Greene County Democrat

Tag: Dr. Corey Jones

  • Alabama schools to lose $68 million in federal grants under Trump freeze

    Dr. Corey Jones, Greene County Superintendent of Education, told the Democrat, that Greene County was informed by the state that our school system would loose $130,000 funding for programs of professional development, teacher recruitment and class size reduction in Title II. Greene County was not receiving funding under the other program titles affected.

    By Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector

    President Donald Trump’s attempt to freeze nearly $7 billion in congressional-approved grants for personnel and afterschool programs means Alabama schools will lose $68 million. 
    “These are programs already approved and funded by Congress,” Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey said in a statement. “They include programs integral to successful and supportive schools across Alabama, and districts have planned for the 2025-26 school year with an expectation that these formula-based funds would be flowing as normal. Since Congress had appropriated the money in the recent continuing resolution, we had no reason to believe otherwise.”
    The U.S. Department of Education informed states on Monday that it would withhold the $6.8 billion in grants, one day before they were due to be sent out. The notice did not provide any timeline or reason for the move, saying “decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.”
    Richard Franklin, president of the Birmingham chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, said in an interview Thursday that the withholding of congressionally-approved funds should have never happened in the first place.
    “They’re using our kids as political pawns to prove a point politically, when we should all be providing our kids with an education,” he said. “That’s the one thing we should be doing, the one thing we’ve always done in this country.”
    Michael Sibley, the director of communications at ALSDE, did not have an available list of programs affected or a copy of the email sent to superintendents. The affected programs, according to the Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee, include:
    Title I-C, on migrant education
    Title II-A, on improving the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders
    Title III-A, on English language acquisition
    Title IV-A, on STEM education, college and career counseling and other activities
    Title IV-B, on before- and after-school programs and summer school programs
    Grants geared toward adult education and literacy programs
    Franklin said with school starting in just over a month, it was one of the worst times to change funding. Because of the short notice, if local school districts cannot afford to pay the impacted teachers’ salaries, they would likely be let go.
    “It’s just so dangerous what they’re doing, and we’re so close to school,” Franklin said. “They don’t have a lot of guidelines to what they’re doing, just to say ‘we’re investigating.’”
    He said that rural and inner-city school systems would be the most impacted by the lack of funds, like Montgomery Public Schools and Gadsden City Schools. A message seeking comment with both systems’ superintendents was left Thursday.
    “We are hopeful that the review period will be expedited, and funds will be released quickly,”  Mackey wrote. “However, we look forward to working expeditiously with our colleagues in Washington as we are only weeks away from the beginning of a new school year and wish to avoid any disruption in services for our students and their families.”

  • Congresswoman Terri Sewell holds forum in Branch Heights to address local impact of Trump budget cut

    Pictured from left to right:  Rep. Terri Sewell,Dr. Corey Jones Superintendent of Greene Co. Board of Education, Jean Rykaczweski, CEO of West AL Food Bank, Dr. Marcia Pugh CEO of Greene County Hospital, and Dennis Stripling Executive Director of West AL Regional Commission


    On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Congresswoman. Terri Sewell held a community forum from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. at the Branch Heights Community Center Gymnasium in Eutaw. This session attended by 150 people was part of her “Congress in your Community” program.
    The forum featured a panel discussion where Rep. Sewell served as the moderator, addressing the impact of budget resolutions and decisions made by the current administration under President Donald Trump.
    During the discussion,  Sewell informed the audience that President Trump and the Republican members of Congress are planning to cut as much as  $4 trillion from the Federal budget to provide a tax cut to the wealthy and well connected. 93% of the benefits of this tax cut will go to the top 1% of the taxpayers. Sewell said, “Despite the Republican promises, we know that these tax savings rarely trickle down to us. We were not invited into the rooms to negotiate this deal, which is bad for our district and our nation.”
    Sewell continued, “Among the budget cuts that Trump, Vance and Musk want to make involve the wholesale firing of a quarter or more of the Federal workforce; $240 billion from food stamps; $880 billion from Medicaid, which provides for the health care of children and the aged in nursing homes; Title I and other education funds to provide equity to the poor, disabled and underserved children.”
    Sewell said she and Congressman Shomari Figures had to hold a press conference in Montgomery, the weekend of Blood Sunday, to push Musk to take the Greyhound Bus Station, now serving as the Freedom Riders Museum off the list of Federal properties to be sold. “Our history is not for sale” she said fearlessly.
    Sewell also blasted Trump, Vance and Musk’s attempts to reduce the staff and offices of Social Security, which will lead to cuts in benefits. “Social Security is not an entitlement program. It is an earned benefit paid for by people paying into the system over a lifetime,” said the Congresswoman.

