Board Hires Principal for Washington Park
The Jasper County School Board approved the hiring of Susan Stone as Washington Park Elementary School (WPES) principal at its regular meeting Tuesday, despite impassioned pleas at the beginning of the meeting to re-install Shawne Holder to that position.
Ashley Billings was the first to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. She asked that the board reconsider renewing Dr. Holder’s contract. She said the students love her, and ask the board to keep her so she can make changes in the lives of her students.
Samantha Baker told of the great influence Dr. Holder has been on her children. She said she has improved test scores, and improved morale. She said she is appalled that her contract is not being renewed. She said she moved to Jasper County hoping for the best, and fearing the worst. Dr. Holder takes every child into her heart, she said, and it is devastating for our community to lose this woman. She referred to WPES as the happiest place on earth.
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Greg Holder, husband to Dr. Holder, said “Dr. Newton you have finally gotten her.” He chastised the board and the superintendent for not renewing Dr. Holder’s contract. He listed reasons such as rising test scores as to why she should be kept. He said you have chosen to ignore her 18 years of service to this community, seven as principal. He said the board has been through 12 principals in seven hears, suggesting that his excessive. “You’ve lost credibility, board,” he said.
Cheri Shaw said that she has two children in the school system, and said that in her opinion, WPES is the best school in the system. She said it is not in the best interest of the county to send this lady to another county. She said the parents, children, and community love her.
After the public comments, the board recognized four exemplary students. The first was STAR student Amber York who was not at the meeting. Next they recognized the system valedictorian Jace DeGarmo and salutatorian Nataleigh Long. They told a little bit about their future plans. Miss DeGarmo plans to attend Vanderbilt University and pursue a career in a health field. Miss Long is not sure what her career choice will be, but she plans to begin her college education at Rhinehardt University this fall.
Miss Long was also recognized for being the first student at Jasper County High School to complete the Advanced Placement art course of study and submit it to the state for judging.
The board also recognized Eli Smallwood, the first State Star Farmer from Jasper County. The Star Farmer program began in 1938, and Mr. Smallwood is the first from Jasper to win. To achieve the honor, he had to show he spent 3,000 hours on a project and have a state FFA degree, among other things. Mr. Smallwood’s concentration is beef entrepreneurship. He told of his past success, and his future, first to college in Warner, Oklahoma, then on the Texas A&M. After that he plans to work with Shorthorn Cattle in Texas, then come back to Georgia and start a marketing group for the Shorthorn Cattle. His major will be ag marketing.
During the grant update, which had been requested by the board, Dr. Kristie Brooks reported that in 2016 the board received $9,703 in grants, compared to $74,041 in grants for 2017. Dr. Newton pointed out several federal grants may be going away under the Trump administration. Dr. Shannon Barton, board chair, asked how you find out about other grants, like corporate grants. Dr. Brooks explained they have a team looking into grants, and she will ask them to look into that.
Perry Hyde discussed improvements needed at Rose Bowl Field to make the restrooms workable again. The board approved the expenditure of $39,000 to get the restrooms where they can be used. The board also approved Athens Janitorial Supply for the custodial supplies.
During the attendance report, the board learned that there was considerable improvement in the number of students who had 11 absences or more during the year.
The board also learned that because of the lower cost of fuel, the transportation department wsa going to end the year with about a $90,000 surplus. That money will be used to purchase a school bus. Transportation director Jerry Williams, explained that buses are rated for a lifespan of 12 years, and we have 10 buses older than 2005 on regular routes. There are 34 buses total on routes.
The board approved purchasing intercom systems for Jasper County Primary School and Jasper County Middle School. Both of theirs are in terrible shape, and the funds are a reallocation from budgeted funds that were not spent.
Board members learned that the county’s cost to the teacher retirement system is going up two percent both in 2018 and 2019. They also approved a new testing pilot, and agreed to surplus some items.
The board set public hearings on the budget to be held on Tuesday, June 20 at 9 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., and on Wednesday, July 12 at 2 p.m. The previously advertised dates had to be changed because of an error in the advertising of the tax increase.
After a short executive session, board members voted to hire Ms. Stone and the following people:
Eddie Roberts, teacher, JCMS and Christopher Pennamon, teacher/varsity boys basketball coach, Jasper County High School.
Also, they accepted resignations from Reginald Stewart, bus driver, and Peggy Ellison, substitute teacher.
James Slaton, substitute bus driver transferred from substitute bus driver at Jasper County Transportation Department to a full-time bus driver at Jasper County Transportation Department.
