Board of Early Care and Learning
PUBLIC NOTICE
Board of Early Care and Learning Meeting
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) will hold its quarterly board meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. The board meeting will be held at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, East Tower 8th Floor, Oak Room, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.
During the board meeting a public hearing will be held regarding proposed changes to state licensing rules and other issues relating to early care and education.
The Public Hearing regarding proposed rule amendments and adoption relating to early care and learning will begin at 1 p.m. in the Oak Conference Room. Anyone wishing to address the board in person should sign in to speak before 1 p.m. If no guest speakers sign in before 1 p.m., the board will resume its regular meeting. Guest speakers wishing to address the board in person who arrive after 1 p.m. will still be allowed to make a public statement.
The proposed rule amendments and adoption have been posted to DECAL’s website at https://www.decal.ga.gov/CCS/RulesAndRegulations.aspx. Hard copies of the proposed rule amendments and adoption are available to the public at the DECAL office located at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, Suite 754, East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334.
Interested parties can submit comments in the following ways: 1. Can email their comments to CCSRuleRevisions@decal.ga.gov before 5 p.m., August 26, 2026; 2. Can fax their comments to 678-891-5643 before 5 p.m., August 26, 2026; 3. Can mail their comments to 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, Suite 754, East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334; 4. Can appear in person at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE, East Tower, 8th floor, Oak Room, Atlanta, GA 30334 and sign-in before 1 p.m. to address the board. Comments made in writing will be given the same consideration as those that are made verbally.
Anyone wishing to attend the board meeting should register for the meeting at https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/675935cc-4c32-48ed-8cda-c3ad3c654e50@b8e0a1a4-a274-4c23-97e9-608b64c12f4e. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing instructions for joining the meeting.
If no comments are submitted in writing and no guest speakers have signed in to address the board in person by 1 p.m., the board will resume its regular meeting. If no comments or guest speakers arrive by the end of the board’s regular business meeting the board will adjourn. Comments sent to DECAL before the board meeting during the 30-day comment period will be distributed to board members for their review. To be considered, DECAL must receive written comments on or before 5 p.m., August 26, 2026.
If you have questions about the upcoming board meeting, contact Quandra Obi, Board Liaison, at 404-651-7432.
Following are dates for the 2026 quarterly meetings of the Board of Early Care and Learning:
- 1st Quarter: February 19, 2026
- 2nd Quarter: May 21, 2026
- 3rd Quarter: August 27, 2026
- 4th Quarter: November 19, 2026
Agenda, presentations and minutes for board meetings for the current year will be posted below by quarter. Approved minutes from previous board meetings as well as meeting agendas and presentations for board meetings starting in 2014 can be viewed under the Archive tab. Click
here
for meeting agendas and presentations from board meetings held before 2014.
District Map
Board Members:
- (001) First Congressional District - Phil Davis Savannah, GA
- (003) Third Congressional District - Joyce Freeman, Bowdon, GA
- (004) Fourth Congressional District - Kristy Beam, Ed.D.,Atlanta, GA (Chair)
- (005) Fifth Congressional District - Karla Zisook, PhD, Decatur, GA
- (006) Sixth Congressional District - Jen Bennecke, Atlanta, GA
- (007) Seventh Congressional District - Kristin Morrissey, Cumming, GA (Vice Chair)
- (008) Eighth Congressional District - Karen Jones, Ed.D., Warner Robins, GA
- (009) Ninth Congressional District - Cristina Washell, Ed.D., Cleveland, GA (Secretary)
- (010) Tenth Congressional District - Joanna Hill, Watkinsville, GA
- (011) Eleventh Congressional District - Maria Franklin, Adairsville, GA
- (012) Twelfth Congressional District - Vacant
- (013) Thirteenth Congressional District - Vacant
- (014) Fourteenth Congressional District - Sylvia Washington, MD, Rome, GA
To contact a board member, call 404-651-7432, or click on the board member's name to email.