During Dr. Susan Stancil’s first board meeting as superintendent on June 9, she and the Morgan County Board of Education recognized several students and staff members for their accomplishments.
The BOE recognized Morgan County High School ag teacher Rachel Kinsaul, who was recently named the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year.
As Georgia Teacher of the Year, Kinsaul will take a year off from teaching to serve as an advocate for public education across the state, speaking to the public about the teaching profession and serving as an ex-officio member of the State Board of Education. She will also participate in the competitive selection process for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.
“I just want to say thank you for supporting me through this year,” Kinsaul told board members. “I appreciate your support, and I’m excited to represent Morgan County.”
The board also recognized the 2A state girls long jump champion, Kymora Smith, who won the gold medal with a jump of 18-1. Kymora, who graduated from Morgan County High School in May, is headed to Spelman College this fall.
High school student Addison Hilsman was also recognized for winning the Georgia Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurship X-perience (FLEX) competition. His business, Elite Diesel Performance & Accessories, specializes in diesel maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades.
Addison won all three rounds of the local FLEX competition, run by entrepreneurial hub The Wheelhouse. She received a $3,000 prize, before advancing to the state competition, where he beat nine other students and won $10,000.
Morgan County High School Assistant Principal Derek Hon was also recognized for completing the Northeast Georgia RESA Leader Academy. District leaders said Hon, who just completed his first school year at MCHS, has been an “excellent addition to the high school leadership team.”
During the meeting, the BOE also adopted the FY26 final budget, which has roughly $52.6 million in expenditures and approximately $51.6 million in revenue. The budget includes about $1.5 million in increased expenses for health insurance and retirement plans. The budget also accounts for $21.51 million in local tax revenue, based on an estimated tax digest increase of 9.9% and a rollback millage rate of 12.856.
The BOE also approved a contract for Charles Black Construction Company to complete construction management services for the new K-5 complex.
The school system received construction management proposals from Charles Black Construction Company, Sheridan Construction, Grahl Construction, Winter Construction, Parrish Construction Group, Carroll Daniel Construction, and Kevin Price Construction.
District leaders said Charles Black Construction was selected over the other firms due to its competitive fee structure and strong familiarity with projects of the K-5 complex’s type and scope.
Construction management proposals were evaluated based on firm stability, relevant project experience and qualifications, firm project suitability, experience and qualifications, and the submitted fee proposal.
The BOE also placed the revised Board Policy DIB: Financial Reports on the table for 30 days for public review, approved the FY26 Foothills Collaborative Operating Agreement, approved the FY26 contract for the Family Connection Partnership with Department of Human Services, approved a purchase of iReady and Ready Reading and Writing from Curriculum Associates for $158,838.86, approved Georgia School Boards Association’s Risk Management Services for insurance coverage, approved items for surplus, and approved the personnel list and financial report.