GHS Adulting Day sees community educating students
Featured News, Featured Stories, News November 17, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – “It takes a village to raise a child.” An old proverb and quote repeated over the years comes home to Gilmer County as Gilmer High School returned to its annual Adulting Day event.
From VCA Appalachian Animal Hospital, these volunteers spoke about working with animals and the veterinarian career.
The event sees members of the county coming into the high school setting and volunteering to educate students on skills and life in society today. The lessons have ranged over the years from financial things like writing checks, balancing checkbooks, applying for loans, or starting a small business to personal ideas about life after school like possible careers, joining the military, and even personal health and hobbies to support it.
These volunteers from the community work alongside teachers in classrooms and are put into lessons building off of their personal expertise. Led by the Guidance Counselor’s Office, Adulting Day looks to aid students in information not directly taught in standard core classes.
The event has also evolved from its original form, in recent years, lessons have changed as volunteers have come and go and the number of lessons have increased. While originally only held for one grade, Adulting Day now includes every student in the High School with certain lessons done at different grade levels.
One of the school’s three counselors, Daniel Marshall said that this year saw about 40 community members volunteer their time for the day. Those included close to 95 percent of the volunteers from the last time the school held the day. Unfortunately, the COVID outbreak required the event skipped. With virtual academy and other responses taken to mitigate the spread many events suffered this fate.
Not only going through the details of what Fire Rescue employees do but showing the equipment they deal with, students were introduced to Gilmer’s Public Safety department.
However, while Marshall said that a couple did want to hold back this year, he added that they asked to be kept in mind for next year. He stated, “We are very grateful, very thankful that we live in a place where the community is willing to help.”
Starting in September, initially emailing community partners, the school fills in lessons and asks teachers if they have sessions they can teach. This allows every class to be filled in with important lessons about adult life. Classes also include careers in trades like welding and electrical work. Showcasing all forms of careers, the school branched into firefighters, military, nursing, veterinary, and much more. Layered on top of the other information, it becomes a day to prepare for life both soon after graduation and later on in life that could be post military or post college.
Reece Sanford, of South State Bank, speaks with students about starting a small business and the impact it has on our area during Adulting Day at Gilmer High School.
Nixon Bunch, a teacher in Gilmer High School, introduced kids to hiking and equipment used. As something he is personally interested in and has nearly a decade of time vested into, he offered a beginner’s look into the hobby. He said that his session was about the hobby but also about finding balance and taking care of your own mental health. While not a career path or basic skill, he noted that in life nature, being outside, exercising, providing these positives in life help to balance that health.
Reece Sanford, a manager at South State Bank, led discussions and introductions into starting a small business. From source ideas to getting a small business loan, introducing these students to the idea broadens horizons into an area some may not have considered. Sanford said that in rural America a small business is often needed for the community as they have far less corporate based jobs. Relating back to the community, Sanford discussed the economic impact of such businesses in the area. He went on to add how important he feels it is to work with students and how much he hopes that each one is able to take something away from this day and his presentation.
Working alongside these volunteers during Adulting Day, the schools prepare each year for the day to offer as much as they can. Taking feedback from the community and building on their successes, they can consistently improve and offer more than they have in previous years.
Students hold onto the jaws of life used by Gilmer’s Public Safety workers.
Marshall noted that each year also sees a survey given to the students for other lessons to add and to get feedback on the day along with the volunteers. He said that some of this years sessions came directly from suggestions made on the surveys from previous years stating , “We look at the data and we see where is the majority of the suggestion piling into. We take that information and see how we can incorporate it next year.”
When asked about the school and community cooperation, Marshall said, “It’s a massive impact because, we as counselors and educators in the building, our goal is not only to help the students learn the things they need to know while they are in high school but its looking forward and having a future focused mindset. What are your next steps? How can we help you get to that point? It’s things like this that help us get to that next level for those kids. Without the community people, we couldn’t make any of that happen.”
CCMS shuts down 6th Grade in response to COVID-19
Board of Education, News October 19, 2020
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Starting today, Gilmer County Schools has shut down the 6th Grade of Clear Creek Middle School to attempt to stem a rise in numbers of positive cases within the grade level.
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs
Those numbers are coming from both students and staff according to a letter from Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs stating that they would be closing due to the increase.
Effective until November 4, 2020, students will be at home with learning devices as a part of the distance learning platform that the school has had in use since the early spring outbreak of the virus. However, it is not exactly the same program as the school system has since improved and evolved their distance learning programs with added software and procedures.
Since August, some students have already been a part of the virtual classrooms and students in school have received instructions on using Google Classroom as well.
At this time, Downs states that all of the system’s other schools and grade levels will keep operating as they have been, remaining open for students.
In a letter to parents, Downs said, “Recognizing the challenges closures pose for many families in our community, we are making this decision with a heavy heart but for the greater good. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”
As of last Friday, October 16, 2020, the school system had 7 students absent with positive tests for COVID-19 and 133 students quarantined for possible exposure.
According to the school system’s website;
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4125 – Students enrolled in GCSS
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7 – GCSS Students Absent with a Current Positive COVID-19 Status
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133- GCSS Students Quarantined for Possible Exposure
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526 – Total Number of GCSS Employees
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7- GCSS Employees Absent with a Current Positive COVID-19 Status
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32 – GCSS Employee Who Has Been Exposed and is Quarantined or Reporting to Work as an Essential Employee*
The Board of Education is holding meetings this week as their regularly scheduled monthly meetings. FYN will update new stories if new information becomes available.
Employee from February incident out on bond
News July 20, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – February saw a threat and incident at the Gilmer Schools’ Transportation Depot as a single woman allegedly walked into the facility with a firearm. Now, nearly 150 days later, Mary Newberry has left the detention center on bond.
Allegedly the woman behind the incident, she faces felony charges of Aggravated Assault and Carrying a Weapon in School Safety Zone among others, according to information on the Sheriff’s website for the Detention Center. She also face misdemeanor charges of Simple Battery, Pointing or Aiming a gun at another, and Loitering at or Disrupting Schools.
Clear Creek Middle School in Gilmer County
Posting the bond late last week after it was set by Superior Court Judge John Worcester, she has been placed under 15 conditions according to documents filed with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Those conditions include the bond payment, house arrest, “no contact” orders with a 500-foot distance for witnesses and alleged victims, “no contact” orders including a 500-foot distance from properties of the Gilmer County Charter School System, restrictions on employment with any school system, ankle monitoring, restrictions from firearms, voluntary searches, and other restrictions against committing crimes in general.
In addition, the documents do reference a reasoning as for the bond coming now. The documents stated that both parties “have reached a consent agreement (due to the alleged present physical health conditions of the defendant at the request of the Gilmer County Jail) to the amount of bond and the conditions of bond for the Defendant…”
The alleged incident occurred on the afternoon of February 27, 2020, around 1:30 p.m. and caused the nearby Clear Creek Middle School to go into a “precautionary lock-down.”
As Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs reported at the time, there were no injuries from the incident.
Doug Pritchett Announces Run for Board of Education
Election March 2, 2020
Doug Pritchett has announced his bid for the Board of Education Post 3 seat. Pritchett has served on the Board of Education since January 2019. In his announcement Pritchett stated “he would continue to be an advocate for all of our students in the Gilmer County School System. I will work with our Superintendent and the other members of the Gilmer County Board of Education to insure we provide the best possible education and learning environment for all of our students. We must work together and have a shared vision so our teachers can be effective in the classroom. We must always strive to improve the classroom experiences, programs and opportunities so students will be prepared to take the next step upon completion of their education in the Gilmer County School system.”
Pritchett is a retired banker with 38 years of experience mainly in Gilmer County. During his banking experience he has served as a President, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Commercial and Retail Loan Officer and Branch Manager. He is married to Lynne Gheesling Pritchett, who taught Family and Consumer Science at Gilmer High School for 33 years. They have three sons: Kevin (Reagan) Pritchett, David Pritchett, Nick (Casey) Pritchett. Doug is a lifelong resident of Gilmer County. He is a graduate of Gilmer High School, Reinhardt College and the University of Georgia. He also has a banking degree from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU.
Doug believes his banking experience particularly in the area of budgeting allows him to better evaluate and understand the complex financial matters the Board of Education must deal with on a regular basis. We must be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money while providing adequate funding for a quality education. It is our responsibility to work together as a governance team to represent our students as well as the community’s interest. Our actions must be within Board policies as well as state of Georgia and Federal laws and regulations.
The Gilmer County School system provides our students with a quality education, but we still have challenges and opportunities for improvement. My pledge is to continue to work to move our system forward for all of our students’ success. I would appreciate your vote and support on May 19.
Mountian View Elementary ESOL Family Night huge success
Bobcat's Corner November 22, 2019MVE ESOL Family Night was a success tonight! Students and families shared the event together, enjoyed a read aloud, an Owl-about me craft, a Kahoot!, and received information about their student’s educational programs.
Ethics and Security questioned in Gilmer Administration
News March 22, 2019
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Citizens are questioning the Gilmer County Board of Education this week after reports have surfaced of the involvement of and connections between the school systems Superintendent, Dr. Shanna Downs, and her husband’s, Jeff Downs, career in a company that the school is now engaging to install a security system in the schools.
Jeff Downs, Senior Vice President of Sales
While allegations pointed that Shanna Downs financially benefited from this contract between the school and the company known as Centegix, where sources say Jeff Downs serves and Senior Vice President of Sales.
FYN looked deeper into the contract and Request for Proposals (RFP) process that was headed up by Gilmer Schools Director of Technology John Call. According to hid RFP listed, the criteria of the RFP included:
1. Bidder’s total proposed price
2. Product quality/appropriateness/compatibility/performance
3. Bidder’s qualifications/experience
4. Bidder’s ability to provide support/service
5. Bidder’s warranty/maintenance
6. Proposed product meeting the district’s present needs as well as future needs through
enhancements and upgrades.
Call headed the reviews and RFP process, according to Downs, who said, “When I realized that my husband would likely accept a position with Centegix in November, I notified the board and I placed our technology director, John Call, in charge of the competitive bidding process for the security system. I asked that I be left completely out of the process.”
Downs further stated that Call and Stuart Sheriff, Assistant Superintendent, contacted Harbin, Hartley and Hawkins Attorneys at Law on November 12 for legal advice. As they saw no problem after Downs recusal, Downs says she informed the Board of her husband’s potential future employment with Centegix. She says, “Mr. Call assembled a committee of building level administrators to review and score the responses to the Request for Proposals (RFPs). Details of that process can be found in our board minutes from December 13, 2018. Until that process was complete, I stayed unaware of the selection of the product.”
Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs
Downs made one further note on her husband’s involvement saying, “My husband began work with Centegix on December 3rd and will not make any commission off of the purchase.”
Centegix Proposal:
ETC Proposal:
ETC – Alert System – RFP – Additional Information / ETC – Alert System – RFP – Additional Information
Mountain View Elementary Thanks American Legion Riders
Bobcat's Corner September 18, 2018
Mountain View Elementary would like to extend a HUGE Thank You to the American Legion Riders for their generous donation of shoes and clothes to the MVE Clothes Closet!
News from Mountain View Elementary School
Bobcat's Corner, Mountain Education Charter High School September 13, 2018
On Tuesday, September 11th brought a sea of red, white, and blue to Mountain View Elementary School. The kids celebrated Patriot Day by wearing patriotic colors and participating in lessons that discussed the significance of September 11th.
News from Clear Creek Middle School
Bobcat's Corner, Clear Creek Middle September 11, 2018
CCMS will host it’s Annual Title I Night on Thurs., Sept 27th. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria at 5:30 All parents are encouraged to attend to learn about the Title I program and how it helps your child. Our 8th Grade Chorus will also be performing their Fall Preview of Veteran’s Day music. The bookfair will be open following the meeting. Door prizes will be given out. Don’t miss this exciting event!
The CCMS bookfair will be held the week of Sept. 24th – 28th . Gift cards can be purchased at www.follettgift.com and are an alternative to sending money with students. Bookfair gift cards also are a way for family members to easily send a gift to your child. All bookfair proceeds benefit the students of CCMS through the media program.
