Dr. Judy announces Emanuel County Schools District achievements, including increased state average and overall graduation rates

Posted

by WHITLEY CLIFTON

Members belonging to the Emanuel County Board of Education convened Tuesday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m. for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The night’s meeting was hosted in the cafeteria of Twin City Elementary School with Superintendent Dr. Kevin A. Judy, John Allen Bailey, Del Brown, Phyllis Dixon, Chairman Mason Henry, Tanya Lane, and Sandra Swinney in attendance. Johnny Parker was absent.

Chairman Henry called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance before calling upon Brown to deliver the invocation and Bailey to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. The night’s agenda was then reviewed and approved by all present board members.

Discussion of the consent agenda was then entertained and featured the review and approval of minutes from the October 20 board meeting, financial reports, the FY21 amended budget, as well as the revision of GAEB, GCAC, GAAA, and JAA policies. All items included in the consent agenda were approved as presented.

In reference to superintendent comments:

  • Judy began by welcoming all and giving appreciation to TCE Administrators Robbie Warnock, principal, and Jessica Collins, assistant principal, for hosting the evening’s meeting. He also commended the school for a great job performance during this year’s new transition.
  • Judy then discussed information regarding the 2020 GSBA annual conference and stated that this year’s conference would be held virtual.
  • Following this conversation topic, Dr. Judy advised that the school district would be participating in a community Epilepsy Awareness Day. He advised board members of a student within the community who has been diagnosed with epilepsy and announced a set date for a dress down day in support of the awareness campaign being designated for Wednesday, November 18.
  • Thanksgiving holiday dates were then brought up for conversation. Dr. Judy advised that the school district’s holiday will be November 23 through November 27. It was further stated that central office and 12-month employees will work the Monday and Tuesday of this designated time frame, November 23 and November 24.
  • Judy was pleased to announce that the school district has seen an improvement with its overall graduation rate for the fifth consecutive year. The 4-year cohort graduation rate has increased to 84.19 percent from last year’s 84.0 percent rate. For the third year in a row, the Emanuel County School System’s numbers also reflect an increase in the state average of 83.19 percent. The 84 percent ties the district for the highest age of accountability since 2012, and stated that Swainsboro High School was at 80 percent, making this percentage the second time ever being above 80. Dr. Judy also announced that Emanuel County Institute had its highest graduation rate in the last nine years. The rate for ECI had increased from 91.5 percent to 94.81 percent. Having presented such good news, Dr. Judy then commended all teachers for the dedicated work as well as the students for work performed during the pandemic with the support of parents, guardians, and the community. Lastly, he advised that the state had also seen an increase of improvement by 1.2 percent.
  • Whitney Lawrence then discussed SPLOST being advertised that week.

During executive session, board members approved of the following employments, resignations, transfer, and retirement requests of the following employees:

  • Approved certified employees, Kelli Mendieta and Lelyn Stewart, teachers.
  • Approved classified employees, Christopher Coleman and Shanana Kirkland, custodians; Tashima Carlyle, substitute teacher, and Bertie Marsh, SFS substitute.
  • Approved resignation of classified employees, Erica Pennington, substitute bus monitor, effective 10/1/2020; Tiffany Tillman, paraprofessional, effective 11/11/2020; and Dawn Williams, SFS manager, effective 11/6/2020.
  • Approved retirement of classified employee, Cendy Lee, bus driver, effective 12/31/2020.