Applications are now open for the Clarke County School District’s 2026-27 Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy (VILLA). Created by the Georgia School Boards Association and tailored to individual public school districts across the state, VILLA seeks to educate communities about their district’s operations and goals and empowers them to become more engaged with their schools.
CCSD’s VILLA program is open to all Clarke County residents and will include seven monthly sessions beginning in September. Selected participants will learn about the different areas of school district operations and the role of school board members, visit schools and district offices, participate in question-and-answer sessions with school board members, the Superintendent, and senior staff, and attend a school board meeting.
Anyone interested in developing a better understanding of how the district functions and its role in the community is encouraged to apply by August 31, at bit.ly/CCSDVILLA. This includes parents, caregivers, community members, business owners and leaders, teachers and other school employees, local school governance team (LSGT) members, Board of Education members, and other elected officials.
About the Sessions and Program Schedule
Evening sessions will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month (September 17, October 15, November 19, January 21, and February 18) in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall at the District Office, 595 Prince Avenue, Athens. Dinner will be provided for participants at each evening session.
The March 18 session will be a daytime field trip from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for participants to tour schools and programs across the district. Lunch will be provided.
Applicants must commit to attending each session to be eligible for participation.
Participants will also be expected to attend one Board of Education meeting between October and March. Those meetings are generally held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. immediately following the board’s 5 p.m. work session.
The final session will be a celebration for VILLA graduates and their guests to be held on April 22 at 7 p.m. in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall.
About Participant Selection and the Application
Participation will be limited to 40 individuals who will be determined through a selection process to ensure a strong cross-section of participants. Please note that any individual who has previously participated in a CCSD VILLA program is not eligible for participation.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 31, and should be completed online at bit.ly/CCSDVILLA.
Applicants will be notified of their selection by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 4.
For additional information, go to www.clarke.k12.ga.us/villa. For questions, contact Dr. Cyndee Perdue Moore, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer for CCSD, by email at moorecy@clarke.k12.ga.us or phone at 706-546-7721, Ext. 79402.