Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, GCPS Board of Education, District 5

We approved the FY2027 budget that is rooted in meaningful engagement from stakeholders across the district. I sincerely thank everyone who shared their voice, expertise, feedback, and suggestions.

Thank you to Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor and his leadership team, Mrs. Masana Mailliard, Mr. Patrick Burke, the Budget Office, Finance Team, principals, teachers, educational support professionals, the Cross-Functional Advisory Teams (XFAT), Student Advisory Council, Teacher Advisory Council (TAC), families, and community members who completed surveys, attended hearings, shared recommendations, and helped shape the budget.

I also want to thank my fellow board members for asking thoughtful questions, challenging assumptions, requesting additional data, and ensuring alignment between the budget and community priorities. Governance requires both vision and accountability, and I appreciate the continued focus on strategically supporting each and every child across Gwinnett County Public Schools.

This budget makes meaningful investments in teaching, learning, belonging, opportunity, and wellbeing. I especially appreciate the focus on early literacy, literacy intervention, multilingual learner services, differentiated pay for high-needs schools, student meals and supports, technology, mental health services, transportation access, teacher compensation, paraprofessional compensation, and support for educational support professionals who are essential to our schools every day.

I also appreciate the district’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity while maintaining fiscal responsibility during a time of growing uncertainty around public education funding at both the state and national levels.

At the same time, we must be honest about the challenges facing public education. Enrollment fluctuations, expanded voucher programs, property tax policy changes, inflation, school competition that impacts dollars per student, and state and federal legislative decisions, continue to impact long-term financial sustainability for traditional public schools. These realities require careful planning, responsible stewardship, strategic prioritization, and continued advocacy.

Opportunity gaps, literacy needs, staffing challenges, facilities & infrastructure improvements, overcrowding in some communities, and continued investments in academic achievement, belonging, special education, multilingual learner supports, and educator retention remain critical priorities.

As we move forward, I look forward to the leadership of Dr. Estrella and the district team in implementing this budget to improve outcomes for all students.

I also look forward to continued audits, return-on-investment analyses, program evaluations, and research-based decision-making to ensure we are making S.M.A.R.T. investments that improve teaching and learning, close achievement gaps, strengthen literacy, support educators, and expand opportunity for all students. We must continue using both data and humanity to guide our decisions.

Public education remains one of the greatest investments we can make in democracy, community, economic mobility, and the future of our society. Our educators, educational support professionals, students, and families deserve fully funded public schools equipped to meet the realities of today’s world.

I continue to hope Georgia will modernize and strengthen the QBE formula so school districts receive funding that more accurately reflects the true cost of educating children today, including mental health supports, multilingual learner services, special education, technology, transportation, literacy intervention, workforce retention, and wellbeing.

I am hopeful that together we can continue building a school district where each and every child is seen, supported, challenged, valued, and prepared to thrive.

GCPS Shares Proposed FY2027 Budget Focused on Students, Staff, and Strong Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) has presented its proposed FY2027 budget, an intentional, student-centered financial plan that reallocates over $18 million in savings to support students and staff, prioritizes responsible stewardship of resources, and addresses needs.

Eid Mubarak! 🌙✨ May this day be filled with peace and blessings to you and your loved ones.

As a former preschool teacher, I overstand the life changing power of early literacy and strong early learning experiences. Those foundational years shape confidence, curiosity, language, belonging, and a child’s relationship with learning for years to come.

Now, as Board Chair, I am deeply honored to have facilitated the connection and collaboration that helped make this partnership possible. I believe one of the responsibilities of leadership is building bridges between people, organizations, and ideas so children and families can experience greater access, opportunity, and support.

I want to thank Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson and her team, along with Dr. Taylor and staff, for their openness, vision, and willingness to embrace innovative approaches that help bridge opportunity gaps across Gwinnett. I also look forward to the leadership of Dr. Estrella as we continue strengthening partnerships that center children and families.

This partnership between Gwinnett County Public Schools and Gwinnett County Government reflects what is possible when we lead with humanity, trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to educational equity and belonging. The new Joyful Learning Academy represents more than classrooms. It represents investment, access, hope, and the understanding that every child deserves a strong start.

