Dear MCS Family,
As we share this month’s Board Notes, I’m grateful for the accomplishments we’ve seen across our district. We celebrated academic growth and athletic success, including a districtwide parade for our Girls Cross Country State Champions. I was honored to walk with the team and see our students cheer them on. Their hard work inspired students across every school. We also celebrated the recognition of our Board of Education for its excellence this month. These moments reflect a community that consistently puts our students and families first.
Last night’s Board meeting captured that spirit. We thanked Jason Waters, A.B. Almy, and Kerry Minervini as they concluded their service on the Board. Their leadership and commitment will have a lasting impact on Marietta City Schools, and we are deeply grateful to them and their families.
As we close out the first semester, I encourage each of you to give your best. All schools and the Central Office will be closed December 22–January 2. Monday, January 5, is a Professional Learning Day for staff. Students return to school when classes resume on Tuesday, January 6. Let’s finish strong and look ahead to a special new year together.
Sincerely,
Grant
Marietta City Schools
Summary - Board of Education Meeting
December 9, 2025 | Combined Work Session - Regular Board Meeting
Student of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Rhea Peeler, a fifth-grade student at A.L. Burruss Elementary, as the Marietta City Schools December Student of the Month.
Rhea is a quiet leader whose actions speak louder than words. Her teachers describe her as a student who consistently leads by example and approaches each day with focus and a commitment to doing her best. This fall, Rhea took the initiative to create her own Canva presentation to help remind students of cafeteria expectations. Her clear communication and creativity stood out so much that her work was featured on the school’s news show, BNN.
The Board of Education congratulates Rhea for being the Marietta City Schools Student of the Month for December.
Student of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Adamary Lopez Cisneros, a fifth-grade student at Sawyer Road Elementary, as the Marietta City Schools December Student of the Month.
Adamary is a kind, humble, and dedicated student who makes a lasting impact on everyone around her. Her teachers describe her as a quiet leader whose actions inspire her classmates and reflect the IB program's values. As an IB Ambassador, Adamary played an important role during Sawyer Road’s IB reauthorization visit. She welcomed guests, led tours, and confidently shared her learning experiences as part of the student panel, representing her school with maturity and pride.
She is currently preparing for the Reading Bowl Competition, demonstrating her love of learning and strong work ethic. Beyond the classroom, Adamary gives back to the community by volunteering to pack food boxes for families.
The Board of Education congratulates Adamary for being the Marietta City Schools Student of the Month for December.
Employee of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized A.L. Burruss Elementary teacher Aysia Marshall as the December Employee of the Month.
Mrs. Marshall is an exceptional fourth-grade teacher whose classroom is grounded in strong relationships and a deep commitment to student success. Her students consistently show meaningful growth, reflecting her energy, expertise, and skillful instruction. She serves her team and her students with unwavering dedication. Whether she is planning lessons, supporting colleagues, or finding creative ways to engage learners, including writing her own songs to help students master essential facts, Mrs. Marshall pours her heart into everything she does.
The Board of Education congratulates Mrs. Marshall for being the Marietta City Schools Employee of the Month for December.
Employee of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Sawyer Road Elementary’s school secretary, Melissa Moore, as the December Employee of the Month.
Mrs. Moore is described as the backbone of Sawyer Road Elementary, quietly and consistently ensuring the school runs smoothly every single day. She anticipates needs before anyone notices them and keeps even the smallest details from slipping through the cracks. Her ability to juggle countless responsibilities is unmatched. Mrs. Moore has served Sawyer Road in many roles over the years, including PTA mom, school clerk, registrar, and parent liaison. Her organization, clear communication, and calm presence ground the entire school community, especially during the busiest moments of the year. She supports every staff member, family, and student who walks through the doors, and she even keeps all the school plants thriving.
The Board of Education congratulates Mrs. Moore for being the Marietta City Schools Employee of the Month for December.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized five eighth-grade students, Deon Williams, Zayla Ridley, Xiomara Rollins, Latrell Jones, and J’adora Burke, for being selected as a REACH Georgia Scholar, one of the state’s most competitive mentorship and college scholarship programs.
