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THE JACKSON HERALD
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017
Jefferson BOE recognizes top teachers
Jefferson school leaders recognized some of the dis
trict’s top teachers last week.
The Jefferson Board of Education met with the district’s
Teachers of the Year at its Oct. 12 meeting.
Superintendent John Jackson introduced Jefferson Ele
mentary School’s TOTY Mark Mullis, who teaches health
and physical education for Pre-K through second grades.
Jackson noted Mullis’ classroom is “incredibly orga
nized” and said he “greatly deserves this honor.”
Lori Gunter, a fourth grade teacher, was recognized as
the Jefferson Academy TOTY. Jackson spoke of Gunter’s
talent in running and touted her work at the Academy.
“She does a wonderful job,” said Jackson. “Lori, we’re
very proud of you.”
Taylor Brown, who initiated the agriculture education
program, is the Jefferson Middle School TOTY. Jackson
thanked Brown for her commitment to starting the ag pro
gram at JMS and said it’s become one of the most popular
programs in the district.
Harry Cooper, who teaches social studies and various
AP courses, was recognized as the Jefferson High School
TOTY. He is also the district-wide TOTY.
Cooper came to JHS from Clarke County. In addition
to his regular courses, Cooper also leads a group of stu
dents on the National Parks trip. He was also previously
recognized as the State TOTY for the Daughters of the
American Revolution.
Jackson noted the district is “very proud” of Cooper’s
work.
OTHER BUSINESS
Also at its meeting, the BOE:
•learned Education Local Option Sales Tax revenues
were up 17 percent from the same time last year, but rev
enues are down from last month.
•got an update on its new busses which are now on
the road. The BOE later approved declaring several old
school busses surplus and discussed possibly repurposing
one of them to use as classroom space at the district’s
wetlands property.
•got an update on its graduation rate and SAT/ACT
scores, which were previously reported in The Jackson
Herald.
•learned the Jefferson Middle School door locks have
been replaced and the Jefferson Elementary School roof
has been repaired. Facilities crews are also working to
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZED
Shown are the Jefferson City School System
Teachers of the Year: (back, L-R) Mark Mullis and
Lori Gunter; and (front, L-R) Harry Cooper and
Taylor Brown.
install an air conditioner in the ROTC building.
•approved its capital outlay application for renovations
on several Jefferson High School restrooms. If approved,
the state would fund $442,000 for the project, which
could begin in the spring.
•approved several items surplus including five school
buses and various pieces of technology from Jefferson
Elementary School.
•approved moving forward with closing on the Duke
Street property and pursuing modifications (including the
house demolition) on that site,
•got an update on its Memorial Stadium project. Orga
nizers are working on design and pricing for the next
phases of the project, which likely won’t begin until
November. The BOE discussed several challenges for the
project including a large pipe that needs to be replaced,
along with scheduling work around various sports’ sched
ules.
Jefferson Academy donates books for Beaumont
Jefferson Academy students are helping resupply some
school libraries in Texas after damage from Hurricane
Harvey.
The school has been hosting “Bring a Book for Beau
mont” to help replace classroom libraries at Martin Ele
mentary School in Beaumont, Texas.
The Jefferson Board of Education learned at its October
meeting that the school received $400 in donations, allow
ing students to purchase books during the book fair and
donate them to Martin Elementary. Some families donated
books from home.
The drive extends through Oct. 20, and so far, the school
has sent 20 boxes of books. Eight more boxes have been
boxed up and some books remain to be packed up.
County BOE approves personnel moves
Jackson County’s Board of Education approved several
personnel moves at its Oct. 9 meeting. Approved action
included:
HIRES
•Brooks Haynie, custodian, East Jackson Comprehen
sive High School
•Jessica Hoffman, special education teacher (50-per
cent), West Jackson Elementary School
•Rebecca Loccisano, special education paraprofession-
al. South Jackson Elementary School
•Dorene McLaughlin, special education paraprofes-
sional, North Jackson Elementary School
•Lisa Roach, bus driver, system
•Michael Stanley, special education paraprofessional,
EJCHS
•Brittany Withers, music teacher, NJES/Maysville Ele
mentary School
TRANSFERS
•Denise Doss, media tech, from East Jackson Elemen
tary School to WJES
•Kathryn Kesler, counselor at West Jackson Middle
School, from 50-percent to 100-percent
•April Toney, EIP teacher at EJES, from 80-percent to
100-percent
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS
•Crystal Christian, kindergarten paraprofessional, Gum
Springs Elementary School
•Cheryl Gudz, WJMS
•Lindsey Langford, special education paraprofessional,
EJCHS
•Kelly Martin, custodian, Jackson County Comprehen
sive High School
•Norma Pinto, custodian, EJCHS
•Marsha Pond, bus driver, system
•Ashley Skelton, paraprofessional, WJES
RETIREMENT
•Cheryl Poponi, assistant principal, EJES
SUBSTITUTE LIST
Cammie Bagley, Rosalind Bibby, Krista Bruce. Saman
tha Garcia, Christopher MaGill and Lori McClain
Wilkinson recognized by officer group
Sen. John Wilkinson was recently recognized by the
Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG) with
an honorary lifetime membership for his dedication
to public safety and support of peace officers across
Georgia.
