HCS Superintendent John Pace shared a 90 days on the job update at the March 2025 board meeting. He began his new position as the district’s leader in September 2024
Superintendent Pace 90 Days Update
Superintendent Pace shared his update at the March 10, 2025 board meeting. He opened by thanking the community for the warm welcome he and his family has received. In his first few months on the job, Pace has met with over 100 various stakeholders and community members to learn more about Henry County Schools.
“The past few months have been a period of deep listening and learning. I want to share some reflections with you today.” Pace continued, “every child and every adult who walks through our [school] halls has a story.”
Findings
Findings from the Superintendent’s 90 days entry plan include the following:
Unified Governance Team
The Henry County Board of Education embraces a Unifed Governance model designed to promote cohesiveness and efficacy in realizing the district’s Vision and Mission. The board’s success in adopting this approach factored signifcantly in its selection as 2023 Governance Team of the Year in the Large System category by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA).
Organizational Alignment and Operations of Executive Cabinet and Cabinet
Building on the strong foundation of systems and structures, prioritizing student achievement, and understanding the interconnectedness between all entities and actions across the district will enable us to take next steps toward meeting our goals and realizing our Vision.
The question we must ask ourselves every day is, “How is my work today improving learning and achievement for all students?” Such a focus requires the district to hone in on the Compass set forth by the board within the Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and ensure every department is moving in the same direction grounded in our Core Beliefs, Strategic Actions, Core Policies, and Priority Outcomes.
Student Learning and Achievement
How effectively and efficiently can we implement the continuous improvement model to positively impact student learning, educator development, and ultimately student achievement? With a goal to accelerate learning for students, we must accelerate learning for all, especially those who directly impact students. This requires leveraging the most accurate and relevant student and school data, along with research-based practices, to inform our next steps for professional learning, recruitment, and retention of highly qualified staff, as well as providing tools and resources necessary to accelerate learning and ultimately student achievement.
Data, both quantitative and qualitative, is a key tool to tell us the story of our students and what they need to access the opportunity of education. This story connects us to why they are performing how we expect, why they are not performing as we expect, and what we may need to do differently. This is valuable for identifying and highlighting student and district trends, enabling HCS to enhance learning opportunities and access for every child.
Our focus will be to use this information in a proactive manner as a tool that helps us to provide teachers, leaders, and staff the information and resources they need for every student to succeed. The greatest resource we can invest in our employees is professional development that is aligned to their needs and the needs of the students they instruct.
Support Structures for Health and Wellness
The board’s investment in Mental Health and Wellness Facilitators in every school, has enabled the district to better meet students’ emotional and mental health needs and has also been a hidden gem for our employees, who have come to ?nd great value in this role embedded in each of our schools.
Ensuring the safety and security of every HCS student also remains a top priority for the board. Employing a School Resource Officer (SRO) for every middle and high school was among several recent board initiatives, with the total complement of SROs increasing to 39 this school year, providing dedicated coverage for all secondary schools as well as rotating coverage districtwide.
Stakeholder Engagement
Superintendent Pace attended eight of the district’s fall Community Cluster Conversations in person, as well as one virtually. He also participated in various events and activities, such as the Henry County Legislative Breakfast and Henry County Chamber “Lunch with a Leader” program.
Operational Culture
The board’s commitment to advancing a high-performing operational culture to drive student achievement, employee productivity, and an overall culture of excellence is evident. Initiatives aimed at driving operational success include expanding and enhancing learning and working environments to ensure opportunities and access for every student.
The Findings section has been reprinted from the Henry County Schools website.
Opportunities for Growth
Superintendent Pace shared several opportunities for growth. A few of those topics included the following:
- Work to enhance cross-collaboration between departments to ensure the district is all working together cohesively towards the district’s goals.
- Explore how to improve communications and engagement to address stakeholder concerns and build community trust in the school system.
- Ensure teachers have varying professional development opportunities based on their needs and experience.
- Support new teachers through unique training and development opportunities.
Next Steps
Moving forward, the district’s next steps include accomplishing goals set forth in the current five-year strategic plan. In addition, the district will be beginning prep work for its next strategic plan. The Board of Education and Superintendent have two upcoming training sessions over the next few months to discuss such plan. Lastly, the next strategic plan coincides with the education SPLOST VII referendum in 2026.
In conclusion, Dr. Pace shared “I am excited about the future of Henry County Schools and committed to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.” Board Chair Sophe Pope added “Thank you for that update. Amazing things have already begun under your leadership. I am hopeful and excited about the future of Henry County under your leadership.”
Featured image shows HCS Superintendent Dr. John Pace III and the Henry County Schools office. Henry County Schools photos.
