By Maya Quinn, editor

The Greene County Board of Education met this past Thursday to discuss attendance records, professional development, and upcoming testing after Labor Day. Superintendent Dr. Timothy Thurman welcomed the principals of each Greene County School to provide status reports to the board and attendees. Each principal reported an exciting start to the school year and said they are eager to continue cultivating an environment where students feel loved and teachers are appreciated. 

The meeting began with the school board’s financial report. Marquita Lennon, CSFO, reported all accounts as reconciled with no fraudulent activity. As of August 27, 2026, the school board’s combined ending funding balance was reported as $9,034,805.25. Local revenue brought in $329,079.18. Mrs. Lennon extended thanks to the Greene County Racing Commission for a quarterly donation of $195,000 to the board’s general fund.

Superintendent Dr. Thurman began his report by inviting the principals from each school and the career tech center to address the board and attendees. Testing days from the previous school year are already being used to provide academic intervention for the county’s students. Administrators have begun professional development sessions to analyze the student data for after-school enrichment, with talks of providing a Saturday school session. 

Principal Andrea Perry from Robert Brown Middle School reported that 305 students are currently enrolled. She stated that all students are being given a fresh start with the school’s theme “Level Up: Unlocking our Potential.” She announced that the main office is giving birthday shout-outs to every student, and congratulated the boys football team on their most recent win.

Eutaw Primary’s Principal Dr. Brittany Harris reported that 286 students are currently enrolled with an average of 270 students per day and only 2 no shows. Third grade teachers are analyzing ACAP data and participating in professional development for i-Ready reading data. Teachers are using the data for their after school enrichment program that already has 85 sign-ups. 

Career Tech Center Principal Joann Smoot Bryant reported that 37 students are currently enrolled in welding, cosmetology, and health science access programs. Twelve students will begin CNA clinicals at Greene County Hospital in January. The JAG Program has also begun to provide career readiness support by educating students on how to remain focused and make positive decisions. She also stated that Troy and Miles College will be visiting next month.

Principal Alphonzo Morton III of Greene County High reported “positive energy and strong collaboration” throughout the school. On Fridays, students are given shout-outs for supporting their classmates and taking pride in their school environment. Principal Morton also told attendees that the GEAR UP program is returning for the 10th grade students. The high school’s  after school program begins September 8th from 3:15-5:15 Monday-Thursday. Students will receive academic support, enrichment activities, and explore post graduate career paths. Snacks will be provided.

The board entered an executive session before voting on the Superintendent’s recommended action and personnel items. No decisions were made and no votes were cast. 

The board approved the following action items:

1. Updated Additional Service Salary Schedule FY 2026
2. Service contract between Greene County Board of Education and Zachary Rutledge to develop and provide a Dual Enrichment (Welding Level I Lab) program for students at a rate of $250 every other Friday at Greene County Career Center, for the 2026 – 2027 school year
3. Quote in the amount of $14,987 from Divot Assets for district-wide inventory services and software renewal
4. Quote in the amount of $30,310 from RTI for the purchase of Chromebooks for GCHS
5. Quote in the amount of $16,990 from PowerUP EDU for ActiveFloor Mobile Max Laser: Power Edition 1 to be installed at RBMS
6. Implementation of two Saturday School sessions per month at Robert Brown Middle School from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
7. Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll
8. Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO  

The board approved the following personnel items:

Retirement

1. 1. Dr. Aslean Jones, English Teacher at GCHS, effective September 1, 2026

Employment for the 2026 – 2027 school term:

1. 1. 1. LaQuita Hunter, Long term substitute – Greene County Learning Academy, effective August 19, 2026; Dancy opposed and Hunter abstained
      2. Gwendolyn Webb, Long term substitute – Greene County Learning Academy; Dancy opposed
      3. Kayla Thomas, Long term substitute (First Grade) – EPS, effective August 5, 2026; Dancy opposed
      4. Chatia Lewis, Long term substitute (Second Grade) – EPS, effective August 17, 2026; Dancy opposed
      5. Dorthea Smith, Long term substitute (ACCESS) – GCCC, effective August 12, 2026; Dancy opposed
      6. Jordan Henley, Maintenance Helper – District 
      7. Daniel Mark Posey – Fifth grade teacher – RBMS
      8. Cassandra Kelly – Long term substitute (self-contained) – EPS, effective August 12, 2026; Dancy opposed
      9. Tiera Harris – Pre-K Auxiliary teacher – EPS, effective August 17, 2026
      10. Stanley Lucious, Full-time Bus Driver – District
      11. Dr. Leanita Hunt, English teacher – GCHS 
      12. Bernice Burton – Long-term substitute (Paraprofessional); Dancy opposed

• Authorization of the following employees to work Concessions and Ticket Booths for the 2026-2027 school year at the Greene County High School:
  1. La Tanya Cockrell
  2. Tracey Hunter; Hunter abstained
  3. Sarah Brewer
  4. Twelia Morris
  5. Sharon Washington 
  6. Mary Henderson
  7. Wanda Gaitor
  8. Makane Morrow
  9. Jacqueline Edwards – Custodial Services

Personnel for Saturday School sessions at Robert Brown Middle School

1. 1. Garry Rice- Assistant Principal
   2. Felecia Smith- Teacher
   3. Raven Bryant- Teacher
   4. Vanessa Bryant-Teacher
   5. Jennifer Smith- Teacher
   6. Daniel Posey- Teacher 
   7. Talicia Williams- Teacher
   8. Akia Williams- Teacher
   9. Nashondra Ruffin-Brown
   10. Kathryn Soule – ACCESS 

Personnel for After-School Tutorial Program and the 21st CCLC at Greene County High School

Eutaw Primary 

1. Carla Durett
2. Pamela Pasteur
3. Angela Hill
4. Keisha Williams
5. LaShaun Henley
6. LaShonna Thurman
7. Mary Hobson, Paraprofessional
8. Shalanda Collins, Nurse
9. Sheila Tillman

Robert Brown Middle School

1. Vanessa Bryant
2. Glenara Faust
3. Jennifer Smith
4. Talicia Williams
5. Raven Bryant
6. Felecia Smith
7. Dorthea Childs, Paraprofessional

21st CCLC – Greene County High School 

Educators

1. Barbara H Martin-Program Coordinator
2. Drenda Morton-Site Coordinator
3. Angela Harkness
4. Dr. Dutchess Jones
5. Tameshia Porter

Rescind Employment

1. 1. Betty McCollum, Pre-K Auxiliary teacher – EPS
   2. Alton James – Fifth grade teacher – RBMS

Reassign

1. Tomora Morris-Hill from Business/Marketing teacher at GCCC to JAG Instructor (10 month) at GCCC

When the floor was opened for public comments, Greene County Park and Recreation (PARA) Director Tyesha Weeks also expressed excitement for the changes to the school system. “I can see the change all the way across the board,” she stated. PARA plans to regularly donate to the student athlete’s hydration station and offer additional support to athletics and other extracurriculars.

Coach Wesley and Coach Crawford brought concerns to the board regarding the athletic department. They explained that to truly have success and growth on each team, more coaches are necessary. The few coaches the district has are stretched thin and competing against teams that have upwards of seven coaches. A parent of a student-athlete at Robert Brown also raised a concern with feeding students before and after games. 

The board encourages parents, staff, and supporters to attend all public meetings. The next regular session is scheduled for September 21st. There will be two budget hearings for the 2027 fiscal year on September 8th and September 10th at 4:00 pm. 

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Featured Image: Greene County School District’s principals for the 2026-2027 school year: Perry, Smoot Bryant, Dr. Harris, and Morton