The principals of the five Tattnall public schools gave a short preview of the goals they plan to achieve during the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, which will begin August 1 for students. The presentations were given at the Monday, July 22, 2024, Tattnall Board of Education (BOE) meeting. The schools are North Tattnall Elementary School (NTES), North Tattnall Middle School (NTMS), South Tattnall Elementary School (STES), South Tattnall Middle School (STMS), and Tattnall County High School (TCHS).
Jonathan King, new principal at NTES, introduced his assistant principals, Melanie Kirby and Dently Crews. He emphasized that the plans are for an environment at NTES for every student to thrive, and the teachers are on board for this emphasis. King stated that they plan to celebrate achievements without taking away from instructional time.
He reported 824 students enrolled, with 15 pending: PreK-89, Kindergarten-107, first grade-111, second grade-133, third grade-133, fourth grade-122, and fifth grade-129. Staff numbers 135 with only five new staff members.
Beth Kennedy, Assistant Principal at NTMS, reported that of their 54 staff members, 47 of those are returning staff. Sixth graders numbering 152 are expected, along with 149 seventh graders and 144 eighth graders, for a total of 445 students at NTMS.
She commented that their successful House System would continue the next school year, which quickly gives incoming students a sense of belonging. Kennedy added that the Model School Conference was beneficial to the teachers attending this past summer, and the plans are to have a school year that is fun and engaging for students, "kicking it up a notch" next year.
Destiny Levant, new school principal at STES, is excited about the school year, with assistance from Claudia Martinez and Angela Young. She commented on the benefits from attending the Model Schools training this past summer and looks forward to "leadership for a new era." Her plans are for her "tribe to thrive" this school year.
The total number of students expected is 801 at present: PreK-86; Kindergarten-110, first grade-138; second grade-115; third grade-133, fourth grade-122; and fifth grade-97. The number of teachers and paraprofessionals is 127, with 109 returning and 18 new educators.
STMS principal Tori Flowers was accompanied by her assistant principal, Jessica Helms. STMS is looking forward to a student body of 373 students: 126 sixth graders, 134 seventh graders, and 113 eighth graders. Staff numbers 51 with 33 of those returning and 18 new staff.
"We will be growing together, academically, professionally, and within our community in service events. We are anticipating increased parent and family engagement, also," said Flowers, commenting that new computer science classes have been added and ag classes for seventh and eighth graders have been brought back.
At TCHS, Principal Justin Flowers introduced his assistant principals: Allen Yancey, who is returning in that capacity, and with two new administrators, Sabrina Page, formerly the Work Based Learning Coordinator, and Amy Scott, who was the Academic Coach.
The students include 324 ninth graders, 277 tenth graders, 278 eleventh graders, and 216 seniors, for a total of 1095, which is about a 50 increase from the previous year. Staff numbers 102, with 91 of those returning.
He commented that they have modified their schedule to include a 20-minute “Battle Block” period each day. This block will be for remediation, enrichment, advisement, and college and career activities, etc. Flowers reported a new CTSO-HOSA (Future Health Professionals) has been added and re-sequencing Social Studies classes to help build a better content bridge that leads into U.S. History.
At TCHS, he said that their theme for this year would be “Never Ring the Bell!” This will be a mindset that they adopt that no matter what tough times or failures may come, they will embrace them and never, ever give up!
Another agenda item was the financial report given by School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Waters. She stated that due to the State requirement of keeping the mills at 14, a slight tax increase would be most likely this year, and mostly due to the higher valuations in the Tax Digest. If the BOE does not keep the millage at 14 mills, it will lose its equalization monies. If this occurs, an even higher tax increase will result.
Certified teachers approved at the meeting were as follows: at STES-Kaitlin Kilgore, Brittany Hutcheson, and Kymberly Dillion; at NTES-Keijuan Calhoun; at STMS-Lacey Samuels; at NTMS-Connor Foley, Cathy Beggs, and Rikki Lamb (49%); and at TCHS-Janet Bussell (49%) and Teresa Thompson (49%).
Non-certified personnel to be hired included: Cheryl Simmons, parapro at STES; Brittany Dykes and Jessica Knights, parapros at STMS; Dulce Lima, parapro at NTMS; and Rogena Whalen and Stephen Krueger as bus drivers.
Student workers approved are Kyleigh Monroe and Camryn Barnard at TCHS; Aaliyah Bacon at NTMS; and Yamise Anderson in Transportation.
The release of TCHS teacher Candice Kirby from her 2024-25 contract was approved.
In closing, the policy on Employee Leaves and Absences was approved.
