Gilmer Schools is changing COVID response for students tomorrow
Featured Stories January 10, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – “We will shift our focus away from contact tracing and quarantine to monitoring children for signs of illness,” says a new statement from Gilmer County Schools as the announcement comes today that COVID response and state guidelines are changing again. Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said it was a return to focusing on educating kids in school and not being an “arbiter of quarantines.”
Dr. Ridley sent the letter out with this statement today, notifying the community of the change. He added that he wants to be a partner with parents in their care for their children.
Ridley noted that the change is coming after the governor and the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced changes in their guidelines for COVID response,acknowledging the hardships that families have had due to quarantines on any possible exposure.
Now, instead of instantly quarantining students who have been around others in school who have tested positive, they will be allowed to stay in class while being “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask. His letter this morning stated 10 days, but Dr. Ridley said that continued updates have made that a misprint as the schools will be encouraging mask usage for 5 days.
Additionally, the statement extended this same change to those currently in quarantine due to exposure. While the last update on the school systems website noted 77 students currently in quarantine, Dr. Ridley said this number is not up to date with these changes as well as another set of changes to guidelines that the schools just received last Thursday.
The school system will continue notifying parents when their students have been exposed and will be sending out letters “notifying you that your child was in class, on the bus, participated in a sport, etc. with a positive case just as we do with any other communicable disease.”
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley
As such, some tracing will still be done with this new response as the school is still asking parents to monitor their children and notify the school if they test positive. Dr. Ridley stated, “We will continue to notify DPH when a notifiable disease is reported and alert DPH of concerns with clusters and outbreaks which may require immediate public health intervention.”
But this isn’t contact tracing as it has been in the last year, these notifications will not continue for those that have been around someone who was around someone who was exposed to a student that tested positive.
The school system is asking parents to continue monitoring your child each morning before sending them to school. They also noted that students showing any signs of the virus or any illness should not be sent to school.
The school system is also taking extra steps for parents in understanding the change or with further needs as Ridley’s statement asked parents to contact their student’s school if they have any concerns of if their child might need extra help for a medical vulnerability.
Superintendent Ridley did confirm that he had discussed the new response individually with members of the Board of Education before implementing them. While he said they mostly agreed with the new format, he did confirm that the board could still add or reinstate any extra steps and precautions should they feel the need arises.
The school system had just posted recent changes on January 4, 2022, with updates from over the December break, but the state is already updating new changes with this today. Dr. Ridley also said in his letter, “While the constant change in guidance has been frustrating at times, we want to thank our Gilmer County families for their support throughout this pandemic. We hope that with the help of our parents, we can even more effectively monitor students for symptoms while also meeting the new DPH standard of keeping healthy students in class.”
Weather has delays and the warming center open for Friday morning
News January 6, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – A new statement from the National Weather Service has authorities in Gilmer County returning to caution and delaying schedules tomorrow in addition to early closures today.
Statements from the Gilmer County Courthouse and Gilmer County Schools have reported early closures for today. Both ended the day two hours early, roughly 3 p.m. for the county and 1 p.m. for schools. However, in addition to early closures both have issued statements for tomorrow, Friday, January 7, 2022. This is the second time this week that winter weather has caused a delay for the county.
The statement from the courthouse said, “The Gilmer County Courthouse will be closing at 3:00PM today and will delay opening tomorrow until 10:00AM due to incoming winter weather events that we anticipate will make driving difficult and perhaps dangerous.”
The statement from Gilmer Schools said, “Tonight’s weather forecast is predicting some severe Winter weather in the Northern end of Georgia, including parts of Gilmer. Therefore, the Gilmer County Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay on Friday January 7th, 2022.”
The National Weather service stated, “A strong cold front will bring cold and windy conditions to much of north Georgia tonight into Friday morning. Northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph this evening will gradually decrease overnight. However, with the very cold, sub-freezing temperatures, wind chill values will fall into the teens across north Georgia with readings in the single digits in the mountains.”
Closures and delays are not the only response coming through as Gilmer Public Safety is also responding to the extremely low temperatures by opening the Civic Center Warming Center. They said, “The Warming Shelter at the Civic Center – 1561 S. Main St. – will be open today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) from 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM for all those in need of protection from freezing temperatures. Visitors are asked to bring a bedroll if available. Pets are welcome.”
With slight rain today in areas of the county, some estimation totals have reached between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Lows are estimated between 17 and 20 degrees just before dawn. Some forecasts have even set the wind chill down to single digits in the area.
Gilmer is along the southernmost reach of the Winter Weather Advisories reach across the entire northern tip of Georgia coming from the front of “arctic air.”
BOE approves PlainView LED board for Pettit Field
Board of Education, News December 18, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – A split vote this week saw the Gilmer County Board of Education officially approving PlainView LED as the bid to install a new scoreboard at Pettit Field.
The decision came 3-2 with Joe Pflueger and Michael Parks being the dissenting votes. The 21 feet by 36 feet board will cost $440,103 and is set to finish installation before graduation in May.
With the gym scoreboard over the basketball court awaiting engineering and bids, this approval only came for the scoreboard on Pettit Field. Discussion from Monday’s meeting saw the presentation of information about the video scoreboard and the bids offered.
The scoreboard does come with a 10-year warranty and training by PlainView LED for students. The board itself is a 10 millimeter board, meaning that the LED lights used in the board 10 millimeters apart. This has become standard in similar boards across the country according to Dana Berry, Gilmer School’s Director of Operations.
When asked individually about there no votes, both Parks and Pflueger gave similar answers pointing to the timeline of the vote and voicing no concerns or issues with the board itself.
Joe Pflueger stated, “Number one, I don’t think the process was followed like it was presented. Number two, I’d like to have more than two days to look at real numbers, especially when we’re dealing with almost a half million dollar purchase.”
Michael Parks stated, “I just felt like we needed a little more time. I thought its a good plan, but I just felt like we might be rushing into it a little bit.”
When asked to clarify about the time issue, Parks explained that it was a public issue, that some of the public weren’t aware of the item and the board could have used more time presenting more information with more time available for the public before the vote.
Moving forward with the board installation, the idea presented is for replacing the current board in its location. Doing this, according to their report, will not require new permits from the county or city.
Installation of the board will also include sound adjustments to aid in some of the echo and lightning protection according to the presentation on Monday.
Speed Cameras coming to local School Zones
News July 27, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – “It is an enforcement issue,” said Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson as he spoke about school traffic zones and the reduced speed during school hours.
Sheriff Nicholson offered a report to the Gilmer Board of Education during their July meeting concerning a problem with speeding in school zones and what the office is preparing to implement in response to it.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson
School zones require a reduction in speed from drivers twice a day to help with the beginning of the day when students are coming in to school and the end of day when school lets out. According to Nicholson, these roughly one hour windows in the morning and afternoon are the times that the speed limits drop and complaints begin. He noted that the office expects people to become informed about the cameras and for the issue to mostly resolve before they even implement the devices.
To help with enforcement, the Sheriff has contracted with a company to put up speed cameras to capture speeders in the zone and issue tickets electronically. Not a new concept, many cities utilize camera on traffic lights in a similar fashion to issue fines against those running red lights.
Nicholson said that while it doesn’t directly affect the school system’s operation, he wanted to take the time to inform them and also to spread the word about the coming change. Nicholson asserted several times that he wants to focus on informing the public and letting them know in advance about the cameras and not to blindside them or catch them off guard.
Nicholson said that he constantly receives complaints about speeds during the school year. There are three locations that will utilize the cameras including; Mountainview Elementary School on Highway 282, Clear Creek Middle School on Clear Creek Road, and Clear Creek Elementary School on Yukon Road.
Utilizing both traffic cameras and radar, the devices will operate more as a deterrent than a ticket device as Nicholson said his hopes were to aid in the enforcement issues.
The scenario will play out as someone speeds through the area, the captured infractions are sent to a local appointed officer, which Nicholson said will likely be a SRO (School Resource Officer). That officer reviews the infractions and makes sure there are no mistakes, then the company will send out tickets to those the officer approves.
One important note, Nicholson said that these are civil fines, not traffic tickets. One of the major differences Nicholson noted, is that not paying the civil fine will not automatically send a person to jail, but “it will go to court.”
The Sheriff’s Office does have more details to work out. As Nicholson said, he wants to give ample time to the public to find out and know about the radar cameras before implementation. That said, these devices could be seen in use as early as September or October in Gilmer County.
Secured to poles, these devices will be set inside the zones that the county has marked and signed as a reduction in speed.
Board Chairman Ronald Watkins mentioned adding other devices to the areas such as flashing lights as seen in some other counties where they have flashing yellow lights posted on school zone signs during the hours of reduced speed. Nicholson said that the County has the responsibility on changing signage and using that type of signage. However, Nicholson did say that he has looked into another suggestion from Watkins with the trailers with a strobe highlighting a driver’s current speed.
All of this comes in support of Nicholson’s push to, as he said, warn and inform Gilmer’s citizens over and over again about the devices before they even get implemented.
Gilmer Board of Education announces Superintendent Finalist
News June 29, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County Schools has initiated the final steps in inducting its new Superintendent into the system. With a formal motion over the weekend to announce the finalist, they have also released information on him.
That finalist is Dr. Hal Brian Ridley.
The school system is already making plans for a formal motion to employ Dr. Ridley and is hoping to have him in position before school starts again. This plan has been in place since the announcement of Dr. Downs retirement earlier this year.
Gilmer Schools has issued the following press release about Dr. Hal Brian Ridley.
The Gilmer County Board of Education named Dr. Hal Brian Ridley as the single finalist for the position of Superintendent of the Gilmer County Schools at a called meeting on June 26, 2021. The Board voted to name Dr. Ridley as the single finalist for the fourteen-day period of public notice as required by Georgia law.
After reviewing applications and interviewing a number of excellent candidates, the Gilmer County Board of Education determined that Dr. Ridley is the best applicant for the position of Superintendent. The Board selected Dr. Ridley from among the pool of 29 applications received from across Georgia and the Southeast. The Board voted unanimously to name Dr. Ridley as the single finalist for the position and announced its intention to name him as Superintendent after the 14-day period of public notice.
Because of the importance of Superintendent selection, the Board devoted a great deal of effort and time to the Superintendent search and followed a structured and deliberate process over a three-month period. The Board advertised the position widely and considered community and employee input to develop the profile and selection standards that were used in the search process. In making its decision, the Board considered skills of each applicant, knowledge of and familiarity with Gilmer County schools and the community, and fit of applicant leadership style with the people and needs of the system. The Board also considered each applicant’s potential and previously demonstrated ability to unify the school community, to work collaboratively with all categories of employees, and to raise important measures of student achievement such as graduation rates and career and college readiness. The Board specifically sought a Superintendent who would work with all elements of the community and school system to establish goals and who would lead the school system to achieve those goals over time.
Dr. Ridley currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of Haralson County Schools. He has 25 years of experience in education including time as a Middle School Principal, Elementary School Principal, and Band Director.
In the coming weeks, details of Dr. Ridley’s employment will be developed by the Board and formal action to employ him as Superintendent is expected at the next regular Board Meeting. After action to formally employ Dr. Ridley, he will cooperate with Ms. Kim Cagle, Interim Superintendent, to transition into the Superintendent’s position.
Dr. Ridley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Berry College, a Master of Music Performance Degree from the University of West Georgia, a Specialist in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of West Georgia, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of West Georgia.
Dr. Ridley said about himself, “I am a principle-centered leader with a “no excuses” attitude and a focus on problem solving through innovation. I exhibit strong conflict resolution skills and I am experienced in dealing with difficult public relations and personnel issues in a professional manner. I am adept at building relationships among various stakeholder groups and fully intend to serve as a positive school representative within the community. I am truly excited by the possibility of bringing my dedication and knowledge to your school district.”
Currently the Assistant Superintendent of the Haralson County School System in Tallapoosa, Georgia, a system with a work force of over 500 employees serving approximately 3,500 students.
As part of the process, Gilmer Schools is publishing their release along with Dr. Hal Brian Ridley’s Resume and Cover Letter for 14 days to allow public input and feedback before the next Board of Education Meeting. They have also provided his Ridley Certificate to Publish.
As the process continues, citizens are invited to comment and add their input on Ridley. If wishing to speak publicly, the Board of Education allows public comments at their work session, or citizens could speak at the Regular Meeting if they sign up early.
Gilmer delays graduation ceremony one day
News May 27, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer High School’s graduation ceremony has been delayed in the face of weather forecasts. According to school administration, at the time of the decision, forecasts indicated an 80 percent chance of rain.
Due to this, Gilmer Schools originally followed previous plans to move the ceremony inside, keeping the date and time in order to avoid upsetting any plans for families who may be traveling. However, overwhelming response indicated that the majority of families did not want to move it inside.
Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs told FYN that the school system polled students for the option of moving the ceremony to the following morning in order to allow their wishes to stay on the field but also avoid the rain. With virtually complete support for the idea, the school system announced today that Gilmer’s Graduation Ceremony will move from Friday night at 7 p.m. to Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
While avoiding the possible rain, despite the forecast continuing to change, the change in date has also forced another change to the ceremony.
As reported in March, the resignation of Superintendent Downs effectively set her last day as May 28, 2021, in order to allow Dr. Downs to perform her final action in recommending the class for graduation and joining in the delivery of diplomas. The legal motion within the meeting accepted her resignation with this final day.
Now, with the official date of the ceremony moved to May 29, and with former plans to move into her new home already in motion, Dr. Downs said that she deeply regrets that she will not be able to be a part of the proceedings anymore. She confirmed with FYN that Interim Superintendent Kim Cagle will now perform the necessary actions.
Downs said the she will start her new job early next week, but wanted, and planned, to finish her time with Gilmer Schools with the final moments of ceremony and acceptance of this year’s graduating class.
Much of the plans for the ceremony remain as stated including parking and processions. The system is simply changing the time and day.
School Calendar vote to be decided tomorrow
News March 17, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – As has become tradition in Gilmer’s Board of Education in the first few months of the year, discussion and a voting system has been held for the board as they decide which calendar to approve for the coming school year.
Discussion on the topic has already risen in the BOE last month as the board began debating when school should start and when it should end. Though most of the creation of the annual calendar has been left to the schools submitting them, this year it was suggested among the board to include restrictions on when school can start back.
Once again utilizing a vote through email, this month, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs reported the results of the 772 responses to the calendar vote. The process was held via email, according to Downs, who said email address verifications helped ensure that nobody was voting multiple times. The vote was accessed through a link in the emails sent out and each link could only be used once.
Of those votes, the results between the three presented included 295 votes (38.22%) for Calendar 1, 71 votes (9.2%) for Calendar 2, and 406 votes (52.59%) for Calendar 3.
With the results in, Dr. Downs recommended that the board approve a calendar during their Regular Meeting tomorrow, Thursday, March 18, 2021.
The Board of Education does not currently have that voters winning calendar available on the website at this time, it is not officially adopted until a formal motion to approve and a vote has been made.
However, one board member has already voiced opinions against the winning calendar. Board member Ronald Watkins said in Monday’s meeting that he will be voting “no” on Calendar 3 as several members of the board, a majority at the time, discussed and agreed that these should not begin before August 1, 2021. Debate over the topic will continue tomorrow at their Regular Meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the administrative offices.
Watkins did note that he would vote for calendar 1, the second most popular, instead.
Additionally, as the process begins anew next year, Gilmer will likely be looking at multi-year calendars instead as the board also discussed the possibility last month, but ultimately decided not to try and change in the middle of the creation process.
Gilmer issues school delay for two hours in face of severe storms
Announcements, News March 17, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – With warning continuing to come in from the National Weather Service and public safety officials, Gilmer Schools has issued a statement to plan on a two-hour delay for school on Thursday, March 18, 2021.
According to the statement released, “The National Weather Service has warned that our county is expected to experience severe weather overnight and into the early morning hours just before and during our normal morning bus routes. The strongest storm bands show potential to generate damaging winds, hail, and tornados. In the interest of safety, please plan for a two-hour delayed start of school Thursday morning March 18, 2021.”
The school system clarified that bus routes and parent drop-off are also affected, so parents should not drop students off at normal times to wait for class to begin. However, they are planning to dismiss at the normal time in the afternoon.
While the National Weather Service has not issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area at this time, they did issue a statement just before noon saying, “Scattered to numerous strong to severe storms are expected late today through tonight with an approaching strong disturbance and frontal system. While there is some potential for severe storms as early as this afternoon, the primary risk will likely be with an area of storms pushing eastward late tonight into Thursday morning. The main threats will be tornadoes (some of which could be significant or longer tracked), damaging winds over 60 mph, large hail, and flash flooding.”
The decision to delay class is in place for now, but the school system did state that this response could increase if need be, saying, “We will plan to confer with Emergency Management officials in the early morning hours on Thursday and if conditions require a cancellation, this information will be updated.”
Details on GHS lockdown released from Superintendent
News January 27, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County High School went under lockdown this morning after a student reported to the principal about possibly sighting a firearm.
According to a statement released by Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs, “At approximately 0754 this morning, a student reported to an assistant principal that they saw a gun and ammo in a another student’s book bag.”
Downs went on to say that the Assistant Principal immediately used the Centegix Crisis Alert to place the school on lockdown. Reports began coming in about the lockdown and statements that the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) set up a command center and began searching the facility. According to Gilmer Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, the “best case scenario is that it’s a fluid operation and command is being set up while operations is dealing with the issue.”
Downs said, “GCSO and school officials began investigating, questioning witnesses, and viewing both classroom and hallway cameras.”
Thorough searches of involved students, their belongings, and facilities yielded no weapon. According to Dr. Downs, GCSO cleared the building at 8:51.
Sherriff Nicholson also commented to FYN this morning saying, “This morning, a student reported to faculty of GHS that another student possibly had a gun. The school immediately went on lockdown and law enforcement responded. It was quickly determined by Sheriff’s Office personnel and school officials that the student in question did not have a gun.”
As of now, sources say the lockdown has been lifted, including parents who say they have received a call from the school stating the same.
With less than an hour under lockdown, Gilmer administrators and the Gilmer County Sheriff reported, responded, and cleared the suspected. It is not the first time Gilmer has dealt with a lockdown situation this year as another lockdown in December came after a loud noise “like a gunshot” was reported at the Larry Walker Education Center in December, 2020, and Clear Creek Middle School went on Lockdown after an incident at the bus garage occurred in February, 2020.
Gilmer prepares for inclement weather with closings
News January 7, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Warnings of winter weather and notifications from the National Weather Service have forced closings and delays in Gilmer County tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, “total snow accumulations of two to four inches with isolated higher and ice accumulations of a light glaze to one-tenth of an inch possible.”
In effect until 7 p.m. Friday, elevations above 1500 feet will see worse conditions.
The conditions are already seeing posts and statements of closures. The Gilmer Sheriff’s Office reported, “Due to the inclement weather that is expected overnight, the Courthouse and all County Offices for non-essential employees will be delayed until 10:00am Friday morning, January 8, 2021.”
In addition to the courthouse, Gilmer Schools has also closed their school facilities. Instead choosing to go forward with a virtual learning day. They posted saying, “Because the safety of Gilmer County students and staff is our highest priority, Gilmer County Schools will plan to hold a virtual learning day tomorrow Friday January 8, 2021.”
Gilmer Health Department is also closing due to the weather, “Due to anticipated winter weather conditions that could result in hazardous road conditions, the Fannin County and Gilmer County Health Departments will be CLOSED tomorrow, Friday, January 8. Any further updates regarding weather impacts on public health services in North Georgia will be provided by the North Georgia Health District.”
Waiting for the storm to hit, these closures come with just the warning of winter weather as officials are attempting to provide for safety and security of citizens.
Gilmer’s Larry Walker Education Center under lockdown
News December 10, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Larry Walker Education Center, located on Bobcat Trail just down the hill from Gilmer High School, is under lockdown this morning as Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating the location.
According to a statement from Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs, the lockdown came after office personnel reported a loud noise that they described as a gunshot.
The Sheriff also answered about the incident saying that his office was responding to a loud noise. He reports that GCSO School Resource Officers, deputies and detectives, along with city units, are currently investigating the area.
Neither authority has confirmed any reports of an actual or active shooter, just reports of the gunshot-like noise. Upon completing their sweep of the school, the Sheriff stated that it had been cleared and no threat was found.
Additionally, Gilmer High School is also under a lockout currently do to the situation. The difference being that a lockout still allows movement and classes inside the building, but all entrances are shutdown and locked from entry.
Stay with FYN as we add new information as it becomes available.
Gilmer signs new REACH Scholars
News December 3, 2020
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Continuing their annual program Gilmer County Schools recognized the three newest REACH Scholars – Yadhira Alonzo-Alcon, Matia Rafael-Garcia and Wilburn Simeon Weaver on November 20, 2020, at the REACH Signing Ceremony at Clear Creek Middle School.
Yadhira Alonzo-Alcon signs the contract to become one of Gilmer’s REACH Scholars for 2020.
The program operates as eighth grade students apply and are selected to participate in the REACH Georgia scholarship program to support their post-secondary educational journey.
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs began the program by welcoming the scholars’ families and congratulating the new scholars. Gilmer High School and Clear Creek Middle School principals, Carla Foley and Nicole Pike also addressed the scholars and their families.
Wilburn Simeon Weaver signs the contract to become one of Gilmer’s REACH Scholars for 2020.
The ceremony concluded with Dr. Downs inducting the scholars and walking them through their obligations and responsibilities. The REACH Scholars and their families signed commitment forms, agreeing to meet the requirements of the scholarship program of keeping an overall 2.5 or above grade point average, having good attendance, good behavior, and meeting with their assigned mentor and academic advisor.
Matia Rafael-Garcia signs the contract to become one of GIlmer’s REACH Scholars for 2020.
REACH Georgia is the State of Georgia’s needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program. The mission is to ensure that Georgia’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college and achieve postsecondary success. Beginning in the 8th grade and through high school, REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor and an academic coach. Scholars must maintain good grades (2.5+ HOPE Calculated GPA), behavior and attendance. Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year) that can be used at a HOPE-eligible University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, or private postsecondary institution. The scholarship is in addition to any other grant or scholarship the student receives.
(Photos provided by Gilmer County Schools)
Gilmer celebrates Vision 2020 with state reps
News November 25, 2020
Celebrating what they have already accomplished while also looking ahead, Gilmer High School played host to State Representatives and local administrators with a Thanksgiving Meal in honor of “Vision 2020.”
Georgia Speaker of the House and GHS Alumnus David Ralston, left, shares a moment with Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, right, in celebrating “Vision 2020.”
Georgia’s own Speaker of the House and Gilmer High Alumn David Ralston was present along with Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and State Nutrition Director Dr. Linette Dodson. All shared in the Thanksgiving Meal provided by the High School and served by the GHS Culinary Pathway Students.
Additionally, Representatives from Kelly Loeffler’s Office were present to offer their support as well.
Part of the major celebration was noted as Gilmer Nutrition Director Linda Waters spoke about “Georgia Grown,” an effort to localize sourcing for school meals. Part of Vision 2020 was to achieve 20 percent for that goal. That means that schools in Georgia would have, at minimum, 20 percent of the food the serve to students be grown locally in our state.
Its a focus on the importance of Georgia’s Agriculture, but also its history. Black stated that agriculture has always been a major part of Georgia’s industry.
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs prepares to sit down with State Representatives to share a Thanksgiving meal at Gilmer High School.
He also stated that in the last five years, “186 school systems in the state of Georgia… have responded with the economic impact information we’ve been seeking.” With those 186 systems, $59 million of Georgia food was purchased for these school systems in 2019.
Black also noted how the state has been supporting agriculture and business during the economic downs in order to make sure the Georgia is supporting and supplying itself for these reasons. Through these efforts, Black said, “Georgia grown produce is available to every school, every day. Today and moving into the future.”
Yet, Black was not the only state representative touting the importance of Georgia’s agriculture. Speaker of the House David Ralston added that he was happy with the great job that both local schools like Gilmer and the Department of Agriculture are doing in supporting each other through projects like this. Ralston stated, “It has diversified so much. Who would have ever thought that now we’re making Olive Oil in Georgia? Georgia has become a Wine destination.”
He praised the continued growth and change in the agriculture business and it “remains number one.” He gave credit to Black’s leadership in continuing support of the growth.
Hosting the steps forward and continuing “Vision 2020” alongside Georgia Grown foods, the State Representatives gave Gilmer County Schools the first of many signs indicating these Vision 2020 schools that have achieved and are continuing towards the 20 percent and beyond as they move towards the next steps.
BOE updates virtual academy numbers in October
Board of Education, News October 27, 2020
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer Schools has been busy in its transition of 6th Grade students to virtual and distance learning after last weeks spike and subsequent closure of the grade level.
Although other grades have seen some positive cases, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs said that the other grades are fine and will not close. She addressed a question from FYN about some cases in other grades as being minimal compared to the 6th Grade spike. She said that the school system regretted having to take this action, but wanted to support and protect students health and wellness as well as that of the staff.
During their October meeting, the Board of Education heard an update from the Superintendent about the Virtual Academy. While some exceptions have been made for some struggling in virtual or extenuating circumstances requiring students to move to virtual, the general number has operated on a downward slope since August.
