Clarke Middle School is actively modernizing its operational environments through enhanced instructional technology integration and ongoing campus facilities maintenance. The school, supported by the Clarke County School District, is focused on ensuring effective technology use in classrooms and maintaining robust communication systems for its community. These efforts aim to support a thriving student body and optimize educational resources.

These initiatives create operational pressure to ensure seamless system functionality and consistent technological access for students and staff. Robust instructional platforms, reliable communication tools, and responsive facility management systems become increasingly important. Vendors can support Clarke Middle School by providing solutions that address these operational needs, ensuring continuity and effectiveness across its learning and physical environments.


Clarke Middle School Snapshot

Location: Athens, GA

School District: Clarke County School District

Grades Served: Middle School (typically Grades 6-8)

Technology Environment: Integrated instructional technology, district-supported communication platforms, and student information systems with parent portal access.

Key Initiative: Operational Support for Instructional Technology Environments and Facilities

Website: https://www.clarkemiddle.clarke.k12.ga.us/


Recent Funding and Procurement Activity

Funding ActivityAmountOperational AreaCurrent School-Level Relevance
District General Fund Budget (FY26) for Deferred Maintenance$1,000,000Facilities MaintenanceAllocates funds for maintenance needs across district schools, directly impacting Clarke Middle School's physical environment.
District Invitation for Bids (IFB #26-0522)$50,000 - $200,000 (estimated)School Nutrition Paper ProductsProcurement of essential supplies for school nutrition programs, directly supporting daily operations at Clarke Middle School.

Leadership and Key Buying Personas

NameRoleDepartmentPublic Contact
Derrick MaxwellPrincipalAdministrationdmaxwell@clarke.k12.ga.us
Dr. Kristina Lerch-BatsonAssistant PrincipalAdministrationklerchbatson@clarke.k12.ga.us
Eric BlakeAssistant PrincipalAdministrationeblake@clarke.k12.ga.us
Kathryn BrownInstructional CoachInstruction-
Tia JamiesonInstructional CoachInstruction-
Taylor DukeExecutive Director of TechnologyTechnology Services (District)duket@clarke.k12.ga.us
Shannon DempseyAdministrative Assistant and Budget AnalystTechnology Services (District)dempseys@clarke.k12.ga.us
Michelle BanahanInstructional Technology SpecialistInstructional Technology (District)banahanm@clarke.k12.ga.us
Katie DirrInstructional Technology SpecialistInstructional Technology (District)dirrk@clarke.k12.ga.us

Key Initiatives at a Glance

  • Enhancing instructional technology support for teachers and students.
  • Maintaining and improving technology-based communication systems for the school community.
  • Addressing deferred maintenance needs across campus facilities.
  • Implementing the 2025-2026 Program of Study and selecting instructional materials.
  • Coordinating school supplies and operational planning for the 2025-2026 academic year.

What Companies Can Sell to Clarke Middle School

Who Can Sell HereCurrent InitiativeOperational PressureSeller Positioning
Instructional Technology SupportEnhancing instructional technology support for teachers and students.Ensuring teachers effectively integrate new tools into daily lessons.Offer professional development and technical support for classroom technology.
Communication Platform VendorsMaintaining and improving technology-based communication systems for the school community.Ensuring consistent and reliable parent engagement through digital channels.Provide robust and user-friendly mass communication and parent portal solutions.
Facility Management & Maintenance ServicesAddressing deferred maintenance needs across campus facilities.Coordinating multiple maintenance projects to minimize disruption to learning.Offer preventative maintenance contracts and specialized repair services.
Curriculum & Instructional Materials ProvidersImplementing the 2025-2026 Program of Study and selecting instructional materials.Selecting relevant and effective resources that align with curriculum goals.Propose digital and physical instructional resources aligned to Georgia standards.
School Supply & Logistics ProvidersCoordinating school supplies and operational planning for the 2025-2026 academic year.Managing inventory and distribution of diverse supplies for the upcoming year.Provide bulk purchasing options and streamlined supply chain management.

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Why Companies Should Consider Selling to Clarke Middle School

  • Active operational expansion in instructional technology and communication systems.
  • Ongoing district-level funding for facilities maintenance directly impacts campus infrastructure.
  • Technology dependency drives the need for reliable systems and support.
  • Preparation for the 2025-2026 academic year involves active procurement of instructional materials and operational supplies.
  • District-wide strategic priorities emphasize thriving students and connected culture, creating opportunities for aligned solutions.

