junior/senior academic offerings needed

      Guided study is inconsistent at best (1)

      Block schedule—pacing, sequencing problems (though it has advantages too) (2)

      Need tracts for businesses available in Lumpkin Co. (1)

      Need more science fair & science bowl participation (1)

      Teacher retention is a problem (1)

      Additional language choices needed beyond Spanish (1)

      Offerings—need more (language K-12) (1)

      Different EIP model (1)

      More help for EIP students

      RTI process (teacher and student support)

      Communication with RTI process

      Shops need to be updated

      ELL & EXCEL are under-funded

      Disparity between honor graduates and Zell scholars

      Pockets that need improvement (individual teachers)

      Climate & Culture

      Admin doesn’t preserve the graduation plan they force the students to commit to (5)

      Teacher retention problems—causes (4)

      Student (HS) doesn’t feel comfortable with some teachers & the office staff (2)

      Inconsistency in communication, message (from admin to classroom) (2)

      Sometimes the students (H.S.) staff the front office by themselves (2)

      Choice Academy hurts M.S. culture (1)

      Countywide celebrations (Red Ribbon Week) (1)

      Need support for Indian “brand”—need to have participation at all evens (athletics, fine arts, rifle team, etc.) promotion/equality

      Lack of understanding our students

      Students (HS) feel belittled by teachers (professionalism)

      Supervision needed if students are encouraged to stay more

      No cell phones

      Countywide-shared Google drive for teachers to share resources

      Personnel & Programs

      Counseling staff (HS) not trustworthy (3)

      EIP model—EIP students are under-served (3)

      Too much teaching to the test /sticking to the script (2)

      Zeros as motivation—inaccurate (2)

      Lack of communication with special needs (accidents, illnesses)—students need advocates (2)

      Not enough support for Sped (caseloads/classes too large) (2)

      Length of RTI process

      Vocational programs need to be up-to-date (1)

      21^st Century program is limited in its ability to help specific needs (due to parent requests and
      grant constraints) (1)

      Interest in IB

      Transcript evaluations

      Better after-school control, behavior, options needed

      School start times are a problem

      Consistency in football program needed

      Smaller class size

      More funding for field trips and hands-on learning

      Resources & Facilities

      Update older facilities/safe concern—middle school has too many buildings (6)

      Universal screeners are needed—Iowa, CoGAT (6)

      Sped staff is stretched too thin and EIP needs extra support (5)

      Sped teachers—need more training for regular ed teachers on working with Sped students (3)

      Sped staff increased to meet demand of students (2)

      Class sizes—gifted and sped have increased (2)

      High number of Sped population—need additional resources/people to serve all students (1)

      Improve parent/community involvement (5)

      Teachers not getting basic supplies (paper clips, staples, etc.) (5)

      Technology outdated (4)

      Technology—we need to know our plan, all schools need a full-time tech person, teacher input should be included in plan (4)

      Testing for gifted often happens too early (4)

      Faculty/staff—more safety training is needed (epipens, allergies, first air, service dogs, etc.) (4)

      Priority for funds should be for classrooms (3)

      EIP numbers—those students need a dedicated EIP teacher—to back to pull in/push out model rather than “reduced model” (3)

      Gap between elementary and middle school’s struggling learners—no EIP, a plan for struggling students K-12, additional personnel needed

      Substitute system in place—on line? Aesop, updated list (3)

      More substitutes and funding for subs—raise sub pay (2)

      We need subs! (2)

      Improve relations with UNG—tutoring K-2 students (3)

      Input from teachers on professional learning (3)

      Time to implement what we’ve learned (learn by doing) (3)

      Shared Google drive to connect teachers in different schools (3)

      Meeting with other grade levels and other schools (2)

      We need to continually evaluate student interests and needs when considering course offerings (2)

      Exposure to hands on program earlier—MS leel exposure (CTAE) (2)

      Outreach to recruit experts willing to share their skills with students ex. retirees (2)

      Consistency regarding cell phone usage and dress code (2)

      Increase in modern language offerings—French/German (2)

      Soft skills instruction (2)

      Choice Academy needs to be housed separately from regular school (2)

      Add paraprofessional staff (2)

      Where are the books? (1)

      Better exposure/experiences with govt. agencies & groups (1)

      We need computer science program (1)

