Changes to the school food delivery program
Announcements, Panther's Corner, Press Release April 9, 2020BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Due to the Governor’s social distancing guidelines, starting Monday, April 13, food delivery sites will be combined to cut down on the number of Union County School employees involved in this feeding project. We will keep this going as long as we can ensure our employees’ safety. Below are the new pick-up sites. The pick-up time will remain the same (12:00 pm to 1:00 pm) on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Station 1 voting precinct will pick-up at the Elementary School.
- Jones Creek and Mulky Gap will pick-up at Jones Creek Voting Precinct
- Ivy Log, Pat Colwell, Dooley, and Gum Log will pick-up At Liberty Church, 1709 Pat Colwell Rd., Blairsville
- Owltown, Track Rock, and Choestoe will pick-up At Harmony Grove Church, 1008 Towns Creek Rd., Blairsville
- Suches will pick-up at Woody Gap Gym
An all-call will be sent out this weekend, and you will need to sign up for the correct pick-up site. The food delivery sign up will be available on the Union County Schools website and on the UCS Facebook page. You can sign up for the pick-up location that is most convenient for you.
“Please know that you and your children are very important to us. You are in our thoughts and prayers daily. Do not hesitate to reach out for assistance! Together we will get through this major health crisis! #UnionUnited” – Union County School Nutrition Program
Union County Schools establish COVID-19 protocols
Board of Education, News, Park and Recreation March 10, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Schools (UCS) released a memorandum on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 detailing protocols for COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus.
Effective immediately, the two-page document details a 14-day quarantine and self-monitoring policy for students, employees, volunteers, and substitutes. It follows guidelines provided by the CDC, Union General Hospital, and the Union County Health Department. However, the protocols are subject to change as more knowledge about the virus becomes available.
The 14-day quarantine asks anyone who visited a level one or above country, came in contact with someone (a family member who recently traveled) who potentially has Coronavirus, or had close contact with someone with a confirmed case of the virus to stay home for 14 days. This begins on the first full day back in the United States.
CDC has an updated list of level two and three countries, which are Japan, Iran, South Korea, China, and Italy.
In order to return to school, the individual must fever free for 14 days. Anyone who believes they might have contracted COVID-19 should self-monitor for symptoms. “The Department of Public Health must be notified immediately at 1-866-PUB-HLTH, and the student/staff member should seek medical assistance,” explained the memorandum.
Those who have traveled to an area with widespread outbreaks are responsible for their transportation to and from wellness centers to receive daily health checks. This needs to happen “the first thing each morning during school throughout the monitoring period.”
During quarantine and self-monitoring students will receive assignments through digital learning, and absences will be excused.
Those who are self-monitoring should “be mindful of their respiratory function and overall general health.”
In a statement released by UCS Superintendent John Hill stated:
“The Union County School District understands the concerns attributed to the COVID-19, and we are working with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Union General Health System to develop plans and procedures that best meet the needs of our students, staff, and community.
At this time, we are monitoring the situation and will continue to work with our public health officials to maintain current best practices and understanding of the virus. The newness (novelty) of this virus creates additional concern for all.”
To help keep families safe against COVID-19, UCS suggests:
- “Keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school.
- Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
- Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow.
- Teach your children to stay at least three feet away from people who are sick or avoid them altogether.
- People who are sick should stay home from work or school and avoid other people until they are better.”
For those interested in making handwashing more fun for themselves or their children, try timing the 20 seconds to your favorite song, like the opening of Black Parade by My Chemical Romance or like the graphic All Star by Smashmouth.
courtesy of Twitter user Tender_rachet.
UPDATED: Suicide at Union County Courthouse
News May 21, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Lt. Russell Walker with the Blairsville Police Department confirmed a suicide occurred outside of the Union County Courthouse sometime before 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 21.
