As part of a finance update, Chief Financial Officer Renee Guess presented an overview of portions of the Governor’s proposed FY27 budget that will impact local school districts and our budget for the coming school year.

One notable point discussed was the continued increase in the employer contribution for the State Health Benefit Plan. Since FY2011, the monthly employer cost per member has risen significantly — from $218 per member per month to $1,885 for FY26 — a change that continues to influence district budgeting and long-term financial planning. Examining that increase on an annual cost basis, in 2011 classified staff health care costs were $2,616, and in 2026 the annual cost is $22,620.  That is a 765% increase!

For FY27, health care costs will increase another $143 per month to $2,028 which represents an increase of $1,716 per employee for an annual cost of $24,336 to provide health care insurance for one employee.  We have been told we can anticipate another health care cost increase for FY28 too, but do not have the details on the amount of increase.

In addition to the increase for state health, there is a proposed increase in the employer contribution to the Teacher Retirement System from 21.91% to 22.32%. 

Tift County Schools has approved new science instructional resources for grades 6–12 beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The selection process, which began in October 2025, included a review committee, research of high-performing districts, vendor evaluations, teacher feedback, and consideration of hands-on kits, digital simulations, literacy integration, and differentiation tools to support diverse learners.

Approved resources include SAVVAS Middle School and High School Science, Biozone Environmental Science, and National Geographic AP Environmental Science. Materials are expected to arrive in April–May 2026, followed by professional learning sessions this summer to ensure teachers are fully prepared for implementation in August.

This investment supports our commitment to providing engaging, high-quality science instruction for all students and providing teachers with core resources needed to provide teachers with needed resources to inform instruction. Collaborate | Learn | Achieve — #4theT

The Tift County Board of Education encourages the constructive involvement of community members and school system employees on matters affecting Tift County Schools. 

Current matters for which the Board is seeking public review and comment are listed on the rightside of this screen.  Comments should be submitted via the Google Form link below.

Policies currently out for Public Comment and Review: 

There are currently no policies out for review. 

Other items available for Public Comment and Review: 

School Start and End Times for the 2026-2027 School Year

The Board of Education has approved the issuance of contracts for the 2026–2027 school year. Certified staff can expect to receive their contracts in February. Additional contract renewal recommendations will be presented in March and April for employees who began their positions mid-year during the current school year.

Several classrooms at Charles Spencer Elementary and Matt Wilson Elementary recently received an exciting upgrade — brand new desks and chairs have officially been delivered and placed in classrooms.

The furniture rollout will continue in the coming weeks with deliveries scheduled for: Northside Elementary School, G.O. Bailey Elementary School, Annie Belle Clark Elementary School, Northeast Middle School, Eighth Street Middle School and Tift County High School.

As new furniture continues to arrive across the district, students will benefit from updated spaces designed to promote learning, collaboration, and achievement.

Exciting improvements are underway at Annie Belle Clark Elementary as the interior repainting project has officially begun!

Over the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend in January, crews were hard at work refreshing the back hallways of the building with a fresh coat of paint. The updated walls immediately brighten the space, creating a clean, welcoming environment for students and staff as they return to learning each day.  Additional hallways were painted over the president's day long weekend, and common spaces and classrooms will be areas of focus over Spring Break.

This project is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, well-kept, and inspiring learning spaces for our students. A refreshed environment not only enhances the appearance of our school but also reflects the pride we have in our campuses and the students we serve.

We look forward to seeing the continued progress as the repainting project moves forward. 

As preparations begin for the upcoming canning season, an important facility improvement has recently been completed at the Tift County Canning Plant. A protective wall has been installed around the new boiler system that was added to the facility, helping ensure both safety and longevity of the equipment by protecting it from weather elements.

This upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to maintain the canning plant as a safe, efficient resource for the community. The boiler plays a critical role in the canning process, providing the heat and steam necessary for safe food preservation. The newly installed wall adds an extra layer of protection while supporting the continued reliable operation of the facility.

Stay tuned for updates as preparations continue for another successful canning season.

Construction continues to move forward on the new 7–8 middle school, with several key milestones already completed. Crews have been busy digging and pouring footers, assembling rebar, installing in-slab and underground electrical and plumbing, completing storm drain work, and laying block as the building begins to take shape. They have also recently started pouring the building pad. 

In the coming weeks, work will focus on continuing storm drain installation and foundation progress.

Work is underway on the new multipurpose pavilion project, with several early steps already completed. The turf has been removed from the field, footers are currently being dug and concrete poured, and temporary fencing has been installed to secure the construction area. Additionally, two light poles on the lower end of the field have been removed as part of site preparation.

We look forward to sharing more updates as progress continues on this exciting addition to our facilities.

In February, the Board approved the upgrade of athletic field lighting to LED lighting for TCHS baseball and softball fields, and Brodie field.  This work will begin in the upcoming weeks and will provide Tift County with improved player and fan experiences.  The lighting package will include multi-colored lightshow options.

Tift County Schools was proudly recognized on the state level during the 2026 Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) Winter Conference, as both an individual leader and the district as a whole received prestigious honors.

