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 · 2022Newest meeting first
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 agenda to take up a new item under New Business.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Sets the 2022 school property-tax (millage) rate.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Amends the district's Strategic Waiver School System contract with the state.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves a contract with Maxim for staffing services.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Renews the district's contract with Kelly Services.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves a contract with Tutor.com.
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 Gallup for the district.
Board vote7 Yes · 1 No
Yes
Gives tentative approval to the 2022 school property-tax (millage) rate.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Hires Gallup for up to $224,350 for a one-year survey contract for the 2022-2023 school year, with an option to renew two more years.
Board vote7 Yes · 1 No
Yes
Approves upgrading the district's network switches.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves Cisco Webex Calling phone service for the district.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Awards architectural-services work for Thompson Stadium Phase 3.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Awards architectural-services work for the new Springdale Elementary School.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Awards the bid for milk and dairy products.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Renews the district’s property and liability insurance through the Georgia School Boards Association risk pool.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Revises the board policy on distributing free materials in schools.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Rescinds the board policy on public health authorities.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Revises the board policy on parent organizations.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Adopts Policy IKBB, a new process for resolving complaints about divisive concepts taught in schools.
Board vote7 Yes · 1 No
Yes
Adopts Policy IKBB, a new process for resolving complaints about divisive concepts taught in schools.
Board vote7 Yes · 1 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
Gives tentative approval to the superintendent's recommended budget for fiscal year 2023.
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 incoming superintendent's employment contract.
Board vote6 Yes · 2 No
Yes
Approves the board's selected candidate for superintendent.
Board vote6 Yes · 2 No
Yes
Approves Wonders practice books for students.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the i-Ready learning program.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the Voyage Passport program.
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
Awards the bid for a mobile food-truck learning lab.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Accepts the audit of the district's finances for the year ending June 30, 2021.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Renews the district's Microsoft software licenses.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Names Dr. Dan Simms as the sole finalist for superintendent.
Board vote6 Yes · 2 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 latest personnel moves for classified staff — non-teaching employees like aides, bus drivers, and custodians (hires, transfers, and departures).
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
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 consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
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
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 consent agenda — a bundle of routine items the board passes together in one vote.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes
Approves the committee and board meeting schedule.
Board vote8 Yes · 0 No
Yes