Members of the Gray Downtown Development Authority received a visit from the new superintendent for the Jones County School System at their February meeting.
The Feb. 9 meeting was called to order by Chairman Sherri Rollins, and the opening prayer was led by DDA Member David Tufts. All DDA member were in attendance.
The financial report was first. It showed the budget was on track, rents paid and there were no major expenditures for the month. DDA Member Rick Childs made the motion to accept the report, and it was approved unanimously.
School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves was introduced by Rollins. She said she is not from Jones County but knows small town life.
“I think my family and I will be a beautiful fit here, and we look forward to becoming part of the community,” Graves said.
She talked about some of the planned initiatives, with the focus on propelling all students forward. That includes building citizens who will strengthen the community.
Graves said she brings with her a family of four, and her children are in the third and fifth grades.
The superintendent talked about the importance of having a collaborative culture.
“That includes being transparent and vulnerable,” she said.
She said it is important to admit to not having all the answers and to commit to finding those answers.
“We need you to help us know what we don’t know,” she said.
Graves said she and her team are willing to meet with any group or organization. She said every person matters and every perspective matters.
“We might be missing the one who makes the difference. We can’t settle; we have to solve the problems,” she said.
Graves said respect has to be earned. She added it is important to know the traditions that need to be preserved and where the system needs to grow. For instance, one change that has already been made is Board of Education meetings were changed from Tuesday nights to Monday nights. That will allow those involved in the meetings to attend the Christmas Parade and Tuesday sports activities.
That change will begin with the next school year in July.
She started mobile office hours when she started Dec. 2, which allowed her to visit every school in the county before Christmas break.
Graves talked about focus groups, centralized enrollment and residency affidavits. She said students will be on one of three pathways for graduation. Those include higher education, employment or the military.
“I invite you to get into the game with me,” she said.
Old Business
Board member Alex Smith gave an update about the Butler Hall lease agreement for the new year. He said they have a final draft, and it will be sent to the members for approval.
He said the lease for 102 E. Clinton has a lot of moving parts, and he is still working on it.
Rollins said she received a quote for the overhead rollup door for the 104 Eatonton Highway building.
“I think it’s a good starting point. The roof is complete. Now it’s time to get started on the inside,” she said.
The chairman asked for a motion to proceed with the door. Tufts made the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
New Business
Main Street Gray Director Ashely Robinson said five Butler Hall contracts have been signed since the last meeting, and seven are still out. She said the accreditation presentation for Georgia Main Street is scheduled Feb. 26 at the Newtown Macon office, and the strategic planning session for the Main Street board is scheduled April 28-29.
“This will help get our plan in place for the next three years,” she said.
Roberson also talked about the new check off cards to promote downtown businesses. The cards are available at downtown business and provides prizes for customers incentives.
The Director said Jones County High School is bringing its graduation ceremony back to Greyhound Field. She said Main Street is promoting it as a community event with banners congratulating the graduates. She said they are working with local restaurant to stay open later that night.
The ceremony will also be live streamed on YouTube.
In her chairman’s comments, Rollins thanked Gray City Council members for their support in denying a recent zoning request that would allow a used car lot in the center of downtown.
At the conclusion of the comments, the meeting was adjourned to enter closed session.
