‘Say yes to BCS.’ Bibb County Schools superintendent reviews district wins & challenges

Bibb County School District Superintendent Dan Sims on Thursday delivered the 2025 State of the District address, focusing on a theme titled “Say Yes to BCS.”

About 500 teachers, students, board members, community members and others gathered inside Westside High School to hear student performances and experiences, as well as updates on the district’s academic accomplishments and challenges, according to BCSD officials.

Sims addressed the live and virtual audiences by saying the district is heading in the right direction after highlighting nine under-performing schools that recently received recognition from the Georgia Department of Education for academic progress.

“In the midst of all the craziness going on in the world, we’ve managed to maintain an 87% graduation rate, and we’re proud of those marks,” Sims said.

Other positive spotlights for the district included an overall students’ progress on state assessments, an increase of students enrolled in dual enrollment courses, and the receipt of millions of dollars in grants for student resources such as school-based mental health services and job training for at-risk youth.

After outlining the district’s successes, Sims focused on areas that require additional attention, primarily challenges familiar to the school system and its stakeholders.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as the percentage of enrolled students missing 10% or more days of the school year, regardless of the reason.

He noted that chronic absenteeism remains a critical issue for the district, presenting data that showed 24% of BCSD students were chronically absent during the 2024 fall semester.

“I want to look at this, and it’s ugly. It’s better than last year, so we’re moving in the right direction, but I can’t say it’s not still ugly,” he said.

Sims called for parents to do more with ensuring their students get to school.

“We know that we serve a great level of responsibility in increasing attendance for students at school, but I also know that it doesn’t rest solely on me,” he said. “I need help in this space. ... We have to put pressures on our homes.”

Sims also mentioned the nearly one dozen schools in the district have been labeled as under-performing by the state’s Department of Education based on students’ “high-stakes testing results.”

He said he’s concerned that some BCSD students aren’t giving their absolute best because then they aren’t living up to their potential or who they are destined to be.

Sims called on every BCSD student in attendance to stand behind him on stage. He also emphasized the continued need for community support and partnerships in Bibb County to maximize student achievement and well-being.

“As a superintendent, I’m willing to fight for every single one of these students,” he said.