The Jones County Board of Education welcomed the school system’s interim superintendent and announced a new principal at its meeting last week.
Board of Education Chairman Ginger Bailey called the June 10 meeting to order, with Interim Superintendent Clinton Burston in his seat at the board table for the first time.
At the conclusion of a closed session at the end of the meeting, Burston introduced Zachary Griffin, who was approved as principal of Gray Station Middle School.
The new principal comes to Jones County having served as the assistant principal at Monroe County Middle School, and he previously taught at Rutland High School.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead Gray Station Middle School. We are ready to hit the ground running and get going,” Griffin said.
Reports
Bailey began her chairman’s report looking back at the 2025 graduation ceremony.
“It seems graduation is way in the past, but it was only a month since we saw students walk across the stage and into their future,” she said.
The chairman thanked everyone who was part of the preparation.
“We need to sing the praises for those who got it done,” she said.
Board member Mike Gordon began his remarks with a welcome to Burston.
“I look forward to working with you,” he said.
Gordon said he was glad to be able to log into the remote Georgia School Board Association planning sessions and said it was very interesting.
Board member Kim Washburn also welcomed Burston.
Board member Brady Skinner said his first online GSBA training was interesting.
In his superintendent report, Burston congratulated the class of 2025 for its accomplishments. He said there were 341 graduates, and the grad walk was enjoyed by all underclassmen.
Burston also congratulated the parents.
“Without your support, it would not have been possible,” he said.
He noted 40 students were finishing up in summer school.
“And that’s OK,” Burston said. “We don’t all work at the same pace. The important thing is to get the job done.”
The interim superintendent said the central change team got together to look at date across the district.
“Ms. (Kristen) Beaver did an awesome job delivering the literacy message. Her passion almost gives you goosebumps,” he said.
Burston said he also met with principals and assistant principals for evaluations.
“I’m glad and honored to be part of this board,” he commented.
Finance report
CFO Tonya Merritt presented the finance report for the month ending May 31, which is 91.67 percent of the school year. She said the total revenues are $60,668,283 and total expenditures $56,770,300. The total ending cash balance is $27,930,408.
Education Special Local Option Sales Tax collections for May were $304,036, and the monthly average collection is $308,474.
Bailey thanked the public for their support of buying local.
Action items
Burston recommended the following items, which were all unanimously approved.
• Purchaseofsupplies from National Autism Resources to support students with autism at Mattie Wells Elementary School for estimated cost of $14,292, utilizing funds from Title I
• Contractforthe 2025-26 one-year renewal with NWEA to purchase MAP Growth Foundations Online Annual License and MAP Growth Assessments for grades K-12 in Math, Language, Reading and Science for an estimated cost of $66,184, utilizing funds from state QBE security funds
• ContractwithT.W.
Washinger Inc. to purchase services to prepare fields for top dressing at Clifton Ridge Middle School, Gray Station Middle School and Jones County High School for an estimated cost of $12,048 utilizing funds from maintenance and operations budget
• ContractwithAtlanta Access Controls Inc. to purchase two servers and installation service for the transportation department for an estimated cost of $39,100 utilizing funds from technology budget
• ContractwithPreferred Mulch LCC to purchase kid-safe mulch for Jones County Pre-K and all Jones County Elementary Schools for an estimated cost of $29,640 utilizing funds from M&O budget
• ContractwithPeach State Demolition LLC to provide demolition services for the abatement of asbestos in the Jones County Pre-K Administrative Office for an estimated cost of $13,800 utilizing fund from the M&O budget
• Contractwiththesign store to purchase door letters for the JCSS for an estimated cost of $13,825 utilizing funds from the state QBE security funds
• ContractwithArey Jones Educational Solutions to purchase 26 View Board Interactive Panels for the JCSS for estimated cost of $51,304 utilizing funds from technology budget
• FY2026foodvendor contracts for the school nutrition program utilizing funds from the nutrition department budget
• Spendingresolutionfor the month of July 2025
• Assistancefromthe Georgia Department of Education Facilities Section for the development of a new five-year local facilities plan due March 15, 2026 The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. to enter closed session and reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
Burston recommended the adoption of the personnel recommendations presented in the closed session. The motion to adopt the recommendations was made by Gordon and approved unanimously.
The personnel recommendations can be viewed on the Board of Education website immediately following the meeting.
After the introduction of Griffin, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled July 8.
Board of Education meetings are now available to view, beginning with the March 11 meeting on the jones.k12.ga.us website under the ‘About Us’ tab.
