UCS ranks number 1 in graduation rates from Pioneer RESA
Community, Panther's Corner November 23, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Schools earned the top spot for graduation rates from Pioneer RESA with a 98. 5 percent overall rate.
“Mrs. Knight and Mr. Hussion, you’re both to be applauded as high school principals. Woody Gap has its graduates and Union County has its graduates,” Union County Schools (UCS) Superintendent John Hill stated. “This a culmination from Mrs. Owenby’s primary school teachers, elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, through your high school staff.”
UCS is waiting to approve the calendar for the 2021-2022 school year until March because of COVID-19 and future uncertainty. However, board meeting dates will be presented in the December 2020 meeting which will take place at the high school multipurpose room. The damaged roof at the board of education building is the reason for the move.
Hill also spoke about the “ridiculous” situation of statewide testing for the 2020-2021 school year.
“Many of our students in Union County and other districts have missed multiple 14-day stints in school. It’s ridiculous. It’s the last thing we should be worried about,” Hill said. “Also, there is no opportunity, my understanding to even test from home, that’s not an option…They discussed reducing the percentage of the end of course test, but that’s still spending $20 million of state taxpayer money on a test that’s not valid.”
Georgia’s Department of Education must hold statewide testing because the Federal Department of Education did not approve the state’s testing waiver.
Pioneer RESA is also expressing concerns about the full-time equivalency (FTE) hold harmless, which is being discussed by the state. The hold would freeze school districts’ FTE. Union County received $15 million in state FTE funding which makes up 50 percent of the budget.
“We would not receive funding if that’s the case if they pass a hold harmless straight up FTE from last year. We would lose funding from what we should earn this year and that’s an effort to save the folks that are struggling from students moving to this area or homeschooling or whatever the parents are choosing,” Hill explained.
He said to expect an update next month.
Additionally, he said the school won’t be taking any chances with the weather as they enter the winter months.
COVID-19 update for November 20,2020
Students and parents are encouraged to remember to wash their hands and wear masks over the holiday breaks. Every holiday has seen a significant increase in COVID-19 numbers. Since fewer students have been wearing their masks to class, quarantine numbers continue to increase. 125 students were quarantined because of potential exposure as of Friday, November 20 with zero positive student cases. Seven teachers were quarantined with one positive case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7ueHolQcA
Run Above the Clouds honored for aiding Woody Gap Students
Board of Education, Community, Panther's Corner November 23, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Board of Education honored Suches’ Run Above the Clouds for assisting Woody Gap students in achieving their higher education dreams.
Beginning in 2000, Run Above the Clouds coincides with the Indian Summer Festival and consists of a 10K road race, a 5K road race, and a one-mile Fun Run/Dog Trot. The course runs through the North Georgia Mountains. Over 190 runners participated in the 2019 race. It’s also a qualifier for the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Peachtree Road race.
The event is run by volunteers and some of those volunteers are former scholarship recipients. The race continues to grow each year through word-of-mouth and social media.
In the last ten years, Run Above the Clouds awarded $71,600 to students.
The scholarships have gone toward those earning degrees in social work, trade industry, education, nursing, and EMTs.
In 2018, Woody Gap students received $15,850 in scholarship funds from Run Above the Clouds. The scholarships are open to any Woody Gap student who remains in good academic standing while in college for four consecutive years.
Image of runners taken from the race’s website.
“The wise and brave group recognized that the financial burning of training for effective employment extends over the course of a program,” Woody Gap Principal Carol Knight stated.
The current Run Above the Clouds includes Co-Chair Winn Watt and past Chair Jim Miner. The scholarship has application deadlines and the leadership actively encourages students to apply.
“In 2000, we turned over $484 to Woody Gap schools for miscellaneous projects,” Miner explained. “There was one year when the total outlay to students was $16,000 in one year, so that’s where we were that’s where we are. The Lord above knows where we’re going.”
The 2020 race was placed on hold due to concerns about COVID-19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7ueHolQcA
Union opts for 4 days in person, 1 day virtual class schedule
Community, News, Panther's Corner July 22, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In the July Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Union school officials announced in-person and virtual-only options for the 2020-2021 school year.
Parents can choose from a four day in-person week with virtual Fridays or a strictly online learning program. If parents decide to move their students into online learning, the student must remain in that program of the nine weeks.
Students moving from online to in-person must provide notice before the nine weeks ends, so the school can prepare for the increase in population.
“There are a lot of moving parts. When a parent decides to go to online learning, that’s fine, but when they want to come back because of all the social distancing, assigned seating, bus routing,” explained Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
Additionally, the start date to the 2020-2021 school year was pushed back from August 12 to August 17. The measure accommodates for virtual pre-planning and a controlled meet your teacher day environment.
Murphy explained how children would transfer from Union virtual classes to in-person.
A huge part of this plan involved parent choice. 94 percent of parents and guardians responded to Union County Schools’ (UCS) survey and 80 percent were comfortable with in-person learning while 20 percent were not. The employee survey received 253 responses out of 500 and 83 percent of those surveyed were ready to return to school while 17 percent were not. This plan allows for flexibility for the staff and students.
The virtual Fridays allow for janitorial staff to deep clean school buildings and for transportation to sanitize the busses. It also provides an opportunity for teachers to dedicate time to those in online learning only.
As for lunch, each week, certain classes will eat in the lunchroom. The remaining classes will eat inside the classroom, or outside if the weather allows. This prevents the lunchroom from becoming crowded and gives room to socially distance.
Superintendent Hill expressed the fact that the safety of the staff and students is the main priority of the BOE. However, he admits cases will occur, and complete prevention is impossible. Hill added, “schools weren’t made to socially distance.”
The UCS Covid-19 task force will assist in guiding school safety decisions along with CDC and the Georgia Department Of Health protocols.
Students will have assigned seating, so if a case arises, the school can assist the health department epidemiologist in accurately contact tracing. Children who test positive must stay home for 10 days or until they test negative. Students exposed to Covid-19 will stay home for 14 days.
Masks won’t be required, but the Covid-19 prevention measure is highly encouraged and recommended for all students. Free and reduced meal students will have a mask provided to them. However, there will be certain situations where the students will be required to wear a mask, such as if they visit the school clinic.
Once students walk into their first class, teachers will take their temperature. If the student has a fever of over 100 degrees, they will be sent to the nurse for further evaluation.
Parents can keep their child home if they have Covid-19 symptoms without penalty. These children can also participate in online learning for those days without being enrolled in the online-only option. Students who participate in online learning won’t be marked absent for those days at home. UCS wants to keep as many people safe as possible from the virus through the best means available.
Union Superintendent Hill stressed the fluidity of the Covid-19 situation and the benefits of one virtual learning day each week.
UCS will be following the Georgia Department of Education Path to Recovery. Superintendent Hill made sure to state that this document will be constantly changing and evolving. UCS will have this as a Google Doc so if it changes they will update it immediately.
Hill finished with, ”What we don’t have to change is our commitment to our kids.”
Further details will be released about the remaining plan on the UCS website on July 22. Parents and guardians should expect another survey gauging commitment to be sent out soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLImaVwmWPM&t=3742s
The BOE Recognizes The Hard Work of The Staff and Community
Board of Education, Featured Stories June 17, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Last night, during the Union County BOE Meeting, Superintendent Hill expressed his thanks, appreciation, and gratitude for the staff of Union County Schools.
He recognized the school nutrition staff, who have served a total of 132,000 meals. Children in Union County will continue to receive meals until June 25th.
Hill also acknowledged the police department’s efforts. The officers gave out 600 twenty-pound boxes of produce to the community.
The superintendent stated that the entire faculty and staff went “so far above and beyond.” He acknowledged their long hours working for the students. Their efforts weren’t limited to meal service, education, or sanitization. Coach Corey Garrett developed an online workout program for students.
Lastly, Hill commended staff who completed the summer preparation early. He also acknowledged Union County High School Principal C.T. Hussion for hosting “the best graduation in the United States.”
Superintendent Hill said, “I couldn’t be more proud of our staff. Every single employee in this district has done more than we’ve asked.” The BOE plans to honor and recognize all the hard work from the entire staff. Hill states that once social distancing is lifted, the BOE will need to have a meeting in the fine arts center to recognize everyone’s hard work. This meeting will be, as Hill adds, ”a long, but a good one.”
The BOE also voted unanimously to renew the Union-Towns contract for Alternative Education. This allows alternative students from Towns county to attend Union County Alternative School.
Additionally, the BOE unanimously voted to renew the Family Connection contract for the 2021 fiscal year. Family Connection has provided students with anything they need such as shoes, food for the weekend, or a trip to the health department.
Dr. Paula Davenport states, “Anyway they can help they find a way to do it.”
Family Connection services pose no extra cost as the expenditure budget remains the same as last year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4SyL5XJVNc
Boys and Girls Soccer Triumphs Honored for Exceptional Seasons
Panther's Corner July 17, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Union County High School (UCHS) Boys and Girls Soccer Teams honored for outstanding 2019 season.
Union County School Board of Education presented awards to both teams for their great season and showing in the state tournament.
UCHS Principal CT Hussion presented the awards to the soccer coaching staff: Girls Head Coach Tim Hunter, Assistant Girls Coach, Boys Head Coach Leland Sarrell, Boys Assistant Coaches Jon Krieger and Chris Robbins.
UCHS Girls went undefeated in the region.
Starting with the UCHS Girls Soccer Team, Hussion noted that Hunter 259 career wins and commended the players and coaches for a stellar season.
“Girls Soccer team went undefeated in the region,” said Hussion, “What a year, just watching this team go, we had some stellar player moments throughout the year and leading up to the final game against St. Vincent’s. They won state, and I think we gave them the hardest game of the entire tournament.”
St. Vincent’s went on to win state for the 2019 season after beating Union County in the elite eight or third round of the tournament.
Hussion also presented Senior Madison Yost with a special award for setting a career goal and school record with 103 goals. She’s also a top-ten scorer in state history.
Ellie Garrison, who couldn’t attend the ceremony was the Region Eight AA player of the year.
Next, the UCHS Boys Soccer Team received their awards for reaching the state championships in 2019.
Yost earned a school and state record with 103 goals.
“You had a core of players returning, a group of very talented freshmen, some move-ins and it kinda created this team that took a little bit of time to gel, but when they did they never looked back. They didn’t lose. It was amazing to see,” Hussion beamed, “They gelled and beat everybody. They went all the way, all the way to state finals.”
UCHS Boys played Thomasville in the final and left it all on the field. UCHS Boys lost during overtime PK kicks and logged over 11,000 miles during the tournament.
“You couldn’t go any further than they could possibly go. It was amazing,” commented Hussion.
One player couldn’t attend was graduating Senior Brian Smith who just began basic training.
Boys Team lost to Thomasville in State finals.
“He led the way in goal scoring for us this year, and he showed us how to win when we weren’t necessarily sure how it could be done,” said Robbins, “He was a heck of a leader both on the field and off the field. The last two weeks of the season he was voted the United Soccer Coaches Max Prep’s player of the week for the entire state of Georgia.”
Director of Custodial Services Hughes recognized Emma Nichols for donating part of her summer to help clean up the schools.
“She just loves to do this custodial work. She’s just a regular kid, but she loves to do cleaning and housekeeping stuff, and I thought now would be a really good time to recognize her for the hard work that she has done,” said Hughes.
Emma Nichols donates her time to assist custodians in cleaning up the school.
Assistant Superintendent David Murphy commented,” Work-force readiness, soft skills those are the things that we’re hoping to teach, this little lady is doing it on her own, and I want to thank her parents for giving her the opportunity.”
Board of Education approves 2018-19 tentative budget
News, Panther's Corner May 18, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education (BOE) reviewed a tentative budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year during its May 15 meeting.
According to Karen Bundy, Union County Schools finance director, the school system will enter the 2018-19 fiscal year with a fund balance of $11,130,345. Revenue projections for the next fiscal year will be $30,749,654 and expenditures are projected to be $30,749,237. This will leave a projected fund balance of $11,130,762 at the end of the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Bundy gave a revenue breakdown to the board. State funds will account for approximately 50 percent of the next budget at $15,390,857 and local taxes will account for approximately 47 percent at $14,450,000. According to Bundy, local taxes include real and personal property taxes, ad valorem taxes, and intangible taxes. The remaining amount derives from other local revenue and state grants from the Georgia Department of Education.
Regarding expenditures, Bundy stated employee salaries, benefits, and operating costs account for the bulk of expenditures in the budget. She further explained that salaries and benefits alone account for 86 percent of the overall expenditures. Also, Bundy pointed out an amount of $75,000 was allotted for the school resource officer (SRO) added earlier in the meeting for Union County Primary School.
During the budget presentation, John Hill, superintendent, and David Murphy, assistant superintendent, presented statistics concerning recent enrollment throughout the district. Murphy stated the school system has been averaging a 1.7 percent per-year increase in enrollment over the past few years, which accounts for an approximate 50-student increase a year. However, the state of Georgia, Murphy explained, has experienced a 5 percent decrease overall, which Hill pointed out was mainly due to the recession of 2008.
Following a brief breakdown of federal funds from Dr. Paula Davenport, assistant superintendent, District 4 board member Keith Potts stated, “All the work you have put into educating (the BOE) on (the budget) this time has been really good. We’ve had a pretty good while to digest all of it.”
The board unanimously accepted the tentative budget as submitted. According to Hill, the budget will be publicly advertised in the county’s legal organ and on the school system’s website beginning May 29. On June 19, the BOE is expected to officially adopt the budget. Finally, on June 30, the budget will be transmitted to the Georgia Department of Education.
Near the end of the regular session of the meeting, the BOE announced personnel recommendations, which included the promotion of Davenport and Murphy to assistant superintendents.
Earlier in the work session, Murphy presented the board with an update of the planned revamp of the school district’s website and communications page. “We want to present an accurate image that’s consistent across the district and provides meaningful information,” Murphy said.
Murphy stressed the importance of distributing information to both internal and external audiences in the district. The assistant superintendent stated the new website will have a “completely new look, so that when people see the web page, they can tell that it’s been updated.”
Murphy explained the new website will focus heavily on photos, videos, school apps, social media integration, school messenger, and PowerSchool.
Hill also pointed out the revamp project will be completed at no cost to the school system.
All five principals within the school system presented a State of the Schools update to the BOE. Principal Carol Knight, of Woody Gap School, began the updates by saying the 2017-18 school year had been a year of firsts for the school, which saw Woody Gap’s first cross country team in the fall and the school’s first participation in dual enrollment. Other highlights included the school receiving new playground equipment at the beginning of the year and attending the state capitol after a special invitation from state Senator Steve Gooch.
Principal Millie Owenby, of Union County Primary School, reported on the school’s continued improvement in testing scores across kindergarten, first and second grades. Owenby also said five student teachers from Young Harris College assisted at the school during the school year. The school also raised money for hurricane victims in the fall. Owenby also stated the school’s pre-k program continues to grow and remain successful.
Principal Patricia Cook, of Union County Elementary School, told of the success of several student-led organizations. Cook explained three students are responsible for regularly raising and lowering the school’s flag at the beginning and end of each day as well as at the onset of inclement weather. The principal stated the school also now has a street safety team of students that helps control traffic on the school’s campus. She also said United Community Bank partnered with the school in managing a school bank for students.
Principal Gwen Stafford, of Union County Middle School, stated the school put a heavy focus on writing during the past school year. Stafford said writing assignments dealt with interest-based and career-based projects, such as cooking, law enforcement, health, education and mechanics. Technology integration, the principal said, continues to grow throughout the school as every student is using technology in some way at the middle school. Stafford also congratulated the UCMS boys soccer team, which finished undefeated in the regular season and won its region championship.
Principal C.T. Hussion, of Union County High School, reported the school had added a volleyball program and a bass fishing club this school year. Hussion also congratulated the school’s mock trial team, which finished as state runner-up in competition. Regarding the school itself, Hussion stated the school’s C-wing got a building addition during the school year, which was funded by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). The principal also announced the school will graduate 190 students this year, which is the largest graduating class in school history for the third straight year.
Several school recognitions were presented during the regular meeting. UCPS Principal Millie Owenby recognized the school’s cafeteria staff “for going the extra mile.” Owenby told of the cafeteria staff organizing the Pound Puncher weight-loss program at the school in which 371 total pounds had been lost by the school’s staff during the school year. Owenby also recognized Brook Bridges, who, for the third straight year, served as the yearbook sponsor for the school’s yearbook.
UCES Principal Patrica Cook presented a school recognition to a group of students from Keri Young’s class who organized a fund-raising support group – Team Ila – in honor of one of their classmates who began cancer treatments during the school year. The group sold Team Ila bracelets and raised over $4,500 to help pay for medical expenses for Ila.
“We wanted to let (Ila) know that we care for her and that we have her back,” one of Ila’s classmates explained during the BOE meeting.
Principal Cook also explained that Ila is doing well and is now back at school.
Also from UCES, the school’s Science Olympiad team was recognized. Cook explained the 20-student team went to the state competition for the second straight year and competed against 63 other schools. Across Georgia, there are 275 Science Olympiad teams overall, according to Cook. During the presentation, the principal also surprised the team by announcing she had just received word earlier in the day that the team finished seventh overall in the state competition.
Principal C.T. Hussion, of Union County High School, recognized student Anthony Grader, who Hussion described as an “unbelievable talent.” Grader, a saxophonist, has received a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky to play in that school’s marching band.
Principal Carol Knight, of Woody Gap School, recognized student Austin Crowder for finishing third in a building maintenance skills competition.
Two Partners in Education Awards were awarded at this month’s meeting. The board recognized Mayor Jim Conley and the city of Blairsville as well as Al Harper and the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce for both entities willingness to assist and partner with the school system.
Special education teachers Beth Rouse and Becky Tracy were presented with the Extra Mile Award and the Service Above Self Award, respectively.
Author
Union County Board of Education approves Hill to succeed Dr. Rayfield, ESPLOST Resolution
News January 18, 2018
Dr. Fred Rayfield
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened for their January workshop and meeting at the Board of Education (BOE) building on Jan. 16, 2018, at 6 p.m. All board members were present as was Union County School (UCS) Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield.
John Hill
BOE Chairwoman Cynthia Odom addressed the board describing the search process implemented since Rayfield’s retirement was announced in November 2017. Odom said, out of several qualified candidates considered, John Hill, who is already familiar with the intricacies of the Union County School System, was considered by all involved to be the best choice. Odom asked for a motion to approve Hill to succeed Rayfield as UCS superintendent on July 1, 2018. The motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
Cory Kirby
Immediately following the approved motion, Hill’s Superintendent Employment Contract was approved and signed by Hill and each board member.
Cory Kirby, of Harben, Hartley and Hawkins, legal counsel for UCS, addressed the board regarding the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) resolution and ballot question. Kirby reviewed the parameters of ESPLOST V, which had already been discussed and agreed upon by the board. Kirby recited the parameters: five-year term, $21 million cap, and project itemization as discussed in the November 2017 BOE meeting of only maintenance, upgrades and upkeep tasks to keep UCS a smooth running, state-of-the-art facility. Ten more new buses over the next five years were also listed as a result of the past deficiency over the last 10 to 15 years in keeping the bus fleet up to date. Along with the resolution to put the continuation of the 1 percent sales and use tax (ESPLOST) in Union County on the May 2018 ballot was the question of whether to include language authorizing the board to approve the issuance of up to $13.5 million in bonds in the event of a dire emergency or catastrophe. Rayfield recommended the resolution with the ballot question as submitted. A motion made to approve the ESPLOST resolution as submitted was unanimously approved.
Dr. Rayfield, left, and Timothy Jennings.
Larry Garrett, left, and Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris.
Partner in Education awards were presented to Union County and to the Union County Co-Op Extension. Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris and Union County Manager Larry Garrett accepted the Award for Union County. Timothy Jennings accepted the Award for the Union County Co-Op Extension, which is part of the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environment.
Due to what Rayfield referred to as the “Trifecta of Events”, that is, an eclipse, a hurricane and a winter storm, which kept students out of school for more days than planned for, he recommended that the 2017-2018 school calendar be revised to make Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, a make-up day to get back on track. The superintendent also recommended that the board accept the 2018-2019 school calendar as submitted, which allows for the maximum number of weather days. Rayfield said next year’s calendar is very similar to that of this year. The board unanimously approved both recommendations.
Rayfield recommended that the board approve the November 2017 financial report. The board unanimously approved the report.
Megan Hayes’ petition for early graduation, submitted by Casey Jones and signed off on by Rayfield and Hill, was unanimously approved.
An alternate board training date of Jan. 30, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. was unanimously approved.
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Woody Gap – Vocation program or not
News March 21, 2019
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.
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email [email protected].
School sales tax debate heating up in Union as May 22 primary approaches
Election 2018, News April 24, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – With the May 22 primary election just weeks away in Union County, the debate over the one-cent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) referendum is growing.
ESPLOST is a 1 percent countywide sales tax collected to help fund school improvements. Money generated from ESPLOST can be used for capital projects or to retire debt but cannot be used to pay operating expenses and salaries. A new five-year ESPLOST would take effect July 1, 2018, after the current ESPLOST expires June 30.
Two groups with two very different viewpoints on the issue have been busy recently in their attempts to persuade voters. Citizens Against Runaway Education Spending (CARES) opposes the ESPLOST referendum while Citizens for Excellence in Education (CEE) supports the referendum.
According to information provided by CARES, “There is no evidence that the ESPLOST has kept property taxes low, and there is evidence that property taxes and revenue have increased dramatically in the years since the tax has been in place.”
A yard sign, provided by CARES (Citizens Against Runaway Education Spending), urges voters to vote no to the ESPLOST referendum.
CARES cites that since the first ESPLOST in Union County was instituted in 1998, the school millage rate has continued to rise, from 8.5 in 1999 to the current rate of 11.78, which accounts for an increase of 38.6 percent. Regarding enrollment in Union County Schools, CARES states Union has seen a 5.3 percent increase while the nearby counties of Lumpkin, White, Gilmer and Towns have all seen double-digit percentage gains.
Comparing the 1998 school property tax revenue of $5,037,469 to the 2016 revenue of $16,050,563, Union County experienced an increase of 319 percent, according to CARES, which is a substantially higher increase than that of Lumpkin, White, Gilmer and Towns counties.
“This increase in revenue versus school enrollment is excessive when compared to our neighboring counties,” CARES states.
Supporting the new ESPLOST, CEE argues that the tax will bring in a projected $21 million over the next five years to fund a number of proposed school system upgrades and replacements, such as:
- Safety and security upgrades at schools;
- Roof replacements and repairs;
- System-wide kitchen equipment replacement;
- Technology innovation and upgrades;
- Cafeteria renovations and expansion;
- Transportation and maintenance equipment;
- Parking lot and road improvements;
- Athletic facilities renovation; and
- Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) building and shop renovations;
Union County High School Fine Arts Center was constructed debt-free with funds generated from ESPLOST.
According to CEE, a number of projects have been completed without incurring debt using funds from past ESPLOST revenue, including construction of the Fine Arts Center at Union County High School and the Agriscience Center located on U.S. 129 south, safety and security enhancements throughout the school system, the purchase of cameras for all school buses, the purchase of 10 new school buses, classroom and HVAC upgrades at all schools, and technology upgrades throughout the system.
“The Union County Board of Education (BOE) is firmly committed to take on projects that can be fully funded during the five-year collection period,” CEE says. “The BOE did not sell bonds or incur any debt during the current ESPLOST. All projects are done on a ‘pay-as-we-go’ basis.”
However, CARES argues against the need for continued expansion, questions the transparency of educational spending and states that the county itself is not seeing a direct benefit of its investment in the school system.
CARES states, according to its sources, Union County is projected to see only a 4.69 percent increase in school-age (ages 5 to 19) population by 2050 while the 65 and older population is expected to increase by 29.09 percent.
Regarding transparency, CARES states, “The school board is in no way transparent about spending. Specific dollar amounts are very rarely mentioned in meetings. The financial reports are visible only to the board members, numbers are rarely mentioned, hardly any questions, and the vote to approve is always unanimous. Financial reports are only available to the public via Open Records Request.”
Also, CARES claims students suffering from the lack of job opportunities within the county are forced to “either take low-paying, local jobs or move,” and because of this, county taxpayers are not reaping the benefits of educational spending.
To this, CEE says, “The ESPLOST helps keep ad valorem taxes stable. Additionally, the children are not the only ones who benefit from good schools. The social and economic strength of a community are greatly influenced by the school system. High-performing schools mean well-prepared citizens, a strong labor market, and an inviting atmosphere for both living and working. One of the key questions asked by industrial/commercial or residential prospects looking to move into a community is ‘What is the quality of the school system?'”
CEE also states ESPLOST collects from not just property owners but everyone doing business in Union County. “Everyone who shops or stays in Union County pays the sales tax,” CEE states.
