Several retiring Tattnall County Board of Education (BOE) members were honored and saluted for their many years of service at the Monday, May 23, 2022, Tattnall County Board of Education meeting. These included Roseanne DeJarnette, Doug Hassol, Jane Stanley, Lorna King, Holly Thigpen, and Buddy Collins.
Hassol is retiring with 35 years of teaching, with six of those at Reidsville High School and 21 years at Tattnall County High School (TCHS). He was lauded by Principal Lakisha Bobbitt for his dedication to coaching basketball and his unique but methodical structure that led to success in the classroom for his students. She added that even though he might have a tough exterior, he was good-hearted.
DeJarnette has given over three decades of educational instruction and administration to children, serving as an academic coach and assistant principal during her education career. North Tattnall Middle School (NTMS) Principal Donny Sikes commended DeJarnette for her style of discipline and the way she took ownership of those whom she had taught.
King, South Tattnall Middle School’s (STMS) nurse, is retiring after 22 years in the Tattnall school system, with most of her years at NTMS. STMS Principal David Tucker complimented King on her extensive organizational abilities who was not easily hood-winked by students stating they were sick.
Thigpen, who holds numerous degrees, has served the past eight years as school counselor at Collins Elementary School (CES). Prior to that Thigpen was a teacher at CES for 15 years. She also taught seven years in Candler County. She was commended by former CES Principal Dr. Starla Barker for her easygoing nature, and she had actually attended CES and CMS.
Stanley, another CES educator, was lauded for helping implement the telehealth program in the Tattnall School system, introducing the echocardiograph into the system. She has brought a lot to the school system the past eight years in the telehealth area, commented Barker.
Collins, who is leaving CES after 15 years of service as Maintenance Supervisor, was a stalwart of dependability, taking care of the staff and facilities in a superior way. He also was on hand for Car Rider Duty, much to the delight of the students, who knew him as "Papa Buddy." He also serves as a volunteer firefighter and the Mayor of Cobbtown.