1. Instructional Technology Integration

What Clarke Middle School Is Doing

Clarke Middle School utilizes district-level support from the Office of Instructional Technology to enhance the use of technology in classrooms. This involves providing professional learning and instructional support for teachers and students to meet district goals. Workshops and training sessions aim to increase staff and student knowledge of effective computer and internet use for learning.

Key Buyer Personas

  • Derrick Maxwell, Principal
  • Kathryn Brown, Instructional Coach
  • Tia Jamieson, Instructional Coach
  • Taylor Duke, Executive Director of Technology (District)
  • Michelle Banahan, Instructional Technology Specialist (District)
  • Katie Dirr, Instructional Technology Specialist (District)

Operational Challenges

  • Ensuring consistent technology integration methods across all grade levels and subjects.
  • Coordinating professional development schedules to minimize disruption to instruction.
  • Troubleshooting diverse hardware and software issues that arise during daily classroom use.

Relevant Company Categories for Clarke Middle School

  • Educational Technology Platforms
  • Professional Development Services
  • Classroom Management Software
  • Device Management Solutions
  • Instructional Software Vendors

Relevant Companies

Nearpod — Interactive lesson platform for student engagement. Relevant for: Supporting teachers in creating and delivering engaging digital lessons.

Securly — Student safety and device management for Chromebooks. Relevant for: Ensuring a safe online learning environment and managing student device usage.

EdPuzzle — Video learning platform for interactive video lessons. Relevant for: Empowering teachers to integrate video content with embedded questions and assessments.

Sample Outbound Angle

"Noticed Clarke Middle School is focused on enhancing instructional technology integration for the 2025-2026 school year.

Schools scaling similar initiatives often encounter inconsistent adoption rates and varying levels of teacher comfort with new digital tools, leading to fragmented classroom experiences.

Many districts are finding success by implementing platforms that offer intuitive teacher interfaces and comprehensive, embedded professional learning resources. Could be worth discussing how other middle schools are ensuring widespread and effective technology utilization."


2. Campus Facilities Maintenance

What Clarke Middle School Is Doing

Clarke Middle School benefits from district-level capital planning, with the Clarke County School District allocating $1 million in its FY26 budget for deferred maintenance across schools and district facilities. This funding supports essential upkeep and repairs, addressing physical operational needs across the campus.

Key Buyer Personas

  • Derrick Maxwell, Principal
  • Theresa Wolff, Office Manager, Bookkeeper, Principal's Admin Asst.
  • Taylor Duke, Executive Director of Technology (District - often involved in infrastructure)
  • Shannon Dempsey, Administrative Assistant and Budget Analyst (District - manages funds)

Operational Challenges

  • Coordinating maintenance schedules to minimize impact on the active learning environment.
  • Prioritizing repairs to address critical safety or functional issues efficiently.
  • Managing vendor timelines and ensuring quality completion of diverse maintenance projects.

Relevant Company Categories for Clarke Middle School

  • Facilities Management Software
  • Building Maintenance Services
  • HVAC Service Providers
  • Security Systems Integrators
  • Roofing and Exterior Maintenance Contractors

Relevant Companies

Dude Solutions — Cloud-based facility management platform. Relevant for: Streamlining maintenance requests, work orders, and asset tracking.

Trane — HVAC systems and service provider. Relevant for: Maintaining and upgrading campus heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Siemens Building Technologies — Integrated building management solutions. Relevant for: Optimizing energy efficiency and operational control of campus infrastructure.

Sample Outbound Angle

"Seeing the Clarke County School District's FY26 budget includes $1 million for deferred maintenance across its facilities, including Clarke Middle School.

Districts managing similar facility investments often face challenges in coordinating projects across multiple buildings and ensuring minimal disruption to school operations.

Many operations leaders are centralizing project management and utilizing integrated facility platforms to gain better oversight and optimize maintenance workflows. Happy to share how some are approaching this."


3. Parent and Community Communication Systems

What Clarke Middle School Is Doing

Clarke Middle School utilizes district-supported technology-based systems to improve communication with parents and the wider community. This includes the active use of a Parent Portal, for which families are required to complete annual information updates by March 20 for continued access, indicating ongoing system maintenance and engagement.

Key Buyer Personas

  • Derrick Maxwell, Principal
  • Dr. Kristina Lerch-Batson, Assistant Principal
  • Eric Blake, Assistant Principal
  • Taylor Duke, Executive Director of Technology (District)
  • Shannon Dempsey, Administrative Assistant and Budget Analyst (District)

Operational Challenges

  • Ensuring high parental engagement and consistent use of communication platforms.
  • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contact information across all communication channels.
  • Coordinating timely and relevant messaging from school administration to parents.