Tift County High School Principal Mrs. Jennifer Johnson was presented with the Dr. Jimmy Stokes Distinguished Service Award, a distinguished recognition given to educational leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment, service, and impact in their schools and communities. Mrs. Johnson’s leadership at TCHS continues to reflect a deep dedication to student success, staff development, and a positive school culture. Her work embodies the Blue Devil spirit and the district’s mission to Collaborate | Learn | Achieve.

In addition to this individual honor, Tift County Schools was awarded the 2025-2026 GAEL Vision Award for its investment in professional development for district and school leaders. This award recognizes school systems that prioritize leadership growth, continuous improvement, and strategic development to better serve students and staff. The Vision Award highlights the district’s ongoing commitment to equipping leaders with the tools, training, and support necessary to foster academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and meaningful stakeholder engagement across all schools.

These recognitions reflect the strength of leadership throughout Tift County Schools and the collective efforts of administrators, teachers, staff, and community partners who work together each day to support our students.

We are proud to celebrate these accomplishments and grateful for the leadership that continues to move Tift County Schools forward.

Pictured below with Mrs. Johnson are (L) Jonathan Jones, Chairman of the Tift County Board of Education and (R) Natalie Gore, Superintendent. 

Tift County High School proudly recognizes Thomas He as the 2026 STAR Student, an honor awarded to the senior with the highest SAT score in the graduating class. This prestigious recognition reflects Thomas’s dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to academic excellence.

As part of the STAR Student tradition, Thomas selected Mr. Brett McLemore as his STAR Teacher, recognizing the positive influence, guidance, and support Mr. McLemore has provided throughout his educational journey.

Tift County Schools are partnering with Southwell Physicians for Women (SPFW) on a literacy initiative designed to boost early learning and family engagement. A part of the Southwell healthcare system, SPFW is an obstetrics/gynecology practice based in Tifton and is the area’s largest maternity care provider.

Tift County Schools will supply special gift packages to SPFW for distribution to all expecting parents. The gift packages will include a literacy-themed “Read to Me” onesie, an age-appropriate children’s book for parents to read to newborns and infants, and a tip card with simple, parent-friendly ideas. Expecting parents will also receive a QR code linking to a welcome video at www.tiftschools.com/page/early-literacy from Superintendent Natalie Gore with Tift County Schools explaining the initiative and encouraging participation.

“Early literacy refers to the knowledge and skills children develop in speaking, listening, reading, and writing long before they actually learn to read and write,” said Mrs. Gore. “These early literacy skills form the foundation for all future learning and are crucial for success in school and beyond.”

Mrs. Gore said babies start learning language skills from the moment they are born. Hearing words helps their brains make important connections needed for reading. It also helps to build a strong bond between parents and their child, which is essential for the child’s growth.

“Literacy skills start before babies can talk and continue as they grow into toddlers and preschoolers,” Mrs. Gore said.

Dr. Shannon Price, obstetrician/gynecologist and SPFW Medical Director, said the providers and staff at SPFW are enthusiastic about working with Tift County Schools on the early literacy initiative.

“Many parents wonder if reading to a newborn is sensible,” said Dr. Price. “The answer is a resounding yes. A newborn is absorbing the sound of the parent’s voice, learning to associate reading time with comfort, and beginning their literacy journey from day one. As babies grow, reading together evolves. Newborns recognize the parent’s voice and find comfort in the rhythm of language.”

Dr. Price said the time parents invest in reading to their baby pays dividends for years to come.

“Children who are read to regularly in infancy and as toddlers enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger pre-reading skills, and increased motivation to read independently,” said Dr. Price. “They develop stronger comprehension abilities and perform better academically across all subjects. This early literacy initiative is a worthwhile endeavor, and we are proud to be a part of it. This is a great benefit to our maternity patients and their newborns, and we thank the school system for including us.”

Children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026 to be eligible. Space is limited, and slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage families to register as soon as possible. (Any remaining openings as of March 2, 2026 will be made available to out-of-county residents.)

To get started and make sure you have all required documents, review the Pre-K Registration Guidelines here:
https://www.tiftschools.com/page/prek-registration-guidelines

To finalize registration, you must schedule an appointment with Central Registration, and all documentation is required at the time of your appointment.

Questions?
📧 registration@tiftschools.com
📞 (229) 387-2424

Annually, school systems throughout the state participate in climate surveys with parents, students, and school staff each taking surveys. This information informs the school climate rating within the state's CCRPI (College and Career Ready Performance Index).

Parents with children enrolled in Tift County Schools are invited to complete a climate survey for each school where you have a child attending.

Annie Belle Clark Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=68416666

Charles Spencer Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=0569F8E1

G O Bailey Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=B9025B27

J T Reddick Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=AFDBF04C

Len Lastinger Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=4981D67A

Matt Wilson Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=103F6F05

Northside Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=6DFF50F6

Omega Elementary: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=AA651F02

Eighth Street Middle School: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=639CE9CC

Northeast Middle School: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=7FA415A0

Tift County High School: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=5334A9BD