    Rep. Sewell posed the question to the panel regarding how these budget cuts would affect their respective organizations.
    Dr. Corey Jones, Superintendent of Greene County Schools, expressed his concerns about education funding being placed entirely in the hands of the state government. He voiced skepticism about whether Governor Kay Ivey and future administrations would ensure that Greene County receives its fair share of funding. ‘Our Title I funds have gone to add teachers, lower class size and respond to children with special needs, will we get a fair and comparable share of the funds, when they are controlled by the state, with no oversight and accountability,” said Superintendent Jones.


    Dr. Marcia Pugh, representing the Greene County Health System, discussed the reality that currently Medicaid reimbursement rates are much lower that actual costs which is already a hardship. If these funds are cut, more it will make it difficult for our small rural hospital to survive. “Every one of the 37 patients in our Nursing Home today, Black and White, are covered by Medicaid. If Medicaid funding is reduced, how will we be able to take care of these elderly residents, where will they go, with other facilities having the same problem. We will not be funded to take care of them,” said Pugh.


    Dennis Stripling, Executive Director of the West Alabama Regional Commission, provided an update on senior services. He noted that, for now, the three senior centers in Eutaw, Forkland, and Boligee continue to provide food for seniors. However, he highlighted the upcoming reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA), which has been in place since 1965. Rep. Sewell assured attendees that she would advocate for the renewal of the OAA, ensuring continued support for senior nutrition programs.


    Jean Rykaczweski of the West Alabama Food Bank reaffirmed her commitment to working with local farmers to provide fresh vegetables to the food bank. USDA Federal funds for these programs have already been eliminated. “We have some funds from other sources, which we plan to use to purchase fresh food items from local farmers. These foods will be distributed to various locations throughout West Alabama, helping to support families in need,” she said.
    
Rep. Sewell pledged to fight for funding and continue working to protect the interests of her constituents, against the cruel and misconceived plans of the Trump, Vance, and Musk crowd.

    Debbie Duncan provided help in writing this article

  • School bus and vehicle incident injures student and parent

    Editor’s Note: At press time, the Democrat received this statement from Greene County School Superintendent, Dr. Corey Jones, regarding  yesterday’s school bus and vehicle incident that injured a student and parent.

    The Greene County School system acknowledges the unfortunate accident involving one of our scholars and her parent at the bus stop on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. During this difficult time, we ask the community to come together in offering prayers and support for the family. It is vital that we show compassion as we hope for a speedy recovery for both our scholar and her father.

    As we navigate this situation, let us remember the strength of our community and the importance of empathy. Together, we can provide comfort and encouragement during this difficult period.

    The school bus involved followed the system’s procedures for caution and safety and we work diligently to make our transportation safe for our children. The school system and law enforcement are continuing the investigation regarding this incident

  • Kickoff held for $6 million Sports Complex at Greene County High School

    This past Saturday morning, May 4, 2024, Dr. Corey Jones, Superintendent of Greene County School Board held a public kickoff celebration for the construction of a $6 million Sports Complex to serve the students and residents of Greene County.

    The Sports Complex will include three phases. Phase 1 includes a Football Field with bleachers, lighting, a press box, entrance plaza, which will be surrounded by a running track and broad jump and pole-vaulting areas for Track and Field, toilets, and a concession area. Phase 2 will construct a Football Fieldhouse with home and visitors dressing areas. Phase 3 will include a Softball and Baseball Complex, with toilets and concession stand.

    The Greene County Board of Education, with help from our state legislative delegation of Senator Bobby Singleton and Representative Curtis Travis, secured $1.1 million, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Discretionary Fund for Educational Capital Projects, to begin Phase 1 of the project this year. The Board has established a “Sport Complex Committee” of community leaders and volunteers to give advice and help to raise funds for the project.

