BOARD OF EDUCATION
A called meeting of the Board of Education last week ended with the announcement of two new principals for Jones County schools less than two weeks before the start of the school year.
Dennis Woolfolk was appointed as the principal of Jones County High School and Stacey Morris principal of Clifton Ridge Middle School.
The reason for the timing of the moves was the resignation of JCHS principal Lance Rackley, who was named Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Operations of Monroe County Schools July 18.
Woolfolk was serving as principal of CRMS and Morris assistant principal prior to last week’s appointments.
The July 20 called meeting was called to order by board chairman Ginger Bailey. Unlike most called board meetings, all the seats in the board room were filled.
The only business listed on the agenda was a recommendation by School Superintendent Charles Lundy to enter into a contract with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to purchase writeable secondary student and teacher licenses and professional services for Jones County High School.
The amount of the purchase was estimated at $23,040, and the funding source was L4GA funds.
A motion was made to approve the purchase and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Lundy then made a recommendation for the board to enter into closed session to discuss personnel matters, which was the primary reason for the meeting.
The superintendent and board members exited the room and met for approximately 30 minutes before returning. Upon their return, Lundy made the recommendation to approve the personnel actions discussed in the closed meeting.
Board member Mike Gordan made the motion to approve the personnel actions, and the motion to approve was unanimous.
At that point, Lundy made the announcements of Woolfolk and Carr’s appointments, and applause broke out among those in attendance.
Woolfolk came to the podium and thanked the board.
“Everything started for me here in Jones County,” he said. “Little did I know that teachers had planted these seeds in me. I realized that education is the path I needed to give back to the people who have helped me in my life.”
The speaker said he was thinking of his Clifton Ridge family.
“I haven’t done anything alone. Leslie Poythress laid a great foundation at Clifton Ridge. Stacey Carr, Stephanie Leggett and the rest of the staff; it’s a family over there,” he said.
Woolfolk said there have been challenges but there have been a lot of great days.
“I’m going to do all I can to take that to Jones County High School. Family never leaves, it just keeps building. That’s my philosophy and my plan. Thank you again. I will make you proud.”
Bailey congratulated and welcomed Woolfolk.
“The board is behind you 100 percent, and we will make sure what you need, you will have,” she stated.
Carr too spoke to the board, first congratulating Woolfolk.
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
Bailey also guaranteed Carr of the support of board members.
In a statement about the appointments Friday afternoon, Lundy said he was excited and looked forward to Woolfolk serving as the principal of JCHS.
“Mr. Woolfolk is a proven educational leader, and I can’t wait to celebrate the successes that his leadership will bring to Jones County High School,” he said. “I also know that Mrs. Stacy Carr will continue leading Clifton Ridge as she moves from her assistant principal role to now being the leader of that school community. I know that her academic experience and leadership will guide Clifton Ridge to continued success.”
