The February meeting of the Jones County Board of Education was packed with information from student teachers, the Jones County High School College and Career Academy, community comments and was topped off with the hiring of a new head football coach.
Following a closed session that lasted an hour and 15 minutes, board members returned, and Superintendent Charles Lundy suggested that employee recommendations from the closed session be approved. After receiving a motion and unanimous vote, Lundy announced Justin Montgomery was the Jones County High School Head Football Coach.
JCHS Principal Dennis Woolfolk spoke first, welcoming Montgomery and his family. He also gave some background about the new coach.
“He’s worked very hard and has become one of the brightest and most respected coaches in the state of Georgia,” he said.
Woolfolk said during Montgomery’s tenure as defensive coordinator at Carrollton High School, the school won three consecutive region championships and was state runner-up twice.
“He leaves a legacy in Carrollton of 51 wins and only six losses,” the principal said. “We are proud to be the first school in history to offer him what he well deserves, the head coaching position at JCHS.”
Montgomery introduced his wife, Adrianne, and two daughters, Clara Jane and Audrey Kate.
“We’ve come a long way to get here and really wanted to be here. I’d like to thank the good Lord for this opportunity,” he said.
Montgomery said he is from McIntyre and his parents still live there. He thanked all involved in the hiring process.
“We are excited to partner in this community because we want it to be our community,” he said.
The coach said this would be where their kids will grow up. He also had a message to the Gray and Jones County community.
“Tough times don’t last; tough people do,” he said.
Montgomery ended by saying he is excited about the 2025 season.
“We’re prepared to move forward with honor and integrity and get to work on building a championship program you can be proud of. Go Greyhounds.”
Meeting
Board Chairman Ginger Bailey called the Feb. 11 meeting to order at 6 p.m. She began the session with appreciation for teachers and administrators.
“We have a good school system and provide a quality education,” Bailey stated.
Board member Mike Gordon gave a short presentation about his interactions as a businessman with the Jones County College and Career Academy. He said he is proud to be a part of the school system.
“I believe in public education, and when people send their kids elsewhere, I wonder why when you can get everything you need here,” he said.
Gordon said he is a “steel guy” at heart and spoke about the success of the company he works with has had with hiring graduates from JCCCA.
“We’ve hired four welders from the program, all female, and they are some of the best we have ever had,” he said. “That is to be celebrated. There have been things that have been going around the county that have made us lose focus.
“What is really important is having a conduit for our kids to come through the programs in Jones County with ready-made jobs when they graduate.”
Board member Dr. Nancy Nash said she was honored to help judge student writing and noted that Gray Station Middle School was first in a robotics competition in Warner Robins and will compete at state next week.
She also noted that the Lady Hounds are going to state playoffs.
Board member Brady Skinner spoke in support of the JCHS wrestling program and its success.
“We are here for the kids. That’s all that matters,” he said.
Lundy talked about STAR Student Carsen Cruey and STAR Teacher Sarah Weese and thanked the Kiwanis Club for its support.
The superintendent gave an overview of upcoming administrative and planning meetings. He added that the construction project at JCHS would start March 3.
Student teachers
The nine Georgia College and State University student teachers gave a report of their experiences at the middle schools. The teachers expressed their gratitude to parents, teachers and students.
Some of their comments were: “I never felt there was no one in my corner while I was there.”
“We learned more from the students than anyone else.”
“I enjoyed being in a school system that invests in students as well as their education.”
“I think being closer to their age made the students want to share more.”
“The staff welcomed us with open arms. They made us feel included and loved.”
“Being at Jones County taught me what to look for in my next job.”
“Teachers support students and each other.”
CTAE
Executive Director Lisa Collins gave an overview of the program. She said its success is a team effort on all levels that includes the community.
“There is something special in Jones County, and that doesn’t happen by accident,” she said.
Collins talked about collaborative partnerships, the Young Entrepreneurs program and Junior Leadership Jones that are supported by the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Gray.
The director said 600 students went through a reality check exercise.
The JCHS career fair involved 1,000 students and 29 businesses and community partners. She said 320 students went through mock interviews performed by 28 business partners.
“All of our student organizations are preparing for state competitions,” she added.
Collins went on to talk about the CTAE+ program that can help students receive an additional credit.
Dr. Jeremy Dockery assisted with a handout and additional information. He said the program continues to change, but they are dealing with the options for students that are currently available.
Finance report
Jones County School System CFO Tonya Merritt presented the finance report for the month ending Jan. 31, which represents 58.33 percent of the school year.
The total revenues were $41,413,316 and total expenditures $35,860,752. The ending cash balance as of Jan. 31 was $29,384,960.
The collection of the Education Special Local Option Sales Tax for January was $345,374 with a monthly average collection of $315,453.
Bailey thanked the community for buying local.
Action items
• Lundyrecommended and received approval of the following contracts and adjustments:
• ContractwithODP Business Solutions to purchase HP Printer toner for Gray Elementary School for an estimated cost of $13,895 utilizing funds from GES QBE funds
• Contractwith CDW- Government to purchase 193 HP Chromebooks and Google Chrome Education Upgrade for Jones County High School under the Sourcewell Contract for an estimated cost of $41,765 utilizing funds from Title I
• ContractwithArey Jones Educational Solutions to purchase 20 HP ProBook 460 G11 for JCHS for an estimated cost of $16,892 utilizing funds from Title I
• Auditpremiumadjustment for the 2023 policy year resulting in an additional premium of $13,881 due to the Georgia Education Workers Compensation Trust utilizing funds from general funds
• ContractwiththeSign Store to purchase vinyl window tinting film for Clifton Ridge Middle School for an estimated cost of $19,960 utilizing funds from the state QBE Security Funds
• 5-yearcontract with CENTEGIX to purchase the CENTEGIX Crisis Alert System for the Jones County School System for an estimated cost of $379,200 to be paid in installments utilizing funds from the state QBE Security Funds
• ContractwithDell Technologies to purchase 16 Dell Laptops for the Jones County School Nutrition Department under the State of Georgia contract for an estimated cost of $13,178 utilizing funds from nutrition budget
• ContractwithHarris School Solutions to purchase the annual renewal for (NextGen) Accounting, Payroll software and employee self-service portal for the Jones County School System for an estimated cost of $39,864 utilizing funds from the Business Administration budget
• ContractwithWhite Rock Cybersecurity to purchase Endpoint Detection and Response software for JCSS for an estimated cost of $16,391 utilizing funds from the Technology budget
• ContractwithNorvell Fixture to purchase a Combi Oven/Steamer for Turner Woods Elementary School for the estimated cost of $25,570 utilizing funds from the State Equipment Grant Public comments from Adam Bray, Kellee Douglas and Jeff Terry were heard after the action items, and then the meeting was adjourned for board members to enter closed session.
The closed session began at 7:15 p.m., and the meeting was called back to order at 8:30 p.m.
The next work session for the BOE is scheduled at 5 p.m. March 6. The next business meeting for the BOE is scheduled at 6 p.m. March 11. Both meetings will be held in the Profession Learning Board Room located at 131 Gordon St. Board meetings are also available to view live online.
