Haralson County Board of Education: Shaping Education in Northwestern Georgia

Haralson County, a predominately rural community nestled between Atlanta and Birmingham, is home to approximately 30,000 residents. The county encompasses four small towns: Tallapoosa, Waco, Bremen, and Buchanan, the county seat. The Haralson County School System plays a vital role in this community, serving the educational needs of its students.

Demographics and Student Population

The student population of Haralson County's schools mirrors the county's demographics, showcasing a predominantly white student body. Specifically, the schools are composed of 92.4 percent white, 3.2 percent black, 2.5 percent multi-racial, and 1.5 percent Hispanic students.

Haralson County School System

The Haralson County School System, serving the hills of Northwestern Georgia, has an enrollment of approximately 3,700 students. The school system has six schools: two primary schools (K-2); two elementary schools (3-5); a middle school (6-8); and a high school (9-12).

Programs and Initiatives

The Haralson County School System offers a range of programs designed to enhance student learning and prepare them for future success. These programs include:

Standards-Based Instruction (Pre-K to 12): Ensures that curriculum and instruction align with state standards.
Academic After-School Tutoring (K-12): Provides additional support for students who need help with their studies.
Technology Integration (Pre-K to 12): Incorporates technology into the classroom to enhance learning experiences.
Lottery Pre-kindergarten: Offers early learning opportunities for four-year-old students.
Schoolwide Title I (K-12): Provides additional resources to schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families.
Technology Courses (6-12): Equips students with essential technology skills for the 21st century.
Blended Learning Technology Grant (9-12): Integrates online and face-to-face instruction to personalize learning.
Literacy and School Library Grant (K-12): Promotes literacy development and provides access to quality library resources.
Career Tech and Agricultural Education (CTAE, 9-12): Offers career-focused courses and experiences to prepare students for the workforce.
Advanced Placement (9-12): Provides challenging college-level courses for high-achieving students.
Post-Secondary Articulation (9-12): Facilitates the transfer of credits from high school to college.
Jr. ROTC (9-12): Develops leadership skills and promotes civic responsibility.
High Schools That Work (9-12): Implements strategies to improve high school students' academic and career readiness.
MathAcademy: Provides specialized instruction in mathematics.

Early Intervention

The system proactively addresses the need for early intervention by offering preschool opportunities. This includes education pre-kindergarten serving 3 and 4-year-old students with disabilities and eight state-funded lottery Pre-K classrooms serving 4-year-old students in the system.

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Bremen City Schools

The Bremen City Schools has a student population of more than 2,000. As an independent school system, Bremen City Schools operates under the direction of a five member Board of Education. Each of the elected board members serves a four year term. Jones Elementary serves Pre-K through third grades; Bremen Academy serves fourth and fifth grades; Bremen Middle serves sixth-eighth grades; and Bremen High serves ninth-12th grades. Both Jones Elementary and Bremen High School have been named Georgia Schools of Excellence. Approximately 30 percent of the student population of Bremen City Schools pays tuition because they live outside the city limits of Bremen.

West Georgia Technical College

West Georgia Technical College serves the growing needs of Haralson, Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Heard, Meriwether and Troup Counties. West Georgia Tech students are part of a developing workforce, tuned-in to the latest career technologies. They are surrounded by people who love what they do and have a passion for the skills they teach. Known for career education, West Georgia Tech offers a wealth of opportunities to prepare its students for the future. The school provides more than 130 certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in the business, healthcare, technical, skilled trades, and personal care fields. Each program was created in response to industry needs and is kept up-to-date with the support of local advisory boards.

School Board Elections in Georgia

Georgia law governs how school board members are elected, offering two primary methods: partisan and nonpartisan elections.

Partisan vs. Nonpartisan Elections

State law allows for school boards to be elected either in partisan elections with party primaries nominating candidates or in nonpartisan elections without primaries. In partisan elections, the party affiliations of party nominees are displayed on the ballot. In nonpartisan elections, candidates are listed on the ballot without party labels. As of 2021, 109 school districts (61%) had nonpartisan elections.

Election Processes

Public school districts holding nonpartisan school board elections governed by default state law elect school board members through a system of a general election and a general runoff election if needed. Public school districts holding partisan school board elections governed by default state law elect school board members through a system of a primary election, a primary runoff election if needed, a general election, and a general runoff election if needed. According to its district charter enacted by the Georgia General Assembly, the Atlanta Public Schools district elects school board members through a system of a general election and a general runoff election if needed.

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In Georgia, for both primary and general elections, if no school board candidate receives a majority of votes, the top two candidates with the most votes advance to a runoff election. In a primary election, if a school board candidate receives a majority of votes, that candidate is elected as the party's nominee in the general election. If not candidate gets a majority of votes, a primary runoff election is held between the top two candidates with the most votes to determine the party's nominee. In a general election, if a school board candidate receives a majority of votes, that candidate is elected to office. If no candidate receives a majority of votes in the general, a general runoff election is held between the top two candidates with the most votes to determine which is elected to office.