Criminal Investigator Lt. Tom Mangifesta, of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, stated the victim was 59-year-old Elmore Martin Putney III, a Blairsville attorney who had been practicing law locally for over three years. Mangifesta reported Putney died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The lieutenant added the incident occurred sometime between when Putney was last seen on security cameras outside the courthouse at 8:55 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. when a call was received by the sheriff’s office from a passerby who reported seeing Putney lying on the ground outside the north lower parking lot entrance of the courthouse. Mangifesta also stated Putney was scheduled to be at the courthouse for a court hearing later that day.
Following the revelation that a shooting had occurred, the courthouse was put into a state of lockdown. Mangifesta also said sounds of gunfire were never reported and stated a nearby berm and large transformers outside the courthouse entrance may have contributed to the inability of anyone in the near vicinity hearing the gunshot.
According to the Mangifesta, Putney had finalized his will Friday, May 18, and several other documents including notes were later discovered in the ensuing investigation that led investigators to believe the incident was premeditated by Putney. Mangifesta speculated Putney had been “suffering from mental health issues for a long time.”
Union County School Superintendent John Hill confirmed reports that all schools were also put on lockdown following the incident. Hill stated the school system received word at 10:54 a.m. from the Union County Sheriff’s Office of a shooting at the courthouse and the schools were immediately locked down as part of standard protocol for the schools. Hill added the lockdown was lifted at 11:15 a.m. after the school system received details as to the nature of the incident and it was determined there was no threat at the schools.
The incident is being investigated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office. FetchYourNews will have further details on this as they become available.
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Union County Schools hold “No Empty Chair” Campaign
News March 23, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – M.A.D.D., the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and the Georgia State Patrol are having a campaign to ensure there are no empty seats for Union County’s upcoming graduation.
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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 Schools, Courthouse closed Friday
News December 8, 2017
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – According to the official website for the Union County School System, all county schools are closed today (Friday, Dec. 8) due to inclement weather. The winter weather began early Friday morning and is expected to continue and worsen throughout the day and into the evening in north Georgia.
Also, the Union County Courthouse and all administrative offices are closed for the day as a result of the weather, according to an announcement posted on the county website.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Union and surrounding counties until 7 a.m. Saturday.
Continue to follow FetchYourNews for breaking stories and updates concerning this weekend’s winter weather.
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Union County BOE: Dr. Jeremy Williams to resign May 31, 2017
News April 25, 2017
The Union County Board of Education convened on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the UCBOE Building. Union County School Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield, UCS Associate Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Williams, and the all Board Members were present.
After a lengthly Executive Session, Board Chairwoman Cynthia Odom announced that they had accepted Dr. Williams’ resignation as of May 31, 2017. Dr. Williams was named superintendent sole finalist for Gainesville City Schools (GA) earlier in April 2017.
As Director of School Nutrition Courtney Waller prepared to show a video on UC School Nutrition, Dr. Rayfield expressed his admiration for the teamwork that went into the making of the video. The video was created by students and staff in the UCS System. After the video was shown, much applause generated from the audience, the Board and Dr. Rayfield. The Multimedia class was recognized by the State Of Georgia with a certificate.
Dr. Rayfield, UCES Principal Trish Cook
Dr. Rayfield recognized Trish Cook, Principal of UC Elementary School, for achieving Highest Performing Title I Elementary School status in Georgia. Dr. Rayfield also recognized Gwen Stafford, Principal of UC Middle School for achieving Top 5% of Title I Schools in Georgia. Dr. Rayfield said he had received recognition items from the State of Georgia in the mail that day.
Patricia Donaldson presents Devin Kyle White with early graduation certificate
Dr. Rayfield recommended that Devin Kyle White be approved for early graduation. He said White had fulfilled all requirements and had positive recommendations from Ms. Pat Donaldson and UCHS Principal John Hill. The Board approved White’s petition for early graduation.
