The Habersham County Board of Education elected new leadership, approved key business items, and heard updates on finances, safety, and student programs during its January meeting Monday night.
The board voted unanimously to name Joey Duncan as chair for 2026 and Russ Nelson as vice chair. Duncan succeeds Nelson, who served as chair in 2025.
“Before we move on, I just thought I’d thank Russ for his leadership this past year and what he has done leading this board and this group,” Duncan said after the vote.
Spelling Bee Champion
Superintendent Patrick Franklin opened his report by recognizing countywide spelling bee champion Hridaan Patel, a student at North Habersham Middle School. Franklin praised Patel’s perseverance, noting he competed in the spelling bee last year but did not advance.
“He made it his personal goal to practice and get better throughout the year so that when the chance would come again, he would be ready,” Franklin said. “You set a goal a year ago, and you worked hard at it, and now you’ve achieved your goal.”
Franklin said Patel’s success exemplifies the district’s commitment to student growth and announced the board will now recognize the county spelling bee winner at a future meeting each year.
Turning to district operations, Franklin said the school system has had a strong start to the second semester.
“We have much to be grateful and thankful for,” he said. “I’m thankful to be in the school system having my children here.”
Habersham Works
Franklin also provided an update on “Habersham Works,” a new workforce development initiative designed for students planning to enter the workforce directly after graduation. The program is a partnership involving the school system, Habersham County’s economic development community, North Georgia Technical College, and local employers.
About 15 students are currently participating through the district’s Success Academy. Franklin said students will earn multiple certifications, including OSHA safety, precision measurement, leadership, and interview skills, while working with employers during the school year.
“They will have jobs lined up before they leave school,” Franklin said. “This is just another example of building partnerships.”
School Resource Officers
Franklin highlighted the expansion of the school resource officer program, thanking the board for prioritizing funding to place an officer in every school building. He said the district has grown from six officers serving 14 schools to full coverage across the system.
“As a parent, that gives my heart great joy,” Franklin said. “To see a resource officer at the school, interacting with students and protecting that building, that’s something we’re extremely proud of.”
Franklin also praised Habersham Central High School’s recent production of “The Lion King,” calling it “an amazing experience” and commending students for their work in acting, music, and production.
Financial Report
Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome reported the district remains in solid financial condition midway through the fiscal year. Newsome said the district has received about $34.3 million in revenue, or roughly 36% of the budget, compared to about $47.6 million at the same point last year.
“That’s not anything of concern right now,” Newsome said. “We’re doing very good overall.”
Expenditures total about $55.5 million, or 52% of the budget, slightly above last year but within expectations, Newsome said.
Local revenue collections showed mixed results, with property tax revenue slightly behind last year’s pace, while education local option sales tax revenue is “right on target,” and real estate intangibles and alcohol tax revenue exceeding budget projections.
“We’re in good financial shape halfway through this year,” Newsome said.
Technology Updates
The board approved a motion to make Habersham EMC the school system’s new bandwidth provider. The vote passed without objection. District officials previously discussed the change during the January work session as part of broader technology upgrades.
Board members also unanimously approved the Habersham County Family Connection
fiscal agent designation and acceptance for fiscal year 2027.
