Board Hears of Schools’ Strengths and Weaknesses

Members of the Jasper County School Board heard from Nanette Manning, Director of Jasper County Head Start and Preschool, and Pam Edge, Principal of Jasper County Primary School (JCPS) on their SWOT’s (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) for their respective schools.

Mrs. Manning told the board that by far her best asset is the faculty. She told the board that she has eight teachers, two with master’s, early childhood certified; two certified teachers with bachelor’s degrees, and four other degreed teachers who are working on their on early childhood certification.

She stated that all of the teachers and the wonderful paraprofessionals hold credentials that meet and/or exceed all qualifications that the state requires. She stated that “my staff is highly qualified and it doesn’t just say so on paper. We see them put these kids first every day, enabling learning suited to our children.”

One of the largest accrediations for Headstart/Pre-K is that it is first in Georgia according to a national study in meeting and exceeding all standards and qualifications for Pre-K and Headstart.

She also told of positive progress through Jasper County Preschool.

She said that they are continuing to work on Student Learning Objectives (SLOs), along with response to intervention, work sampling at the state level and sees good in her better seeking teams. [According to Superintendant Dr. Mike Newton, SLOs are assessments required for testing for areas that do not currently have state mandated tests.]

Mrs. Manning was very praiseworthy of her “partnerships” with other local affiliates, namely JCPS. She said that “our goals in preschool are to ready kids for kindergarten all while working within the standards set by the state. The transition into kindergarten is one of our main focuses and making it seamless for the kids.”

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She was very appreciative of Mrs. Edge’s cooperation and the ease of which they have made the Headstart and preschool a part of the JCPS “campus.”

Mrs. Manning also mentioned local partners such as the Jasper County Health Dept., Dr. Jamie Mitchell’s office, the Department of Family and Children’s Services, and the counseling and connections personnel that all benefit the children and aid in the preschool meeting state requirements in these areas.

She reported that the attendance for Headstart and Preschool was in the 95 percent range which was “outstanding.” Some of the goals that were mentioned included keeping a Summer Enrichment Program, getting back to merit pay for staff, continuing use of the Early Childhood Program with Jasper County High School, and transition training to aid more in “closing gaps with the transition from Headstart to kindergarten.”

Mrs. Manning reported to the board that some of the threats began and stemmed from retention, being able to keep good certified teachers. She stated that the pay was not enough and that she knew they were doing well with what was given, “but this is definitely an issue.” She also stressed the need for keypad door entry and access to add safety for the children and faculty.

Dr. Newton expressed his sincere thanks for the “work and the leadership between the Pre-K and kindergarten. We appreciate what you’re doing to improve this process.”

Board chair, Dr. Shannon Barton told Mrs. Manning, “You’re doing a great job and we appreciate all of the hard work and effort you put forth every day.”

Next board members heard from Pam Edge on JCPS, with her opening, “I love JCPS. I believe that I have reached my niche with the primary school and I’m just thankful.”

She introduced Lynn Matthews and Lynn McElheney both of whom work closely with her at JCPS and bragged on her staff and how much they put forth and how dedicated and supportive they are of everything going on at the primary school. She commended teachers as well as those support staff such as paraprofessionals and media specialists.

She told the board that the “administrative support and the dedication to parents all through an open door policy” was another strength. She was delighted with the new counselor and the professional learning opportunities that the instructional coach was giving staff.

She noted that one of the biggest threats at JCPS were teachers feeling overloaded and part of this is caused by “not having support staff to support kids.”

Mrs. Edge said that the biggest weakness currently at JCPS is not having a playground. She noted that the old equipment had to be taken down due to safety issues, and JCPS received a $2,000 grant for equipment and that the pumpkin fund raiser had added an additional $1,000 for equipment. The school is in need of more funds for new playground equipment.

Mrs. Edge said that time was always a weakness and that the teachers needed true planning time. She also added that two full time EIP teachers were needed.

She also added that there was a need to decide which actual testing assessments are essential as the kids are continuously being tested.

She saw opportunity in the vertical conversations with both the HeadStart/Pre-K and with WP for those students transferring between schools.

During the board business meeting Tuesday night the following personnel were approved as new hires: Jerri James and Toni White, interventionists, WP; Sandra Adkinson, teacher, Jasper County Middle School; Ella Walker, HHB teacher, Jasper County Board of Education and Emily Beasley, accounts payable clerk, Jasper County Board of Education.

Courtney Greene, transferred from a paraprofessional at JCPS to teacher at JCPS/Pre-K. The retirement of Dr. Princess Clarke, Executive Director of Social Services, was approved. Jessica Mathers, paraprofessional at JCPS, was terminated.

The board got another SWOT presentation from the middle school administrative committee including, Dianna Blizzard, JCMS Principal, Cheryl Marrett, Assistant principal, Jim Strength, ELA teacher, Dionka Davis Jackson, Instructional Coach, and K. Belle, counselor.

Ms. Blizzard opened with a different approach from previous years stating that her Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) was built around JCMS’s weaknesses that could be converted into opportunities. She stated that weaknesses would become the focus in order to see growth.

When the strengths of JCMS were presented the staff members were commended for their hard work and willingness to be open minded. They were especially praised for being focused on students as individuals and their needs through data study and relationship building.

Another strength was that the Title I program had no findings and students were offered a wide variety of learning opportunities and formats at JCMS.

As the threats were explained it was emphasized that continued cuts in funding and reduction of technology with Title IID monies possibly ending that most of the threats were beyond the control of the everyday faculty, and were more for state and local officials.

An additional threat was that of the teachers sensing all of the pressures from above. Ms. Blizzard has implemented TKES (Teacher Keys Effectiveness System) in two per month increments combining the total 10 at the end of the year.

The weaknesses presented to the board for JCMS included students lacking basic skills of math facts, and reading deficiencies upon entering middle school. It was explained that at the middle school level, the curriculum is not designed to backtrack and does not allow for these areas to be taught. The curriculum assumes that students have mastered these skills before entering sixth grade.

There was also discussion as to why there was such an academic gap between minorities and whites in Social Studies and Science. It was explained that “SS and Science have never been a focus and the numbers are down across the board.” The focus on English/Language Arts and Math have been predominant in previous years.

Opportunities for JCMS included increased professional learning for staff and other key personnel as well as incorporation of all online resources for student data. Teachers were supportive of incorporating writing components into daily instruction.

They also stated that being on an old campus challenged safety and security.

The board approved a policy on weapons and put another policy on the table regarding public participation in board meetings.