Dear Bryan County Families,
Every day, approximately 11,000 students walk through the doors of Bryan County Schools. Behind each of those students are parents, grandparents, and caregivers — more than 20,000 strong — who trust us with their children’s future. That trust is something we take seriously.
Bryan County continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in Georgia. With that growth comes tremendous opportunity — and real responsibility. Some of our schools are already experiencing overcrowding, and several of our facilities are aging. Planning ahead is not optional; it is essential to maintaining the quality of education our community expects and our children deserve.
On May 19th, voters will consider the renewal of ESPLOST — the continuation of the existing one-penny sales tax — along with authorization to issue up to $200 million in bonds to build new schools and improve facilities as growth demands.
This is not a new tax. It is a continuation of the current penny already in place. Because ESPLOST is a consumption tax, it also helps lessen the burden on Bryan County residents by allowing visitors and others who make purchases in our community to contribute to funding school facilities.
ESPLOST dollars are legally restricted and can only be used for capital projects such as building new schools, renovating facilities, purchasing school buses, upgrading technology, safety, and paying debt service on voter-approved bonds. These funds cannot be used for salaries, utilities, or day-to-day maintenance and operations (M&O). By using ESPLOST revenue to pay debt service, we reduce the need to rely on property taxes for these large capital expenses — helping protect taxpayers from increases that might otherwise be necessary.
The bond authorization does not increase what taxpayers currently pay in debt service. Instead, it provides flexibility to build schools when they are needed — much like financing a home — except this “home” will serve thousands of students for generations to come. The bonds are paid back over time, and the repayment structure is intentionally designed so that larger payments occur later in the schedule. This allows ESPLOST collections and property digest growth — driven by our expanding community — to support repayment responsibly without increasing the current debt service burden.
This decision is about more than buildings. It is about ensuring that students have safe, modern, and appropriately sized learning environments. It is about protecting the strength of our school system and the value of our community for years to come.
We encourage you to review the ballot question and additional information linked below and make your voice heard on May 19th.
Ballot Question: https://aptg.co/SFmNbX
ESPLOST Facts: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/page/esplost-facts
Every day, approximately 11,000 students walk through the doors of Bryan County Schools. Behind each of those students are parents, grandparents, and caregivers — more than 20,000 strong — who trust us with their children’s future. That trust is something we take seriously.
Bryan County continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in Georgia. With that growth comes tremendous opportunity — and real responsibility. Some of our schools are already experiencing overcrowding, and several of our facilities are aging. Planning ahead is not optional; it is essential to maintaining the quality of education our community expects and our children deserve.
On May 19th, voters will consider the renewal of ESPLOST — the continuation of the existing one-penny sales tax — along with authorization to issue up to $200 million in bonds to build new schools and improve facilities as growth demands.
This is not a new tax. It is a continuation of the current penny already in place. Because ESPLOST is a consumption tax, it also helps lessen the burden on Bryan County residents by allowing visitors and others who make purchases in our community to contribute to funding school facilities.
ESPLOST dollars are legally restricted and can only be used for capital projects such as building new schools, renovating facilities, purchasing school buses, upgrading technology, safety, and paying debt service on voter-approved bonds. These funds cannot be used for salaries, utilities, or day-to-day maintenance and operations (M&O). By using ESPLOST revenue to pay debt service, we reduce the need to rely on property taxes for these large capital expenses — helping protect taxpayers from increases that might otherwise be necessary.
The bond authorization does not increase what taxpayers currently pay in debt service. Instead, it provides flexibility to build schools when they are needed — much like financing a home — except this “home” will serve thousands of students for generations to come. The bonds are paid back over time, and the repayment structure is intentionally designed so that larger payments occur later in the schedule. This allows ESPLOST collections and property digest growth — driven by our expanding community — to support repayment responsibly without increasing the current debt service burden.
This decision is about more than buildings. It is about ensuring that students have safe, modern, and appropriately sized learning environments. It is about protecting the strength of our school system and the value of our community for years to come.
We encourage you to review the ballot question and additional information linked below and make your voice heard on May 19th.
