Dear MCS Family,
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, I’m proud of the hard work happening across our district. From academic excellence and career pathway success to meaningful recognitions across our schools, there is much to celebrate. This month, we recognize students excelling on the state level, staff and school communities going the extra mile, and College and Career Academy programs helping prepare students for bright futures. Together, we are creating opportunities, opening doors, and empowering every student to Be Somebody. As my gift to you for all your hard work, I’m giving everyone a full week off from school and work — although I should be honest, this one was already on the calendar. All schools and offices will be closed Monday, April 6, through Friday, April 10. Enjoy the break, rest up, and come back ready to hit the ground running on Monday, April 13. Sincerely, Grant
Marietta City Schools
Summary - Board of Education Meeting March 17, 2026 | Combined Work Session - Regular Monthly Meeting
Student of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Lockheed Elementary fifth-grade student Zaya Scott as the March Student of the Month. Zaya’s teachers describe her as being in a league of her own and a true model of student leadership. She is known for her kindness and respect toward both her teachers and peers, and for her daily initiative to help her classmates stay focused on their goals. She cares deeply about her education and works hard to fully understand what she is learning. The Board of Education congratulates Zaya for being a Marietta City Schools Student of the Month for March.
Employee of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Lockheed Elementary Reading Specialist Dr. Bryandra Bell as the March Employee of the Month. Dr. Bell supports K–2 learners in making strong, accelerated progress while working to close learning gaps. Her colleagues know her as a dependable and positive teammate who consistently brings a strong work ethic and commitment to student success. A recent doctoral graduate, Dr. Bell is highly skilled in teaching fluency and regularly models strategies, creates resources, and supports her peers to strengthen instruction. The Board of Education congratulates Dr. Bell for being a Marietta City Schools Employee of the Month for March.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized the Kiwanis Club of Marietta for its continued support of Marietta City Schools and its students. The organization sponsors the GEM Awards, which recognize outstanding students and employees across each school in the district every year. The Kiwanis Club helped make the Marietta Friendship Formal possible through funding and volunteer support, and supported literacy efforts by providing books and volunteer readers for every second-grade class through the Read-A-Book Project. The Board of Education thanks Mike Dondelinger, Alice Dondelinger, Ernie Wagoner, Karen Lockhart, and Kathy Riley for accepting this recognition, and the Kiwanis Club of Marietta for its continued partnership and support of our students and staff.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Marietta High School students Caleb Adeyeye, a freshman, and Darrian “DB” Brent, a senior, for winning the State Championship in Audio Production at the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference.
Competing against students from across Georgia, they stood out for their creativity, technical skill, and professionalism. Both are part of the College and Career Academy’s Audio/Visual Technology and Film pathway, where they continue developing the skills that helped lead them to this accomplishment. They will represent Georgia at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference this June.
The Board of Education congratulates Caleb and DB on their outstanding achievement.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Piedmont Church for its continued dedication to Marietta City Schools. The church has supported the district in various ways, including revitalizing the teacher lounge at Sawyer Road Elementary, donating funds to all MCS schools, and providing supplies to meet student needs, such as those for 5th-grade self-care packages at Lockheed Elementary. They also support the work of the Marietta Business Association’s Education Committee and its monthly awards. The Board of Education thanks Marlon Longacre, for accepting this award, and Piedmont Church for its ongoing partnership and support for our schools.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Lockheed Elementary School for being named a Recognized ASCA Model Program by the American School Counselor Association. This national distinction is awarded to schools with exemplary, data-driven counseling programs that support students’ academic, social-emotional, and career development. This prestigious recognition reflects the strength of Lockheed’s comprehensive counseling program and its impact on student success. The Board of Education congratulates and thanks Danielle Helmick, Brittney Norment, Coach Montay Walker, Principal Dr. Tricia Patterson, and Arieyuonna Vincent for this outstanding achievement.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized the following student artists featured in the Marietta City Schools Art Display at Central Office: Robert "Winn" Johnson, a fifth-grade student at Marietta Center for Advanced Academics; Charlotte Hall, an eighth-grade student at Marietta Middle School; Charlotte Schrampfer, a kindergarten student at A.L. Burruss Elementary; Elizabeth Kimmel, a fourth-grade student at A.L. Burruss Elementary; Jaelle Bush, a fifth-grade student at Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Phoebe Bryan, a sixth-grade student at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy; and Osigbeme "Osi" Braimah, a junior at Marietta High School (not pictured). Each month, the district proudly showcases student artwork to celebrate creativity and highlight the talent across our schools. This month’s display reflects the imagination, skill, and artistic voice of students from across Marietta City Schools. The Board of Education congratulates these student artists for representing their schools through the arts.
Board Meeting Approvals
- Approval of Minutes - February 10, 2026 Combined Work Session Regular Monthly Meeting (7/0 - Approved)
- Approval of Minutes - March 6-7, 2026 Board of Education Training/Planning Retreat (7/0 - Approved)
- Adoption of Agenda (7/0 - Approved)
- Financial Report
- Nursing Program - Marietta High School - Presentation
- Adoption of Math Curriculum (7/0 - Approved) - Presentation
- MagicSchool AI Platform (7/0 - Approved)
- Los Niños Primero – Transportation Costs (7/0 - Approved)
- Contract Speech Language Pathologist - Soliant Health, LLC. (7/0 - Approved)
- Technology Vehicle (7/0 - Approved)
- Technology Ticketing System - Incident IQ (7/0 - Approved)
- Phone System License Renewal - Vertical Communications (7/0 - Approved)
- Tree Removal Services - Richmond Tree Experts GA, LLC. (7/0 - Approved)
- Pine Straw - Custom Pine Straw (7/0 - Approved)
- Pine Straw Installation - All Star Landscape & Management, LLC. (7/0 - Approved)
- Chromebook Purchase - Virtucom (7/0 - Approved)
- Field Trips (7/0 - Approved)
- Board of Education Resolution - April Celebration of America's Semiquincentennial (7/0 - Approved)
- Motion to Extend the Meeting 30 Minutes (7/0-Approved)
- Executive Session – Permitted Land, Legal, Personnel, and Student Matters (7/0 - Approved)
- Approval of Personnel Action (7/0 - Approved)
Happy School Board Appreciation Week!
This School Board Appreciation Week, we took a closer look at the people behind the decisions that help shape our schools. In the video below, we interviewed Board members’ loved ones and captured the stories that show their dedication and impact.