All stakeholders are invited to attend the School Governance Team meeting on Thursday, August 27 at 7:25 am with a condensed meeting in the afternoon at 2:30 pm. Future meetings will be Oct. 25, Nov. 29., and Dec. 20. Send your feedback to [email protected].
Bobcats Wrestling Recognized By B.O.E.
Team FYN Sports March 26, 2018
The Gilmer Co. Board of Education recognized the Gilmer High School wrestling team for an outstanding season on Thursday. Bobcat wrestling was first on the agenda with Coach Josh Ghobadpoor thanking Dr. Wilkes and the entire board for doing all they do for the schools in Gilmer Co. Coach Ghobad, as he is commonly called by his team, brought to the forefront that the accomplishments for Gilmer wrestling this season once again followed the continued winning tradition the program is known for.
The 2018 season saw the Bobcats win 1st place in Traditional Duels and Area Duels with a Runner Up in State Duals falling just short of a strong Jefferson Dragons team. On the individual level, the Bobcats had 12 athletes qualify for the GHSA State Tournament with 6 of those placing and bringing home the hardware. All Bobcats performed well in the state tournament with Tristan Kendall(126 lbs) placing 4th, Alex Repetun(138 lbs) placing 6th, Caleb Waddell(152 lbs) placing 2nd, Grant Ledford(160 lbs) placing 6th, Ryan Crump(182 lbs) placing 3rd and Anthony Zilke(285 lbs) placing 3rd.
Congratulations to the 2017-2018 Bobcats on a great wrestling season!
See the video of these Bobcats being highlighted below:
Interns & Apprentices within the Gilmer Schools Charter System “Growing Our Own”
Bobcat's Corner November 1, 2017
Group Photo (Left to Right)
Front row; Halee Stone, Andrea Pantoja, Alexa Stone, Samantha Buntin, Elizabeth Stillwell, Allison Strickler, McKayla Chambers, Marli Cody, Jenny McCurdy, Amber Hancock and Kameron Stone. Back row: Rachel Bowen, Alexa Edens, Austin Daman, Chase Stone, Sierra Berry, Emily Beller, Maggie Parks, Mallory Kiser and Avery Bertanilli.
Not pictured are Erica Sharp, Brittani Ballew, Samantha Barrios, Drayton Bennett, Taylor Boling, Haleigh Crump (Mountain Academy), Marie Goswick, Faith Ralston and Katie Wells.
Gilmer Charter Schools are ‘growing our own’. Growing our own young talent to fill future positions within our system. Through rigorous academic classes and Teaching as a Profession, Business, Music, Spanish and other pathways students are learning curriculum and witnessing first-hand the demands of these professions through WBL internships and apprenticeships. The Teaching as a Profession pathway curriculum is designed for future teachers. Upon the completion of the two courses, an internship within a classroom and the passage of the ‘end of pathway’ assessment students may earn college credit and a paid apprenticeship within the school system.
Many students will successfully complete the “Teaching as a Profession” pathway requirements this school year. Senior Brittany Ballew completed the pathway fulfilling all requirements to earn college credit last year and is eligible for a paid apprenticeship this school year (see photo). Many types of WBL Internships and Apprenticeships are in place throughout the school system. We thank the leadership of our system for being visionaries.
Brittani Ballew apprenticing with Jennifer Keener at EES.
Andrea Pantoja with Mrs. Mary Hensley at EPS.
Migrant Tutor McKayla Chambers.
Allison Strickler apprenticing with Torri Hensley in Pre-K.
Haleigh Crump at Mountain Academy for Kids daycare.
Erica Sharp with Mrs. Kathy Cobb at EPS.
**Parents & students may inquire about participating the 2018-2019 school year. The application process will begin in February. This is the only time of year to apply. See Janet Davis 706 276-5090 with questions.**
Upward Bound Grant Confirmed for Gilmer County Schools
News June 3, 2017
According to a recent release from the University of North Georgia, they have been awarded “$2.6 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s Upward Bound Program to help promising low-income high school students in Hall and Gilmer counties prepare for college.”
