David named next athletic director
Perhaps the most consequential parts of last week’s meeting of the Jones County Board of Education happened at the meeting’s end. The new athletic director for the Jones County School System, Charles David, was announced and introduced by Jones County High School Principal Dennis Woolfolk.
School Superintendent Charles Lundy received official notification that his contract would not be renewed. The notification was in the form of a letter presented to him by the board during the closed session and was not announced.
David was part of the personnel recommendations approved by board members when the meeting reopened.
Chairman Ginger Bailey called the April 15 meeting to order. She started her chairman’s report with a welcome and expressed the hope that students could be celebrated.
Board member Mike Gordon talked about the Sermon on the Mound event.
“The more events like this we do, the better we are,” he said.
Gordon said he has customers who are looking for welders, and he recommends welding students at Jones County College and Career Academy.
In his superintendent’s report, Lundy started with the State of the Schools numbers. He said the data report showed 23 or 29 indicators were above the state average.
“Every Jones County school had an increase in student engagement,” he said.
Lundy said the school system is in the middle of hiring season. He also said the county was receptive to the heavy equipment simulator partnership.
The superintendent said the FIRE projects at the middle schools were on display.
“They are always good projects, and students are eager to share,” he said.
Bailey gave a ‘shout out’ to teachers for all they do.
“I want you to know you are not taken for granted,” she said.
Jones County High School Principal Dennis Woolfolk presented the Georgia Young Author winners and High Growth High Achievement teachers.
“Thank you to parents for your support. That’s what it takes,” he said.
Maintenance Director Joe Evans presented a new pathway for the CTAE program, including the need for a building to house it.
He talked about an Agriculture Mechanic building in order to provide more opportunities for students. The projected cost is $1.4 million.
“It would provide more career opportunities for students in a much-needed area,” he said.
Evans said the need was included on a statewide needed career list. He spoke about the achievements of JCCAA, including awards for FFA and welding students.
“This is an exceptional opportunity; we are listening to the industry,” the director said.
He explained it would be a 2,800-square-foot working lab with a total of 4,200 square feet for the building. The bonus for the timing is the construction could be added to the current JCHS renovation project.
Lundy said the project would be added to the May agenda for a vote by the board.
Board member Brady Skinner asked why it was necessary to wait. He made a motion to amend the agenda to include a vote on the Ag Mechanics building project. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Evans added that there are grants available for equipment for the project.
The next presentation was by Kristen Beaver and Teresa McCuen. They made the recommendation of the purchase of the instructional literacy materials of 95 Phonics Core Program, Arts & Letters Language Program, and Universal & Dyslexia Screener to comply with HB538.
Finance report
JCSS CFO Tonya Merritt presented the financial report for the period ending March 31, which represents 75 percent of the school year.
She reported total revenues at $51,646,304 and total expenditures $46,284,069. Total cash balance is $29,194,660.
Education Special Local Option Sales Tax collections for March were $282,244, bringing the average monthly collection amount to $306,601.
Action items
Lundy recommended and board members unanimously approved the following items.
• Contracttopurchase193 HP Chromebooks and Google Chrome Education Upgrade for Dames Ferry Elementary School under state contract for the estimated cost of $48,443 utilizing funds from Title I
• Contractwith VTECH-10 to purchase 360 Intel Core desktops and 30 Intel Core laptops for the Jones County School System for an estimated cost of $239,256 for the desktops and $20,415 for the laptops for a total of $259,671 utilizing funds from the Technology Budget
• ContractwithGreat Minds PBC to purchase Arts and Letters Digital, Kits ELA Curriculum and Professional Learning for all Jones County Elementary Schools for an estimated cost of $664,244 for Arts and Letters and Kits and $91,000 for Professional Learning for a total of $755,244 utilizing funds from the General Fund
• Contractwith95Percent Group to purchase the Phonics Core Program, Professional Coaching for a year and Virtual Professional Learning for all Jones County Elementary Schools for an estimated cost of $447,277 for the Phonics Core Program and $124,800 for professional coaching and $6,980 for Virtual Professional Learning at total cost of $579,057 utilizing funds from the General Fund
• Two-yearcontractwith Amplify to purchase the State Bundle mClass with Dibels 8th Edition with Dyslexia Licenses for all Jones County Elementary Schools for an estimated cost of $15,050 utilizing funds from the General Fund
• ContractwithUnited Refrigeration Inc to purchase various sizes of MERV Aire Filters for JCSS for an estimated cost of $10,575 funded from the M&O budget
• Approvalofthe2024-25 amended budget More about the appointment of David and his introduction can be found in this week’s sports section.