Relevant Company Categories for Clarke Middle School

  • Parent Communication Platforms
  • School-to-Home Engagement Tools
  • Student Information System (SIS) Integrations
  • Mass Notification Systems
  • Digital Form Solutions

Relevant Companies

Blackboard Communications — School-to-home communication and mass notification. Relevant for: Delivering important alerts and updates to parents and the community efficiently.

ParentSquare — Unified platform for school-home communication. Relevant for: Streamlining communication, forms, and calendars into a single parent interface.

Skyward — Student Information System (SIS) with parent portal. Relevant for: Managing student data and providing parents with access to grades and attendance.

Sample Outbound Angle

"Looks like Clarke Middle School maintains active technology-based communication systems for parents, with annual Parent Portal updates due by March 20.

Schools with similar platforms often encounter operational pressure in driving consistent parent adoption and ensuring data synchronization across various communication tools.

We're seeing many districts implement integrated communication solutions that simplify parent interaction and reduce manual data entry for school staff. Could be useful to compare notes on what's working."


4. Curriculum Implementation and Instructional Materials Selection

What Clarke Middle School Is Doing

Clarke Middle School participates in the district-wide process led by the Department of Teaching and Learning for curriculum planning, development, and selection of instructional materials and resources for the 2025-2026 Program of Study. This ensures that the curriculum and supporting resources align with district goals and are effectively implemented in classrooms.

Key Buyer Personas

  • Derrick Maxwell, Principal
  • Kathryn Brown, Instructional Coach
  • Tia Jamieson, Instructional Coach
  • Michelle Banahan, Instructional Technology Specialist (District)
  • Katie Dirr, Instructional Technology Specialist (District)

Operational Challenges

  • Evaluating and selecting diverse instructional materials that meet specific curriculum objectives.
  • Ensuring new materials are integrated smoothly into existing teaching practices.
  • Coordinating material procurement and distribution to all teachers and students.

Relevant Company Categories for Clarke Middle School

  • Curriculum Development Platforms
  • Educational Content Providers
  • Textbook Publishers (digital and print)
  • Assessment Tools
  • Professional Learning for Curriculum Implementation

Relevant Companies

Savvas Learning Company — K-12 curriculum and instructional solutions. Relevant for: Providing comprehensive resources that align with core subject curricula.

McGraw Hill Education — Educational content, software, and services. Relevant for: Offering a range of digital and print materials for diverse learning needs.

Instructure (Canvas LMS) — Learning Management System with content integration. Relevant for: Centralizing curriculum delivery and providing tools for content management.

Sample Outbound Angle

"Noticed Clarke Middle School is actively involved in implementing the 2025-2026 Program of Study and selecting new instructional materials.

Schools undertaking similar curriculum updates often face operational challenges in ensuring seamless integration of new resources and effective teacher adoption, impacting consistent instructional delivery.

We're observing many educational leaders prioritize platforms that offer adaptive content and integrated professional learning to support curriculum transitions. Might be valuable to see what others are finding effective."


Final Take

Clarke Middle School is engaged in crucial operational activities for the 2025-2026 academic year, focusing on strengthening its instructional technology infrastructure and maintaining campus facilities. The district's strategic budget allocations directly support these efforts, alongside ongoing initiatives to enhance communication with parents and streamline curriculum implementation. This commitment to operational excellence creates a continuous need for supportive vendor solutions.

Vendors can effectively position solutions that address the school's needs in instructional technology, facility management, and communication platforms. The active planning for the upcoming school year, coupled with district-level strategic priorities, indicates a receptive environment for technologies and services that improve operational efficiency and student outcomes within Clarke Middle School.

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Explore More School Initiatives and Vendor Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Clarke Middle School's current technology priorities? Clarke Middle School prioritizes enhancing instructional technology support for classrooms and maintaining robust communication systems for parents and the community.

How does Clarke Middle School handle campus maintenance? The school benefits from a $1 million district-level allocation for deferred maintenance across facilities, addressing ongoing upkeep and repair needs.

Who are the key decision-makers for technology at Clarke Middle School? Key decision-makers include Principal Derrick Maxwell, Instructional Coaches Kathryn Brown and Tia Jamieson, and district-level technology leadership like Taylor Duke and Michelle Banahan.

When does Clarke Middle School plan for new curriculum materials? Clarke Middle School participates in the district's selection process for instructional materials, which supports the 2025-2026 Program of Study.

Are there active procurement opportunities impacting Clarke Middle School? Yes, the district is actively procuring school nutrition paper products, which supports daily operations at Clarke Middle School.