Split between our two counties, 120 students will have the opportunity to take advantage of tutoring, counseling, and advisement to help them become academically successful.
Gilmer specifically has local access to the University through a Blue Ridge Campus Branch where they can take courses as well as participate in the Blue Ridge Scholars program integrating course instruction with student support groups for first-time freshmen.
According to a UNG article by Sylvia Carson, the President of the University, Bonita C. Jacobs, said, “Through these grants and the Upward Bound program, we will be able to provide vital support to students in our region as they prepare for higher education and future career opportunities.”
UNG Blue Ridge Campus Director Sandy Ott leads the grant for Glmer High School saying, “Introducing the Upward Bound program in Gilmer County has the potential to greatly increase the progression of low-income students and first-generation college students through the academic pipeline.”
FYN followed up with Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes for more information. She offered anyone interested in the program to attend the Board’s June 12 meeting as they will have a full presentation on the award, the partnership, and Gilmer’s future alongside the University of North Georgia.
Gilmer Schools Approve Budget
News June 6, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – Coming to the end of a process that began back in Fall, Gilmer County Schools’ Board of Education has approved a tentative budget for the 2018 Fiscal Year.
With some obvious changes such as One time Grants for projects like the School Cannery, other major changes are coming such as staffing adding two ESOL teachers, one Special Education teacher, one academic coach, one RTI Intervention Teacher, and one health pathway teacher for the Certified Nursing path in school among others. The school system is also moving forward on the Provision 2 Free Breakfast project for students.
Gilmer Schools Tentative Budget for the Fiscal Year 2018
Taking a closer look at the budget, our Schools are estimating to end FY18 with a $1,298,797 gap between revenues and expenditures. This estimation is not unheard of in Gilmer County as they have projected themselves under expenditures last year as well.
Gilmer Schools estimated in June of 2016 that they would be $1,631,875 under expenditures for their budget. This estimate left a fund balance of $14,962,247 by June 30,2017. However, the school system is currently estimating a fund balance of $20.7 million on July 1, 2017. Chief Financial Officer Trina Penland gave credit for the change to the Board of Education and specifically to Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes for continuously reviewing expenditures and cutting unnecessary items.
Regardless, the schools still estimates this year’s budget revenues to still come up short of expenditures by $1,298,797 leaving a fund balance of $19,401,203 by June 30, 2018.
While everyone remembers the mandated 2% salary increase for teachers, and our systems plan to increase the 2% to all faculty and staff, other changes have affected expenditures for the school system including a $300,000 increase in textbooks and a $560,000 increase to the TRS benefits (Teachers Retirement System) for employees. While the school system has been paying 14.27% of the costs for teachers TRS Benefits, this is now increasing to 16.81%. FY19 is also estimated to 20.9%.
One other notable increase comes as the Board approved a request from the Commissioners to increase their funding for School Resource Officers to 50% of the total costs, this $45,000 increase will take the total cost from its current $105,000 to $150,000.
On the Revenue side, the school system will be seeing a $635,000 increase to QBE Allotment from the State to aid in covering tuition and instruction in addition to the TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Taxes) Revenue. The TAVT is still being inflated due to repayment of taxes from the county and cities after the disbursement error in the Tax Commissioner’s office. This could offset in roughly a year and a half when the repayment is completed. However, Penland stated they have noticed an increase in collection from last year and are optimistic the economy could at least make up for a portion of the difference by the time those payments cease.
The expected changes for Expenses in the FY18 Gilmer Schools Budget.
The expected changes for Revenue in the FY18 Gilmer Schools Budget.
Additionally, during their meeting, the Board of Education also moved forward with approval for a Technology purchase of $90,000 for eight carts of Chromebooks. With 30 Chromebooks per cart, 240 total, Dr. Wilkes stated this would finally put 3rd and 4th Grades to a 1:1 ratio of Chromebooks and students.
While the budget is currently tentative, the Detailed Budget will be up for approval at the June 15 meeting. Citizens wishing to speak or comment on the budget can do so at their Work Session on June 12 or sign up to speak at the Regular Meeting on June 15.
