EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – The beginning of 2022 has the Gilmer Board of Education establishing the new year with annual approvals and nominations for board chairs and school administrators renewals.

A typical agenda item for January, the approval of chairs sets the officers for the entire year while administrator renewal  must be approved before they can then submit their own personnel lists for approval.

Official nominations and approvals came for Ronald Watkins as Board Chairman and Doug Pritchett as Board Vice-Chair.

Alongside the approval on January’s personnel changes approved as a whole, administrative renewals were handled individually.

For administrators in the central office for the Board of Education, unanimous approvals came for Lottie Mitchell as Assistant Superintendent overseeing Curriculum, Lindy Patterson as Federal Programs Director & Title IX Coordinator, Jessica Chastain as Student Services Director, Trina Penland as Finance Director, John Call as Technology Director, Patricia Partin as School Nutrition Director, Samantha Amos as Transportation Director, Bob Sosebee as Maintenance Director, and Kim Cagle as Testing Coordinator.

Dana Berry was approved with three yes votes as Assistant Superintendent overseeing Operations. Board members Michael Parks and Joe Pflueger abstained from voting.

As for School Administrators, unanimous approval came for Nicole Pike as Principal of Clear Creek Middle School, Melinda Fonteboa as Principal of Ellijay Elementary School, Stephanie Burnette as Principal of Clear Creek Elementary School, and Charles Walker as Principal of Mountain View Elementary School.

Carla Foley was approved as principal of Gilmer High School with three votes. Board member Michael Parks abstained from voting. Board member Joe Pflueger voted against the approval.