BOE approves transfer of principals
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Jenkins County High School (JCHS) and Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS) will both have new principals when the 2007-2008 school term begins.

Upon the recommendation of Jenkins County School Superintendent Joan Blackwood, the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) approved during its Monday, Feb. 26, meeting the administrative transfers of Dr. Joseph Kirkland from JCMS principal to JCHS principal and that of Nicole Washington from JCMS assistant principal to principal of the facility. Dr. Kirkland currently serves as principal for both facilities.

In other action, the resignation of Sara Sherrod, Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) teacher, and Judy Jerman, JCES paraprofessional, was accepted. The retirement of Judy Taylor, JCMS teacher, was announced and accepted, and the resignations of JCHS teachers Willie Haynes, Jennifer Yates and Heather Cocke were accepted.

Student enrollment was reported at 477 with a gain of eight students at JCES, a loss of three students at JCMS and a loss of 21 students at JCHS being reported since the previous month.

Other actions taken by the BOE included the following:

+ Approved the extension of the school system's 5-year Facilities Plan for an additional year;

+ Approved the addition of two club advisors to the club advisor list;

+ Approved the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) Management Fund renewal application;

+ Approved the appointment of BOE member Irene Drummer as a delegate to the GSBA Delegate Assembly and chairman Carroll Gay as an alternate;

+ Approved three fundraising activities for JCHS, including the establishment of an Eagle store;

+ Approved the extension of the JCHS data entry clerk's contract from 11 months to 12 months with the clerk to serve both JCHS and JCMS; and

+ Approved the addition of names to the substitute teacher list, Jenkins County School Food Service substitute list and school bus substitute driver list.

At the close of the meeting, Chairman Carroll Gay instructed a group of citizens desiring to make public comments that they should talk privately with individual BOE members or the school superintendent concerning their issues.

In making his remarks, Gay cited a portion of Board Policy as follows: "The Board deems matters appropriate for public participation to be those related to the legislative or policymaking function of the Board. The Board does not consider appropriate personal attacks, unfounded accusations or discussions of individual personalities or of any individual's employment relationship with the system."