Upward Bound Project Celebrated in Public Conference
News July 28, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – Offering low income first generation students a path to college access after high school graduation through additional services, the Upward Bound Grant was celebrated with members from both the Gilmer County Board of Education and the University of North Georgia.
Beginning Sept 1, 2017, the program will see two full time staff members at Gilmer High School in addition to extra resources and support for the selected students who participate. While the Grant was previously approved, see “Upward Bound Grant Confirmed for Gilmer Schools,” the press conference held on July 27 was the first official public meeting of the two entities celebrating the new partnership in Gilmer County.
Gilmer County Charter School System Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes opened the meeting saying, “With the Gilmer County Upward Bound Project being the only one of its kind in this area of the state, I am so excited that we’re able to partner with University of North Georgia to offer support for post secondary opportunities to our students.”
The Federal Grant supporting this program equals $257,000 a year. University of North Georgia (UNG) President Dr. Bonita Jacobs commented on the yearly grant to assure citizens, “”We anticipate being here for five years, and it will make a difference… I am extremely excited about this program and about the impact it is going to have across our region.”
Dr. Bonita Jacobs, President of the University of North Georgia
UNG currently hosts five campuses throughout northeast Georgia, according to Dr. Jacobs, and is the fastest growing institution in the fastest growing region of Georgia. She continued the conference saying, “As we look at businesses coming into our communities, one of the questions they ask is about workforce. Do you have the workforce?”
Dr. Jacobs also mentioned the University’s REED (Regional Economic Educational Development) Program is launching to work consistently with economic development in the area. The Upward bound program fits into the bigger picture with these other programs in UNG as it opens doors to colleges and career opportunities for these students. It helps them to understand what jobs are out there and how to get those jobs through the various pathways available in high school.
Clean Audit Brings Second Award to Gilmer Schools
News April 28, 2017
For the second time in 3 years, Gilmer County Schools and its Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance, Trina Penland, have been awarded for Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.
According to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, the award was established to “recognize excellence in financial reporting and controls. It encourages governmental organizations to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and recognizes individual organizations that are successful in achieving this goal.”
This award comes alongside the School Systems Audit Report with no findings and no questions on accounts, a feat lauded as extremely difficult by Board Chairman Jim Parmer. In fact, of the 150 counties that this state department reports on, only 27 have received this distinction this year. Some of the qualifications for the award require the annual financial report “must also be free of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, comply with all Transparency in Government requirements, and be given an unmodified audit opinion.”
Although the award is for Gilmer County Schools as a whole, both Chairman Parmer and Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes applauded their CFO Trina Penland and her hard work as the foundation of the school system’s success on this report.
Gilmer BOE Being Investigated for High Test Scores
News March 31, 2017
In a sort of twist, Gilmer Schools are part of an inquiry by the State Department of Education due to unusually high scaling Milestones test scores for 8th Grade Math.
After results had come back with this particular group scoring far better than the state expected them to, a process began to look into Gilmer’s scores to ensure the results were true. Officials from our local administration have already been a part of conference calls, a written report, and written questionnaires to follow up with the results.
While in the past, the focus has been on analyzing erasures to prevent fraud, this year started a new “unusual response pattern analysis.” This analysis relies on percentiles instead of deviations according to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. Utilizing an algorithm for school-level analysis, this formula does not look at individual students or smaller groups.
Ultimately, the inquiry so far could be the extent of the investigation, although a possibility of an on-site visit is still possible. Gilmer’s Board of Education will likely not know the final decision until May.
While utilizing Extended Learning Times and focusing on 8th grade as a “gateway year,” Gilmer School’s veteran teachers, according to Director of Assessment Michele Penland, had well prepared in advance for the Milestones tests through several avenues including using Professional Learning Time to work together as they built the curriculum. They used “spiral quizzes” which allowed students to “revisit and practice standards they had already learned” and Extended Learning Times (ELT) to tutor and remediate student areas of deficiency.
Penland reported that due to the common incorporation of numerous tools such as interactive notebooks, test corrections, and consistent collaboration, the schools were able to achieve more with their students and their testing.
While the investigation continues, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes did not seem worried saying that inquiries into the school because it is achieving and performing so well are welcome.