As we embark on a new academic year, it's essential to pause and reflect on the significant accomplishments of 2024-2025 that have us well-positioned to be Fueled by Momentum: Collaborating for Success in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Over the course of a 178 day student academic year, disruptions are to be expected. Last year, as an organization, we experienced numerous disruptions from weather events like the rare snow storm in south Georgia and two hurricanes, to student disruptions that were an outgrowth of the Apalachee tragedy to name a few. The true challenge to any organization is promptly responding to the disruption, and quickly regaining focus on the work the organization has established for the year. Through it all, our school system demonstrated its strength, resilience, and commitment to furthering the work, and our staff demonstrated their commitment to ensuring our students remained safe and well supported throughout the year. The efforts of Tift's staff and students are evident in our academic results from 24-25.
Establishing Resources and Supports to Strengthen our Staff and Students
In 2024-2025, through the support of our Board of Education, Tift County Schools implemented a state-mandated K-5 ELA core curriculum resource, which has been well-received by educators as a valuable new teaching tool. We also trained all of our K-5 teachers in structured literacy through Ga Learns and established three cohorts of K-5 teachers in LETRs training to support the literacy needs of our students. Complementary to this, secondary reading support was enhanced through the integration of Read 180, a reading intervention program to support students who are not yet reading on grade level to strengthen their reading proficiency.
In mathematics, targeted professional development was provided to secondary teachers. Collaborating with Algebra instructors, new assessments were developed that aligned with the new Georgia math standards. The district also established and implemented a collaborative planning protocol, guiding teachers in utilizing a backwards design model where the assessment informs instructional planning. Additionally, professional development was created, along with district expectations, for student scheduling and support. Because of this work, elementary school students are set up to receive all supplemental services within the first week of school during the 2025-2026 school year.
In 2024-2025, Tift staff worked to develop a comprehensive Student and Parent Handbook, featuring a revised Code of Conduct, that outlines behavioral expectations and consequences. It also includes an extensive advisement guide to inform parents about courses, diploma options, and graduation requirements, aiding parents in guiding their children's academic progress; a first for Tift. This work was unveiled for the 2025-2026 school year and will serve as a one-stop shop for families seeking information to support their child's experience.
Advancing Student Opportunities and Achievement
Significant strides were made in expanding learning opportunities for students. Tift County Schools developed an Accelerated Math Pathway for Middle School students, providing advanced learners with the opportunity to progress at an accelerated pace and deepen their mathematical understanding during the 2025-2026 school year. At the high school level, a new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program was successfully launched, equipping students with valuable career-ready skills and contributing to improved EOPA pass rates in relevant areas.
Prioritizing building new opportunities to support students beyond the typical school day and school year, during the summer of 2025 Tift added an enrichment element to summer school that provided students with engaging and rigorous academic experiences beyond reading and math. Similarly, a Fine Arts component was integrated into Tift’s Migrant Summer School through a partnership with the Tifton Arts Council, enriching the cultural and creative development of participating students. The district also initiated a Summer Student Workers program, offering practical work experience and mentorship for several high school students who worked in School Nutrition, Technology Services, and in Communications & Community Relations departments.
Recognizing the importance of extracurricular activities for all students, in the FY26 budget, the Board of Education allocated funding for Elementary School After School Clubs/Sponsors, allowing younger students to explore diverse interests outside of the school day. Furthermore, schools were empowered with dedicated funding to develop their own tailored afterschool and summer school programs for the 2025-2026 school year, fostering localized solutions to student needs.
Moreover, the Blue Devil Academy and Alternative School Program Design underwent a comprehensive redesign, creating more supportive and effective learning environments for students needing alternative educational approaches. The enhancements are designed to provide students with direct instruction to build social and life skills, exposure to work and career opportunities, and an opportunity for partnering with a mentor.
Enhancing Our Facilities to Support Students
The Tift County Board of Education committed budget funds to improve facilities and student safety, purchasing Weapons Detection Systems for secondary schools. They also implemented a policy limiting personal electronic device use during instructional hours, aiming to increase classroom attention, improve learning, and enhance student communication and social skills during non-instructional times.
The Board invested significantly in facility and infrastructure upgrades this year, including modernizing the Performing Arts Center's stage lighting and curtains, repairing paved entrances, replacing unreliable scoreboards at the baseball and softball fields, high school gym, and Brodie, and repainting two elementary schools and high school softball dugouts, with two more elementary schools scheduled for 2025-2026. These investments highlight Tift's dedication to providing updated facilities for student learning and growth.
Building Structures for Information sharing and Collaboration to inform and strengthen practices
In the Spring of 2024, stakeholders articulated concerns about the system’s structures for communication and collaboration. Stakeholders reported feeling uninformed about internal happenings, and employees reported working in silos with limited visibility or input into colleagues' work. Cultivating greater awareness and engagement within an organization necessitates a gradual cultural transformation. It requires establishing clear structures for information dissemination and creating opportunities for individuals to participate. This environmental shift then depends on individuals actively seizing these opportunities and information.
In the last year, Tift County Schools has made significant strides in the establishment of structures to support a shift to an informed and collaborative culture from launching a monthly newsletter providing an overview of the happenings at the Board meetings, and is pursuing a goal of developing and attaching presentations to Board agenda items to support transparency and public awareness. Internally, we have established processes to provide procedural information in writing via “1-pagers” to serve as a guide and reference document for relevant parties.
