More than 11,000 students across 15 schools and learning programs returned to Bulloch County Schools on Friday, August 1, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.
In addition, more than 2,400 full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary and substitute employees returned to work, making BCS one of the area's largest employers. More than 950 of these employees are certified educators.
With more than 3,300 applicants, the district has hired more than 150 new employees this year, and it welcomed them at a district-wide New Hire Orientation on July 23. Of those new hires, 82 are classroom teachers. Those who are new to the teaching profession participated in a two-day New Teacher Experience, and they have been paired with a mentor teacher to help support and encourage them
Read on to see what's happening in Bulloch County Schools this year.
Additional Supports for Student Safety and Wellness
Anonymous Reporting System for Students
Bulloch County Schools is introducing a new safety resource to help protect its students and school community, using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, a trusted and effective tool that empowers students and others to speak up when they have concerns about someone's safety.
This system allows students to anonymously report any warning signs or threats via a website, phone, text message, or mobile app. All reports go directly to a 24/7 crisis center staffed by trained professionals who carefully assess each tip and alert local school officials and/or emergency services when necessary.
According to the U.S. Secret Service, anonymous reporting systems like Say Something are among the most effective ways to prevent school violence. In addition, the system aligns with Georgia's recently passed legislation (HB 268), which will soon require all school districts to implement anonymous reporting options.
In the coming weeks, students will receive training on how to recognize warning signs and how to use the Say Something system responsibly and effectively.
Additional School Resource Officers
The school district has 11 full-time and 1 part-time school resource officers. The school district has committed an additional $500,000 to complete its goal of having a resource officer at each of its 15 schools.
School-Based Health Center
Bulloch County Schools will open its first school-based health center this August, offering comprehensive medical care and counseling care to students and staff at Langston Chapel Elementary and Langston Chapel Middle School, which share a campus. This project is being funded by a $1 million grant from the Georgia Department of Education.
These schools were selected because they have the school district’s highest number of students who are in foster care, Medicaid eligible, or experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. The goal is to help remove the multiple barriers that these families experience with receiving quality healthcare and to help lessen disruptions to their children’s education.
The new center is part of a statewide effort to expand healthcare access in Georgia through its public schools.
Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced in 2022 a $125 million investment to strengthen Georgia’s School-Based Health Center Program, particularly in underserved communities. Bulloch County’s health center will join Georgia’s growing network of 123 centers.
Traffic & Bus Safety
Traffic will be heavier the first two weeks of school, so families should be sure to leave plenty of extra time to arrive on time for school.
If a student misses their bus, they should have a parent or trusted adult take them to school. Do not try to chase after a school bus or drive to another stop. This is unsafe.
Drivers should be alert for school buses and school bus stops. Be sure to stop when you see a bus’s extended arm or flashing lights, and watch out for children getting on and off school buses.
Bus Transportation
This year will see 115 school bus routes with a total of 125 drivers, 33 bus monitors, and 7 mechanics making up the BCS driving force. More than 5,700 students ride the bus twice daily, with bus drivers traveling 6,300 miles a day and 1.5 million miles a year!
Drivers conduct daily pre-route and post-route bus inspections, and every 20 days, buses are serviced and inspected by the school district's qualified mechanics.
Attendance
The school system reminds families that school attendance affects a child’s learning, so make regular, on-time attendance a habit. Missing just two days a month is considered chronic absenteeism, and BCS encourages families to strive for five oor fewer absences this school year.
Learn more about attendance expectations at www.bullochschools.org/attendance.
School Meals
All children will receive free breakfast this year, and all children at 12 schools will also receive free lunch, as these schools qualify for the U.S.D.A's Community Eligibility Provision. (This is all schools except Brooklet Elementary, Southeast Bulloch Middle School, and Southeast Bulloch High School.)
Families who need assistance to pay for school lunches may complete a Free & Reduced Price Meal Application.
E-SPLOST VI
The Board of Education will place a referendum to extend a one-cent sales tax for a sixth education special purpose local option sales tax on the November 5, 2025 ballot. Bulloch County voters approved ESPLOST V on November 8, 2022, which will run through 2027. The school district is placing ESPLOST VI on the ballot, which if approved would begin its five-year cycle in January 2028.
Proposed projects will include the following:
- Construction and equipping of a new Southeast Bulloch High School, including retrofitting and equipping the current feeder schools for new grade configurations
- New SEBHS (2,000 students) is in motion with project slated to start mid-2026; estimated project cost, including all professional fees and equipping of facilities, is estimated at a minimum of $165 million
- Acquiring and equipping mobile classrooms and support facilities
- Acquisition and installation of technology infrastructure and equipment for instructional and support purposes
- Curriculum and instructional materials and software
- Acquisition and installation of school nutrition equipment
- Renovations, repairs, additions, and improvements of existing school and support facilities
- Acquisition and equipping of school buses and other vehicles needed to transport students and support the transportation and maintenance fleet
- Acquisition of furniture and equipment
- Construction and equipping of a new multi-purpose facility at Statesboro High School
- Construction and equipping of a new gymnasium facility at Portal Middle High School
- Construction and equipping of two new school facilities for Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade students
- The acquisition of real and personal property for future facilities
For more information, visit www.bullochschools.org.
