The Jones County Board of Education held the second of its required three hearings last week to opt out of HB 581 without any members of the public in attendance. That changed about 30 minutes later when the room started filling up for a public comments session.
School Superintendent Charles Lundy gave an overview of HB 581 at the hearing.
The Jan. 23 hearing was called to order at 6 p.m. The called meeting was brought to order by Board Chairman Ginger Bailey and began at 7 p.m. The ‘public comments’ turned out to be complaints and concerns about the football and athletic departments of Jones County High School and leadership.
The only exception to that was Mayor Pro Tem James Collins, who took the opportunity to encourage the restart of joint meetings with elected officials from the City of Gray, Jones County and Board of Education.
A Facebook post by Jamey Huckeba seemed to be one of the catalysts for the meeting. The post referenced the dismissal of a JCHS football coach and the decision of those at the high school to contract with an out-of-state company for athletic uniforms and equipment.
Huckeba was the first speaker at the meeting. He talked about the number of coaches who have left Jones County and went over the same information contained in his social media post.
The speaker said he and his wife attended JCHS as did all their five children. He said he volunteered as a rec coach for 24 years and worked with youth football for 19 years.
“What bothers me most about this situation is people coming to me and telling me they are afraid to come forward,” Huckeba said.
He said he is speaking up now because of he believes there are problems with the school system and leadership with the athletic department and football program. Huckeba said he was told 31 assistant coaches had left Jones County, and he felt that was a lot.
“Too many good people are leaving,” he said.
Huckeba was the owner of a company that previously held the contract for JCHS and now works for another company that made a proposal for the new contract. He said he did not agree with the contract being given to a company out-of-state. That happened three months ago.
Huckeba stated that was not the reason he was speaking up.
Chuck Gibson was the next to speak. He said he loves Jones County, but he is heartbroken and disappointed. Gibson is a former coach, principal and superintendent in the Jones County School System.
“I am happily retired,” he said.
The speaker said a good leader has to learn to critique themselves.
“A good leader’s job is to inspire collaboration. You should see others’ strengths as a compliment, not a threat.”
Gibson said a little thing became a big thing, and that’s why everyone was there. He said leadership rises and falls on the leader.
Kevin Wiggins talked about his son, who received positive influence while working with the coach who was dismissed. He said he credits that coach with the fact that his son was inspired to enroll in college to get a teaching degree and coach football.
“The Jones County community has always supported the sports program. I don’t want to see that change,” Wiggins said.
Another former school superintendent, William Mathews, also spoke. He said he told the superintendents who came after him the best thing they could do for him was to be successful.
“I felt like it was my responsibility to be the custodian of history of the school system,” he said.
Mathews gave an analogy about umpires. He said the best umpire is invisible. He said the ones who are remembered are those who made a bad call. The speaker said there is a perception that the school system belongs to the people sitting the front table, but they are here to serve the needs of the school system.
Hunter Willis talked about an incident at JCHS involving his son being sent home by the athletic director for wearing another school’s shirt. The issue was later resolved, but Willis questioned the chain of command and who the director reported to.
He also questioned why the shirt a student wore was that important.
“I refuse to let anyone use our children as steppingstones,” the speaker said.
Willis said people are afraid to speak up, but threats should not stop anyone.
Mike Paulk talked about driving Gibson and Linton Jordan during a Homecoming parade years ago. He said Jordan was happy that the new football coach had bought a house in the county.
Paulk asked who the AD reports to, and Bailey said he reports to Lundy.
Jones County High School Principal Dennis Woolfolk explained that they work together.
Paulk said he was concerned at the AD’s ability to affect the teaching staff at the school, and he questioned the decision to fire a coach who was named Coach of the Year.
“I want the county and community to be the best it can be. I don’t feel like we are there,” the speaker said.
Felicia Skinner said partnerships are essential for success, but more could be done. She said people should be able to voice their concerns.
“We are a profession tasked with creating a positive and safe culture to empower young individuals to raise political issues and engage in best practices, but we have not done enough to provide the same environment for our educators,” she said.
had complained to Alligood and Woolfolk, and he no longer trusted him.
“We cannot work as a team when we do not trust each other. As the head football coach, I relieved him of his duties.”
JCHS Athletic Director Chad Alligood said his character was attacked had been challenged last week like nothing he had experienced. He stated that head coaches have full autonomy for their assistant coaches.
The director said he was hired to put financial accountability in the athletic department. He said checks and balances had not previously been in place.
“Most things were done with cash and very little oversight,” he added.
Alligood said new procedures are in place, and every penny is accounted for, including booster club accounts. He cited problems with the previous equipment company, and the decision was made to make a change.
“I’m required to do what is best for Jones County,” he said.
The final speaker was Woolfolk.
“I’m the proud and blessed principal of Jones County High School. I’d like to invite everyone to our monthly council meetings,” he said.
Woolfolk said last month there was one member of the community in attendance. He said he has an open-door policy, and if anyone takes their time to come and meet with him, he will make time to meet with them.
The principal said he supports Chastain and Alligood, and his support is no different from any other administrator before him. He said all decisions that have been made were fair and equitable.
“Everyone involved in the changes were given the opportunity to speak freely on their behalf about the changes for the future. Everyone involved was present, honest and respectful when dealing with this situation,” Woolfolk said.
He said there are no power struggles at JCHS, and all decisions are prayed upon and presented respectfully.
“Those who need to be part of the decision process, are part of the decision process,” the principal stated.
He ended by again inviting everyone to all athletic and academic events at the high school.
“Your presence and voice are needed and appreciated. I am a Greyhound, and my children are Greyhounds. More than anything, I pray that our community continues to support the entire Jones County School District to provide the best educational environment for our children.”
Bailey concluded the meeting with a statement that the Board of Education has an open-door policy, and no one should fear coming to the board.
“It takes all of us to make this the best school system in Georgia,” she said. “It’s all about the children. If it’s not about the children, we need to all pack up and go home.”
