SR278: SR278 Looney, Dr. Mike; recognize

25 LC 112 3066 Senate Resolution 278 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Kemp of the 38th, Albers of t he 56th, Still of the 48th, Orrock of the 36th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Dr. Mike Looney, Georgia's 2025 Superintendent of the Year;1 and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Dr. Mike Looney has served as the superintendent of Fulton County Schools,3 Georgia's fourth-largest school district, since June 2019, where he oversees the education of4 more than 87,000 students across 104 schools; and5 WHEREAS, he has spearheaded initiatives that e nhance academic a chievement, career6 readiness, and leadership development for both students and educators with a strategic focus7 on dropout prevention, literacy, CTAE expansion, STEAM programs, middle school reform,8 and strong financial management; and9 WHEREAS, through his careful fiscal oversight, he has maintained the district's AAA credit10 rating, prioritizing investments in classrooms and student programs; and11 WHEREAS, within his first year as superintendent, Dr. Looney de monstrated decisive12 leadership in managing Georgia's first school-related COVID-19 case, drawing upon his 2813 years of educational experience as well as his background as a retired United States Marine,14 father, and community leader to maintain student learning while ensuring safety; and15 S. R. 278 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3066 WHEREAS, he then launched the district's "Bridge to Success" plan after the pandemic, a16 three-year transformational initiative aimed at addressing lear ning loss through targeted17 support, leading to students surpassing pre-pandemic levels in reading and math and18 achieving a record-high 90.7 percent graduation rate in 2023; and19 WHEREAS, his exceptional leadership and vision have earned him recognition as Georgia's20 2025 Superintendent of the Year, adding to his prior distinctio n as Tennessee's21 Superintendent of the Year in 2015; and22 WHEREAS, as further testament to his dedication to Fulton Count y Schools, Dr. Looney23 represents the district on the Governor's Advisory Board, the B oard of Directors for the24 Development Authority of Fulton County, and the Greater North F ulton Chamber of25 Commerce; and26 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkab le individual be27 appropriately honored.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 recognize and commend Dr. Mike Looney, Georgia's 2025 Superintendent of the Year, for30 his years of service on behalf of the students of Fulton County as well as extend best wishes31 for continued success.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Dr. Mike Looney.34 S. R. 278 - 2 -