We have established consistent meeting structures inclusive of assistant principals so all school leaders receive information and development around the work of the system; developed processes to guide teacher planning to that in which teachers collaborate to strengthen each other’s practices, and developed job alike meeting structures for nearly 40 different job families to have opportunities to consistently meet together to plan and learn together.
We have established opportunities for stakeholders to inform the design of initiatives. This looks like teachers working collaboratively during the summer to develop unit planning guides; to cross-divisional teams examining our current practices, identifying gaps/holes, and providing suggestions on approaches to address the needs; to multiple stakeholder surveys to seek input to inform our system strategic plan. Finally, the addition of Superintendent Advisory groups that provided Teachers, Classified Staff, Students, Community Members, and a special-convened Literacy Taskforce with opportunities to learn about the work of the system and provide ideas, perspectives, and thoughts to inform our work.
Establishing such structures is essential to provide stakeholders with channels for information and collaboration. However, these structures alone are not enough. Genuine collaboration and an informed culture necessitate active engagement from individuals, who must consistently seek information and offer their insights to cultivate a dynamic and responsive environment.
Looking Toward the Future
This coming school year marks a pivotal moment for Tift County Schools, as we embark on a future-focused journey with the unveiling of a new 5-year strategic plan and the critical SPLOST VII initiative. Tift County Schools and the Board of Education have been working on these plans for many months; these foundational efforts will shape the educational landscape of Tift County for years to come, ensuring continued growth and excellence for our students and community.
In the Fall of 2025, Tift County Schools will be working toward our next SPLOST cycle which begins July 2027. SPLOST VII will be on the ballot for voters in 2026 and we are looking at our projects and the numerous goals we wish to accomplish with SPLOST VII if approved by the voters. We will be engaging different partners to help us as we prepare the numerous items that have to be in place to get a referendum on the ballot. SPLOST is very important to our school district as it not only provides needed funding for capital projects like renovation and construction of new buildings, but it also provides needed funds for instructional materials, technology, transportation and athletics. Additionally, SPLOST benefits our community by allowing us to collect sales taxes from non-residents who shop in Tift. Historically, 60% of SPLOST funds have come from these individuals, enabling us to invest in local financial improvements.
Transforming Our Campus: New Facilities to Enhance the Student Experience
Demonstrating a forward-thinking commitment to its students and community, Tift County Schools is preparing to break ground on a brand-new, state-of-the-art 7th and 8th grade school. This highly anticipated facility is projected to officially open its doors to students in the Fall of 2027, marking a pivotal moment in the district's long-term strategic plan.
Upon its completion, all 7th and 8th grade students will be housed within this singular, modern building. Concurrently, all 6th-grade students will be consolidated into a dedicated 6th-grade building, allowing for specialized instruction and support as they transition into their middle school years. This strategic restructuring aims to optimize resources, enhance collaboration among educators, and provide a more streamlined and effective educational experience for all students in these crucial grade levels.
New Covered Pavilion: Uninterrupted Practices and Performances
At the conclusion of this Fall's athletic season, Tift County Schools will break ground on a new covered pavilion (conceptual design illustrated above, final design is pending). This much-anticipated addition will revolutionize how our students train and perform, offering a space where practices and performances can occur regardless of inclement weather. No longer will rain, extreme heat, or cold interrupt training sessions or student showcases. This pavilion will serve as a hub for various sports teams, band practices, theatrical rehearsals, and community events, fostering a consistent and dedicated environment for student development.
New Fieldhouse: A Hub for Training, Collaboration, and Success
In parallel with the pavilion, Tift County Schools is making significant strides in the development of a new fieldhouse. This year, we will finalize the architectural design, paving the way for construction to begin this Spring. The new fieldhouse will be a comprehensive facility that will provide all our students with access to enhanced training and weight room facilities. This expansion goes beyond what is currently available at our high school, offering advanced equipment, additional weight training facilities, and a more spacious environment conducive to optimal athletic conditioning and strength training.
Beyond its athletic capabilities, the fieldhouse will be a cornerstone for collaboration and academic excellence. It will feature dedicated large group and small group meeting room spaces. These versatile areas will be instrumental for athletic teams to strategize and review game plans, and equally valuable for academic teams and groups to convene for meetings, project work, and collaborative learning. This integrated approach ensures that the fieldhouse serves as a multi-faceted resource, supporting both the physical and intellectual development of our students.
Celebrating our Success
The significant accomplishments of the 2024-2025 school year have built a strong foundation and generated considerable momentum for us, positioning Tift County Schools for additional growth both in our approach to the work and our performance outcomes. This forward momentum, fueled by both our academic advancements and our bold vision for new facilities, is fundamentally changing the status quo for Tift County Schools. We are not simply maintaining existing standards; we are actively elevating the educational experience. In Tift, our commitment is to provide students with the best possible resources to achieve their goals and foster a supportive environment for all. We are establishing a legacy of excellence that will benefit our community for generations to come.
We invite all stakeholders to join us through collaborating and learning together so we achieve our goals. Together, we are building a bright future for Tift County Schools.
-Natalie Gore, Superintendent of Tift County Schools