POAG President Dennis Bell presented Sen. Wilkin
son with the award.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Peace Officers
Association of Georgia, an organization that is dedi
cated to connecting peace officers with resources and
opportunities for personal growth and development,”
said Sen. Wilkinson. “Peace officers don’t always get
the recognition and support they deserve, but organiza
tions like this help to provide them with a voice. Our
peace officers are some of the hardest working people
around the state and I look forward to supporting them
in any way I can in the future.”
The POAG is the state’s oldest and largest law
enforcement organization that includes local, state and
federal officers of all ranks and duties.
The mission of the Peace Officers Association of
Georgia Foundation is to create a charitable means for
individuals, organizations and corporations to donate
funds, time and resources toward enhancement of the
peace officer’s life, safety, education, job responsibili
ties and heritage.
For more information on the Peace Officers Associa
tion of Georgia visit https://poag.org/.
ABOUT WILKINSON
Sen. John Wilkinson serves as chairman of the agri
culture and consumer affairs committee.
He represents the 50th Senate District which includes
Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and
Towns counties and portions of Hall and Jackson coun
ties.
He can be reached by phone at 404-463-5257 or by
email atjohn.wikinson@senate.ga.gov.
WILKINSON RECEIVES AWARD
Sen. John Wilkinson was recently recognized by
the Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG)
with an honorary lifetime membership for his
dedication to public safety and support of peace
officers across Georgia. Here, POAG president
Dennis Bell (left) presents Sen. Wilkinson with the
award.
Huge! The best!
The biggest ever!
Don’t miss this three-family yard sale
Sat. Oct. 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Furniture, home decorations, clothes,
and much, much more!
864 Storey Porter Road
Jefferson
Traditions
residents question
water tank plan
BY CINDY R. EDGE
Residents of Traditions, the largest residential
development in the county, are questioning a proposal
by the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority
to relocate a water tank on the site of an existing tank
at the entrance to the subdivision.
At a meeting held last week, property owners in the
development packed a small meeting room to hear the
authority’s reason for the proposed relocation of an
unused, half-million-gallon water tank from Arcade
to the existing tank site at Traditions.
According to authority manager Eric Klerk, addi
tional storage capacity is needed in the rapidly grow
ing west side of the county for fire flow, as well as
to provide adequate pressure along with increased
demand for service.
“During high flow times, usually in the summer, the
existing tank turns over an average of seven times a
day,” Klerk said.
Under normal circumstances — and according to
industry standards — the turn over should be closer
to two times per day.
When asked about possible alternative locations.
Klerk noted a site within a planned development
across from Traditions was also considered. But to
consider any other location, property acquisition, as
well as new piping, power and communications for
monitoring the water system would add to the cost of
installing a new tank, all of which are readily avail
able at the Traditions site Klerk said.
Authority engineer, Joey Leslie, expressed concerns
about fire protection in the area. According to Leslie,
if there were to be a fire in Traditions, the water tank
could possibly be emptied within an hour, leaving
customers without water until the tank is replenished.
“You are considering the visual dis-benefit, but I
would ask that you also think about protecting your
homes,” said Leslie. “We’ve looked at all of this -
we’ve talked about this for years. It’s not something
we haphazardly looked at.”
The existing half-million-gallon tank located at
Traditions serves the western portion of the county.
The next closest tank is located off of 1-85 in the Dry
Pond area.
QUESTIONS RAISED
One of the issues voiced by those in attendance was
the aesthetic impact on the subdivision if a second
tank is installed.
“I understand the existing tank was there before
Traditions.” said Dave Ehrhardt. a resident of Tradi
tions and past chairman of the JCW&SA.
“Once Traditions began to develop, the tank had its
[Traditions] logo on it and was possibly perceived as
being a part of the development. The tank logo was
aesthetically pleasing and may have helped direct
potential buyers to the development.”
Eventually, the tank was repainted and the logo was
removed.
Ehrhardt questioned if there is an immediate need
for the additional tank and if any other options have
been explored by the authority.
Paul Thompson, member of Traditions board of
directors, stated the tank would be an eyesore.
“This may be the easiest and best fit for the property
that is there, but there are a lot of unintended conse
quences to that,” said Thompson. “Just because this is
the easiest and most expedient and cheapest [option]
at the moment doesn’t mean it is the best solution.”
Snappy car wash bought
Zips Car Wash has acquired Snappy Express Car Wash.
Zips will now operate 94 locations in 11 states, includ
ing the Commerce site located on Hwy. 441.
Zips Car Wash will begin rebranding the stores in the
coming months, but will not close the car washes for an
extended period of time for updates, according to a news
release.
All Snappy’s locations will be open from 8 a.m. to
8 p.m. daily and “Unlimited Wash Clubs” will still be
available.
October
26th627th
Thursday 7:00 pm
‘Grace revoluatioiT
Friday 10:00 am
“Grace yimpact on marriage
and raising children”
(Taught by leremiah and Stacey Johnson)
i l
Friday 7:00 pm
‘Jesus and the New Covenant’
301 Longuicuu Dr
Jcffer/on, Co 305M9
Jeremiahjohnsonministries.com
Jeremiahjohnsonministries@gmail.com
Ad sponsored by lackson County Republican Party
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