2023 Jackson County School System Annual Report

J A C K S O N

C O U N T Y

S C H O O L

S Y S T E M

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

www.jacksonschoolsga.org

706-367-5151

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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3 4

Board of Education & Superintendent

6 7 8 14

Building for the future

15

JCSS Retirees

About Our System

Class of 2023

School Highlights

2022-23 Teachers of the Year

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Beau Hollett District 3 Chairman

Lynne Massey-Wheeler District 4 Vice-Chairperson

Rob Johnson District 1

Ricky Sanders District 2

Ty Clack District 5

Our Board of Education is committed to providing the needed resources for our school system as we continuously strive for student success. Our system is growing at a rapid pace and we are committed to working together to ensure our system has the best facilities to accommodate our students and staff, providing a positive, caring environment for rigorous education that will better prepare our students for a bright future. While we continue to grow and welcome new students and families into our community, we extend a warm welcome and thank you for choosing Jackson County and our school system as a place to raise your family and send your children to school.

Sincerely, The JCSS Board of Education

Superintendent As we look forward to the 2023-24 school year, I am excited to welcome so many new families to our community and welcome back all of our students this August! Our school system is committed to providing top-tier educational and extracurricular opportunities for our students, allowing them to engrain themselves within our community.

Our school system is continuously working to promote student success. We believe we accomplish this through our world class educators, who are dedicated to their profession. Our educators come to work every day with passion and energy for our students. Finally, our school system is dedicated to providing a safe environment for all of our students. We thank the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for providing our system with full-time school resource officers, who go above and beyond each day to protect our students in the learning environment.

I want to thank you for the support of our schools. It is an honor to serve the Jackson County community and lead our school system.

Sincerely, Philip Brown

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ABOUT OUR SYSTEM The Jackson County School System serves more than 10,000 students in six elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools and the Empower College and Career Center. The Jackson County School System is committed to promoting student success through leadership, character and performance from grades Pre-K through 12th grade.

SCHOOLS

OUR STUDENTS & DEMOGRAPHICS 10,414 Students Enrolled 1,286 Gifted 823 English Learners 1,585 Special Needs

17.3% Hispanic 64.8% White 8.3% Black

EMPLOYEES 1,384 Full-Time Employees 861 Certified Staff 523 Classified Staff

2024 TENTATIVE BUDGET $61,989,376 Local Revenue $71,413,258 State Revenue $12,827 Per Pupil Expenditure

CLASS OF 2023 ACHIEVEMENTS

$133,401,744 Operating Budget Millage Rate will be set in fall

*Tentative budget; final budget will be approved in fall

GRADUATION RATE

$12 Million in Academic Scholarships Awarded Over 65 Different Colleges & Universities To Be Attended in Fall 10 Military Enlistments into three Different U.S. Branches

Jackson County School System — 95% State of Georgia — 84.1%

CTAE & DUAL ENROLLMENT

TRANSPORTATION & SCHOOL BUSES

Approximately 30 CTAE pathway programs offered 1,650 students enrolled in CTAE 121 students enrolled in 339 dual enrollment courses

1,603,502 Total Miles Driven In A Year 8,908 Average Daily Miles 386 Average Daily Number Of Routes Provided 6,293 Students Transported Daily 162 Number Of Buses In JCSS Fleet

FACULTY 738 Classroom Teachers Across the District 75% hold at least a Masters Degree

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12 Schools 6 Elementary 3 Middle 2 High 1 College & Career Center

6% Multiracial 3.1% Pacific Islander, Asian, American Indian 31 Native Languages

SCHOOL NUTRITION Approximately 1.526 Million Meals Served In A School Year 8,481 Meals Served Daily 3,617 Served Daily At Breakfast 4,863 Lunches Served Daily

ABOUT OUR SYSTEM Mission The mission of the Jackson County School System is to provide and support challenging and rigorous educational opportunities to ensure academic excellence for all students in a safe and caring environment.

Vision Student success through leadership, character and performance.

Projected Student Enrollment by School, August 2023

2500

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Total Number of Students: 10,800

0 05

2000 13 8

1500

2 12 3

13 0

9

1000 6

54

57

5

47

500 0

EJES

EJMS EJCHS GSES

JCHS

LKMS

90

4

4

75

NJES

SJES

74

6 68

9 0

9

MES

WJES

WJMS

JCSS Raises over $11,000 for United Way The Jackson County School System held an annual fundraising event in the Fall of 2022 to raise money for the United Way of Northeast Georgia. District and school staff raised $11,874.60, exceeding the fundraising goal by nearly four-thousand dollars.

East Jackson Comprehensive High School raised the most donations with a total of $2,383.

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BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Jackson County is the second-fastest growing county in the State of Georgia. With the record growth, the Jackson County School System is committed to building top-tier school facilities to give our students the best environment to succeed academically, along with providing ample opportunities for our students to be involved in their school and community.

JCSS is preparing to open two new facilities in back-to-back years. Legacy Knoll Middle School is a $38 million school that will open in August 2023 and has the ability to serve 1,100 middle school students.

