Georgia School Boards Association

10/23/2026

Last night, GSBA celebrated 75 years of leadership at our Region 12 Meeting in Bibb County!

The evening featured a spotlight on the innovative partnership between Central Georgia Technical College, Bloomberg, and Baldwin County Schools, along with updates on GSBA’s Excellence in Governance Foundation Fund, legislative priorities affecting Georgia’s public schools, and best practices for engaging parents and communities.

A special thank you to Region 12 Director Wes Cummings for his leadership in planning and organizing the evening’s program! And we appreciate all our Region 12 members, speakers, and partners for joining us and for your continued dedication to Georgia’s public schools!

10/22/2026

Today in Macon, GSBA welcomed school board members, superintendents, and district financial leaders for Module II of the Financial Governance Institute!

Focused on budget implementation, today’s sessions explored fiscal accountability, spending authority, special funds oversight, and long-term financial planning.

Participants gained valuable insights and practical strategies to strengthen financial governance and ensure responsible stewardship of resources that support student success.

Thank you to our presenters, sponsors, and all who joined us for a productive day of learning and collaboration!

10/22/2026

For our final 2026 Youth Advisory Council highlight, meet Wylder Flakes, a junior from Lumpkin County Schools!

Wylder is passionate about improving school safety and creating a welcoming environment where all students feel they belong.

Wylder and his fellow Council members bring thoughtful perspectives and ideas for strengthening Georgia’s public schools. We are proud to celebrate this year’s students and look forward to hearing them share their insights at the GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference on December 4!

10/15/2026

Earlier this week, GSBA Risk Management Services welcomed members from across Georgia to Athens for its Annual Member Meeting, bringing education leaders together for updates and discussions on school safety, effective leadership, emerging risks, and the evolving legal landscape facing public schools.

One of the highlights of the day was recognizing this year’s GSBA RMS Safety Grant recipients! These grants support member school districts in their efforts to reduce risks and create safer learning and working environments for students and staff. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!

Thank you to our speakers, partners, and members who joined us for a productive day of learning and collaboration. Together, we’re building stronger, safer school communities across Georgia.

10/14/2026

Meet William Harton, a senior from Cobb County Schools and a member of our YAC Class of 2026!

William is passionate about strengthening connections between students and school board members. He believes regular opportunities for communication can help students understand their board’s role and help board members better understand students’ experiences and concerns. He is also interested in exploring racial disparities specifically within STEM programs.

We are so glad to have William’s thoughtful insight and dedication to making schools a better place for his peers on this year’s Council. Stay tuned for more highlights from the GSBA Youth Advisory Council Class of 2026!

10/12/2026

Know a journalist or media organization providing outstanding coverage of Georgia’s public schools? Nominate them for the GSBA Beacon Award by October 23!

This award highlights the vital role of informed journalism in shaping public understanding and dialogue around public education, bringing attention to the stories and issues shaping our schools.

Nominations must be officially nominated and approved by the Board of Education. Winners will be recognized on stage at the 2026 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference in December.

Learn more and submit a nomination at the link below:
https://gsba.com/awards/beacon-awards/

10/07/2026

Meet Paloma Laboy, a junior from Gwinnett County Public Schools and a member of GSBA’s Class of 2026 Youth Advisory Council!

For Paloma, preparing students for life after high school means equipping them with practical life skills and helping them discover the opportunities available to them. She also wants to explore the challenges behind chronic absenteeism across Georgia and how schools can address its root causes.

We’re thrilled to have Paloma contributing her perspective and speaking up for her fellow students. Follow along for more student spotlights, and hear directly from our YAC members at the 2026 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference this December!

10/06/2026

Ready to build on your governance team’s accomplishments and deepen your impact?

In partnership with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, GSBA invites strong governance teams to take their work even further with the GSBA Excellence in Governance Institute.

Through collaborative learning and a capstone project, this free two-year program allows participating teams to explore key topics and address a critical education issue in their district, putting effective governance into action.

Applications are open through Friday, October 30, 2026. Learn more and apply at the link below!

https://gsba.com/advocacy/gsba-excellence-in-governance-institute/

10/05/2026

One of GSBA’s proudest initiatives during our anniversary year is the Phillip L. Hartley Legacy of Leadership Student Scholarship, which will award $5,000 each to 14 deserving high school seniors to continue their education.

Made possible by the Excellence in Governance Foundation Fund, which was established in 2025, this scholarship recognizes students for their leadership, character and resilience. At the end of the day, we work to serve the students in our Georgia public schools, and this initiative reflects that.

Applications are due Friday, October 16, 2026. Share this opportunity with a graduating senior in your life, and visit the link below to learn more and apply.

https://gsba.com/advocacy/foundation-fund/phillip-l-hartley-legacy-of-leadership-student-scholarship/

Learn about the Philip L. Hartley Legacy of Leadership Student Scholarship, eligibility requirements, application details and important deadlines.

10/05/2026

The deadline for the GSBA Student Art Contest is quickly approaching ‼️ Make sure your talented high school students submit their artwork within the theme “Celebrating Public Education: 75 Years of Impact” by next Friday, October 16.

Artwork may be entered in three categories:
- Drawing & Painting
- Digital Art & Photography
- Mixed Media / 3D

First, second and third place in each category will receive cash prizes and an invitation to receive their awards at the GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference!

We can’t wait to see what your students create! Learn more and submit artwork at the link below.

*All entries must be submitted by a teacher sponsor.

https://gsba.com/awards/student-art-contest