District 6
James Freeman
Bibb County Board of Education
About
James Freeman holds the District 6 seat on the Bibb County Board of Education. He is serving a second four-year term, which runs through December 31, 2028, and was the board's president in 2024.
Freeman is an attorney whose Macon law office handles personal injury and family law, and he serves as chief judge of the City of Perry Municipal Court, hearing traffic, code enforcement and probation violation cases. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Mercer University in 1996 and a law degree from Mercer's Walter F. George School of Law in 1999.
Sources: simbli.eboardsolutions.com · 41nbc.com
Total votes
1038
Yes
1025
No
6
Abstain
7
Yes rate
99%
When James voted No (6)
Each entry says what the item was in plain words, then how the whole board voted on it. The board usually takes an item up twice on the same day — first in its committee meeting, then at the board meeting — so the same item can appear twice. The district’s own wording is kept underneath as the record.
Proposal to revise the district's criminal background check policy for staff, replacing the current staff-rights policy.
Board vote0 Yes · 8 No — all 8 members voting said No · Second reading
Official wordingPR-1 · Policy GAK - Criminal Background Checks (Replacing Policy GAM: Staff Rights and Responsibilities) (ACTION - Second Reading)
No
Postpones a vote on hiring Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein for district legal services.
Board vote7 Yes · 1 No — the only No
Official wordingFSS-13 District Legal Services (ACTION)
No
Proposal to approve personnel actions recommended by district administrators.
Board vote2 Yes · 6 No — one of 6 No votes — the majority
Official wordingPS-5.2 Administrators Recommendation (ACTION)
No
Proposal to approve personnel actions recommended by district administrators.
Board vote2 Yes · 6 No — one of 6 No votes — the majority
Official wordingPS-5.3 Administrators Recommendation (ACTION)
No
Approves up to $207,538 for a one-year Gallup staff-engagement contract.
Board vote6 Yes · 2 No — one of 2 No votes
Official wordingIS-2 Gallup Renewal (ACTION)
No
Approves up to $207,538 for a one-year Gallup staff-engagement contract.
Board vote6 Yes · 2 No — one of 2 No votes
Official wordingIS-1 Gallup Renewal (ACTION)
No
Amendments and other motions (6)
Some items went through more than one vote — an amendment or a substitute — before the final one. The totals above count only final votes; these earlier ones are read from the minutes, which print a roll call for each motion.
Adopts the superintendent’s recommended budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
The motionIt was recommended that the Bibb County Board of Education approves the Superintendent’s FY 2027 Recommended Budget as presented. During discussion, Dr. Henry Ficklin made a motion to amend the recommendation by requesting that the Board vote to approve that the District reduce the budget by $2 mil…
Board vote2 Yes · 6 No
No
Adopts the superintendent’s recommended budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
The motionDr. Ficklin made another motion to amend the initial recommendation by returning the step increase and not enlarging class size. Dr. Woodford seconded this motion to amend his second recommendation. The Board voted 6 - 2 against this amended recommendation.
Board vote2 Yes · 6 No
No
Adopts the superintendent's recommended FY 2026 budget (Option C).
The motionA motion was made to approve the Superintendent’s FY 2026 Recommended Budget (Option C) as presented. Motion made by: Mr. James Freeman Motion seconded by: Dr. Henry Ficklin Discussion followed. Subsequently, the motion was amended to increase the budget to allow for salaries and benefits for three…
Board vote4 Yes · 4 No
Yes
Tentatively adopts the FY 2026 budget (Option C).
The motionA motion was made for the Bibb County Board of Education to tentatively adopt the FY 2026 Budget, Option A. With a vote of 4 - 4, the motion failed. Motion made by: Mr. James Freeman Motion seconded by: Ms. Myrtice Johnson
Board vote4 Yes · 4 No
Yes
Tentatively adopts the FY 2026 budget (Option C).
The motionA motion was made for the Bibb County Board of Education to tentatively adopt the FY 2026 Budget, Option B, with the amendment to add five media clerks. With a vote of 4 - 4, this motion failed. Motion made by: Mr. James Freeman Motion seconded by: Dr. Lisa Garrett-Boyd
Board vote4 Yes · 4 No
Yes
Tentatively adopts the FY 2026 budget (Option C).
The motionA motion was made for the Bibb County Board of Education to tentatively adopt the FY 2026 Budget, Option B as presented. With a vote of 4 - 4, this motion failed. Motion made by: Mr. James Freeman Motion seconded by: Dr. Lisa Garrett-Boyd
Board vote4 Yes · 4 No
Yes
Full voting record · 2021Newest meeting first
Approves the official record (minutes) of an earlier meeting.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Authorizes use of Proximity Learning.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Authorizes a second-semester enrollment increase at VIP Academy.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Authorizes construction-manager services for renovating the Westside Tennis Center.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Authorizes an insurance option for student devices.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Updates the district’s policy on recruiting teachers and other certified staff.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No · Second reading
Yes
Updates the district’s policy on terminating certified employees.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No · Second reading
Yes
Approves the 2022 committee and board meeting schedule, with dates to be amended later.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves a contract with GSBA to run the superintendent search.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the official record (minutes) of an earlier meeting.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Continues the 21st Century Community Learning Center grants for fiscal year 2022.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves career, technical, and agriculture education funding for 2021-2022.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves buying gas and diesel fuel for the district.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the school nutrition and purchasing plan for fiscal year 2022.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves a cart and rack washer for the district.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves a commercial dishwasher for the district.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the Economic Opportunity Council's request to use district facilities.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the capital outlay projects application to the state for fiscal year 2023.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Updates the district’s safety policy.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No · Second reading
Yes
Updates the district’s security policy.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No · Second reading
Yes
Repeals the district’s old policy on vandalism protection.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No · Second reading
Yes
Updates the district’s policy on competitive sports and activities for grades 6–12.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No · Second reading
Yes
Amends the board meeting agenda.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Votes to meet privately on matters state law lets boards close — like personnel, lawsuits, property, or safety. No final decisions are made behind closed doors.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the latest personnel moves for certified staff — teachers and other licensed employees (hires, transfers, and departures).
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the 2016 and 2021 capital improvement programs.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Sets the 2021 school property-tax (millage) rate.
Board vote7 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Gives tentative approval to the 2021 school property-tax (millage) rate.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Amends the Kelly Education contract to manage paraprofessionals paid with federal relief funds.
Board vote7 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves a contract with TPG Cultural Exchange to recruit teacher candidates.
Board vote7 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Gives tentative approval to the superintendent's recommended budget for fiscal year 2022.
Board vote7 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Hires Jarmarcus Johnson as head football coach at Rutland High School.
Board vote7 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves creating the Bibb County School District Education Foundation.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the administration’s recommended hires, transfers, and departures.
Board vote4 Yes · 2 No · 2 abstained
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves teacher contract recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year.
Board vote5 Yes · 0 No · 3 abstained
Abstain
Approves the administration’s recommended hires, transfers, and departures.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Buys up to $255,500.00 in desk shields from Athens Paper Company with federal CARES Act funds.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Adopts a resolution asking the state to prioritize COVID-19 vaccines for teachers and school staff.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the administration’s recommended hires, transfers, and departures.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes