A packed room of parents, students, teachers, and School Board members filled the Board of Education meeting room on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, with the air of anticipation. On the agenda was the future of a vocation program at Woody Gap School.

According to the school’s website, “Woody Gap School, a member of the Union County School System, is the smallest public school in the state of Georgia. We are a K-12 school located in the “Valley Above the Clouds” in Suches, Georgia. Our low student-teacher ratio ensures that students receive unparalleled individual attention in a supportive learning environment.”

The school is located at 2331 State Highway 60, Suches, GA and enrolls approximately 75 students from the surrounding area.

On the agenda was the topic of the future of Woody Gap’s Mountain Heritage program; Career Technical & Agricultural Education.

The program has served many students and helped to obtain employment in various areas such as auto mechanics, agriculture, and woodworking.

The school was facing a future without Gary Butler leading the school’s program. He had submitted his resignation effective end of the school year 2019.

Union County School Superintendent John HIll and Woody Gap’s Gary Butler

However, Superintendent John Hill surprised the audience announcing the program would continue as Butler reconsidered and rescinded his resignation. The crowd let out their voice of approval with a round of applause.

Lisa Sweet speaking on behalf of keeping the Woody Gap program

“Out of the box thinking”, as Lisa Sweet, a local citizen, stated, will continue in the “Valley Above the Clouds”.

Hill announced Mark Hughes was promoted as UCS Custodial Supervisor. Hughes has been with the district for many years serving in various vital roles.

Accolade announcements for:

• UCES Early Intervention Program: Sandy Gribble, Barbara Hyatt, Brittany Combs, and Judy Hughes.
• UCHS State Grand Champion Steer Award went to Bailey Rayfield.
• Extra Mile Award: Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
• Phillip Wright Award: Dr. Daffney Sorrell.
• Board Member Appreciation: Janna D. Akins, Tony Hunter, Cynthia Odom, Keith Potts, and Patrick White. (see award pictures at end of article)

Hill mentioned later in the meeting he is confident teacher pay raises will go into effect in 2019. The last such pay raise for these educators was 11 years ago.

Lisa Vaughn, Curriculum Director Union County Board of Education gave the following statement:

• School teams have worked diligently to build the calendars that follow the Georgia Standards. The calendars provide a timeline for teaching throughout the school year. We are currently working on formatting and plan to make the calendars available on the school website this summer.
• Math Textbook Adoption: Core math team members from each school have met with company representatives through webinars, face-to-face, or corresponded by email to set up accounts and view programs that have been vetted through research. On Monday, over 30 teachers and administrators attended presentations by two companies. The high school and middle school considered five programs, and the elementary and primary considered four. The core team narrowed the decision to two companies and will now evaluate both programs using a rubric. Members of the team plan to present to the Student Government Teams. We would like to have the decision made so materials can be ordered by early summer.
• End of Course and Grade Testing: The district is preparing for testing to begin on April 10th.

Tiffany B. Setzer, Special Education Director, shared the following:

• Enrollment: There have been 14 special education transfers to the system since January.
• We have had 8 early graduates.
• Our special education population is at a high with 449 students with IEPs enrolled in the system.
• G.O. IEP (Georgia Online Individualized Education Plan): Union County is in the process of moving toward using the state’s IEP platform for writing IEPs and managing data. This program is offered through the Department of Education and is of no cost to districts. The goal in pursuing this platform is accuracy of data. Data reported in GO comes through Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and is updated each January 30th when the Student Record report is submitted to the state.

Courtney Waller, Union County School Nutrition Director, shared:

• Have purchased two steers from the FFA program for fresh beef.
• Georgia Grown Event will be held on May 3, 2019 at the Ag Center for Union County Middle School. Lunch will be provided by the school nutrition program featuring school raised beef.
• Will be purchasing fresh beef from Brasstown Beef. The meet will be delivered directly to the school.
• Union County joins with four other surrounding counties on bids to increase buying power and to reduce costs.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on April 16, 2019.

Dr Judy Hale, STAR Teacher and Paige Dyer acceptiing for Matthew Patrick STAR Student

Timothy Jennings UNG Extension with UCHS State Grand Champion Steer Award winner Bailey Rayfield.

Union County Assistant Superintendent David Murphy

Tiffany B. Setzer, Special Education Director with the Phllip Wright Award winner Daphne Sorrell

Board Member Appreciation: Janna D. Akins, Tony Hunter, Cynthia Odom, Keith Potts, and Patrick White.

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