Ballot Question: https://aptg.co/SFmNbX
ESPLOST Facts: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/page/esplost-facts
Congratulations to Richmond Hill Middle School’s Carly Taylor and Bryan County Middle High School’s Blake NeSmith on being named recipients of the Georgia Southern College of Education 's Educational Excellence Award!
The Educational Excellence Award is presented through a partnership between the Georgia Southern University College of Education and WSAV. This award honors educators across all roles from administrators and classroom teachers to support staff who make a meaningful impact on the lives of their students. Recipients go beyond the curriculum to inspire, support, and empower students as they prepare for life after graduation. These outstanding leaders are dedicated not only to their students’ growth, but also to continually growing themselves to better serve others.
We are proud to celebrate Ms. Taylor and Mr. NeSmith for representing Bryan County Schools with excellence and for the meaningful difference they make in the lives of their students every day.
The Educational Excellence Award is presented through a partnership between the Georgia Southern University College of Education and WSAV. This award honors educators across all roles from administrators and classroom teachers to support staff who make a meaningful impact on the lives of their students. Recipients go beyond the curriculum to inspire, support, and empower students as they prepare for life after graduation. These outstanding leaders are dedicated not only to their students’ growth, but also to continually growing themselves to better serve others.
We are proud to celebrate Ms. Taylor and Mr. NeSmith for representing Bryan County Schools with excellence and for the meaningful difference they make in the lives of their students every day.
Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) provides students with opportunities to explore career pathways and gain real-world skills. Throughout the month, students have participated in a variety of CTAE-related events and activities.
CTAE Month also includes Skills Week, FCCLA Week, and FHA Week, celebrating student leadership, hands-on learning, and career readiness. Let’s celebrate February as CTAE Month!
CTAE Month also includes Skills Week, FCCLA Week, and FHA Week, celebrating student leadership, hands-on learning, and career readiness. Let’s celebrate February as CTAE Month!
After 14 years of dedicated service to Bryan County Schools, Dr. Brooksher has announced that he will retire at the end of this school year.
The Board of Education has started the process of finding the next superintendent. We are asking Bryan County residents to provide feedback on what matters most to you. We invite you to participate in the Superintendent Search Survey by clicking on the following link: https://sprw.io/stt-sh616 or by scanning the QR code in the image below.
The results of this survey will be collected by the outside search team at GSBA (Georgia School Boards Association) and shared with the Board prior to the interview phase of the search. Your input will help identify the priorities and qualifications that matter most to our community.
The Board of Education has started the process of finding the next superintendent. We are asking Bryan County residents to provide feedback on what matters most to you. We invite you to participate in the Superintendent Search Survey by clicking on the following link: https://sprw.io/stt-sh616 or by scanning the QR code in the image below.
The results of this survey will be collected by the outside search team at GSBA (Georgia School Boards Association) and shared with the Board prior to the interview phase of the search. Your input will help identify the priorities and qualifications that matter most to our community.
Bryan County Schools welcomed more than 100 teacher candidates to our 2026 Teacher Recruitment Expo! Attendees had the opportunity to interview on-site and connect with representatives from schools across the district. We’re looking forward to an exciting 2026–2027 school year!
Happy President’s Day from Bryan County Schools
Bryan County Schools wishes our students and staff a happy and safe Winter Break. Students return to school Wednesday, February 18th.
Bryan County Schools Celebrates Black History Month
-
Pre-K Lottery Registration begins Sunday, February 1, 2026 and will end on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:59pm.
All registration applications will be submitted online via the registration link found on the BCS website: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/page/pre-kindergarten .
All registration applications will be submitted online via the registration link found on the BCS website: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/page/pre-kindergarten .
Congratulations to Jami Newland, Occupational Therapist, on being named the GLRS Special Educator of the Year for Bryan County Schools! Jami serves Richmond Hill Primary, Richmond Hill Elementary, and Carver Elementary, and we are proud to recognize her as our Bryan County Schools Special Educator of the Year. She will be honored at the GLRS/FDRESA award ceremony on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Effingham’s College and Career Academy.
What a wonderful evening celebrating our 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year! Congratulations, to all of our honorees! Special thanks to VyStar Credit Union for sponsoring this event.
