Douglas County School Board - District #4

It's All About The Children

"I believed I could make a difference so, I decided to run for office." Governing a school system is not an easy task. We are still striving to improve student outcomes. Being responsive, attuned and knowledgeable about educational issues are a few attributes necessary to lead during this unprecedented time. Over the last several years, the Douglas County School System has evolved and is a model system of governance, leadership, and positive outcomes. My goal is to continuing to serve our students by building a community of lifelong learners who become responsible individuals, independent thinkers, and productive citizens in a global society. "

My Values

Partnership

Building relationships with others for the benefit of OUR children. Providing a platform for parents, teachers, students and the community in which they can voice their concerns and gain information that will be useful in assisting them in being proactive to policies established by the school board.

Transparency

Willing to address the data and seek solutions for improvement. Educating the community on the responsibilities of the school board and how to navigate the education system.

Accountability

Willing to accept responsibility for my actions. Fostering an environment where everyone is contributing positively to reinvigorating our school system, taking individual responsibility for guaranteeing academic greatness from our children, and showing support fiscally is essential as we strive to be the best.

Jul 9, 2018

Douglas School Board Member Learning about African Education at Source

May 1, 2018

DeKalb Teacher Completes Education Policy Fellowship Program

Articles

Douglas County School Board’s vice chairman is learning how education is done in Africa this summer. Michelle Simmons currently is participating in a five-week program in Ghana, she said. The Fulbright-Hayes Group Projects Abroad funds the curriculum and development project for American educators. Simmons is a special education teacher in DeKalb County. The goal of the program is to develop an understanding of educational practices abroad and to develop social and professional relationships with people in the global community, she said. “My life’s journey has brought me back to my beginning,” Simmons said. “To have the opportunity to visit my homeland brings me to tears. “I look forward to walking where my ancestors walked and learning more about a rich culture that I am proud to say is a part of who I am,” she said. “I am excited and humbled to have been selected to experience Ghana with fellow educators and to share my experiences with others upon my return.” She said her reference to her “homeland" is ancestral after she recently learned from Ancestry.com that a percentage of her ancestry makeup is from Ivory Coast and Ghana. Simmons will study at the University of Ghana in Accra with a 15-member team. Topics include the origin and history of the Akan Twi language, the geography of the area, and the role of politics and media. She will learn about the structure and funding of the Ghanaian education system; assessments used to advance and promote students; comparing public and private education; and the role of technology in the classroom. Simmons will brainstorm with curriculum specialists about creating teaching models based on information gathered in the Ghanaian Lecture-Series and cultural/ site visits, emphasizing the issues of stereotype and misguided information in teaching and learning about Africa in the classroom. “My itinerary lists a lecture on ‘The role of Akan Twi-Fante Language and Culture in West Africa and Ghana in particular,’” she said. “This lecture is stated to examine how the Akan Twi have played important roles in the political, economic and social values in Ghana. “It will also inform us on how all movements of national focus have used Akan as an instrument to achieve ‘tribal unity and integration.’

Michelle Simmons, a fifth-grade special education teacher at Peachcrest Elementary School, was one of 21 graduates of the ninth Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) class. EPFP is conducted by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. It is billed as a “professional development program that provides potential leaders with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy… ultimately EPFP seeks to improve the chances of children and youth to succeed.” Simmons also serves on the Board of Education in Douglas County, where she resides. She said the program was beneficial. “The program broadened my perspective, affording me the opportunity to become more heavily engrossed in various aspects that encompass education,” Simmons said, adding, “My depth of knowledge and insight has been broadened because of the many opportunities provided through this Fellowship.” The program is composed of monthly colloquiums and attendance at a national leadership conference in Washington D.C. Speakers include leaders in a wide variety of subjects including funding, global and higher education, school choice, early education, politics, the demographic landscape and more. Simmons said she would recommend the program to others. “Yes! The Fellows have a unique opportunity to engage and network with people from various backgrounds regarding education,” she explained. “If open, perspectives will be challenged and understandings may be shifted as Fellows are exposed to topics and participate in discussions that provide more depth and insight than they may have had prior to the fellowship.”

December 21, 2016

DCSS Board of Education Receives Honor

The Douglas County Board of Education was named a 2016 Distinguished Board by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) at their annual conference on December 2, 2016. The recognition program is designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership among Georgia School Boards. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures to advance student learning and achievement. “Our Board of Education worked in accord to earn the 2016 Distinguished Board designation,” said Douglas County Superintendent Dr. Gordon Pritz. “We are one of only 30 out of 181 districts in the state to earn the accolade this year.” According to Board Chair D.T. Jackson, “All members of our board worked together to earn this status that is designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. We consistently work to make sure that, among other requirements, our district complies with: standards of accreditation, board members exceeding state training requirements, incorporating Strategic Plan Goals in the superintendent’s evaluation, and other components of the recognition criteria.” Click here for more information about the award criteria. “At the same GSBA meeting, Dr. Pritz was honored by GSBA and the Georgia School Superintendent’s Association for being named one of four finalists for Georgia Superintendent of the Year,” Mr. Jackson continued. “Dr. Pritz has served our system well for seven years and this is a significant honor recognizing the work he has done in our school district as well as across the state.”

June 21, 2024

Douglas County School System Finalist for GSBA Governance Team of the Year Award

The Douglas County Board of Education and Superintendent Trent North have been honored as a finalist for the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) Governance Team of the Year Award. This prestigious award recognizes Georgia’s top board/superintendent teams that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to maximizing student achievement and enhancing trust and support for public education in their community. To be eligible for this award, school systems must have been awarded GSBA Exemplary Board status in the two years leading up to the application. The Douglas County School System was selected as a finalist in the large school system category, which includes those with 10,000 or more students. Board Chair Tracy Rookard expressed gratitude for the recognition, attributing it to the hard work and dedication of the entire school community, including administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and families. “Our dedicated Board members work alongside our superintendent to ensure that every Douglas County student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Being named a finalist for this award inspires us to continue striving for excellence in everything we do.” Superintendent Trent North echoed these sentiments: “Our mission is to serve our community with excellence. This achievement further reflects the strong partnership we’ve built between our Board, our school system leadership, and our school community. Together, we remain dedicated to serving our community with excellence by creating an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.” The rigorous application process for the Governance Team of the Year Award included a detailed submission showcasing the school system’s work across several domains. These areas include Governance Structure, Strategic Planning, Board and Community Relations, Policy Development, Board Meetings, Personnel, Financial Governance, and Ethics. Applications were reviewed and judged by a panel of experts from various leadership roles in public education. The Board of Education members include Tracy Rookard, District III, Chair; D.T. Jackson, District II, Vice-Chair; Ruth Morgan, District I; Michelle Simmons, District IV; and Glenn Easterwood, District V. All Governance Team of the Year finalists were recognized at the GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference in Savannah this month. The Douglas County School System remains committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for all students and looks forward to continuing its work maximizing student achievement and success.

Videos