Archived Documents
School Governance Council Meeting Documents
Each meeting of the School Governance Council typically generates three public documents: an agenda; a brief summary of action items that occurred during the meeting; and a detailed set of meeting minutes. We will display these documents on our website for the current school year, along with those from the previous year. If you need to view older documents, please contact our School Governance & Flexibility Department at schoolgovernance@fultonschools.org.
2024-25 SGC Meeting Documents
August 2024
Agenda
Summary
Summary of actions
Northwood Governance Council
Date | time 08/14/2024 | 7:00am | Location Northwood
SGC Member Attendance
|
Heather Rucker, Principal |
✔ |
Sharon Perrin, Parent (elected) |
✔ |
|
Nicole Sickle, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Regan Russo, Parent |
✔ |
|
Rachel Needham, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Melissa Lentz, Parent |
✔ |
|
Sue Friedrichs, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Cary Blumenfeld, Community Member (appointed) |
✔ |
|
Michelle Levine, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Susan Hardee, Community Member |
|
Guest Attendance: Katie Kinsey (SGC Council Chair)
Meeting Minutes Summary
Action Items:
|
Motion |
Time |
By Whom |
Second by |
Voting Results |
|
Meeting called to order |
7:04 |
Heather Rucker |
|
|
|
Motion to approve May minutes |
7:05 |
Sue Friedrichs |
Sharon Perrin |
Unanimous |
|
Motion to approve Agenda |
7:06 |
Katie Kinsey |
Nicole Sickle |
Unanimous |
|
Nominate and Approve Officers |
7:20 |
Nicole Sickle |
Regan Russo |
Unanimous |
|
Approve Committees |
7:25 |
Sue Friedrichs |
Cary Blumenfeld |
Unanimous |
|
Meeting adjourned |
8:10 |
Heather Rucker |
|
|
Minutes
Date | time 8/14/2024 | 7:00am | Location Northwood
SGC Member Attendance
|
Heather Rucker, Principal |
✔ |
Sharon Perrin, Parent (elected) |
✔ |
|
Nicole Sickle, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Regan Russo, Parent |
✔ |
|
Rachel Needham, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Melissa Lentz, Parent |
✔ |
|
Sue Friedrichs, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Cary Blumenfeld, Community Member (appointed) |
✔ |
|
Michelle Levine, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Susan Hardee, Community Member |
|
Guest Attendance: Katie Kinsey (council chair)
Meeting Minutes Summary
Action Items:
|
Motion |
Time |
By Whom |
Second by |
Voting Results |
|
Meeting called to order |
7:04 |
Heather Rucker |
|
|
|
Motion to approve May minutes |
7:05 |
Sue Friedrichs |
Sharon Perrin |
Unanimous |
|
Motion to approve Agenda |
7:06 |
Katie Kinsey |
Nicole Sickle |
Unanimous |
|
Nominate and Approve Officers |
7:20 |
Nicole Sickle |
Regan Russo |
Unanimous |
|
Approve Committees |
7:25 |
Sue Friedrichs |
Cary Blumenfeld |
Unanimous |
|
Meeting adjourned |
8:10 |
Heather Rucker |
|
|
Attendees: Heather Rucker, Melissa Lentz, Sue Friedrichs, Cary Blumenfeld, Rachel Needham, Sharon Perrin, Regan Russo, Michelle Levine, Nicole Sickle, Katie Kinsey (SGC Council Chair)
Summary of Actions:
● Call to Order: 7:04AM by Heather Rucker
● Approval of May Minutes:
○ Motion: Sue Friedrichs
○ Second: Sharon Perrin
● Approval of Agenda:
○ Motion: Katie Kinsey
○ Second: Nicole Sickle
● Nominate and Approve Officers:
○ Motion: Nicole Sickle
○ Second: Regan Russo
● Approval of Committees:
○ Motion: Sue Friedrichs
○ Second: Cary Blumenfeld
● Adjourn: 8:10AM by Heather Rucker
Discussion Item: Introductions around the room for existing and new SGC Members
Discussion Item: SGC officers and elections
● Chair leads the meetings and works with Principal to establish the agenda for each meeting
● Vice Chair – takes lead if the Chair is unavailable, assists with council
● Parliamentarian – Follows Roberts Rules of Order and takes notes of meetings and establishes order
Action Item: Election of Officers
● Nominated Regan Russo for Rep for Superintendent Council
● Nominated Sharon Perrin for PTA Council
● Nominated Regan Russo for Vice Chair
● Nominated Melissa Lentz for Parliamentarian
● Nominated Cary Blumenfeld for SGC Chair
Motion: Nicole Sickle; Second: Regan Russo; All approved.
