Greene County Democrat

Tag: National Honor Society

  • Checkout GCCC Billboard, Greensboro St. Eutaw

    School Board approves Superintendent’s two-year contract, pending salary negotiations

    GCCC Scholars L to R:  Le’Miracle Bevelle, Kenya Amerson, Quentin Walton, Jr., Kaden Roberts, Breana Lavender, Jabari Hall, Sidney Moore.

    At its November 18, 2024 meeting, the Greene County Board of Education, on a vote of 3 to 2, agreed to offer Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones an additional two year contract, pending new salary negotiations, which will be conducted by Board President Leo Branch, Board Vice-President Veronica Richardson and Attorney Hank Sanders with Dr. Jones. The new contract goes into effect July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The affirmative votes on the superintendent’s contract were given by Board members Robert Davis, Carrie Dancy and Leo Branch.The two negative votes were given by Board members Veronica Richardson and Brandon Merriweather.
    This superintendent contract is the same as the previous superintendent contract except for provisions on board relations, community relations, dates and salary increase. The additions state the following: The Superintendent shall work more effectively to keep the Board informed of developments, initiatives and issues in the District. This provision shall be specifically addressed in each evaluation. The Superintendent shall work to more effectively build relationships with the Greene County community. This provision shall be specifically addressed in each evaluation.
    The School Board agrees to notify the Superintendent in writing on or before December 30, 2027, whether or not it intends to renew the contract for an additional term commencing July 1, 2027, and the terms and conditions upon which it proposes such renewal.
    In his report to the board, given prior to the board’s action on his contract, Dr. Jones presented an update of accomplishments in the school system during his five-year tenure. Regarding facilities improvements he cited the renovations, including new roofing, flooring and facade to the Board’s Central Office; new roofing and flooring at Eutaw Primary School; new HVAC system, roofing, doors, windows, painting ting and other repairs including new Press Box, Concession Stand, and new fencing at Robert Brown Middle School.
    In financing, Dr. Jones noted that in 2019, cash balance in the General Fund Bank Account totaled $950,037.45; Cash Balance as of Nov. 18, 2024 is $6,534,608.42. He stated that the last two years of audits had no findings from the State Auditors. Under his tenure, the system developed a Bus Driver Retention Program and currently all buses in the system are air conditioned.
    Dr. Jones stated that, most significantly, for the 2023-2024 school year all schools increased in proficiency from the previous year. Once the state releases the grades, the system is expected to received a higher letter grade. That same school term, all 3rd grade scholars passed the reading proficiency test, except for two, who are special needs students. In previous reports, Superintendent Jones shared the various off-campus educational environments scholars are exposed to, including team debates at various venues in and out of state; visits to college campuses; workplace tours, museum visits, State Legislature and the National Capitol visits.
    Dr. Jones also shared his own professional development during the previous five years, including serving as a mentor for new superintendents with SSA.
    In his Positive School News Reports, superintendent Jones noted the following:
    EPS – Scholars caught Being Good and Scholars of the Month were rewarded with books.
    K-3 educators participated in Aimsweb Data meetings (Reading). They also participated in professional development hosted by the Alabama Best Practices Network.
    RBMS – PTA meeting was held Nov. 4. Peer Helpers Kindness Campaign held Nov. 11. Recognition of local retired educators held Nov. 19.
    GCHS – College Application week held Oct. 7-11. Scholars attended Open House at Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. Scholars. Celebrated Red Ribbon 
Week. Scholars were inducted into Honor Societies including: Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Technical honor Society, Historia Vitae. Superintendent Jones held Scholars Round Table.
    GCCC – Greene County Career Center Billboard on Greensboro St, / State Hwy 14, Eutaw. Tiger Spirit Shop held grand opening. Scholars participated in Tuskegee Youth Summit. Scholars participated in FBLA District 2 workshop. Scholars held Tech or Treat with EPS 3rd graders. JAG scholars held initiation and installation. GCCC awarded $200,000 College & Career Readiness grant.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent.
    * Retention bonus in the amount of $750 for bus driver Jerdin Grays to remain a bus driver for the system for a period of one year.
    * Resignation of David Taylor, History teacher at RBMS, effective November 18, 2024.
    The Board approved the following administrative service items recommended by Superintendent Jones.
    * MOA between Greene County Board of Education and Black Belt Regional Child Advocacy Center to provide counseling services BBRCAC clients in the Greene County School System on the first Tuesday of every month.
    * Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and West Central Officials Association for basketball officials for the 2024 – 2025 school year at RBMS.
    * 2.5% pay raise for all support staff, effective the 2024-2025 contract year. (This supersedes the original effective date of October 1, 2024, approved October 21, 2024).
    * Supplement in the amount of $750.00 for the AASBO certification that corresponds to job title and classification for secretaries and bookkeepers.
    * 3% raise for clerical staff to be effective November 1, 2024.
    * Permission for CNP Department to dispose of and sell for salvage six (6) stands that were removed from Robert Brown Middle School walk-in cooler.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    * Raise pay of Greene County School Board members to $900 per month pursuant to new Alabama law upon the election of the next board member.
    CSFO Marquita Lennon presented Financial Snapshots for September 30,2024 end of fiscal year and for October 30,2024 first month of new fiscal year. As of September 30, the combined general fund reserve totaled 7.59 months; cash reserve totaled 7.27 months. All bank accounts reconciled. General fund bank balance totaled $6,945,866.68; accounts payable check register -$1,119,444.61; combined ending fund balance – $7,252,327.11. Local Revenue: Property Taxes – $64,149.89; Sales Taxes – $201,172.06; Other Taxes v- $20,904.55; Amendment 743 – $60,000. Total: $346,227.20.
    Financial Snapshot as of October 30: Combined general fund reserve totaled $6.04 months. Cash reserve totaled 5.31 months. All bank accounts reconciled. General fund Bank balance totaled $5,943,900.27. Accounts payable check register totaled $613,831.91. Payroll register totaled $974,176.05. Combined Ending Fund Balance totaled $6,758,944.08. No taxes collected. Amendment 743 totaled $60,000.