According to CEE, it is projected that 36 percent of the ESPLOST will be collected from visitors to the county.
CARES refutes this number saying, “This is an argument used all over the country in order to get these ballot initiatives passed … This is a number impossible to substantiate.”
However, CARES states, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Impact, ESPLOST generated $3,809,047 total in 2015 in Union County and tourists were responsible for 6.7 percent of those total collections.
Of the overall need of the ESPLOST, CEE says, “The school system needs to continue to move forward with facility improvements and equipment replacement. Our older facilities are in need of extensive renovations and upgrades. We have a tremendous need to fund transportation and technology upgrades that are no longer funded in the state allotment. Our citizens have supported education for years and the passage of the ESPLOST extension would be a strong demonstration of continued school support by our community.”
For more information on CARES and the argument against the ESPLOST referendum, visit the organization’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Union-County-CARES-244353912714137/?ref=br_rs.
For more information on CEE and the argument supporting the ESPLOST referendum, visit the link on the Union County Schools website at http://www.ucschools.org/news/what_s_new/ESPLOST_V
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Union Board of Education discusses strategic planning, hears audit report
News, Panther's Corner April 18, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Superintendent Dr. John Hill presented a proposal for strategic planning and the Union County Board of Education heard the results of a communication audit at the board’s Tuesday, April 17, meeting.
Last month, the board voted to accept the Georgia Vision Project as a guideline of recommendations and suggestions for school boards to follow in updating strategic plans. During Tuesday’s work session, Hill explained that although some programs within the school district are updated annually, the school system’s charter renewal and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation are updated every five years and both are slated to be renewed in the 2018-19 school year.
Hill proposed to the board to hire the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) as a third party entity to assist the school system with updating its strategic plan. Hill also stated the use of a third party to help develop a strategic plan will promote increased honest input from the community and the school system’s stakeholders.
After BOE Chairwoman Cynthia Odom asked about future needs inherent of the strategic plan, Hill answered saying, “It will basically provide us a clear five-year road map as to where the (school) system’s going.”
Later, in the regular meeting, the BOE unanimously approved the hiring of GSBA to assist with developing an updated strategic plan for the school system. Neither the terms of the hiring nor the cost were disclosed during the meeting.
Dr. Paula Davenport, federal programs director and student and staff director, presented the board the results of a communication audit recently conducted by the GSBA.
“It’s very important that our school system communicates effectively and that we’re transparent in all that we do,” Davenport stated to the board.
Davenport explained a representative from GSBA recently visited the school system and spoke with parents, students, teachers, school leaders, and focus groups while also examining the school system’s website, social media sites, and various paperwork to determine what the school system is “doing well and maybe some things that (it is) not doing well” in its approach to communication.
Regarding the reasoning for the communication audit, Davenport stated there were four main goals: to better educate the general public, to improve parent engagement, to build morale internally, and to praise achievements within the school system.
The audit, according to Davenport, reported the school system is utilizing social media quite well and especially noted Union County High School’s utilization of social media.
As far as improvements suggested to the school system, the audit stated communication in family engagement could be better incorporated into the school system’s mission statement. The audit also stated the school system’s branding is dated and pointed out inconsistencies in fonts and logos on the school system’s website. Also, the results of the audit suggested providing professional training to teachers and school leaders on communicating with parents of students.
Later in the meeting, several awards and recognitions were made. Millie Owenby, principal of Union County Primary School, presented Librarian Casey Potts with a Going the Extra Mile recognition. Owenby read a list of several responsibilities and tasks Potts has willingly performed and added, “But most importantly, Ms. Casey knows every student’s name in our building and she also knows what their interests are.”
Gwen Stafford, principal of Union County Middle School, recognized the school’s boys soccer team for going undefeated and winning the region championship this past season. Of the team’s accomplishments, Coach Chris Robbins stated, “I couldn’t be more proud of this team right here. Thank you for letting me coach them.”
Josh Davis, Career, Technical and Agriculture Education (CTAE) director of Union County High School (UCHS), recognized welding instructor Derrick Dillinger and four welding students for finishing as runner-up in this year’s Skills USA welding competition.
Gerald Bavero, assistant principal and testing coordinator of UCHS, presented eight advanced placement (AP) educators – April Krieger, Deborah Nichols, Teena Atkins, Greg Chambers, Lynn Deweese, Mark Donahue, Alecia Frizzell, and Katie Scott – with certificates of recognition for the state naming UCHS as a 2018 AP Challenge School.
“The reason our school performs so well is right here,” Superintendent Hill said of the AP instructors.
For this month’s Partners in Education award, Davenport presented three nearby colleges with plaques in appreciation of those institutions’ participation in the dual enrollment program in Union County Schools. According to Davenport, during the 2017-18 school year, 161 Union County high school students participated in at least one dual enrollment course. All told, 529 different courses were taken by Union County students at eight different institutions. Davenport also stated that all tuition fees and costs for textbooks are all waived for dual enrollment students, accounting for a savings of $760,400 to students for this school year alone.
Davenport presented the Partners in Education awards to Dr. Mark Ivester, president of North Georgia Technical College, Dr. Drew Van Horn, president of Young Harris College, and Sandy Ott, campus administrator of University of North Georgia at Blue Ridge.
“We’re so appreciative. I don’t believe that everybody realizes what we have here and the value that Dr. Davenport highlighted – three-quarters of $1,000,000 this year,” Hill stated. “These folks are so helpful, and we appreciate everything you do for our kids.”
Tiffany Setzer, assistant special education director, presented special education instructors Carla Drake and Alicia Meng as the first recipients of the Extra Mile and Service Above Self awards, respectively.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Union County Board of Education: student Somerset Rabb recognized; school cafeteria prices going up; Financials and Tentative 2018 Budget approved
News May 19, 2017
Blairsville, GA – The Union County Board of Education convened on Tuesday, May 16 at 7 p.m., immediately following the Budget Hearing, for their May Meeting. UCS Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield and all Board Members were present. Many of the attendees from the Budget Hearing stayed for the Meeting.
UCHS Principal John Hill and Special Ed Director Donna Dixon recognized UCHS SpEd student Somerset Rabb for his accomplishments. Dixon said Rabb is the only SpEd student in the entire district to receive the RESA Student of Excellence Award and one of only 12 recipients statewide. Hill said he remembers all of the four years that Rabb spent at UCHS; he said he couldn’t be more proud of anyone for their accomplishments.
