School Board Meets Again Today

The Jasper County School Board has a called meeting this afternoon, and at the end of the meeting there may be an announcement about the superintendent search. The board met in closed session last Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the end of its regular meeting to discuss superintendent hopefuls, and after meeting again today may be close to a decision.

During Tuesday’s meeting, board members handled a number of routine business items at a clip before closing. They received an update on the new athletic complex, that said the weather is really holding things up. They learned the home and visitor concession buildings will be here in March.

Board members heard from middle school teachers about how the flexible service model is helping all students. They told how the MAP (Measure of Academci Progress) scores were great for the sixth and eighth grade, and flat for seventh grade. They said they use academy time for remediation as well as to offer challenge and rigor to those who excel.

Pam Edge then talked about the Primary School. She said they have learned that the first grade standards are not challenging enough for some of the students, and that as a school, they are scoring above the national norm. She talked about the community volunteers who come in and read to the students.

Board members learned that some $13,481 in pre-K funds had to be returned to the state.

There were numerous personnel new hires, resignations and retirements. They include:

New Hires

•Robert Bradley, teacher, Jasper County High School

•Jessica Huckeba, teacher (sixth grade Social Studies) Jasper County Middle School

•Stacy Greenfield, substitute custodian, Jasper County Board of Education

•Jonathan Green, teacher (sixth grade ELA), Jasper County Middle School

•Erica Johnson, bus driver, Jasper County Transportation Department

•Bonnie Wade, substitute teacher, Jasper County Board of Education

•Kirstin Lewis, substitute teacher, Jasper County Board of Education

•Wayne Hollihead, Nanette Manning, and Melissa Viney, substitute bus monitors, Jasper County Transportation Department

Resignations

•Ame McNair, teacher, Jasper County High School

•Amber Thomas, custodian, Jasper County Middle School

•Simeco Vinson, Instructional Coach, Washington Park Elementary School

•Madison Smith, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary School

•Brittany Kimble, teacher, Jasper County Primary School

•Janet Hudson, teacher, Jasper County Middle School

•Breanne Jones, teacher, Jasper County High School

•David Pittman, teacher, Jasper County High School

•Stephanie Willocks, teacher, Jasper County High School

Retirement

•Judith Moist, paraprofessional, Jasper County Preschool

•Margaret Sheppard, bookkeeper, Washington Park Elementary School

•Deloris Thomaston, teacher, Washington Park Elementary School

•Jean Diane Gordon, bus driver, Jasper County Transportation Department

•Cherry Manville, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary School

•Jesus Bautista, custodian, Jasper County High School