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HaveJMco'dlelJthatineeds, f 3^f^fffouSamenui (Iltf JHtllctt Nctas VOL. 116 NO. 43 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903 Wednesday, April 26, 2023 * 750 School photo subject of complaints DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor A school project has created a fire storm of criticism on social media, caught the attention of several area television stations, and prompted ex planations and apologies from school officials. The incident started last week with a “Think Outside the Box” activity in celebration of “Green Week.” Stu dents were encouraged to leave their back packs at home and carry their books in another container. Numerous photos of the students’ creations were published on the JCMS/JCHS Parent Connection page on Facebook. One of the photos began receiving complaints of “racism.” The photo depicted four white students with a black trash can decorated with facial features and a sign with the name “Shanequa” on it. In a letter posted on the Facebook site, JCMS/JCHS Principal Rob Gray said, “After reviewing the pictures, one of the displays was inappropriate and removed from the Parent Connec tion Facebook site. After a thorough review by our internal team, we have begun the process of creating new procedures and protocols to prevent this situation from happening again.” Superintendent Tara Cooper also addressed the issue on the Facebook site. “We would like to formally apolo gize to those that were hurt and of fended by the incident. Unfortunately, we cannot take back what happened. There are things that can be done, however, and we are making those plans. Our staff will be participating in diversity and sensitivity training. We will endeavor to discuss, share and learn to be conscious of actions that could be harmful to each other. Respect for differ- SEE ences, understanding and PHOTO, tolerance goes a long way 8 At right, pho to posted on school social media page that ignited a host of com plaints of “rac ism”. EMS replaces AED at Jenkins County Recreation Department Wendell Clark, Jenkins County Recreation Department director, is shown with a new Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) donated by Jenkins County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The new unit will replace the AED now used at the department. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity that stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. Henry Young, EMS director, said his department will replace AED devices at other locations as new units are obtained. Accident claims life of Millen woman DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor A collision between a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler resulted in the death of Christie Dykes, 57 of Perkins. The accident took place Friday, April 21, at 7:48 a.m. on the Millen By-pass. A Georgia State Patrol accident report indicates that Dykes was trav eling south across the intersection of GA-21 on Perkins Road in a 1995 GMC Sierra C1500 when she failed to yield the right-of-way. Her vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by an Averitt Express Inc. truck driven by Stacy Torance Leathers of North Carolina. The truck was traveling west on GA-21. Upon colliding the two vehicles became attached and traveled approximately 57 feet before coming to an uncontrolled stop on GA-21. Leathers, who was not injured in the accident, left 68 feet of skid marks on the highway from the front two tires of the truck, the GSP report states. Dykes was employed by Jenkins County as a custodian at the Jenkins County Courthouse. Three inmates injured in an altercation at Jenkins Correctional Center Mon day afternoon were treated at Jenkins County Medical Center. Subsequently, two were airlifted by helicopters to an Augusta hospital and another trans ported by ambulance to a Statesboro hospital. Fight at Jenkins Correctional Center injures four inmates At approximately 4:06 p.m. Mon day, April 24, facility staff members at the Jenkins County Correctional Center were alerted to a fight involv ing four inmates. Facility security and medical staff responded immedi ately and confronted the inmates that were involved in the incident. Emergency medical services (EMS) were also immediately called to the facility. EMS arrived and transported three of the SEE individuals to the Jenkins FIGHT, County Medical Center for 3 Dr. John Paul Hearn finalist for School Superintendent The Jenkins County Board of Edu cation has announced that assistant superintendent Dr. John Paul Hearn is the sole finalist for the position of superintendent for the Jenkins County School System. Jenkins County Board of Educa tion (BOE) chairman Mary Young made the announcement at the end of the school board’s meeting Monday evening. “It has always been the respon sibility of the BOE to search for a superintendent,” she said. “We chose not to do a superintendent search by an outside source. We, as a board, are very pleased to make a recommen dation as our sole finalist, with full support, John Paul Hearn, the current assistant superintendent to be our next superintendent.” Young noted that Hearn has worked closely with Superintendent Tara Cooper for several years and is very familiar with the policies and proce dures that have been put in place. For that reason, Young said the school system can move forward seamlessly. Hearn has worked in the Jenkins County School System for the last 17 years, and was most recently named assistant superintendent. He began his career as a Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS) Social Studies teacher in 2005. In 2011, he became an assistant principal where he served for 7 years. He was named federal programs director at the central office, then later assistant superintendent. He has served as a coach for several years and can be seen occasionally driving a bus as well! Hearn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a master’s degree and an education specialist degree in educational leadership. He has com pleted his work and will graduate with his doctorate in educational leader ship from the University of Georgia this May. “We have such a wonderful, won derful community here at Jenkins County Schools,” Young said. “We could not be any more pleased to take someone who has worked in the schools and at the central office, knows where we are going and is fully informed with what this board wants, needs and is expecting. We believe that Dr. Hearn is the best choice to keep this train going.” The board members agreed that it was a bonus to be able to promote from the inside someone who is al ready a respected leader that under stands what SEE the school SUPERINTENDENT, system needs. „ Dr. John Paul Hearn