School Board Honors Retirees, REACH Scholars, O.K.s Budget
The Jasper County School Board recognized three of its retirees at the regular meeting held May 18 at the board office. Dr. RaNae Fendley, Jerry Williams and Buddy Cain were recognized by board members (left to right) Chair Bill Schilling, Erin Lynch, Towonder Dennis, Mr. Cain, Dr. Fendley, Mr. Williams, Lewis Rice and Dr. Shannon Barton.
Dr. Fendley, is the Executive Director of Student Services, Mr. Cain is principal of Jasper County High School and Mr. Williams is transportation director for Jasper County Charter System. Mr. Garland noted all were retiring at the end of the school year and he thanked them for their service to the system. Dr. Fendley has served the system for six years; Mr. Williams has served the system for 34 years while Mr. Cain has served the system for 15 years. The Board and Mr. Garland presented all with a plaque to express their gratitude for their dedication to the system.
Two students were honored as REACH scholars. Dionka Jackson and Kathy Hatchett presented Perla Bautista and Zaniyah Kelly as the 2021 Jasper County Charter System REACH Scholarship nominees. REACH Scholars are selected in middle school and sign a contract along with their parent/guardian to maintain a 2.5 HOPE-Calculated GPA, remain crime, drug, and behavior issue free, and meet with a volunteer mentor and academic coach until they graduate from high school. To be awarded their scholarship, each scholar must continue to meet program requirements until high school graduation. If a student does not fulfill program standards, they risk losing their $10,000 scholarship. The board congratulated both candidates. This is the systems fifth year to offer the REACH scholarship with the first recipients graduating this year.
Mr. Garland delivered a Powerpoint presentation regarding the recent release by U.S. News and World Report of America’s Best High Schools. Jasper County High School was recognized by the report as ranking inside the top 40 percent of all high schools in Georgia and the United States. A total of 426 high schools in Georgia and 17,857 high schools nationally were recognized.
The high school received a college readiness index score of 22.8 which was second overall in the region. The following high schools attained the college readiness index listed at the end of this article.
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The attendance and health report was presented to the Board of Education. Mr. Garland stated there were zero cases of COVID-19 reported during the past week and the previous two days. Mr. Garland asked the board to formally approve the relaxation of the required wearing of facial covering for all staff and students in grades 6-12, which it did.
Mr. Garland recommended a proposed millage rate of 16.838 for the FY 22 budget cycle. This demonstrates a 1.34 percent increase in property taxes. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $175,000 is approximately $13.76 and the proposed tax increase for a non-homestead property with a fair market value of $125,000 is approximately $11.10.
Because there is an increase, public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, June 15 at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Wednesday, June 23, at 1 p.m.
After a closed session to review recommendations, the board approved the following
New Hire
Abraham Holloway, teacher, Jasper County High School (JCHS)
Jennifer Holloman, teacher, Jasper County Primary School (JCPS)
Frank Mitchell, substitute custodian, Jasper County Board of Education (BOE)
Edna Wynn, Alyssa Waddell, Megan Terrell, Amber Purcell, Emily Broxson, Andrea Hudgins, substitute teacher, BOE
Janessa Lawrence, substitute school nutrition assistant
Jenny Lowe, assistant principal, Washington Park Elementary School (WPES)
Tasia Ellis, assistant principal, JCHS
Resignation
Kelly Burke, teacher, Jasper County Middle School (JCMS)
Crystal Sanford, counselor, WPES
Frank Workman, paraprofessional, JCHS
Deborah Edwards, teacher, WPES
Heidi Pitt, substitute bus driver, Jasper County Transportation Department
Andria Bishop, teacher, JCMS
Transfer
Timithy Brown, substitute custodian, Jasper County Board of Education, transfer from substitute custodian at JCHS to custodian (Full-Time) at JCHS
Kamwanya Belle, counselor, JCMS, transfer to assistant principal at JCHS
Retirement
Tina Peden, bus driver, Jasper County Transportation Department
Termination
Megan Terrell, substitute teacher, BOE
U.S. News & World Report
College Readiness Index
Morgan County High School 23.9
Jasper County High School 22.8
Mary Persons High School 22.5
Greene County High School 18.1
Bleckley County High School 14.2
Alcovy High School 13.6
Jackson High School 11.4
Putnam County High School 8.4
Jones County High School 7.6