Action Item: Staff the Three Standing Committees (Budget and Finance, Outreach and Communication, Principal Selection). People come together to work in these specific areas before meeting with the entire SGC Board. Typically in elementary school, the work is all done together.
● Budget and Finance – Chair and 3 others with Principal
o Regan Russo, Nicole Sickle, Sharon Perrin, Sue Friedrichs, Heather Rucker
o Chair – Regan Russo
● Outreach and Communication – Chair and 3 others with Principal
o Melissa Lentz, Cary Blumenfeld, Rachel Needham, Susan Hardee, Michelle Levine, Heather Rucker
o Chair- Michelle Levine
● Principal Selection: Chair and 3 others
o Nicole Sickle, Sharon Perrin, Regan Russo, Cary Blumenfeld
o Chair – Cary Blumenfeld
Motion: Sue Friedrichs; Second: Cary Blumenfeld; All approved.
Discussion Item: Strategic Planning (Principal)
School Strategic Action Plan Goals:
● Enhance performance for all students
● Prioritize safety and operational efficiency
● Ensure impactful programming
● Strengthen employee engagement
● Utilize fiscal resources effectively
● Deepen community connections
Informational Item: Principal’s Update
● Current & Potential School Staffing Changes
○ On track with projections
○ Four sections of every grade except third (five sections)
○ NWES has 556 students, only 4 students off projection (higher than projected)
○ Kindergarten: 22 students max with a para
○ Grades 1-3: 23 students max
○ Grades 4-5: 30 students max
● Updates in District Policy
● Calendar of Upcoming School Events
Discussion Item: 2024-2025 SGC Meeting Dates
● Wednesday, August 14, 2024 (today)
● Wednesday, September 18, 2024
● Wednesday, November 6, 2024
● Wednesday, February 5, 2025
● Wednesday, March 26, 2025
● Wednesday, May 7, 2025
September 2024
Agenda
September Agenda
School: Northwood Elementary School
Date: 09/18/2024
Time: 7:00AM
Location: Front Office Conference Room
TEAMS Link (if applicable):
SGC Members:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent) Melissa Lentz (elected parent) Regan Russo (elected parent) Susan Hardee (community member) Cary Blumenfeld (community member) Nicole Sickle (appointed staff) Sue Friedrichs (elected staff) Rachel Needham (elected staff) Michelle Levine (appointed staff) Heather Rucker (principal)
7:00AM Call to Order (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:01AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:02AM Action Item: Approve August Minutes (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:03AM Action Item: Finalize Council Staffing and submit through Council Information Form (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:10AM Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities (Officer Training and Cross Council) ** (All Members) Fall 2024 Officer Training Sign-Up
7:15 AM Discussion Item: Review SY24-25 Council Norms (S. Friedrichs)
7:20 AM Discussion Item: Review SGC Website for Compliance (M. Levine)
7:25AM Discussion Item: Review 2024 Council Self-Assessment (C. Blumenfeld)
7:35 AM Discussion Item: Strategic Planning**** (H. Rucker) See page 2 for more detailed information
7:45AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (H. Rucker)
A. District Policy or School Practices Updates
B. Calendar of Upcoming School Events
7:55 AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (C. Blumenfeld)
A. Potential money to be put aside for CPR recertification in March, 2025. (M. Levine)
8:00 AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Cary Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Summary
Summary of actions
Northwood Governance Council
Date | time 09/18/2024 | 7:00am | Location Northwood
SGC Member Attendance
|
Heather Rucker, Principal |
✔ |
Sharon Perrin, Parent (elected) |
✔ |
|
Nicole Sickle, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Regan Russo, Parent |
✔ |
|
Rachel Needham, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Melissa Lentz, Parent |
✔ |
|
Sue Friedrichs, Teacher (elected) |
|
Cary Blumenfeld, Community Member (appointed) |
✔ |
|
Michelle Levine, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Susan Hardee, Community Member |
