Shakila Henderson-Baker

Voted no on the school district's 2026-27 budget, which kept the supplemental retirement plan and did not raise the tax rate. It passed 3-2 on the condition that it be revisited in October 2026 for more cuts.

June 30, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted no again on the amendment to the school district's supplemental retirement plan; it failed 2-3.

June 16, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted no on an amendment to the school district's supplemental retirement plan for employees; it failed 2-3 and was tabled until June.

May 12, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Cast the only votes against two school purchases: about $3.5 million in curriculum materials, including a $2.7 million K-12 reading program, and about $940,000 in testing tools, including i-Ready. Both passed 4-1.

May 12, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Seconded a motion to set the school property tax at the full rollback rate of 14.84 mills, which failed 2-3. She voted no on the final rate of 15.5 mills, which passed 3-1 with one abstention.

August 12, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Made the motion to opt the school district out of the floating homestead exemption created by House Bill 581. The board approved it unanimously.

February 25, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Seconded a one-time 1.5% pay adjustment for benefits-eligible school employees after voting against a flat $1,000 payment. It passed 3-2.

December 2, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted against a school property tax rate of 16 mills, then moved a lower rate of 15.75 mills. Her motion passed 3-2.

July 23, 2024Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted with the full board to put an education sales tax (ESPLOST VI) and school bonds on the May 2024 ballot. The tax was expected to raise about $132 million over five years for school buildings.

January 23, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted against school property tax rates of 18.5 and 18.788 mills, then moved a lower rate of 18.288 mills. Her motion passed 3-2.

August 24, 2021Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Cast the only vote against a $93,655-a-year contract with the Newton County Sheriff's Office for drug-detection dog visits in middle and high schools. It passed 4-1.

June 11, 2019Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Cast the only vote against a $93,655-a-year contract with the Newton County Sheriff's Office for drug-detection dog visits in middle and high schools. It passed 4-1.

June 11, 2019Opposes Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted with the full board to put an education sales tax (ESPLOST VI) and school bonds on the May 2024 ballot. The tax was expected to raise about $132 million over five years for school buildings.

January 23, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Was honored by Georgia Senate Resolution 972, sponsored by Sen. Sonya Halpern, for her service on the Newton County school board and in the Georgia School Boards Association.

March 25, 2026

Source: rockdalecitizen.com

Moved to approve the board's 2025 legislative priorities on the condition that the safety and security items be quantified, after the original version failed 2-3. Her motion passed.

December 17, 2024

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Was elected vice chair of the Newton County Board of Education for 2024 by a unanimous vote.

January 23, 2024

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

As board chair, announced Dr. Duke Bradley III as the sole finalist for Newton County school superintendent after the board's search.

October 2, 2023

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted for a resolution asking local state lawmakers to allow a county vote on raising the senior school tax exemption from $30,000 to $50,000 of assessed home value. It passed 4-1.

December 13, 2022

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Voted for a board policy (IKBB) that set up a complaint process for alleged violations of Georgia Code 20-1-11, the state's 2022 law on teaching divisive concepts about race. It passed 4-1.

July 26, 2022

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Was installed as president of the Georgia School Boards Association board of directors, the statewide group of local school board members.

June 20, 2022

Source: rockdalecitizen.com

Was elected chair of the Newton County Board of Education for 2022 on a 3-2 vote.

January 18, 2022

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Was installed as president-elect of the Georgia School Boards Association board of directors, after serving as its vice president.

June 30, 2021

Source: rockdalecitizen.com

As board chair, moved to start the 2020-21 school year with full-time virtual learning because of COVID-19; it failed 2-2. She then seconded a September 8 start date, which passed 4-0, and classes began online.

August 7, 2020

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Was elected chair of the Newton County Board of Education for 2019 by a unanimous vote.

January 22, 2019

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Was named the school board's legislative liaison for 2017, the member who shares the board's priorities with state lawmakers.

January 17, 2017

Source: simbli.eboardsolutions.com

Began her first term as the District 3 member of the Newton County Board of Education on January 18, 2011.

January 18, 2011

Source: newtoncountyschools.org