The tuition rate for out-of-county, non-resident a student is currently $500 per semester or $1,000 per year and has been since 2009. Discussion on this issue took place in the Work Shop Meeting. The consensus was to keep the out-of-county, non-resident tuition rate the same for the 2017-2018 year. A motion was made to that effect and was carried.
UCS Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield
Dr. Rayfield recommended that the audit report be accepted in light of the favorable exit interview he and Odom had with the auditors. He said state auditors said that it was a low risk audit. A motion was made to accept the 2016 Georgia DOE audit report. The motion carried.
Dr. Rayfield addressed the question of whether to continue the Community Eligibility Option (CEP) for Woody Gap School. This would mean continuing the policy of free breakfast and free lunches for students. A motion was made to continue with this policy. The motion carried.
Also decided in Executive Session was the termination of Claudia Buglin, School Nutrition Assistant, effective April 30, 2017 and the acceptance of the new hires, the promotions, changes in positions, additional responsibilities and separations as shown, in toto.
With no further business to conduct, the Meeting adjourned.
UPDATE: On Friday morning, April 28, 2017, Dr. Williams sent an e-mail to Mark Smith at Fetch Your News informing him: “Some changes have occurred with my schedule conflict with Union and Gainesville and my last day at Union will be today, Friday.
Union County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 29th, 2019
News, Panther's Corner January 28, 2019
Union County Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 29th, 2019. This will be an Alternative Academic School Day so please make sure to complete your snow assignments that teachers have sent home with students. Stay safe and stay warm!
Panther Playback 2018
Business August 28, 2018
BKP sits down every Monday night with Union Panther’s head Coach Brian Allison to discuss the previous week’s game and look forward to the next game.
11/5/18 – Senior Night
10/29/18
10/22/18
10/15/18
Special 1-on-1
9/24/18
9/17/18
9/10/18
8/27/18
Union County Schools closed Thursday, Jan. 18
Announcements, News January 17, 2018
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Update – The Richard Russell Scenic Highway is the only road in Union County that was closed due to weather. It remains closed. FetchYourNews.com will update when this road is reopened.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Schools will be closed again on Thursday, Jan. 18, due to hazardous road conditions, extremely low temperatures and the state of emergency issued by Gov. Nathan Deal. Government offices and businesses will be opening late on Thursday in Blairsville because of concerns about driver safety due to the probability of black ice on roadways in the early morning hours. Blairsville was brought to a standstill on Wednesday due to the weather. Some lesser traveled roads were, and still are, iced over, making travel extremely dangerous. Here is the latest updated National Weather Service weather advisory.
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.
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 Schools Superintendent to retire
News November 20, 2017
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Dr. Fred H. Rayfield Jr., superintendent of Union County Schools, tendered his retirement request to the Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. The UCBOE accepted his request. Dr. Rayfield will officially retire as of June 30, 2018.
FetchYourNews.com will have updates as they become available.
Update:
FetchYourNews has obtained a copy of Dr. Rayfield’s Public Statement regarding his request for retirement. Please see picture.
The Union County Board of Education will now begin the process of searching for a replacement.
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].
Union County Schools will close for Eclipse 2017
Education, News August 16, 2017
Dr. Fred Rayfield
Blairsville, GA – Dr. Fred Rayfield, Superintendent of Union County Schools, announced yesterday at the August BOE Workshop Meeting that Union County Schools will be closed the day of the rare Total Eclipse, Monday, August 21, 2017, due to safety and security concerns. Rayfield said he expects a large influx of people and, by extension, a great deal of traffic on the roads which could cause delays for school buses and mobility headaches for parents and students alike. He said UCS will open several parking lots around the school campus as viewing areas for the public. All school buildings will be locked and School Resource Officers (SRO’s) will be on duty throughout the event. For information on which parking lots will will be available for eclipse viewing, please call the Union County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 745-5789 or (877) 745-5789. It was stated at the July BOE Meeting that the stadium might be available, but the school had decided not to open the stadium for the event.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.FetchYourNews.com