Board Members Meet the New Primary School Principal

Recently hired Jasper County Primary School principal Cindy Hughes and her husband, James “Jimmy” Hughes, made their introductions to Board of Education members during Tuesday’s business meeting.

Principal Hughes and Mr. Hughes, a newly employed middle school physical education teacher, come to Jasper County by way of Cordele. The couple has three children—a daughter and two sons, one of which will be attending Washington Park School.

Mrs. Hughes has 24 years of education experience—spending 17 of those in the classroom as a primary level educator. Another three years was spent as an assistant principal and most recently she worked at the middle school level but expressed excitement about returning to the lower grades.

Mr. Hughes, a longtime coach and educator, said he was looking forward to working with the local youth.
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Along with the employment of Mr. Hughes on Tuesday, board members approved hiring Linda Andrews, Lyn Brown, Jennifer Jones, Norma Jean Trammell, and Joan Lackey as JCPS employees; Heidi Horne, Phillip Smith, and Jay Poole as middle school educators; and Rachel Stubbs as a WPS teacher.

Resignations were accepted of Mary Brown and Marlene Davis as paraprofessionals; J.D. Stanton and Douglas Sowers as teachers; Thaxton Pennamon as campus police; and Cheri Phipps as assistant cafeteria manager. Also Sue Gardner was transferred from cafeteria assistant to assistant manager.

Superintendent Jay Brinson reported that the 2006-2007 system vacancies were close to being filled with staff at WPS and JCHS currently at capacity and JCPS and JCMS needing few additions.

During Supt. Brinson’s monthly report, he noted that the system’s adequate yearly progress (AYP) numbers looked impressive at the 140th day attendance benchmark while reminding board members that 40 days remained. Attendance is the main factor that determines state school system’s AYP status.

Attendance numbers have increased significantly since last year, said the superintendent. At 140 days JCPS was at 2.4 percent versus 7.3 percent last year; WPS was at .08 percent from 3.5 percent; JCMS was at 2.2 percent from 9.5 percent; and JCHS was at 14.1 percent from 14.9 percent.

Supt. Brinson said that those with 10 or more absences were being closely monitored as the end of the school year approaches.
The administrator reported that system enrollment numbers were up despite the high school losing seven students since March.

A financial report was given while noting that the system’s past city utilities had not been paid because of a disproportionately high bill. Also provided were updates on social work and health services cases.

Supt. Brinson also informed board members of the upcoming bus road-e-o, community baccalaureate service, staff luncheon, high school graduation, and his selection as a Georgia School Board Association fund trustee.

Other official actions taken included board members approving an interrogations and search procedure policy that outlines the chain of command for administrators when a student violates school rules that may also violate Georgia law. The policy would allow for clear communication between parents and the superintendent’s office.

Also approved were changes in the high school course of study as described by principal Howard Fore; a Head Start grant application for federal funds; and one overnight field trip for FCCLA members to attend a state competition in Atlanta.
A technology resources policy, as presented by technology director Morad El-Jourbagy, was tentatively approved by the board.

The next meeting of the Board of Education is planned as a work session on Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the board office at the old Washington Park School.