Supported by Mentoring for Leadership and the Marietta Schools Foundation, these students will participate in a multi-year mentoring and leadership program to prepare them for future academic success. Upon graduating from high school and fulfilling program commitments, each scholar will be eligible for a $10,000 college scholarship. Matching funds for the REACH Scholarship Program were provided by an anonymous donor to the Marietta Schools Foundation.
The Board also recognized the partners who make the REACH Georgia program possible in Marietta, including Kristen Thompson and Laura Aikens with Mentoring for Leadership, and Marietta Schools Foundation representatives Laura Kraus, John Clotfelter (not photographed), and Joe Kinstle.
The Board of Education congratulates our REACH Scholars on their achievements and their commitment to their success, and thanks the partners who invest in Marietta’s students and their futures.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized four student artists whose work is currently displayed at Central Office: Kate Owen, Nickolette Houstoulakis, Alexandria Pritt, and Helen Owens.
Each month, students from across the district are selected to showcase their artwork and share their artistic voices with the community. Their creativity and dedication reflect our visual arts programs and the educators who support them. This month’s featured artists joined us at the meeting to share a bit about themselves and an overview of the inspiration behind their artwork.
The Board of Education congratulates these students for their artistic achievement and for enriching our district with their creativity.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized the Marietta High School Girls Cross Country team for winning the 2025 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 6A State Championship with an outstanding score of 38 points, a rare achievement that reflects multiple top-12 finishes.
This victory marks the team’s sixth consecutive state title and the program’s eighth in the last nine years, continuing a remarkable legacy of excellence. Team members include Bailey Turner, Mackenzie Willis, Abby Jane Gross, Alyssa Trevino, Mary Nesmith, Hazel Davis, and Mary Kate Ninness. The program is led by Head Coach Jack Coleman, with assistant coaches Jonathan Gambrell, Faith O'Neill, Dave Ravenscraft, and Macie Pfeuffer, a 2020 XC alum who helped start the team’s winning streak. Senior Mary Nesmith closed out her high school cross country career as one of the most consistent runners in program history, competing at the state meet all four years and never placing outside the Top 5. She finished third overall this year with a time of 19:03, helping secure the championship.
The Board of Education congratulates the Girls Cross Country team and coaching staff for their continued excellence and outstanding representation of Marietta High School.
MCS Board of Education named Georgia’s top school board by the The Georgia School Boards Association
The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) has named the Marietta City Schools Board of Education the 2025 Governance Team of the Year, recognizing Marietta as the top school board among Georgia’s 180 school districts. This honor reflects the Board’s strong leadership, collaborative governance, and clear focus on student learning, literacy, school safety, fiscal transparency, and meaningful family engagement. GSBA highlighted Marietta’s unified literacy strategy, proactive safety initiatives, accountable budgeting process, and commitment to accessible communication and community partnership. As the statewide winner, Marietta City Schools will share its effective practices with districts across Georgia. Watch the video below to hear from the Board.
Board Meeting Approvals
- Approval of Minutes - November 11, 2025 - Combined Work Session - Regular Monthly Meeting (7/0 - Approved)
- Adoption of Agenda (7/0 - Approved)
- FY2027 Budget Development Calendar (7/0 - Approved)
- CCRPI Presentation
- Fine Arts Program Enhancement - Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, Marietta Middle School, Marietta High School (7/0 - Approved)
- Learning Resources Disposition (7/0 - Approved)
- Media Center Disposition (7/0 - Approved)
- Text/SMS Notifications - EMS LINQ, LLC. (7/0 - Approved)
- Digital Sign – Marietta High School (7/0 - Approved)
- Fundraisers (7/0 - Approved)
- Equipment Disposition (7/0 - Approved)
- Field Trips (7/0 - Approved)
- Motion to Extend Meeting by 30 Minutes (7/0 - Approved)
- Executive Session – Permitted Land, Legal, Personnel, and Student Matter (7/0 - Approved)
- Approval of Personnel Action (7/0 - Approved)