Newton County Schools

Newton County Schools celebrated its 2nd Annual HERO Awards on March 31, 2026, honoring the classified employees who make a difference in our schools every day. From a welcoming reception with culinary arts students from Newton College & Career Academy and music from the Newton High School Jazz Ensemble, to a meaningful awards program, the evening highlighted the heart of our district—our people. Each school and department recognized a HERO, with Ms. Andrea Cummings of Rocky Plains Elementary School named the 2026 HERO of the Year. Congratulations to all of our HERO honorees. Your impact is felt across Newton County Schools each and every day.

Today, we kick off Teacher Appreciation Week by turning the spotlight where it belongs—on the voices of our students. In this special message, Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III shares that while he sees our teachers doing remarkable things every day, he believes it’s even more meaningful to hear directly from the students whose lives are impacted by them. This video is a powerful reminder of just how much our teachers mean to the young people they serve. To our Newton County Schools teachers—thank you for the difference you make each and every day. We are proud to celebrate you this week and always. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Newton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley, III shares an important message regarding the district’s long-term resource stabilization strategy and the proactive steps being taken to ensure financial sustainability while continuing to protect classroom instruction and student support services. In this video, Dr. Bradley discusses several factors impacting school district finances, including enrollment decline, changes in state funding, rising benefit and insurance costs, and facility utilization. He also outlines the district’s new multi-year stabilization strategy known as LEAN: • Lean Operations • Effective Resource Alignment • Academic Priority Protection • Necessary Cost Controls Dr. Bradley emphasizes that while the challenges facing public education are real, Newton County Schools remains fully committed to the faithful implementation of the Newton Forward Strategic Plan and the district’s aspiration of becoming the fastest improving school system in Georgia.

For years, it was a vision. Now, because of the support of our community through E-SPLOST, it is a reality. Newton County Schools proudly celebrated the official ribbon cuttings for the new state-of-the-art athletic complexes at Alcovy High School, Eastside High School, and Newton High School. These incredible new facilities represent an investment in our students, our schools, and our future. From the excitement of the ribbon cuttings to the anticipation of Friday night lights, this video captures a historic moment for Newton County Schools and the communities we serve. The lights are on. The stage is set. And a new era of home field advantage has officially begun.