Principal Discusses School’s Strenghths and Weaknesses

The Jasper County Board of Education members heard from Dr. Shawne Holder, Principal of Washington Park Elementary School, on the school’s SWOT plan and the topics pertaining to that plan thus far in the 2014-2015 school year.

Dr. Holder told about the strategic plan that focuses on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Dr. Holder expressed that her biggest strength was that of her “dedicated” staff and “all of the great people that I have putting the children and their education first, all while working on TEKS and advisory boards and everything else teachers commit to.”

Another strength Dr. Holder emphasized was the hiring of the additional staff by the BOE for this year. She was very complimentary and pleased that there were additional staff, especially in the position of instructional coach, for those kids who were a little bit behind or ahead, to assist the classroom teachers with the majority of the other students.

She was especially complimentary of Mrs. Jan Childs in her role in working with both students and teachers.

Other strengths given included the more positive environment, and culture at WP these days with the reduction of the student to teacher ratio reduced from about “32 kids per classroom to 24.”

Dr. Holder said that there were opportunities and threats that were associated with technology in the school. She noted that technology was great, but there were some classrooms with a shortage of technology and others with technology that was out of date and needed updates which take time. She also felt that the continuing change of Georgia milestones, and it being unknown, was a threat.

As far as weaknesses for Washington Park, Dr. Holder stressed the lack of foundation skills, especially in reading with kids coming up into third grade. She noted that there were a lot of students that transfer in from other districts but that reading is still a weakness.

Dr. Holder also said that one of her school weaknesses continues to be parent involvement, and limited resources such as substitute teacher availability.

As far as personnel for Jasper County Schools, board members voted for the following new hires during their September 16, business meeting: Sierra Maddox, teacher, Jasper County High School (JCHS); Kellye Kelly, paraprofessional, JCHS; Lindsay Dial, paraprofessional (part-time), Jasper County Primary School (JCPS); Tiffany Cleveland, custodian (part-time, JCPS), and Graham Tadsen, Network Technology Specialist, Jasper County Board of Education.

Board members accepted the resignations of Dametria Jackson, Arlene Stone, Geana Gordon, Angie Jackson, and Lisa Simmons. Tamika Thomas, transferred from a teaching position at JCPS/Pre-K, to a teaching position at JCHS, and the board appointed Stephen Soulen as a Community Coach, for cross country and soccer at JCHS.

Board members voted to pass three new policies that will be put into place. Those policies included a student weapons policy (JCDAE); a policy on making policies (BD), and a policy on internet and technology use (IFBG). All of these policies can be found and viewed on the eboard website for Jasper County schools.

After these policies were voted on, a new policy on public participation during board meetings was discussed. This policy would allow public comment at business meetings and/or work sessions depending on what the board decides. This policy can also be found on eboard will be reviewed for 30 days once the terms of the policy are decided before it is put into effect.

The board members also voted to place three buses on the surplus list for sale.

The next board meeting is scheduled to be a work session on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the board meeting room.