      Technology budget surveys and priorities (1)

      Technology—need thorough training on each piece (adequate, repeated experiences, staff development—train the trainer, beyond vendor training, need more time!) (1)

      One-to-one technology

      Need more computer labs (1)

      Time for collaboration (within and between schools) (1)

      Consistent visitor sign in system (1)

      Secure outside doors—LCHS (1)

      Need to make campus safer—specifically at middle school during transitions (1)

      Solicit fundraising/support/sponsorships from organizations (1)

      Bring back job fairs (1)

      Increase mentor program (1)

      Breakfast needs to go back to the lunchroom (1)

      Change or look into LEA policy—can Sped teacher serve as LEA (1)

      Need more people with input on academic calendar (1)

      Supplies for students at home

      Theater resources for the middle school

      Bussing students from different schools together=problems

      Buses for extra-curricular activities are terrible and demoralizing

      Non-instructional duties limit planning time (as do meetings—RTI, etc.)

      Bring in more community speakers

      Use UNG

      Professional development opportunities

      Lunch charge policy—cheese sandwich

      Google classroom access and training

      Collaborative planning

      Additional staff for fine arts is needed (full0tie at each school)

      Twice exceptional students are hard to identify without screeners

4. What do you like about Lumpkin County Schools’ current methods of communication?
   What do you not like about the current methods of communication?

Likes   (Combined Robocalls and One Call Now)

Remind 101 (2)

One call (1)

One Call (3)

One Call (2)

One Call

Auto calls

Robocalls (1)

Phone calls/Remind (2)

Remind me texts (2)

Remind me/Blooms (3)

Notify me (1)

Remind/One Call Now—good use of these (1)

Remind 101

Remind 101

High School app (2)

PowerSchool (3)

PowerSchool (3)

PowerSchool (2)

Minutes from board meeting (5)

Newsletters (5)

Newsletters (1)

School newsletter

School-based apps (more accessible—better than website)

HS app

App at LCHS (1)

LCHS app

Facebook, website, apps

Website

Websites

E-mails eliminate unnecessary meetings (4)

Teacher e-mails (1)

Teachers are well informed (2)

Start, stop, continue (4)

Top-down communication (CO-level=good, school-level=should follow this) (2)

Guidance counselors (2)

Weekly printed communication at elementary schools (1)

Weekly Drumbeat at MS

Improve image of school system (3)

Chain of command is necessary (3)

Online calendar updated regularly

Seems to be effective

Good use of high school app, Facebook

Governance team allows info to flow to community

 Dislikes

School website—navigation is difficult, not user-friendly (10)

New websites difficult to navigate (3)

No communication of schedule changes (particularly AP courses cancelled, etc.) (9)

Subject of auto calls (why no notification of tonight’s meeting?)  (Should be more academic-based) (6)

Robocalls—increase at LCHS (1)

System Facebook page (5)

Need for Facebook posts (or similar) from each school (1)

Lunch charge communications (5)

Class for parents to learn English (5)

Spanish interpreter (1)

Decisions made without involving those they affect (4)

Getting info “after the fact” (community rumor sometimes more reliable) (3)

Items from leadership meetings not communicated accurately

Board minutes—items discussed not previously shared with those it affects

Early calls on snow days (night before?) (4)

Blanket e-mail reprimands (4)

Accessibility of open records, meeting notes, etc. (3)

Needed:  parent e-mail addresses in PowerSchool (3)

Chamber & school connect to get out info about school evens & community events (3)

Getting info to parents without Internet access (2)

Advertise community events in the paper (2)

Dahlonega Nugget—underutilized

Prefer e-mails rather than faculty meetings (3)

Need consistent syllabus/lesson plan formats (2)

Overloaded sometimes with info coming home to parents (2)

CARE folders—too much/information overload (how about an e-mail?  Less paperwork (graded work) needs to be returned home) (2)

Limit amount of paperwork sent home to parents

Interpretation subject to department chair (2)

Automate registration/parent contact input (2)

Purpose of and meeting times of governance (1)

H.S. teachers need to update academic info on website (1)

H.S. principals reply with their job descriptions instead of answering “out of their field”

Parent involvement (1)

Prefer text messages to Robocalls

Create an app for each school

Board Meeting Agenda -Financial Report

College and Career Ready Index (CCRPI)