L to R: UCS Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield, UCHS Principal John Hill, UCHS Senior Somerset Rabb
L to R: UCHS Principal John Hill, UCS SpEd Director Donna Dixon, UCHS Senior Somerset Rabb
Courtney Waller addressed the Board concerning School Cafeteria prices. Palmer said every year she is required by the USDA to do a calculation to make sure that food service is taking in enough money to cover expenses. She said that this year her calculations indicated that a raise in paid lunch prices of ten cents for each group was necessary. Waller said a ten cent raise would be good for the next two years. Breakfast would remain free for all students, she said. Dr. Rayfield concurred with Waller’s recommendation and the Board unanimously approved.
Dr. Rayfield addressed the Board concerning Principals’ Quarterly Reports and the March 2017 Financial Report. He said everything seems to be in order, there are no major discrepancies and spending is in line for this time of year. The Board unanimously approved the Financials on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation.
Dr. Rayfield addressed the Board concerning the Tentative 2018 Budget. He said that the Budget had been scrutinized several times, that the Board had 2-year comparisons in front of them and the he and Barbra Dahncke were open for any questions they may have. He said he felt positive about the Budget, that it was ready for advertisement through the required 30-days. He said he recommended that the Tentative 2018 Budget go ‘on the table’ and await adoption or revision at the June BOE Meeting and be ready for final approval by June 30, 2017. The Board approved the Tentative 2018 Budget.
UCS Assessment & Compliance Coordinator David Murphy addressed the Board concerning School Governance Team (SGT) revisions. He said the SGT manual has not been revised in 4 years and was in need of clarification. Murphy went on to focus on several areas where revisions were made. Murphy stressed fresh ideas and more diversification. Dr. Rayfield applauded the revisions. The revisions were accepted unanimously by the Board.
The Board broke for an Executive Session. Upon their return, the Board accepted all personnel recommendations en masse. Dr. Rayfield said that all personnel changes would be on the UCS Website the following day. The Meeting then adjourned.
A video of the entire Board Meeting can be viewed here.
Gurtler takes second term, school sales tax passes
Election 2018, News May 23, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Georgia House District 8 Representative Matt Gurtler won re-election over challenger Mickey Cummings and the county referendum for the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) passed in last night’s primary election.
Gurtler, the Republican incumbent, took 5,965 overall votes (60.18 percent) across the district, which is comprised of Union, Towns, and Rabun counties as well as a portion of White County. His challenger, Cummings, garnered 3,947 district-wide votes for 39.82 percent overall.
However, in Union County, Cummings’ home county, the race was much tighter as Gurtler won with 2,458 votes (54.32 percent) over Cummings’ 2,067 votes (45.68 percent) in Union.
No Democrat qualified in the election to face Gurtler in November; therefore, Gurtler will remain as Union County’s state representative for another term of two years.
Another hotly contested vote was the county referendum on the one-cent ESPLOST. While two groups within the county held strongly opposing viewpoints on the need of this sales tax, the vote itself was not close. The referendum passed handily 3,753 votes to 1,635 (69.65 percent to 30.35 percent). The new ESPLOST will go into effect on July 1, 2018, and will continue for five years or until $21 million in revenue is generated, whichever comes first.
Other local races featured three seats on the Board of Education. In District 2, Republican incumbent Tony Hunter overcame challenger Joan Anderson, taking 2,790 votes (68.07 percent) to Anderson’s 1,309 (31.93 percent). Hunter is unopposed in the November general election.
The District 4 race saw Republican incumbent Keith Potts defeat challengers John T. Strickland and William McQuillan. Potts took 2,599 votes (64.44 percent) to Strickland’s 808 (20.03 percent) and McQuillan’s 626 (15.52 percent). Potts is also unopposed in the November general election.
In District 5, incumbent Patrick White ran unopposed in the Republican primary and will also run unopposed in November as well. White took a total of 3,435 votes.
In other state-level races, runoff elections will be required to determine the Republican winners of the gubernatorial race, the race for lieutenant governor, and the race for secretary of state.
For governor, current Lt. Governor Casey Cagle will face current Secretary of State Brian Kemp in a runoff election July 24. Cagle took 39.01 percent of the statewide votes to Kemp’s 25.55 percent. The winner of this runoff will move on to face state Representative Stacey Abrams, who handily defeated fellow state Representative Stacey Evans in the Democratic primary. Abrams garnered 76.44 percent of the statewide Democratic votes to Evans’ 23.56 percent.
In the lieutenant governor’s election David Shafer will face Geoff Duncan in the July runoff for the Republican nomination. Shafer won 48.91 percent of the Republican votes statewide while Duncan received 26.65 percent. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic primary winner Sarah Riggs Amico in November.
The secretary of state’s race will also be decided in the July 24 runoff as Republicans Brad Raffensperger and David Belle Isle will meet for their’s party nod. Raffensperger took 34.98 percent of the Republican votes while Belle Isle took in 28.53 percent. The winner will face Democrat John Barrow in the fall general election.
Georgia state Senator Steve Gooch ran unopposed in the Republican primary and will be unopposed in the general election for Senate District 51. Gooch received 19,706 votes across the district.
On the federal level, U.S. House District 9 Representative Doug Collins ran unopposed in the Republican primary and received a total of 63,592 votes in the district – 3,775 of which were from Union County. Collins will continue to November when he will face Democrat Josh McCall in the general election. McCall defeated Dave Cooper in a tight race 6,936 votes (52.71 percent) to 6,224 (47.29 percent).
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Rayfield presents school security and safety update
News February 21, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – During the Union County Board of Education (BOE) work session Tuesday, Feb. 20, Dr. Fred Rayfield, superintendent for Union County Schools, delivered an update on school security and safety procedures in the wake of the recent school shooting in Florida.
Rayfield stated there are three non-negotiable duties for which all employees of Union County Schools are responsible: teach students, protect students and act ethically and professionally.
The superintendent clarified that all security and safety plans and protocols for Union County Schools have been approved by the state and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and Union County has been used as a model for other north Georgia school systems to follow.
Dr. Fred Rayfield, superintendent of Union County Schools, updates the Board of Education on school safety and security policies and measures Tuesday, Feb. 20.
“Every aspect is reviewed annually,” Rayfield said of the school system’s security and safety policies. “Safety enhancements and additions are an ongoing priority.”