|
Guest Attendance: Katie Kinsey (SGC Council Chair)
Action Items:
|
Motion |
Time |
By Whom |
Second by |
Voting Results |
|
Meeting called to order |
7:01 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
|
|
|
Motion to approve August minutes |
7:03 |
Melissa Lentz |
Nicole Sickle |
Unanimous |
|
Motion to approve September Agenda |
7:04 |
Melissa Lentz |
Nicole Sickle |
Unanimous |
|
Approval of Strategic Action Plan (as proposed) |
7:35 |
Melissa Lentz |
Sharron Perrin |
Unanimous |
|
Meeting adjourned |
7:52 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
|
|
Attendees: Heather Rucker, Melissa Lentz, Cary Blumenfeld (via Zoom), Rachel Needham, Sharon Perrin, Regan Russo, Michelle Levine, Nicole Sickle, Katie Kinsey (SGC Council Chair)
Minutes
November 2024
Agenda
November Agenda
School: Northwood Elementary School
Date: 11/6/2024
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Front Office Conference Room
TEAMS Link (if applicable):
SGC Members:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent) Melissa Lentz (elected parent) Regan Russo (elected parent) Susan Hardee (community member) Cary Blumenfeld (community member) Nicole Sickle (appointed staff) Sue Friedrichs (elected staff) Rachel Needham (elected staff) Michelle Levine (appointed staff) Heather Rucker (principal)
7:00AM Call to Order (C. Blumenfeld)
7:01AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (C. Blumenfeld)
7:02AM Action Item: Approve September Minutes (C. Blumenfeld)
9:15AM Discussion Item: Review SGC Website for Compliance** (All Members)
9:25AM Discussion Item: Debrief Fall Cross Council Meeting*** (All Members) Did not attend
7:03 AM Discussion Item: Strategic Planning**** (H. Rucker)
7:10 AM Discussion Item: SY24-25 Council Initiatives* (All Members)
A. Parent Participation Plan for satisfaction survey
7: 25 AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (C. Blumenfeld)
A. Reading proposal K-2 (M. Levine & B. Hudec)
7:45 AM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (C. Blumenfeld)
7: 50 AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (H. Rucker)
8:00 AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (C. Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Summary
Minutes
February 2025
March 2025
- March 3 Agenda
- March 3 Summary
- March 3 Minutes
- March 26 Agenda
- March 26 Meeting Minutes
- March 26 Summary
March 3 Agenda
March Agenda
School: Northwood Elementary School
Date: 3/3/25
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Remote
TEAMS Link (if applicable): 3-3-25
SGC Members:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent) Melissa Lentz (elected parent) Regan Russo (elected parent) Susan Hardee (community member) Cary Blumenfeld (community member) Nicole Sickle (appointed staff) Sue Friedrichs (elected staff) Rachel Needham (elected staff) Michelle Levine (appointed staff) Heather Rucker (principal)
9:00AM Call to Order (C. Blumenfeld)
9:01AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (C. Blumenfeld)
9:02AM Action Item: Approve February Minutes (C. Blumenfeld)
9:03AM Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections
Seats available : 2 elected parents (Lentz & Russo), 1 elected staff (Friedrichs), 1 appointed staff (Sickle), 1 community member (Hardee)
9:05AM Action Item: Budget Proposal for SY 25/26
H Rucker to present
9: 15 AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (H. Rucker)
9:25 AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (C. Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
March 3 Summary
Northwood Governance Council
Date | time 03/03/2025 | 9:00am | Location Virtual Teams Meeting
SGC Member Attendance
|
Heather Rucker, Principal |
✔ |
Sharon Perrin, Parent (elected) |
✔ |
|
Nicole Sickle, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Regan Russo, Parent |
✔ |
|
Rachel Needham, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Melissa Lentz, Parent |
✔ |
|
Sue Friedrichs, Teacher (elected) |
✔ |
Cary Blumenfeld, Community Member (appointed) |
✔ |
|
Michelle Levine, Appointed Staff |
✔ |
Susan Hardee, Community Member |
|
Action Items:
|
Motion |
Time |
By Whom |
Second by |
Voting Results |
|
Meeting called to order |
9:01 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
|
|
|
Motion to approve February minutes |
9:03 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
Sharon Perrin |
Unanimous |
|
Motion to approve March Agenda |
9:04 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
Sharon Perrin |
Unanimous |
|
Approval of FY26 Budget |
9:26 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
Nicole Sickle |
Unanimous |
|
Meeting adjourned |
9:27 |
Cary Blumenfeld |
|
|
Attendees: Heather Rucker, Melissa Lentz, Cary Blumenfeld, Rachel Needham, Regan Russo, Michelle Levine, Nicole Sickle, Sharon Perrin, Sue Friedrichs
Summary of Actions:
● Call to Order: 9:02AM by Cary Blumenfeld
● Approval of February Minutes:
○ Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
○ Second: Sharon Perrin
○ Vote: Unanimous
● Approval of March Agenda:
○ Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
○ Second: Sharon Perrin
○ Vote: Unanimous
● Approval of FY26 Budget:
○ Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
○ Second: Nicole Sickle
○ Vote: Unanimous
● Adjourn: 9:27AM by Cary Blumenfeld
March 3 Minutes
March 26 Agenda
March Agenda
School: Northwood ES
Date: 3/26/2025
Time: 7:00AM
Location: Front Conference Room
TEAMS Link (if applicable):
SGC Members:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent) Melissa Lentz (elected parent) Regan Russo (elected parent) Susan Hardee (community member) Cary Blumenfeld (community member) Nicole Sickle (appointed staff) Sue Friedrichs (elected staff) Rachel Needham (elected staff) Michelle Levine (appointed staff) Heather Rucker (principal)
7:00AM Call to Order (C Blumenfeld)
7:01AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (C Blumenfeld)
7:02AM Action Item: Approve February 19th and March 3rd Minutes (C Blumenfeld)
7:03AM Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Councils Updates (Council Representative)
7:10AM Discussion Item: SGC Parent/Teacher Elections Update (Outreach and Communications Committee)
7:20AM Discussion Item: Spring 2025 Strategic Plan Retreat Representatives** (M Levine)
7:30AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Update (H Rucker)
7:35AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (H Rucker)
8:00AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (C Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
March 26 Meeting Minutes
March SGC Meeting Minutes
School: Northwood ES
Date: 3/26/2025
Time: 7:00AM
Location: Front Conference Room
SGC Members Present:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent), Melissa Lentz (elected parent), Regan Russo (elected parent - present virtually via TEAMS), Susan Hardee (community member), Cary Blumenfeld (community member), Nicole Sickle (appointed staff), Sue Friedrichs (elected staff), Rachel Needham (elected staff), Michelle Levine (appointed staff), Heather Rucker (principal), Katie Kinsey (Guest, SGC Chair)
7:02AM Call to Order (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:02AM Action Item: Approve Agenda
• Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
• Second: Sharon Perrin
7:03AM Action Item: Approve February 19th and March 3rd Minutes
• Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
• Second: Sharon Perrin
7:03AM Informational Item: Spring 2025 Strategic Plan Retreat Update (Michelle Levine)
• Attended on 3/17 by Michelle Levine
• Emphasis on Transparency
• Budget Feedback & Community Feedback
• Strategic Plan Discussion
• Team Collaboration
7:10AM Discussion Item: CCRPI Survey (Heather Rucker)
• NWES CCRPI Family Response Rate - 22.74% (Low Participation)
• Discussed ways to increase participation next year
7:20AM Discussion Item: Items in the Works for SGC Next Year (Heather Rucker)
• Star Readers Club (continue into 2025-2026)
• World Read Aloud Day (involve METI & CST & Literary Coach & SGC)
• What We’re Reading Now (keep updated & expand)
7:25AM Discussion Item: Upcoming SGC Parent/Teacher Elections (Heather Rucker)
• Last day for candidate declaration is 3/28
• Voting takes place 4/16 - 4/23
• Candidate Declarations to Date:
• Kaleigh Nattrass to replace Sue Friedrichs
• Crystal Robinson & Lindsey Burke to replace Melissa Lentz & Regan Russo
• Still need a replacement for Susan Hardy
7:31AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update: 2025-2026 School Year (Heather Rucker)
• 6 families coming through COSA
• 7/24 Pre-Planning for NWES Staff
• 8/1 - Sneak Peek
• 8/4 School Starts - Emphasis on Day 1 Attendance
7:36AM Discussion Item: Writing Task
• Because of you…
• I am better because of the way you…
• List five things for which you are grateful & share with them
7:46AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Cary Blumenfeld)
March 26 Summary
March SGC Summary of Actions
School: Northwood ES
Date: 3/26/2025
Time: 7:00AM
Location: Front Conference Room
SGC Members Present:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent), Melissa Lentz (elected parent), Regan Russo (elected parent - present virtually via TEAMS), Susan Hardee (community member), Cary Blumenfeld (community member), Nicole Sickle (appointed staff), Sue Friedrichs (elected staff), Rachel Needham (elected staff), Michelle Levine (appointed staff), Heather Rucker (principal), Katie Kinsey (Guest, SGC Chair)
Summary of Actions:
7:02AM Call to Order (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:02AM Action Item: Approve Agenda
• Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
• Second: Sharon Perrin
7:03AM Action Item: Approve February 19th and March 3rd Minutes
• Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
• Second: Sharon Perrin
7:46AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Cary Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
May 2025
Agenda
May Agenda
School: Northwood ES
Date: 5/14/2025
Time: 7:00AM
Location: Science Lab
TEAMS Link (if applicable):
SGC Members:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent) Melissa Lentz (elected parent) Regan Russo (elected parent) Susan Hardee (community member) Cary Blumenfeld (community member) Nicole Sickle (appointed staff) Sue Friedrichs (elected staff) Rachel Needham (elected staff) Michelle Levine (appointed staff) Heather Rucker (principal) and Welcome New Members Crystal Robinson (elected parent) Lindsey Burke (elected parent) Kaleigh Nattrass (elected staff) Andrea Bourgeois (community member)
7:00AM Call to Order (C Blumenfeld)
7:01AM Action Item: Approve Agenda (C Blumenfeld)
7:02AM Action Item: Approve March 26 minutes (C Blumenfeld)
7:03AM Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Councils Updates (Council Representatives)
7:10AM Informational Item: SGC Parent/Teacher Elections Update – (Outreach and Communications Committee)
7:20AM Information Item: Review of STAR Readers (M Levine, L. Cardelino)
7:30AM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Update (H Rucker)
7:35AM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (H Rucker)
7:40 AM Council Surveys: (ALL)
7:50AM Thank you Moment: Acknowledge and Thank members rolling off (distribute pins) (ALL)
8:00AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (C Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students
Summary
May SGC Summary of Actions
School: Northwood ES
Date: 5/14/2025
Time: 7:00AM
Location: Science Lab
Current SGC Members Present:
Sharon Perrin (elected parent), Melissa Lentz (elected parent), Regan Russo (elected parent), Susan Hardee (community member), Cary Blumenfeld (community member), Nicole Sickle (appointed staff), Sue Friedrichs (elected staff), Rachel Needham (elected staff), Michelle Levine (appointed staff), Heather Rucker (principal), and Welcome New Members:
New (2025-2026) SGC Members Present:
Crystal Robinson (elected parent), Lindsey Burke (elected parent), Kaleigh Nattrass (elected staff), Andrea Bourgeois (community member)
7:10AM Call to Order (Cary Blumenfeld)
7:10AM Action Item: Approve Agenda
• Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
• Second: Sharon Perrin
7:11AM Action Item: Approve March 26th Minutes
• Motion: Cary Blumenfeld
• Second: Sharon Perrin
8:13AM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Cary Blumenfeld)
Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students