  • GCHS Chapter of National Honor Society inducts 14 students

    National Honor Society

    The Eunice R. Outland Chapter of the National Honor Society of Greene County High School inducted 14 students at its ceremony held Friday, March 11, 2016 in the GCHS gymnasium. The 2015-2016 Inductees included Yasmeen Amerson, Delorine Brown, Zakia Coleman, Tukiya Cunningham, Keyonna Dixon, Sabrina French, Jameria Hood, Victoria Hood, Leterria Hutton, Anthony McGee, Lauren Smith, Christopher Stepney, Kwanza Watkins and Jasmine Williams.
    GCHS Principal Gary Rice opened the program and invited Interim Superintendent Dr. James H. Carter to bring greetings.
    Ollivara Hutton, current President of the GCHS Chapter of NHS, served as Mistress of Ceremony.  Other program participants included Greene County High School choir and band and Posting of Colors by the JROTC.  Amber French gave the mediation and the welcome and history of NHS were presented by Amber Woods and Michael Winn respectively.  Tyra Hutton and Destini Jackson gave the history of the chapter’s name.  N’Khala Richardson presented the student speakers.  Words of Encouragement were shared by Ashley Taylor, Denzel Davis, and Chelsey Davis. Lighting of the Candles representing the Principles of the NHS were presented as follows:  Lauren Smith, Knowledge of Honor; Christopher Stepney, Character; Delorine Brown, Scholarship; Zakia Coleman, Leadership; and Tukiya Cunningham, Service.  Mr. Alphonzo Morton, III led the inductees in the recitation of the pledge.
    School Board President, Mr. Leo Branch, gave congratulatory comments before the close of the program.
    Current officers of the GCHS Chapter of NHS are: President, Ollivara Hutton; Vice President, Ashley Taylor; Secretary, Tyra Hutton; Treasurer, Denzel Davis; Parliamentarian Michael Winn; and Historian, Destini Jackson. Other members include Nnambi Coleman, Chelsey Davis, Brittany Deloatch, Amber French, Raven Gilliam, Sara Hawkins, Jeremy Mobley, N’khala Richardson and Amber Woods.
    The Faculty Council include Lillian Lewis, Advisor; Alphonzo Morton, III, Co-Advisor; Ruby Bell, Halven Carodine, Angela Harkness, Tonia Sparks and Tamika Thompson.