Currently, according to Rayfield, Union County Schools employ three school resource officers (SROs) from the Union County Sheriff’s Office as well as two security officers and one security guard who mans the guard shack at Union County High School.
Additionally, other system-wide safety features include a required picture ID for all school system employees, security cameras inside and outside of facilities, security cameras on buses, thorough visitor sign-in processes, secure “buzz-through” main entry points at facilities, 24/7 monitoring of electronic threats and messages on social media and other online outlets, and on-site panic buttons.
Rayfield explained the school system has spent over $715,000 over the last five years on these and other safety enhancements for schools, which averages to $271 a student spent for safety and security measures.
“I can assure you,” Rayfield told the audience at the meeting, “that there are some things in place here that make me feel very good about where we’re at with security and that we’re making progress toward getting better … I believe that we do everything that we can to protect kids no matter what the situation, and I applaud the (BOE) for appropriating the resources over the last three to five years .”
Following Rayfield’s presentation, BOE member Janna Akins stated, “I think it’s hard to fathom that we’ve got kindergartners that we should be concerned about in these kind of situations, but that’s just the times that we live in now. This information was very helpful, and I appreciate the board and the school system’s approach of not just having a reactionary plan but an ongoing plan to make (safety) a priority.”
Also during the work session, Courtney Waller, school nutrition program director, presented a slight revision to the school system’s wellness policy. Waller explained the policy, according to federal mandates, must be reassessed every three years
According to Waller, the revision would change the wording from “all food and beverages made available on campus during the school day shall be consistent with the minimum requirements of federal law” to “all food and beverages available for purchase …”
Later, in the regular meeting, as the board was about to approve the revision, Rayfield explained this proposed revision must remain tabled for 30 days before final approval can be made to change the policy.
In the regular meeting, Superintendent Rayfield awarded two presentations with the first being an art student recognition awarded to second-grader Emma Taylor. Taylor’s design was selected for use on the Union County School System Christmas card in 2017. “Thank you for a beautiful piece of artwork,” Rayfield told Taylor.
Next, Rayfield presented representatives from Union General Hospital – Lewis Kelley, chief executive officer, Michael Gay, chief operating officer, and Leslie Daniel, administrative liason – with a Partner in Education award.
“They do a tremendous amount of work throughout the school system to provide lots of services for our students and employees,” Rayfield said of the hospital’s partnership with Union County Schools, “and we’re just absolutely excited to recognize Union General Hospital as our community partner for this month.”
In other business, the BOE unanimously approved, as submitted, all principals’ quarterly reports, the monthly financial reports, fiscal year 2018 budget amendments, and personnel recommendations.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Union County and state election results 2018
Election 2018, News May 23, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – *These election results are unofficial until being certified by the Georgia secretary of state’s office.
2018 Union County Primary Election Results:
Board of Education District 2:
Joan Anderson (R) – 31.93% 1,309 votes
Tony Hunter (R) – 68.07% 2,790 votes Winner
Board of Education District 4:
William McQuillan (R) – 15.52626 votes
Keith Potts (R) – 64.442,599 votes Winner
John T. Strickland (R) – 20.03808 votes
Board of Education District 5:
Patrick White (R) – 100.003,435 votes Winner
Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST):
Yes: 69.65% 3,753 votes Winner
No: 30.35% 1,635 votes
Georgia House of Representative District 8
Matt Gurtler (R) – 60.18% 5,965 votes Winner
Results by County:
Union: 54.322,458 votes
Towns: 66.41% 1,034 votes
Rabun: 62.75% 1,895 votes
White: 71.36% 578 votes
Mickey Cummings (R) – 39.82% 3,947 votes
Results by County:
Union: 45.682,067 votes
Towns: 33.59% 523 votes
Rabun: 37.25% 1,125 votes
White: 28.64% 232 votes
2018 Georgia Primary Election Results
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR:
Casey Cagle (R) – 39.01% 236,479 votes
Eddie Hayes (R) –
Hunter Hill (R) – 18.34% 111,199 votes
Brian Kemp (R) – 25.55% 154,894 votes
Clay Tippins (R) – 12.22% 74,047 votes
Marc Urbach (R) –
Michael Williams (R) – 4.87% 29,542 votes
Stacey Abrams (D) – 76.44% 422,509 votes
Stacey Evans (D) – 23.56% 130,241 votes
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES:
Geoff Duncan (R) – 26.65% 145,849 votes
Rick Jeffares (R) – 24.44% 133,758 votes
David Shafer (R) – 48.91% 267,684 votes
Sarah Riggs Amico (D) – 55.28% 277,675 votes
Triana Arnold James (D) – 44.72% 224,638 votes
SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATES:
David Belle Isle (R) – 28.53% 150,973 votes
Buzz Brockway (R) – 15.35% 81,251 votes
Josh McKoon (R) – 21.14% 111,881 votes
Brad Raffensperger (R) – 34.98% 185,087 votes
John Barrow (D) – 51.52% 263,958 votes
Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D) – 29.51% 151,224 votes
R.J. Hadley (D) – 18.97% 97,194 votes
Smythe Duval (I) –
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES:
Jim Beck (R) – 59.69% 313,184 votes
Jay Florence (R) – 20.89% 109,629 votes
Tracy Jordan (R) – 19.42% 101,876 votes
Janice Laws (D) – 62.84% 302,119 votes
Cindy Zeldin (D) – 37.16% 178,677 votes
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES:
District 3 –
Chuck Eaton (R) – 100.00% 470,258 votes
Lindy Miller (D) – 65.46% 311,286 votes
John Noel (D) – 18.92% 89,955 votes
Johnny White (D) – 15.62% 74,263 votes
District 5 –
John Hitchins III (R) – 46.96% 247,460 votes
Tricia Pridemore (R) – 53.04% 279,510 votes
Dawn Randolph (D) – 78.59% 365,189 votes
Doug Stoner (D) – 21.41% 99,509 votes
Former UCHS Principal John Hill to succeed Dr. Rayfield as Superintendent, Teachers of the Year named
News December 14, 2017
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened Dec. 12, 2017, at 6 p.m. at the UCBOE Building. All board members were present, as was Union County Schools (UCS) Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield.
