The Habersham County Board of Education received an update this week on early literacy efforts, instructional support systems, and the proposed 2026–27 school calendar, as district leaders outlined how schools plan to support students across grade levels while managing teacher workload and instructional quality.
Strategic Plan Progress Report
Dr. Susan Davis presented the district’s Strategic Plan Progress Report and led a literacy update that described how the school system screens kindergarten through third-grade students. The district uses a screener that meets Georgia’s dyslexia screening requirements and administers it three times each school year. The district is currently conducting its second screening of the year and plans to compare results with beginning-of-year data to measure growth and guide instructional decisions.
Students in fourth and fifth grades continue to use STAR Reading. The district purchased access to AMIRA, a literacy platform, to explore expanded screening and instructional options for additional grade levels. The platform includes a tutoring and instructional component and allows both teachers and the program to direct student reading, assign practice, and group students based on identified needs.
As the district reviews student data, an ELA resource review committee examines the information through a literacy lens. The committee considers instructional resources, evaluates writing and phonics materials, and recommends changes when data shows gaps.
Professional learning remains a central part of the district’s literacy strategy. Two elementary principals and district leadership participate in an Advancing Literacy Leadership program that runs through June and operates through Pioneer RESA and the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy. The district uses a shared text across principals, assistant principals, and academic coaches to align instructional approaches.
RESA expanded academic coaching support this year, which increased district access to on-site instructional guidance and support. Through the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, the district works with instructional coaches who support classrooms and academic planning meetings, with additional schools scheduled to participate next year. Furthermore, the district’s literacy coach now attends academic meetings to support alignment across student populations.
Balancing student support across skill levels
Board member Doug Westmoreland raised questions about staffing and teacher workload, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention settings. Mrs. Susan Davis responded that teachers use differentiation strategies to directly support students who need additional instruction while other students engage in parallel learning activities beneficial to them. In addition to assessment, AMIRA provides instructional programming designed to support students.
The district continues to support math instruction alongside its literacy focus. Schools rolled out new math standards last year and continue to provide intervention through EIP. The district pilots new math materials in selected schools that offer structured lesson frameworks designed to deepen teacher understanding and support student learning. Mrs. Davis calls it “good conceptual math ideas.”
Middle and high schools use adaptive programs, including iReady, DeltaMath, and IXL, to tailor instruction.
2026-27 calendar proposals
The board also reviewed two proposed calendars for the 2026–27 school year. Calendar A follows a traditional structure, while discussion centered on Calendar B, which offers added flexibility through a winter break, a September flex day, recognition of January 1 as a holiday, and a spring break which occurs in the first week of April.
All 14 schools voted in favor of Calendar B. Parent feedback showed a majority preference for Calendar B, with families citing flexibility for short educational trips. Principals voted independently, with nine supporting Calendar B. District staff selected Calendar B for presentation to the board for approval.
Board members discussed aligning calendar approval with board meeting schedules and confirmed plans to finalize a calendar at a future meeting.
The district said it will continue refining literacy instruction, professional learning, and scheduling decisions as data becomes available, with the stated goal of supporting student achievement while sustaining teachers and staff.
