by This year, property owners in Habersham County will see a complete rollback of their millage rates on their county taxes. Patrick Franklin, the school superintendent, presented it as an expression of respect for property owners and a dedication to student achievement.
At the Board of Education meeting on August 11, the announcement was met with widespread acclaim.
Franklin visited all 14 district schools on opening day and reported that the 2025–2026 school year had started smoothly. He read, “I rocked the first grade,” a gift from teacher Mrs. Willbanks, while wearing a paper crown from Fairview Elementary School for his report.
More than 7,000 pupils were welcomed and 8,841 meals were delivered by the district that day, he said, adding that enrollment figures will change over the course of the next ten days as attendance levels down.
As the district completes new projects for the year, Habersham Schools Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome informed board members that everything is going well.At the August 11 Habersham County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Patrick Franklin was seen adjusting a paper crown from Fairview Elementary that stated, “I rocked the first grade.” Franklin talked about the highlights of the first day of classes, which included seeing all 14 of the district’s campuses. (Image from a livestream)
School attendance awards
As the new school year began, Superintendent Franklin took a moment to reflect on the high student and staff attendance from the previous year. Each category’s top school was awarded a trophy.
With a 95.54% attendance rate in 2024–2025, Hazel Grove primary was awarded first place for primary school students. With a 95.98% attendance rate last year, Woodville was recognized as the best elementary school staff attendance winner.
With a student attendance rate of 95.6%, South Habersham was the most attended secondary school in the county. At 95.87%, the Success Academy had the highest staff attendance rate.The 2024–25 school and staff attendance awards are accepted by the principals of Habersham County schools. Tim Goss, a former teacher at Hazel Grove Elementary School, participated in the festivities at the Habersham County Board of Education meeting on August 11, 2025. From NowHabersham.com/Carly McCurry
The performance of the top three schools in each category is shown below:
Elementary School Student AttendanceGrove of Hazel 95.54%95.23% at Baldwin Elementary95% of Demorest Elementary
Employee Presence Basic95.98% of Woodville93.89% at Fairview Elementary93.87% at Clarkesville Elementary
95.6% of students attend secondary schools in South Habersham.Wilbanks 95.21%Academy 9th Grade 95%
Employee Presence Secondary Educational Institutions95.87% of Success Academy95.01% of Habersham Central94.42% of South Habersham
Educator recognitions
Peach State Federal Credit Union honored two school staff members for their exceptional service and commitment during the school board meeting.Dylan James, a visual arts instructor at Ninth Grade Academy, accepts Peach State Federal Credit Union’s Extra Mile Award. From NowHabersham.com/Carly McCurry
The Extra Mile Award went to Dylan James, a visual arts teacher at Ninth Grade Academy. James received recognition for developing and overseeing a program to prepare incoming Pre-K and kindergarten pupils for school. The workshop, which he planned and carried out completely on his own time, turned out to be one of the most successful and well-attended events of its sort in the district.At the Habersham County Board of Education meeting on August 11, 2025, Scott Roland of Peach State presents Bob Boyd, also referred to as Mr. B, with the Service Above Self Award. From NowHabersham.com/Carly McCurry
Bob Mr. B. Boyd, a special education paraprofessional who worked at Cornelia Elementary in the summer and Woodville Elementary during the school year, received the Service Above Self Award. Boyd received recognition for helping students throughout class and at dismissal and for creating a mobility assistance for kids with special needs.
Click here to watch the school board meeting.