I remain committed to helping serve as a bridge so every child, across every community, has access to joyful, high quality early learning experiences that help them thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and beyond.

We're proud to partner with Gwinnett County Public Schools to boost kindergarten readiness and close the early learning gap across Gwinnett with a new early learning center in Snellville!

Located in the Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road, the Joyful Learning Academy will open in time for the new school year. The early learning center will offer six classrooms for children ages 3 and 4, including support for students with additional learning needs.

The program is free for students, but parents must provide transportation. Families in the Shiloh cluster will be eligible to enter a lottery for placement. Look out for information about entering the lottery from Gwinnett County Public Schools soon!

Summer Meals

Our Summer Meals Program is back!

Beginning Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, July 31, families with kids ages 18 and under and adults with disabilities can pick up free, shelf-stable meals Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 1:00pm at various parks and community resource centers across the County.

Find your nearest pickup spot, bus routes, or volunteer opportunities at GwinnettSummerMeals.com. Let’s make sure every kid has something to eat this summer!

Thank you to Steve Knudsen for his years of service on the GCPS Board of Education. Public service requires time and commitment to the community, and I appreciate his willingness to serve for two terms.

Congratulations to Chelsea Hutchings GCPS district 2 on her election to be a member of the GCPS Board of Education. I look forward to working together in support of strong public schools and student success across Gwinnett County.

Congratulations as well to Dr. Adrienne Simmons on her re-election to represent District 4 on the GCPS BOE. Thank you for your continued leadership, service, and dedication to our students, educational support professionals, families, and community.

As we move forward together, may we continue building a district grounded in opportunity, access, collaboration, belonging, academic excellence, and care for each and every child. May we focus forward, centering all students to ensure that they succeed and thrive.

Core Beliefs & Committments:

Our Core Beliefs:
* Students are the Center of Every Decision – Every policy, practice, and initiative is designed with students’ best interests in mind, ensuring they are supported academically, socially, and emotionally.

* Equity Benefits All – Ensuring resources and access for all acknowledges the strength in our diversity and drives positive outcomes for our students, families, and, ultimately, our community.

* Lifelong Learning Is Essential – Learning never stops. We encourage curiosity, adaptability, and continuous growth within our district community.

* Learning Should Reflect and Respect Every Student – We embrace uniqueness in all its forms, ensuring that teaching and learning honor each student's background, voice, and strengths.

* Excellence Is for Everyone – We hold high expectations for all, recognizing that excellence is not exclusive, but an achievable goal for every learner.

* Belonging Builds Strong Schools and Strong Communities – We foster an environment where every member of our district community feels a deep sense of connection and purpose through authentic engagement.

* Collaboration Drives Our Success - We empower our district community to contribute to decision-making and school improvement through transparent processes.

Our Commitments:

* Provide World-Class Learning for Global Readiness – Through culturally-relevant instruction, we will create an educational environment that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and individualized learning experiences to help students navigate and lead in an interconnected world.

* Make Data-Driven Decisions – We will use evidence-based practices and disaggregated student data to inform instruction, enhance student outcomes, close gaps, and remove barriers to continually improve our learning community.

* Promote Opportunity and Agency – We will strive to provide each and every student with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.

* Foster a Safe, Supportive, and Inclusive Environment – We will prioritize the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our students and staff, ensuring a space of belonging where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.

* Cultivate a Culture of Excellence – We will celebrate high achievement and continuous improvement, supporting our district community in reaching their highest potential while addressing factors that limit access to excellence.

Through these beliefs and commitments, GCPS builds a dynamic, inclusive, and high-achieving learning community. We stand firm in our unwavering dedication to ensuring that each and every student has the opportunity to belong, succeed, and thrive.

https://www.gcpsk12.org/about-us/board/how-to-address-the-board/vision-and-mission

Vision, Mission, Core Beliefs and Commitments - Gwinnett County Public Schools Vision, Mission, Core Beliefs and Commitments - Gwinnett County Public Schools

GO VOTE!
Polls close at 7 PM this evening (5/19).