The Board voted unanimously to announce former UCHS Principal John Hill (see featured picture) as successor to Dr. Fred Rayfield as UCS Superintendent. Rayfield will be working with Hill over the next several months prior to Hill’s taking the helm on July 1, 2018. Rayfield will remain in Blairsville after his retirement and will be available for consultation.
UCBOE Chairwoman Cynthia Odom said the Board had, at first, thought of hiring a search firm to assist with finding a replacement for Dr. Rayfield. However, she said, after considering the current field of candidates within UCS, and, given the cost of the search process and the probability of a person new to Union County Schools, it was not a reach to choose Hill. Hill, she said, is already familiar with the intricacies of the Union County School System, and the Board has high confidence in his demonstrated abilities.
Teacher of the Year Awards were presented to their respective recipients by the principals of each school. Presentations are on video below. They were as follows:
John Hill (L) and Dr. Fred Rayfield (R) presenting UCS Teacher of the Year Award to Brittany Jordan (C)
L-R: Elizabeth Sweet, Anna Roxbury, Camie George, Brittany Jordan, Stephanie Stubblefield, Dr. Rayfield
• Brittany Jordan named Union County System Teacher of the Year;
• Primary School – Stephanie Stubblefield, presented by Principal Millie Owenby;
• Elementary School – Brittany Jordan, presented by Assistant Principal Lisa Vaughn;
• Middle School – Anna Roxbury, presented by Principal Gwendolyn Stafford;
• High School – Camie George, presented by Principal C.T. Hussion; and
• Woody Gap School – Elizabeth (Liza) Sweet, presented by Principal Carol Knight.
L-R: Elizabeth Sweet, Anna Roxbury, Camie George, Brittany Jordan, Stephanie Stubblefield, Rick Maddox
Following the presentations, Rick Maddox from the Rotary Club in Blairsville recognized the 2017 Teachers of the Year with a plaque and an invitation to lunch with the Rotary Club on Feb. 15, 2018, where they would each be given a gift.
Rayfield announced that on Nov. 27, 2017, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) granted an appeal by Union County Schools Athletics to step back from GHSA classification 7AAA to 8AA. One benefit of this move will reduce the number of “far-away” games for the 2018 season. This classification is for all UCS sports. GHSA classifications are based on school size.
Dr. Rayfield (L), Shawn Jarrard (R)
The Partner in Education Award for December 2017 was presented by Rayfield to the North Georgia News newspaper. Shawn Jarrard, reporter for the North Georgia News, accepted the award.
The first UCBOE training session for 2018, Personnel Leadership for Boards of Education, will be held on Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected].
Georgia Vision Project adopted by Union County Board of Education
News, Panther's Corner March 21, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education held its monthly work session and meeting Tuesday evening, March 20.
A resolution to adopt the Georgia Vision Project was discussed by Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield in the work session and later approved by the board in the regular meeting. As explained by Rayfield, the Georgia Vision Project was established five years ago by Georgia school superintendents, the Georgia School Board Association, business and industry leaders, and numerous educators “all coming together and saying, ‘Look, these are the areas that we think public education should focus on and focus on especially for improvement.’”
According to Rayfield, among those areas that the project recommends for school systems to include in strategic planning and school improvement plans are early learning and success, teaching and learning, teaching and learning resources, human and organizational capital, governance leadership and accountability, culture, climate and organizational efficiency, and financial resources.
Rayfield explained the project’s guidelines will put the school system in good position for its accreditation review next February and also its charter renewal, which will occur near the same time.
“The resolution says our board will include and does agree (with) all of the items that are listed there,” Rayfield stated, “and those recommendations are just that.”
“This is just a framework we can build on, is that correct?” Board member Tony Hunter asked Rayfield.
To this, Rayfield affirmed it was indeed a framework and added that consistency with school systems across the state has been an issue in the past.
The board also approved a board member code of ethics and conflict of interest compliance form for its members to sign. Rayfield explained since 2016, the BOE has had in place a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, which resulted from state legislation. However, the superintendent stated a policy compliance form still needed to be implemented and signed by all BOE members for accreditation purposes.
The board also renewed its annual subcontract with Family Connection and the Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc.
A final reading and adoption of a revised wellness policy for Cherokee County Schools was approved by the board Tuesday night. The revision, as Rayfield explained, is slight, changing the wording of one clause from “all food and beverages made available on campus during the school day shall be consistent with the minimum requirements of federal law” to “all food and beverages available for purchase …”
Several presentations and recognitions were made during the board meeting. The Board of Education itself was recognized and each member given a plaque for Board Appreciation Week, which was last week.
“Board members have a very thankless job,” Rayfield stated. “They have a tough job … They answer not only to the people in their district, but the people they work for, the people they go to church with, and the citizens of Union County.”
The Board of Education consists of District 1 member Janna Akins, District 2 member Tony Hunter, District 3 member and Chairperson Cynthia Odom, District 4 member Keith Potts and District 5 member and Vice Chairperson Patrick White.
Next, Rayfield presented two separate Partner in Education awards to Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, and to Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation (BRMEMC).
Rayfield explained Piedmont College operates a cohort program in Union County and said, “We just appreciate having the very strong partnership with Piedmont College.”
Accepting the award from Piedmont College were Katherine Breithaupt, regional program coordinator, Tim Goss, director of off-campus graduate studies, and Don Gnecco, dean of School of Education.
BRMEMC was also recognized with a Partner in Education award. Rayfield explained crews from BRMEMC have helped with various utility issues at schools multiple times, including a Union County High School football game this past season when the field’s lights went off suddenly and crews from BRMEMC were on the scene within minutes.
“Many times, when we ask for those things we say (to BRMEMC), ‘Bill us or let us know what that costs,’ and they say, ‘Absolutely not, we’re just glad to do it,'” Rayfield said of BRMEMC willingness to help the school system.
Two Union County High School (UCHS) seniors, Emmi Schakat and Cole Wright, were recognized for having been accepted to West Point Military Academy.
“Congratulations to these two seniors for an outstanding honor and appointment to one of our military academies,” Rayfield stated.
UCHS Principal C.T. Hussion was also on hand to congratulate the high school’s Mock Trial team that recently participated in the state Mock Trial competition. Hussion announced that UCHS won the district for the third straight year. The principal explained unlike sports districts and regions across the state that group schools according to population, mock trial competitions involve schools of all sizes, public or private.
“They competed at the highest level, and you should be very proud,” Hussion said of the UCHS Mock Trial team.
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