DALTON, Ga. — The Dalton Public Schools Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting, led by Board Chairman Matt Evans, commenced with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The evening began with a heartfelt presentation from Kendra Pannell, Executive Director of Communications, who introduced and recognized the sponsors of the 2024 Employee Convocation. Ms. Pannell extended her gratitude to the organizations whose generosity helps celebrate and inspire the dedicated educators and professionals across the district. Sponsors included Dalton Utilities, Ford of Dalton, First Student, KRH Architects, Inc., Reeves and Young, Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty, Shaw Industries, J.W. Buckley & Associates, H.E. Hodge Company, CWC, and AdaptToSolve, Inc.
The Board then welcomed a group of teachers and students from Dalton Junior High School who recently returned from an educational exchange trip to Germany. Students shared reflections on their international experience, including highlights of their travels, favorite destinations, and the cultural lessons gained through the program.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to recognitions, as the board honored a wide range of student and staff achievements. The board recognized the 2025 Georgia Scholar Honorees and the Dalton Public Schools Social Studies Bee winner and first runner-up. In the arts, Dalton High School’s theater troupe, the Dalton Players, were celebrated for the outstanding awards they earned at the 2025 Shuler Hensley Awards. The ensemble earned top honors including Best Ensemble, Best Scenic Design by Matthew and Alana Sane, and Best Direction by Alana Sane. Seniors Hayden Poe and Kinsley Stephens received accolades as Leading Actor and Leading Actress and will represent Georgia at the National Jimmy Awards in New York City.
Athletics and academic excellence were equally celebrated. Middle school students from across the district were commended for their accomplishments in soccer, tennis, and basketball, with the Varsity Girls Soccer Team earning Region Champion status and the JV Boys Soccer Team completing an undefeated season and winning the Cleveland Tournament. Hammond Creek Middle School’s Valerie Hardin and Callan Brown were named Region Champions in tennis, and the JV Boys Basketball Team earned a runner-up title in the region playoffs. William “Cannon” Baker of The Dalton Academy was recognized for scoring 463 points during his senior basketball season, while Dalton High’s Lilly Grafe was honored for becoming the 300-meter hurdle region champion.
Academic milestones were highlighted with the board recognizing Dalton High School’s 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates, along with Angelina Mercedes Angelats Castillo, who received an Excellence Award from the Georgia Department of Education for Outstanding Academic Achievement as an English Learner. The board also celebrated the first group of Dalton Public Schools teachers to complete the LETRS training program, a literacy-focused professional learning series. City Park School was honored for earning the Bronze Award in the Greatest Gains category from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, and service pin recipients and 2025 retirees were acknowledged for their years of service to the district.
The meeting transitioned to the first public hearing of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposed budget, scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizes transparency and invites community feedback. It outlines a comprehensive financial plan covering instructional programs, student services, staff compensation, and maintenance. Community members were encouraged to participate in the budget process and review the documents online. Two public comments were made regarding the millage rate under consideration.
During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Steven Craft reminded attendees that all schools will observe early dismissal on the last day of school, Friday, May 23, with graduation ceremonies for The Dalton Academy and Dalton High School taking place later that evening. All school locations will be closed in observance of a staff holiday on Monday, May 26. The next board work session and meeting will be held on Monday, June 9, at the City Park Auditorium.
Dr. Craft also reported a total district enrollment of 7,603 students as of April 2025, which reflects a decrease of 125 students compared to the previous year. Following this update, Ali Finley, Director of Literacy, presented a detailed report on the district's literacy initiatives, including the implementation of House Bill 307, which merges HB 538 and SB 48 to form the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act. Ms. Finley emphasized the importance of evidence-based practices and promoting early identification through multiple data points. She also highlighted the district’s use of Amira, an AI-powered reading coach tool, and the professional learning schedule for Savvas, the district’s new K–8 literacy curriculum.
Additionally, Ms. Finley shared plans for a May 15 parent meeting at the Mack Gaston Community Center, which will provide resources to families of rising Pre-K through first-grade students to support literacy over the summer. She also unveiled the district’s upcoming book vending machines and announced summer book giveaways at various locations to promote reading.
Several action items were then presented and unanimously approved. The April 2025 Financial Report revealed strong revenue performance, especially in property taxes and ESPLOST collections, with adjusted projections due to tax digest fluctuations and changes in state and federal funding. The board also approved the Fiscal Year 2026 salary and wage schedules, which include a 0.75% increase to the teacher supplement and a new base pay of $14.25/hour for support staff. These changes reflect the district’s commitment to recruiting and retaining high-quality professionals in a competitive labor market.
The board approved the tentative Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes a general fund budget of $116.9 million, along with appropriations for special funds, school nutrition, capital projects, and debt service. The budget reflects strategic staff realignment, compensation improvements, and preparations for anticipated reductions in federal funding. It also accounts for growing health insurance costs, modest increases in local property tax revenue, and investments in instructional technology and capital improvements.
The board authorized the purchase of a new Ford F250 truck from Ford of Dalton for the Maintenance Department, which will allow the repurposing of an existing van for use in the Dalton Reads literacy initiative. In facilities planning, KRH Architects, Inc. was selected as the architectural firm for the Fort Hill Building renovation, and Felker was named as the Construction Manager At-Risk for the project, which is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
The board also passed a resolution to initiate the development of a new local facilities plan, to be completed by spring 2026, in preparation for the expiration of the current plan in June of that year. Additionally, new school nutrition meal prices for the 2025–2026 school year were approved, marking the first price increase since before 2020. Adjustments were made in accordance with federal regulations and rising food and supply costs.
Dalton Public Schools remains committed to academic excellence, operational transparency, and supporting the success of all students and staff. For further information, or to review the full budget presentation and supporting materials, please visit www.daltonpublicschools.com.
To view the board meeting in full, you may watch the archived video here: May 2025 Board Meeting
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