School Board Reviews 2023-2024 Student Enrollment Numbers

The Jasper County Board of Education released their preliminary enrollment numbers for the 23-24 school year at their regularly scheduled board meeting. Superintendent Kenny Garland revealed the preliminary number of 2,690 students enrolled throughout each of the schools.

As has been the theme for quite some time, Supt. Garland stressed the growth that’s taking place inside the county. He said that new students have been registering on a daily basis. He presented some enrollment numbers to the board pulled directly from Infinite Campus. The high school saw the largest jump from 629 to 720 students. In fact every school stayed at around the same or higher than the previous year before. Supt. Garland called the enrollment numbers a “very fluid situation” adding the first few weeks of school always fluctuate in terms of numbers. He also added that last year they added around 60 students from August to March, and he anticipates the same for this year.

Despite the growth, Supt. Garland maintained that class sizes have remained small as intended, with the largest class being a high school biology class at 33 students. Positions are still being filled, with a brand new high school science teacher just being added. There are also plans in place to add more bus drivers. Paraprofessionals and interpreters are also being added to meet the needs of a growing Hispanic population.

The board also decided to list the SPLOST renewal for the spring 2024 ballot instead of the November ballot. Supt. Garland said that this was done to get more information on potential facility growth. A formal board vote will be done on this in the December meeting.

Next Mr. Robbie Key presented some before and after photos of the many summer projects that have been completed. Several classrooms have been remodeled on the board hall to make room for the (you guessed it) growth that JCMS has seen. Also added was a fence at the third and fourth grade wings to accommodate the special needs students and a handrail painted in hurricane purple at the JCHS athletic complex. Supt. Garland said the entire crew did a fantastic job.

The milestone results were revealed in detail for each subject. Overall Jasper County students continue to do well on milestone exams. Data was compared from the state averages to Jasper County students to show just how they did. It was found that in results increased or held steady on 13 of 21 assessments for proficient learner or above and on 11 of 21 assessments for developing learner or above.

While Jasper County results increased or held steady on 12 of 20 assessments for proficient learner or above, results increased or held steady on 13 of 20 assessments for developing learner or above. When you take all into account, Jasper County is in the range of equivalent to above the state average.

A “where do we go from here” presentation was held by Chief Academic Officer Dr. Susan Stone. Dr. Stone presented the CLIP plan that bases the performance of how schools are doing through literacy, math, and attendance. She said the biggest point of improvement of all schools is the attendance category. She further asked the board to provide suggestions in addition to the existing PBIS strategies to encourage attendance.

Furthermore, she spoke on how federal funding gets dispersed throughout instructional coaches as well as the various tidals.

Board member Towonder Dennis asked if tidal nights would be returning to the community. Dr. Stone said that there are plans in place for tidal nights to return and to become more involved in the community like it once was.

Several action items were presented and approved unanimously by the board. All members with the exception of Bubba Wilson were in attendance for the meeting, meaning each vote was approved 4-0. The following action items were approved.

•Job descriptions and evaluation rubrics of the bus driver, bus monitor, fleet mechanic, and fleet manager positions.

•The final figure of $10,225,158 for the final FY23 budget.

•The Jasper County Charter System Asset Policy

•The CTAE grant in the amount of $55,346.

•An employee longevity one-time bonus. This was approved for 50 dollars per one full year of consecutive service. 49 percent employees who entered into retirement will earn between 250-500 dollars. 49 percent employees who did enter into retirement will be awarded 50 dollars per one full year of consecutive service.

•Several fund raiser requests and board minutes.

Also acknowledged was a donation from Oldcastle for 14 pallets of mulch worth over $3000.

A number of personnel moves were also done in executive session.

New hires include:

Desire Gay, Sub-Custodian, Jasper County Schools

Alicia Jenkins, Teacher, Jasper County Pre-K

Joel Brandon, Teacher, Jasper County High

Charie Pettigrew, Technology Specialist

Sarah Mason, Clerical/Bookkeeper, Central Office

Lois Jackson, 49% Teacher, Jasper County Elementary

Amelia Hinely, 49% Teacher, Jasper County Middle

Robert Womack, Bus Driver, Transportation

Natalie Hudson, Paraprofessional, Jasper County Pre-K

Christine Potter, Teacher, Jasper County Middle/High

Selena Wilson, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

April Simmons, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Shaniya Brown, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Pamela Beneby, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Kiara Benton, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Sandra Moore, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Kathryn Shipley, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Travis Russell, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Karen Breeding, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Braley Mitchell, Paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary

Lisa Ridley, Substitute Custodian, Jasper County Middle

Ryan Warnock, Teacher, Washington Park Elementary

Thomasa Bowden, Content Coach/Facilitator, JCVA

Amanda Billings, PEC Case Manager, JCVA .

Thomasa Bowden, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Andrea Gonzalez, Substitute Interpreter, Jasper County Schools

Preston Miller, Sub-Custodian, Jasper County Schools

Vickie Johnson, Sub-Bus Driver, Transportation Department

Eunice Blackmon, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Kay Brooks, Bus Monitor, Transportation Department,

Bridget Rutledge, Bus Monitor, Transportation Department

Jenifer Sanchez, Paraprofessional, Jasper County Middle

Andrea Gonzalez, Interpreter, Jasper County Schools

Alejandro Sanchez-Cortes, Para. Jasper County Schools

Nicole Johnson, Substitute Teacher, Jasper County Schools

Rosyln Byrd, Substitute Monitor, Transportation Department

Resignations include:

Melissa Viney, Bus Driver, Transportation Department

Skylar McKnight, Food Assistant, Jasper County Primary

Robin Hutchinson, Teacher, Jasper County High

Mary Richardson, Nutrition Director, Jasper County Schools

Dulce Martinez, Spanish Translator, Jasper County Schools

Desire Gay, Sub-Custodian, Jasper County Middle

Russie Skinner, Bus Driver, Transportation Department

Retirements include:

Vickie Johnson, Bus Driver, Transportation Department

Release from Contract:

Gayatri Perla, Teacher, Jasper County High