Preparing Fulton County Students for the Workforce and the Future, with Dr. Mike Looney, Fulton County Schools (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 117)
Fulton County Schools is preparing students for a future that may include college, the military, a skilled trade, entrepreneurship, or immediate entry into the workforce. Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney joins host Kali Boatright to discuss how the district is expanding career and technical education, work-based learning, and industry certification opportunities for students.
Dr. Looney explains why career exploration now begins in elementary school, how employers can provide meaningful workplace experiences, and why Fulton County students may be more prepared to contribute than many business owners realize. He also shares the district’s recent academic gains, its sustained investment in literacy instruction, and what school leaders have observed since implementing a phone-free policy.
The conversation also examines several issues shaping the district’s future, including the upcoming education SPLOST renewal, declining enrollment in parts of North Fulton, tuition-based enrollment for students outside the county, and the possibility of creating more K–8 community schools. Dr. Looney also discusses the 95% to Thrive attendance campaign and why being present at school matters for academic performance, relationships, collaboration, and workforce readiness.
Finally, Dr. Looney offers a direct request to North Fulton’s business community: help tell the story of Fulton County Schools. Personal experiences shared by parents, employers, and community leaders can strengthen public understanding of the district and help attract families, educators, and businesses to Fulton County.
The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Key Takeaways
- Fulton County Schools prepares its graduates for employment, continued education, entrepreneurship, or military service.
- Career exploration begins in elementary school and develops into focused career pathways, industry certifications, and work-based learning opportunities.
- North Fulton employers can strengthen the future workforce by offering internships, job-shadowing, mentoring, and meaningful workplace experiences.
- Focused employee training, literacy coaching, higher expectations, and accountability are contributing to academic gains across the district.
- The district’s phone-free policy has reduced disciplinary issues, improved classroom focus, and encouraged more student interaction.
- ESPLOST funding helps Fulton County Schools maintain, modernize, secure, and replace aging school facilities.
- Changing demographics, declining enrollment, attendance, and possible K–8 schools are central to the district’s planning for the future.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction and welcome
01:07 Dr. Mike Looney’s path from the Marine Corps to education
03:25 Career readiness and the role of CTAE
07:02 How employers can partner with Fulton County Schools
09:37 Academic gains across the district
11:31 Fulton County’s investment in literacy
14:14 Results from the phone-free school policy
16:00 Education SPLOST and maintaining school facilities
18:20 Demographic changes and declining enrollment
19:25 Tuition-based enrollment and possible K–8 schools
22:41 The 95% to Thrive attendance campaign
26:55 What Dr. Looney wants from the business community
28:50 How to learn more and contact Fulton County Schools
Dr. Mike Looney, Superintendent, Fulton County Schools
Dr. Mike Looney has served as superintendent of Fulton County Schools since June 2019. An educator for more than 28 years, including 15 years as a superintendent in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, he leads Georgia’s fourth-largest school district. His priorities include academic achievement, literacy, career and technical education, STEAM programs, dropout prevention, leadership development, and responsible financial management.
A retired U.S. Marine, Dr. Looney began his education career as a substitute teacher after working in the corporate world. He holds bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Jacksonville State University, along with an educational specialist degree and doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Alabama. Named Georgia’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year, he also serves on the boards of the Development Authority of Fulton County and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
Fulton County Schools
Founded in 1871, Fulton County Schools is one of Georgia’s oldest and largest public school districts. The district serves a projected 85,000 students across 101 schools and employs more than 10,500 people, including more than 7,000 teachers and other certified professionals. Its mission is to educate every student to become a responsible, productive citizen, with an emphasis on academic achievement and continuous improvement.
Fulton County Schools reported a 91.9% graduation rate in 2025. District students also outperformed Georgia averages on state end-of-course assessments in American literature, algebra, biology, and U.S. history. Fulton’s average SAT score exceeded both the state and national averages, as did its most recently reported ACT score.
One of the nation’s most geographically distinctive school systems, Fulton County Schools extends more than 70 miles from Chattahoochee Hills in the south to Johns Creek in the north. Although the district is physically divided by the separate Atlanta Public Schools system, it operates as one unified school system serving communities across north and south Fulton County. Its schools are supported by active parents, community organizations, and business partners who are dedicated to helping students succeed.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider Podcast
The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.
The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.
As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and it is dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.
GNFCC promotes the interests of its members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.
For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.