According to the report presented, as of August 17, the school system had 875 student in the Virtual Academy. Now, as of October 14, the report indicates 558 students. However, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs stated during the meeting that the number was actually 547 students as of October 22, 2020.
However, Downs went on to note that the school investigated further into the numbers as they began noticing a nearly 80 student decrease from last year. Downs said that as they investigated, they found records and paths for every single student in the decrease. Many of them moving to full homeschool education or transferring to another school.
While this number seems small compared to the total enrollment of nearly 4000 students in the system for K-12, Downs said the number stood out to her as she was worried there may have been students not participating in either system or left out by mistake.
While these numbers are set up for Gilmer’s Virtual Academy and the school is now dealing with an entire grade level moving to distance learning, details like this are showing a decrease in quarantines and isolations as, according to Gilmer Schools, “317 students have returned to traditional instruction.”
Downs said in the meeting, “I truly believe that they get a better education face-to-face than online. I am glad that we have had so many return.”
Teacher’s arrest causes tension as BOE considers resignation
News September 20, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Last week’s news of a teacher’s arrest on charges of allegedly carrying out an inappropriate relationship with a student resulted in the following day a letter of resignation submitted to the Gilmer County Board of Education.
This culminated at the Board’s meeting when voting on personnel. Nathan Sutton’s, the teacher in question, resignation was a part of the agenda item.
Board member Ronald Watkins asked to vote on Sutton’s resignation separate from the other personnel changes. While the general personnel passed without issue, Sutton’s resignation was questioned.
Watkins said he wanted the Board to not accept his resignation as it allows him to part from the school board with a letter of resignation rather than being fired for the incident. Watkins referenced another recent resignation, saying it was similarly a situation of allowing a resignation before an investigation could prove any improper behavior.
While the Board was originally split with Board member Tom Ocobock saying he agreed that he wanted it to say on record that he was fired. Ocobock also indicated that he didn’t want Sutton “let off” with a resignation after the alleged incident. This was stressed even further as they both noted Sutton’s alleged confession.
Gilmer County Board of Education, Board Member Ronald Watkins
However, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs suggested to the board that the school system would proceed with whatever they voted, she counseled them to accept the resignation on the grounds that the if the Board wished to proceed with firing him instead, they would reject the resignation and continue paying Sutton as a teacher and keeping him as an employee, at least on paper, until the proceeding could go forward with the schools firing policy. With the investigation and the school board’s process to fire him. It could take up to a couple months or even 90 days was suggested as an extreme possibility.
Some of the complicating factors revolved around the victim not being a student anymore, new policy updates for Title 9 with the schools, and proceeding with the termination in face of a resignation letter.
Downs said that she has already filed paperwork with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) for an ethics complaint on record regarding the incident, and that the police would be moving forward with their investigation. The complaint with the GaPSC also requested to pull Sutton’s certificate for education.
According to the GaPSC website:
Title 20, Education, of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), outlines the legal guidelines, which govern the state education program.
Title 20 creates the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and assigns it responsibility for providing a regulatory system for “certifying and classifying” professional employees in public schools. Title 20 also requires the professional employees of all Georgia public schools to hold state certification.
Downs added that the resignation allows the board to separate from Sutton immediately without the full process of investigating themselves and firing Sutton on those grounds. She said that as far as him going to another school or getting another job, there was little difference in firing Sutton or accepting the resignation. The difference was in paying him until they could fire him or terminating the contract now.
Gilmer County Board of Education, Board Member Tom Ocobock
Ocobock said that he still wanted him fired, but with Downs saying she had filed the complaint and as long as he could not go to another school for a job, he was okay with the resignation path of separation.
However, Watkins still pushed for the official process saying that he was really discouraged that he has had two people know that will be allowed to resign instead of being fired. He stated, “I want to know how bad something has got to be to where I can fire someone.”
Indeed, with a motion on the floor to accept the resignation, Watkins made his official motion to proceed with the firing process. The motion did not receive a second and died. However, the Board then proceeded with approving the motion to accept Sutton’s resignation 4-0 with Watkins abstaining.
Watkins did make one comment saying he felt he was appearing like “the bad guy” because he abstained from the resignation, but was reassured by other Board members. Ocobock told him he wasn’t the bad guy saying, “You’ve got to think about what it’s going to cost the school and the disruption in the high school where now we’ve got to find another teacher to replace him.”