Monday’s Hall County school board meeting was dominated by recognition for the teacher of the year and several students, including the Flowery Branch High School football team.

The Falcons advanced to the AAA championship game last month in the Georgia Dome, losing to the Cairo Syrupmakers.

The Hall County school board also recognized 18 Advanced Placement scholars and the school system’s teacher of the year, Shane Rayburn.

Rayburn teaches first grade at Lanier Elementary School and has been employed in Hall County schools for three years.

Also at its Monday board meeting, Hall County schools Superintendent Will Schofield announced the state awarded a $5,000 charter school planning grant to Wauka Mountain Elementary School.

Schofield also reported Hall County property tax collections are down only 0.5 percent compared to this time last year.