Community Education is offering many class options for students, adults, and community this spring! View all class selections and register today at https://bryan.ce.eleyo.com/
Last week, 300 eighth-grade students from Bryan County Schools took part in Industry Day, a hands-on career exploration experience hosted by the Development Authority of Bryan County. Students toured local industries across the county, seeing firsthand how classroom learning connects to real-world careers in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and skilled trades. The experience helped students explore future career pathways in CTAE and better understand opportunities available right here in Bryan County. Thank you to our industry partners—Agco, C&H Precision, Daniel Defense, Del Webb, EOM, Great Oaks Bank, Hyundai MOBIS, Hyundai TRANSYS, Orafol, St. Joseph’s/Candler, and Webstaurant, who made this meaningful experience possible.
Congratulations to Opeyemi Adeniji from Richmond Hill Middle School for winning the Bryan County School District Spelling Bee yesterday. Opeyemi will advance to compete in the District 8 Spelling Bee on February 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Yamacraw Center for Performing Arts in Savannah. Best of luck!
A big congratulations as well to our 2nd place winner, Lea Hwang from G.W. Carver Elementary School, and our other outstanding participants for their hard work and dedication:
Canaan Nielsen – Bryan County Elementary School
Ryleigh Loggins – Bryan County Middle School
Tae Han – Frances Meeks Elementary School
Milad Mehrzed – McAllister Elementary School
Way to go, spellers! We are so proud of you all.
A big congratulations as well to our 2nd place winner, Lea Hwang from G.W. Carver Elementary School, and our other outstanding participants for their hard work and dedication:
Canaan Nielsen – Bryan County Elementary School
Ryleigh Loggins – Bryan County Middle School
Tae Han – Frances Meeks Elementary School
Milad Mehrzed – McAllister Elementary School
Way to go, spellers! We are so proud of you all.
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - January 19, 2026
The Bryan County School System received their College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score based on last school years data this week. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) calculates a single CCRPI score ranging from 1 to 100 for every school system in the State of Georgia. This score is intended to provide a snapshot of how each school system is performing.
Last school year, our students, staff, and community faced significant challenges, including Tropical Storm Debbie, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, and Winter Storm Enzo, all of which resulted in a substantial loss of instructional time. Despite these obstacles, they remained focused and committed to our students’ success. Rather than allowing these events to become excuses, each of them pushed forward with professionalism, purpose, and determination.
Because of their dedication, Bryan County Schools continues to rank number one in First District RESA and within the top three percent of all school systems in the State of Georgia. To put that into perspective, Bryan County Schools ranked seventh out of 180 school systems statewide, even after a significant loss of instructional time due to inclement weather that other school systems did not experience.
Congratulations to all for this monumental accomplishment!
Last school year, our students, staff, and community faced significant challenges, including Tropical Storm Debbie, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, and Winter Storm Enzo, all of which resulted in a substantial loss of instructional time. Despite these obstacles, they remained focused and committed to our students’ success. Rather than allowing these events to become excuses, each of them pushed forward with professionalism, purpose, and determination.
Because of their dedication, Bryan County Schools continues to rank number one in First District RESA and within the top three percent of all school systems in the State of Georgia. To put that into perspective, Bryan County Schools ranked seventh out of 180 school systems statewide, even after a significant loss of instructional time due to inclement weather that other school systems did not experience.
Congratulations to all for this monumental accomplishment!
Interested in joining our team? Register to attend the Bryan County Schools Annual Recruitment Expo on Tuesday, February 17th from 3-7 PM.
This event gives passionate educators the opportunity to join this incredible team. Secure your spot today and apply using this link: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/page/jobs
Come join the best!
This event gives passionate educators the opportunity to join this incredible team. Secure your spot today and apply using this link: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/page/jobs
Come join the best!
Bryan County Schools wishes its students and staff a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Congratulations to Kari Wilcher, G.W. Carver Elementary School’s Outdoor Education teacher, for being named the 2025-2026 GA DNR Conservation Teacher of the Year and earning a $1000 grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Wildlife Resource Division. This grant will help enhance student resources within the outdoor education program!
We are so proud of her dedication and impact. Way to go, Ms. Wilcher!
We are so proud of her dedication and impact. Way to go, Ms. Wilcher!