    At the Kickoff celebration, there were several large placards with drawings of the potential elements of the Sports Complex. One of which we have photographed and included with this news story.

    Superintendent Jones explained the project at the Kickoff celebration. He was joined by Eutaw Mayor Latasha Johnson , Coach James E. Morrow, from the City Council of Boligee, Representative Curtis Travis and Board President, Leo Branch of the Greene County Board of Education, in giving greetings and support for the project. The Greene County High School Band and Cheer-Leaders performed several musical and dance numbers.

    The initial $1.1 million will be spent on preparing the football field, constructing the track and field areas, and as much of the other facilities that the funds can be stretched to purchase. McKee and Associates of Montgomery, an architecture firm with experience designing schools and school facilities, has been contracted to provide architectural design and inspection services. Contractors will be asked to bid on elements of the project.

    The Sports Complex Committee has been meeting regularly to discuss strategies to raise private funds from citizens, organizations, churches, business, and other sources to help match public funds that may become available for the project.

    Leo Branch, President of the Greene County School Board, commented, “We want to have a way for everyone, from the smallest donors to the largest, to participate in helping to build this project. We plan to sell bricks or stones, which will be engraved with the names of donors, to construct walkways at the Sports Complex. We also want to offer large corporations that operate in our communities, like Love’s Truckstop, RockTenn, Alabama Power, Consolidated Catfish, Black Warrior Electric, Colonial Pipeline and others, the naming rights on the football field, buildings, and other facilities at the Sports Complex.”

    Anyone interested in supporting the Sport Complex Committee may contact the Greene County Board of Education and Superintendent Corey Jones, at 220 Main Street, Eutaw, Al 35462, phone 205-372-3109.

     

  • Children’s Policy Council hosts UA New Faculty Engagement Tour

    On May 11, 2023 the Greene County Children’s Policy Council hosted the University of Alabama New Faculty Engagement Tour at the Robert Young Community Center in Eutaw, Alabama. The tour”s – Exploring New Places, Meeting New People, and Engaging New Communities – purpose is to encourage new community -university partnerships. Six panelists from Greene County discussed their programs making a difference in Greene County and what type of additional community-engaged research or service partnerships with the University of Alabama faculty, staff, and students would be helpful to address priorities within the County.
    The panelist on the program were Christopher Jones, Director, Greene County Ambulance Service, Dr. Corey Jones, Superintendent, Greene County School System, Mildred Morgan, Facilitator, Strengthening Family Program, Mollie Rowe, Director, Eutaw, Housing Authority, John Zippert, Chairman, Greene County Health System Board and Lillie Jones-Osborne, Chairman, Greene County Children’s Policy Council.
    This is the fifth New Faculty Community Engagement Tour to visit Greene County. According to Dr. Samory Pruitt, Vice President of Community Affairs at the University of Alabama, “ Community-engaged scholarship exists at the intersection of teaching, research, and service, the three pillars of the University of Alabama’s mission. The tour plays an important role in advancing that mission by providing opportunities to connect, and for the community members to become the teachers while members of the University community embrace the role of learner.”
    Judge Lillie Jones- Osborne served as the facilitator and site coordinator for the group. She stated, “We are always happy to host the group and to sit down and have new dialogue with the faculty and staff to encourage new partnerships.” She further stated that several partnerships have developed over the years because of the engagement tour. The tour visited several other areas in the Black Belt and in West Alabama over a three-day period.

  • Alabama Power Foundation grant makes ‘virtual learning’ a reality for rural Greene County students

    Greene County students work on computers at school before COVID-19 forced the shift to home learning. Many students didn’t have home internet access, but a grant from the Alabama Power Foundation supplied Chrome books and hot spots the students will be able to use at home.

    When the COVID-19 pandemic forced Alabama schools to close their traditional classrooms in March, Corey Jones said it hit his students in rural Greene County doubly hard.
    “We’re one of the poorest school districts in the state, and most of our students don’t have computers or access to the internet,” said Jones, Greene County School System superintendent. “We had to print out instructional packets and use buses to deliver them to students. Having to rely solely on printed materials put them at a significant educational disadvantage.”
    Jones said because most parents in his school district are still concerned about sending their children back to the classroom in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, remote learning will continue during summer school and most likely through the fall semester. But thanks to the Alabama Power Foundation, Greene County students will soon have the technology they need to navigate their new virtual classroom.
    The foundation provided a grant to the Greene County School System to help pay for Chrome books for 600 students in grades K-12. The funds will help purchase hot spots for students living in the most rural areas where broadband is unavailable. This technology will be used by students at Eutaw Primary, Robert Brown Middle and Greene County High schools.
    “The pandemic has created many challenges for education in our communities – especially in rural areas,” said Alabama Power Western Division Vice President Mark Crews. “This grant will help Greene County schools overcome barriers such as access to the internet and computers as they prepare for distance learning. We’re proud to be a partner to our schools and thankful that the Alabama Power Foundation’s grant will be utilized in such an important way.”
    Jones said the grant will be a real “game changer” for his students.
    “It has been a godsend to have the Alabama Power Foundation partner with us,” Jones said. “The grant will allow us to provide resources to our students during this critical time so they can continue instructional learning and receive educational opportunities. Now every student will have access to devices and the internet, and will be able to use them anytime in the comfort of their home.”
    Greene County School Board President Carol Zippert added her thanks and said the Alabama Power Foundation’s gift will make all the difference.
    “We value our students and are deeply committed to providing the best educational services and opportunities for each one,” she said. “We also recognize that to accomplish our goals, we need partners who are sensitive to our student and community needs and aspirations, and are willing to reach out and share with us. Alabama Power Company is a longtime friend and supporter of the Greene County School System, and we take this opportunity to acknowledge the goodwill spirit of this relationship.”
    Jones said some students will begin using their new Chrome books immediately during summer school.
    Additionally, plans are to offer a summer learning program to help students catch up on the curriculum they may have missed from March through May. There will be an enrichment program to boost learning during the summer and support students who are struggling academically.
    Jones said the Chrome books – fully loaded with all necessary programs and ready to use out of the box – have been ordered and are in route to students’ homes. The school system is working closely with internet providers to set up the permanent hot spots.
    Jones believes that virtual learning is here to stay – even after the coronavirus is no longer a threat.
    “We already know that students are affected by the ‘summer slide’ and lose much of what they have learned,” Jones said. “But with COVID-19, it will be worse this year because summer started in the middle of March, and students will have been away from school for a much longer time. Even after COVID-19 goes away, we will be using these devices to extend learning time to week nights, weekends and the summer.”

  • Dr. Jones introduces new administrators at Robert Brown Middle School Superintendent Jones indicates need to improve student performance on standardized tests

    Shown L toR: Brittany Harris Assistant Principal and Shwanta Owens Principal at  Robert Brown Middle School

    At his first official school board meeting, held Monday, July 15, 2019, as Greene County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Corey Jones presented a summary of the Scantron Series Performance Data on Reading and Math in grades 3-8 from the 2018-2019 school year. “I want everyone to see just where we are,” Jones stated. He further indicated that we are in the process of developing a plan to improve student performance on standardized tests and will be utilizing the Scantron Assessment as a bench mark assessment. “This is an approach supported by the Alabama State Department of Education,” Jones said.
    Superintendent Jones presented the new Administrative Leadership at Robert Brown Middle School. At the June 10, 2019 school board meeting, Ms. Shwanta Owens of Hueytown, AL and Ms. Brittany Harris of Demopolis, Al, were selected respectively as Principal and Assistant Principal at RBM beginning this 2019-2020 school term. Each greeted the board and attendees, pledging to work diligently in the best interest of the students and the school system.
    Dr. Jones also announced that school uniform policies will still be in place for the upcoming school year, as well as the special dress codes for the 9th Grade Academy. He stated that specific information would be placed on the web site, in local media and distributed otherwise to parents and community.

