HCS Welcomes New School Year with Investments to Sustain Momentum

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools will welcome new and returning students Aug. 3 for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Around 6,000 district and school-based employees are prepared and ready to provide opportunities and access that lead to exceptional outcomes for an anticipated enrollment of 41,477 students across 53 schools.

All HCS students return Monday, observing the usual school day hours of 7:35 a.m.-2:15 p.m. for elementary schools, 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. for high schools, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for middle schools.

Enhancing the student experience

HCS is continuing to enhance the experience of students, as well as staff and families, through capital projects supported by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST). Henry County voters in May resoundingly approved a five-year renewal of the E-SPLOST that will continue to fund such projects through 2032.

HCS will open additions to Dutchtown Middle School this semester and Ola High School in spring 2027.

“A growing community needs schools that grow with it. That’s why we are so proud to be opening a brand-new addition at Dutchtown Middle School,” Chief Operating Officer Barry Miles said of the 21,000-square-foot project featuring 10 classrooms, two science labs, an orchestra suite, workrooms, offices, and restrooms. “The completion of this project is a perfect example of what can happen when a board of education, a school district, and a community are equally committed to student success. None of our additions or school improvements could have been realized were it not for the vision of our board, the hard work of our staff and partners, and the generosity of our community through the E-SPLOST program.”

Additionally, five schools will reopen with new furniture this year: Hickory Flat Elementary School, Pate’s Creek Elementary School, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Austin Road Middle School, and Union Grove High School.

Using growth and replacement procedures established as part of the 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan, the district also replaced selected athletic and band equipment based on need.

E-SPLOST revenue funded 16 new buses for this school year. The renewed E-SPLOST will purchase more clean-energy school buses in the next five years, at which point an estimated 60% of the fleet will run on alternative fuels.

Wolf Creek Elementary School in Locust Grove and the state-of-the-art Henry County STEM High School are on track to open in August 2027. Furthermore, an addition to Locust Grove High School is under construction, and an addition to Union Grove Middle School is being designed.

“We are excited to begin another season of building bright futures in HCS,” said Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4).  “The Board of Education strategically invests in resources, facilities, and other capital needs to ensure students are ready for college, career, and life. We look forward to making this a successful school year as we partner with our schools and community to inspire students to reach their full potential.”

Limiting distractions

In compliance with a new state law, Georgia’s Distraction-Free Education Act, students must turn off all electronic communication devices, such as cell phones and smartwatches, and keep them out of sight from the morning bell to the dismissal bell. This is largely consistent with Henry County Board Policy JCDAF, which went into effect for grades K-12 for the 2025-2026 school year.

A new rule in the HCS code of conduct prohibits students from filming or posting images or videos on school grounds without an administrator’s consent.

Recruiting, promoting highly effective educators

This year, the district will welcome three new principals: Michael Williams at Austin Road Middle School, Dr. Darius Freeman at Locust Grove Middle School, and Toi McLaughlin at Oakland Elementary School.

Three more principals will begin their first full school year at the helm of their schools: Richard Flowers of Stockbridge Middle School, Michael Browning of Tussahaw Elementary School, and Dr. Jamilla S. Martin of Wesley Lakes Elementary School.

Additionally, HCS hired approximately 350 new teachers this year. The Board of Education remains committed to implementing targeted hiring strategies, including competitive compensation packages, to recruit highly qualified personnel. The starting teacher salary of $53,910 represents an increase of about 40% from 2018.

Responsible financial stewardship

The Board of Education in June adopted an FY27 budget that contains a record investment of nearly $15,000 per student. Continuing recent budgeting practices, 97% of general fund expenditures are dedicated to teaching, school maintenance, safety, and student transportation.

The budget ensures stability amid external pressures such as a national decline in school enrollment, unfunded state-mandated increases related to employee benefits, and new legislation limiting local control of funding.

This year’s expenses include startup costs for Henry County STEM High School and Wolf Creek Elementary. The budget continues existing salary schedules, advances employee steps as eligible, and maintains school-level budgets.

Planning with the community

This year marks the beginning of a new 2026-2031 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan for Henry County Schools, building on the momentum of a transformational five-year plan that is concluding. Goal areas of the new plan emphasize student achievement and readiness; organizational and operational effectiveness; culture, climate, and community engagement; high-quality employees; and safety.

To protect students and staff, the district in recent years implemented single-point entry, visitor check-in, and alert systems at all schools, as well as additional cameras in schools and buses. The Campus Safety Monitor position was created to review each school’s physical security. In partnership with the Henry County Police Department, the School Resource Officer (SRO) unit has expanded.

The concluding strategic plan also saw substantial board investments in STEM ($3.85 million), fine arts ($2.6 million), and expanded opportunities for advanced coursework that led to gains this past year, including a 6.3-point increase in the overall district College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score, 26 schools identified as “Beating the Odds” by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, and four schools exiting federal Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) status.

“I am pleased to see so many families and students preparing for the first day of school and the future beyond it,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “HCS students have incredible opportunities, whatever their interests, and options to pursue advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and various career pathways. Every day, HCS is preparing students to be enrolled, enlisted, or employed, and we celebrate those already in college, the military, or the workforce whose contributions prove that bright futures begin in Henry County Schools.”