Franklin Covey representative seeks restoration of Leader in Me funding, citing attendance and literacy gains

David Debs, Georgia client partner for Franklin Covey Education, asked the committee to restore and expand state funding for the Leader in Me framework, describing implementation details, reported outcomes and a foundation accelerator contingent on state investment.

Debs said Leader in Me is operating in hundreds of schools and claimed the program yields measurable results, including a reported 25% reduction in chronic absenteeism among the cohort that began with state funding. He told the committee that between 101 and $139,000,000 in annual economic value is attributed to the program in the state and estimated a state cost of roughly $0.21 per child per year during initial implementation years (statements as presented). Debs said the Kern Family Foundation has committed up to $15,000,000 as an accelerator contingent on continued state investment and requested restoration to FY25 funding levels (identified in the record as $5,000,000).

When the chair asked how the committee should expect the money to be prioritized if $5,000,000 were restored, Debs described a multi‑step process: outreach to superintendents who had expressed interest; readiness and implementation activities beginning in May; a consultative approach with district and principal teams; and submission of candidate schools to the Georgia State Board of Education for award and fund distribution. Debs emphasized implementation fidelity and a three‑year rollout tied to measurable outcomes.

Committee members offered positive firsthand remarks about local experience with the program (for example, praising its effects in Bibb County), but no committee vote or appropriation was recorded during the meeting.