    The personnel items recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board include the following:

    • Re-Hire: Jacqueline Raby, School Nurse, for the 2019-2020 school year.
    • Resignations: Tamecisha Abrams, Grade Teacher, Eutaw Primary School, effective, July 1, 2019, and Miakka Taylor, English Language Arts Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective July 11, 2019; Jeffery Noland, Social Science Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School.
    • Employment – Eutaw Primary School: Chandra Toney, 3rd Grade Teacher, Re-hire; Jameka Jackson Sutton, Kindergarten Teacher; Lurena Smith, Kindergarten Teacher, Re-hire; Sandra Artis, Pre-K Teacher; Domonique McDaniels, 3rd Grade Teacher.
    • Employment – Robert Brown Middle School: Ashley Harrison, 4th Grade Teacher; Latausha Mitchell, 5th Grade Teacher; Ashley Moody 7th Grade English Teacher, Re-hire; Chardell Fredd, 8th Grade Science Teacher; Leanita Hunt, 5th Grade Teacher.
    • Voluntary Transfer: Janice Jeames, from Physical Science Teacher at Robert Brown Middle School to Science Teacher at Greene County High School.
    • Employment – Department of Transportation: Latasha Lewis, School Bus Driver; Carla Russell, School Bus Driver.
    • Transfer of Employee: Gloria Lyons from the position of Cafeteria Manager at Greene County High School to Cook at Greene County High School.
    • Hire: Jacqueline Edwards, Part-time Janitor.
      The board approved the following Additional Service Contracts for the following employees at Greene County High School for the 2019 – 2020 academic year. (Separate Contract):
    • Rodney Wesley, Head Basketball Coach; Danielle Sanders, Head Girls Basketball Coach; Brittany January, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach; Janice Jeames, Girls Softball / Volleyball Coach; Corey Cockrell, Head Football Coach; Fentress Means, Assistant Football Coach; Jacob Sullivan, Head Baseball Coach; Linda Little, Cheerleader Sponsor.
      The board approved Additional Service contract(s) for the following employees at Robert
      Brown Middle School for the 2019 – 2020 academic year. (Separate Contract):
    • Henry Miles, Head Football Coach; Jacob Sullivan Assistant Football Coach; Jeffery Wesley, Head Basketball Coach; Corey Cockrell, Assistant Basketball Coach; Dorris Robinson, Cheerleader Sponsor.
      The board approved the following Administrative Service Items:
    • Authorization to remove Dr. James H. Carter as an Authorized Board Representative and signer on all Greene County Board of Education accounts.
    • Authorization to add Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones as Representative and signer on all Greene County Board of Education accounts.
    • Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Helping Hands Therapy to provide Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy for the 2016 – 2017 school year.
    • Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Deonna Blalock, to provide school psychometric services for the 2019-2020 school year.

  • School Board finalizes new superintendent’s contract

    Dr. Corey Jones, new superintendent Greene County School System finalizes employment contract with School Board Members Kashaya Cockrell; Carrie Dancy; Dr. Jones; Attorney Hank Sanders; Board President Leo Branch and Board Vice President Dr. Carol P. Zippert

    The Greene County Board of Education met in a special session, Wednesday, May 29, 2019, to finalize the contract for employment of Dr. Corey Jones, the superintendent-select for Greene County School System. Dr. Jones’ employment is for a three year term commencing July1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2022.
    The official document states that this contract “… shall remain in full force and effect unless modified by mutual consent of the school board and the superintendent or unless terminated as provided in the contract under the Termination” heading.
    The school board must also notify the superintendent in writing on or before June 30, 2021, (one year prior to his contract ending) whether or not it intends to renew the contract for an additional term commencing July 1, 2022. Likewise, if the superintendent intends not to seek another contract with the school district, he must give the board written notice of his decision no later than one calendar year prior to expiration of this contract.The superintendent serves as Secretary of the Board and as educational leader of the district “…as required by the laws of the State of Alabama and the lawful policies and directives of the board. The superintendent’s duties shall include those duties as set forth in Alabama law, and Greene County Board of Education Policy.”
    The contract states that no later than October 1, 2019 the superintendent shall develop and submit to the board in writing proposed school system goals and objectives. “The Strategic Plan should be addressed in the superintendent’s goals and objectives along with the proposed means of measuring such accomplishments.”
    Beginning June 1, 2020 and for each year of this contract thereafter, the school board shall evaluate and assess in writing the performance of the superintendent using an instrument selected by the board.
    Dr. Jones will receive a salary of $102,000 annually and will be entitled to state pay raises afforded certified personnel in the appropriate tier. Other benefits available to the superintendent include health and related benefits; retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; vacation time; sick leave; professional growth experiences; professional membership in related fields; technology and related support; business expense allowance; and access to an automobile for personal and professional use.