During a special called meeting held on Saturday morning, May 30, the Monroe County Board of Education finalized an agreement which terminates its seven-year relationship with Superintendent Anthony Pack. The action followed an executive session with their attorney. In returning to open session, the Board voted unanimously to enact a previously negotiated "no cause" separation provision in the Superintendent's contract.

 

On behalf of the Board, Chairman Dr. J. Ray Grant made the following statement:

 

 "It is time for this school district to move forward, and that begins with this decision. It has been approximately three months since the District provided Mr. Pack's school-issued electronic devices to law enforcement. As of today, the District has not received any information that Mr. Pack used those devices to commit a crime. During those three months, the District and its employees have continued operations without an official chief executive officer. The Board believes it is in the best interest of the District, staff and students to take whatever action it can now so that all involved can move on."

 

Following the action invoking the "no cause" provision, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Mike Hickman as Interim Superintendent. Dr. Hickman's appointment is effective immediately.

 

The Saturday morning special called meeting of the Board follows Friday night's Mary Persons High School commencement exercises which brought the 2014-15 school year to a close. Today's action paves the way for preparations for the 2015-16 school year starting Monday, June 1.

               

Anthony Pack joined the Monroe County School District as Superintendent in June, 2008. During that time, Monroe County's Schools have been consistently recognized among the highest performing in Georgia. Recently, Monroe County School District had Middle Georgia's only top score in the state School Climate Ratings.

 

 "Mr. Pack has always placed the best interest of the students at the forefront of the school system," said Dr. Grant. "His efforts have been reflected in the success of our students and our schools. For that we are and will continue to be most appreciative."

               

In naming Dr. Hickman to serve as Interim Superintendent, Dr. Grant said the Board feels confident the students and the system will continue to be in good hands. Hickman, along with Assistant Superintendents Angie Dillon and Jackson Daniel have shared the leadership position of the district for the past three months.

 

Dr. Hickman currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Middle & High School Curriculum and Personnel. He joined the Central Office in 2012 after having served five years as principal of Monroe County Middle School. Prior to that, he taught at Mary Persons High School, was an assistant principal at Mary Persons High School, and was an assistant principal in Pike County.   He is a 1984 graduate of Mary Persons High School and is a lifelong resident of Monroe County.

Dollar General, Inc., celebrated its 12,000 U.S. Store this weekend as it opened its newest location on Highway 87 in Juliette.  To mark this milestone, and to show its support of the community, Dollar General donated $12,000 -- $2,000 to each school (Hubbard Elementary, T.G. Scott Elementary, K. B. Sutton Elementary, Monroe Co. Middle School, Mary Persons High School and Monroe County Achievement Center) in the Monroe County School System.   Pictured, Jackson Daniel, Assistant Superintendent for Support Services with MCBOE, receives the checks from Dollar General officials.  Joining in the celebration were Tiffany Andrews of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority and Monroe County Commissioners Larry Evans and Chairman Mike Bilderback.  Dollar General has a corporate goal of promoting literacy initiatives in the communities in which they are involved.  Monroe County Schools will use the funds donated to further this goal among the students in the school system.  This is the third Dollar General store to locate within Monroe County.  Other locations are Forsyth and High Falls.

Monroe County School System wishes you and your family safety and fun for the summer. Pictured above is Mrs. Leanna Linnenkohl with a student at KBS Field Day.

The Monroe County Board of Education has adjusted the 2015-2016 calendar.  The student calendar consists of 180 days, and the staff calendar now is set for 190 days.

Addition of 2 days to teachers/staff for 15-16 (190 day calendar)

1. Day 1 added back on Monday, August 10, 2015 (Pre-Planning Day)

2. Day 2 added back on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 (additional Teacher In-Service Day).

Last day of school for students is Friday, June 3, 2016 (pushed forward one day).

For a PDF that you can print,

The Monroe County Board of Education will begin the process for presenting Proof of Residency for the 2015-2016 School Year on June 15, 2015.  Below you will find a timeline that is accommodating for all parents/guardians.  All Monroe County Schools students are required to have current proof of residency documentation on file prior to the first day of school.

 

June 15, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'A' through 'D' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education.

 

July 6, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

June 16, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'E' through 'K' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

July 7, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

June 17, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'L' through 'R' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

July 8, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

June 18, 2015 Parents who have a last name beginning with 'S' through 'Z' will be able to present Proof of Residency from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

July 9, 2015 Make-Up Day from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Board of Education

 

Please keep in mind that your child(ren) will not be provided a schedule until Proof of Residency is accepted and approved.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Cindy Seymour, System Registrar at 478-994-2031 ext. 1037.

Teachers in this year's Middle Georgia RESA Teacher Leader Collaborative presented their action research findings this week as a culmination of a yearlong professional learning experience.

The Monroe County Board of Education will meet for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 9.  The meeting is expected to begin with an executive session followed by recognition of retirees in the central office auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 91 to create O.C.G.A. § 20-2-281.1.  This bill provides opportunity for students to receive their high school diploma without the successful completion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test.  This test series is no longer a graduation requirement.  Therefore, any individuals, that enrolled in 9th grade on or after July 1, 1981, no longer enrolled in a public school who were denied a high school diploma solely for not achieving a passing score on any of the graduation tests and met all other local and state requirements may submit a petition to the Monroe County Board of Education to determine eligibility to receive a high school diploma under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-281.1.

TGScott Elementary students wrapped up the school year with transition activities.  Students visited with teachers to find out what the next grade will be like. 

Congratulations to KBSutton Elementary School's Sutton Silo Sprint Winners.  These students outpaced their classmates in the school's annual fun run.

Since 1970, smokeless tobacco has gone from a product used primarily by older men to one used predominantly by young men and boys. Far from being a "safe" alternative to cigarette smoking, smokeless tobacco use causes cancer and increases the risk of developing other health problems, including nicotine addiction and the potential to move on to combustible tobacco products.

• One can of snuff gives you as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes.

• Nicotine gives you the "buzz" but is highly addictive.

• 75% of cancers in the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, nose and larynx are due to tobacco use.

• 28 cancer-causing substances have been found in smokeless tobacco.

• Long-term users have a 50% greater risk of developing oral cancers than non-users.

• Smokeless tobacco is harder to quit than cigarettes.

Chemicals found in smokeless tobacco (and other common uses)

1. Cadmium: used in car batteries

2. Formaldehyde: embalming fluid

3. Lead: a poison

4. Nicotine: an addictive drug

5. N-Nitrosamines: cancer-causing chemical

6. Polonium 210: nuclear waste

7. Hydrazine: toxic chemical

8. Uranium 235: used in nuclear weapons

9. Fiberglass and Sand: abrasives

Source: http://dontdip.tamu.edu/index1.html, http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/

The Monroe County Achievement Center graduated 24 seniors. Pictured above are the MCAC faculty.

The graduation exercises for the Class of 2015 streamed live on the Monroe County Schools and Mary Persons High School websites last Friday night.  You can view the commencement exercises at http://www.monroe.k12.ga.us for a limited time.  If you missed the ceremony, you can order a DVD of the ceremonies for $25.00 by completing the order form on our website. 

Orders will be filled upon receipt of payment.  Checks should be made out to Monroe County Schools.  Mailed payments should be sent to:  Monroe County Schools Attn:  Technology Department  25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029.