Election Dates

Public school districts holding nonpartisan school board elections governed by default state law hold general elections on the Tuesday in the 24th week before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every two years in even-numbered years. This means the general election is in the fourth week of May. Public school districts holding nonpartisan school board elections according to default state law hold a general runoff election 28 days following the May general election if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the general election. This means a general runoff election is held in the fourth week of June if needed.

Public school districts holding partisan elections governed by default state law hold primary elections on the Tuesday in the 24th week before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every two years in even-numbered years. This means the primary election is held in the fourth week of May in even-numbered years. Public school districts holding partisan elections governed by default state law hold primary runoff elections 28 days following the May primary election if no candidate for a given political party receives a majority of votes in the primary election. This means a primary runoff election is held in the fourth week of June in even-numbered years if needed.

Public school districts holding partisan school board elections governed by default state law hold general elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every two years in even-numbered years. Public school districts holding partisan elections governed by default state law hold general runoff elections 28 days following the November general election if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the general election. This means a general runoff election is held in the first week of December in even-numbered years if needed.

According to its district charter enacted by the Georgia General Assembly, the Atlanta Public Schools district holds its nonpartisan school board general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every two years in odd-numbered years. The Atlanta Public Schools district holds a general runoff election 28 days following the November general election if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the general election. This means a general runoff election is held in the first week of December in odd-numbered years if needed.

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Term Lengths and Staggering

Georgia Statute provides that public school districts have four-year board member terms except that the General Assembly can provide for shorter or longer terms for specific districts. As of 2022, 172 districts (96%) had four-year school board terms. School boards in Georgia have staggered terms by default, with as close to half of board seats as possible generally elected to four-year terms every two years. Term length and staggering can be changed through special acts. County school districts with a homestead option sales and use tax and a county sales and use tax for educational purposes must have school boards with staggered four-year terms.

Representation: At Large vs. Sub-District

In Georgia, school board members are elected at large, by sub-district, or through a combination of the two depending on the district. County school districts with a homestead option sales and use tax and a county sales and use tax for educational purposes must elect all of their school board members from single-member districts. As of 2021, 110 districts (61%) elected all board members by single-member sub-districts, 52 districts (29%) elected board members through a combination of at large and by sub-district, and 18 districts (10%) elected board members at large.

Filing Deadlines

on the Friday following the Monday in the eleventh week before the May general election. This means the school board candidate filing deadline for these districts is in the first half of March of even-numbered years. School board candidates must file notices of candidacy in the office of the school district superintendent. Georgia Statute says that the filing deadlines are not adjusted or advanced because of legal holidays.

on the Friday following the Monday in the eleventh week before the May primary election. This means the school board candidate filing deadline for these districts is in the first half of March of even-numbered years. School board candidates must file notices of candidacy in the office of the school district superintendent. Georgia Statute says that the filing deadlines are not adjusted or advanced because of legal holidays.

on the Friday following the Monday in the eleventh week before the district's November odd-year elections, which means the filing deadline is in late August of odd-numbered years. School board candidates must file notices of candidacy in the office of the school district superintendent. Georgia Statute says that the filing deadlines are not adjusted or advanced because of legal holidays.

on the Monday in the eleventh week before the May general election. This means the school board candidate filing window begins for these districts in early March of even-numbered years four days before the filing deadline. Georgia Statute says that the filing period start dates are not adjusted or advanced because of legal holidays.

on the Monday in the eleventh week before the May primary election. This means the school board candidate filing window begins for these districts in early March of even-numbered years four days before the filing deadline. Georgia Statute says that the filing period start dates are not adjusted or advanced because of legal holidays.

on the Monday in the eleventh week before the November general election. This means the school board candidate filing window begins for these districts in mid-August of odd-numbered years four days before the filing deadline. Georgia Statute says that the filing period start dates are not adjusted or advanced because of legal holidays.

Haralson County School District Overview

The Haralson County School District, located in Tallapoosa, GA, is dedicated to fostering student achievement across all grade levels, from primary to high school. With a mission to produce high-achieving graduates who contribute positively to society, the district prioritizes respectful, responsible, and reliable values among its students. Offering a range of educational programs, including special education and student support services, the district operates several schools including Buchanan Elementary and Haralson County High. The Haralson County School District aims to be a leader in educational excellence, ensuring that every student is prepared for success in their future endeavors.

Haralson County Public Schools contains 7 schools and 3,442 students. The districtâs minority enrollment is 10%. Also, 61.9% of students are economically disadvantaged.

Schools in the District

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Students at Haralson County Public Schools

The student body at the schools served by Haralson County Public Schools is 89% white, 2.7% Black, 0.3% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, 4% Hispanic/Latino, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. In addition, 3.8% of students are two or more races, and 0% have not specified their race or ethnicity.

Also, 48% of students are female, and 52% of students are male. At schools in Haralson County Public Schools, 61.9% of students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced price meal.

Test Scores at Haralson County Public Schools

In Haralson County Public Schools, 38% of elementary students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 53% tested at or above that level for math. Also, 22% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 30% tested at or above that level for math. And 36% of high school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 42% tested at or above that level for math.

Finances at Haralson County Public Schools

Haralson County Public Schools spends $14,213 per student each year. It has an annual revenue of $58,112,000.

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