Legacy Knoll is located adjacent to Jackson County High School off Skelton Road in Hoschton. JCSS will open Heroes Elementary in August 2024. The three-story elementary school will be located off Highway 332 and Skelton Road, sharing the property with LKMS and JCHS. The construction of these two new schools required zero funding from a General Obligation Bond.

Through State Capital Outlay Funding, SPLOST revenues and by possible contributions from the General Fund, the Jackson County School System will have both Legacy Knoll Middle School and Heroes Elementary School paid off by the completion of their construction schedules.

Legacy Knoll Middle School Opening August 2023

Heroes Elementary School Opening August 2024

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CLASS OF 2023

The Class of 2023 was accepted into the following colleges and universities, in addition to seniors entering the U.S. Military in the branches of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy.

The Class of 2023 at East Jackson Comprehensive High School and Jackson County High School combined to receive over $12 million in college scholarships.

ABAC Agnes Scott College Albany State University Appalachian State University Athens Technical College Atlanta Institute of Music & Media Augusta University Beloit College Wisconsin Berry College Blufton University Brenau University Brewton Parker College Cal-State Fullerton Carson-Newman University College of Coastal Georgia Columbus State University Coastal Carolina University Clemson University Duke University Emmanuel College Emory University Erskine College

Florida State University GA College & State University GA Gwinnett College GA Institute of Technology GA Military College GA Southern University GA State University Goucher College Gwinnett Technical College Huntington College John Hopkins University Kellogg Community College Kennesaw State University Lanier Technical College Liberty University Life University Mercer University Middle Tennessee State University

Minot State University Newberry College North GA Technical College Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma Wesleyan University Penn State University Piedmont College SCAD Reinhardt University Southeast Community College South GA State College Thomas University Toccoa Falls College Truett McConnell College University of Akron University of Alabama University of Cincinnati University of Georgia University Of Memphis University of North Georgia University of West Georgia Valdosta State University Virgina Tech University Western Carolina University Young Harris College

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East Jackson Comprehensive High School

Jackson County High School

EJCHS is committed to the relentless pursuit of educational excellence.

FACULTY

88 CERTIFIED 45 SUPPORT

2023 AP STEM School

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 1,353 STUDENTS Black 8%

The mission of JCHS is to foster a supportive learning environment that offers purposeful, rigorous, and diverse educational experiences and encourages all students to develop a passion for learning as responsible global citizens.

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 1,811 STUDENTS

FACULTY

103 CERTIFIED 27 SUPPORT

Other 8%

Other 5%

International Baccalaureate

Black 10%

Hispanic 21%

Hispanic 17%

White 65%

White 66%

96%

GRADUATION RATE

94%

World School

GRADUATION RATE

28 varsity athletic teams 19 varsity athletic teams clubs & organizations 29 clubs & organizations 31 2 individual state champions

Award-winning robotics club, featured at state championship competition.

2 Governor's Honors Program Finalists

Dr. Matt Stratemeyer Principal 1435 Hoods Mill Road, Commerce, GA 30529 (706) 336-8900 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/EJCHS

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#BLUEPRIDE

3 individual state champions 34% of student body participated in at least one club or activity.

4 Governor's Honors Program Finalists 2023 GaDOE Honor School MOST POSITIVE SCHOOL 2023

Melissa Gillespie Principal 152 Jaxco Junction, Hoschton, GA 30548 (706) 367-5003 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/JCHS

#PROUDtobeJC

East Jackson Middle School

Empower College & Career Center The Empower C3 will prepare all students for success by providing personalized pathways to higher education and career opportunities.

FACULTY

50 CERTIFIED 14 SUPPORT

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 1,626 STUDENTS

EJMS promotes student success through leadership, character, and performance.

Other 7%

Hispanic 22%

Hispanic 17%

Dual Enrollment with Lanier Technical College

30+

White 65%

White 68%

Gold Star Award

Career, Technical & Agricultural Education Pathways offered

45 CERTIFIED 29 SUPPORT

Other 6%

Black 7%

Black 8%

JROTC Battalion

FACULTY

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 557 STUDENTS

Home of the 2022-23 JCSS District Teacher of the Year

Only school in the Northeast Georgia RESA District with a Young Georgia Author State Honorable Mention Bus Safety Poster Contest Winner Newly renovated media center

State FFA Leadership Chapter of the Year

Project S.A.V.E Certified

100% of students earned Bulldozer and/or Excavator Certification through certified Heavy Equipment Pathway.

FFA Gold Emblem Chapter

Dr. Meri Blackburn Chief Operating Officer

1952 Winder Highway, Jefferson, GA 30549 (706) 367-3511 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/Empower

#TheEmpowerWay

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athletic teams clubs & organizations

8

Johnathan Harris Principal 1800 Hoods Mill Road, Commerce, GA 30529 (706) 335-2083 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/EJMS

#BLUEPRIDE

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West Jackson Middle School

Legacy Knoll Middle School

WJMS empowers all students to embrace life-long learning, to achieve their full potential through continual self-reflection, and to build a strong sense of emotional, social, and physical well-being.

FACULTY

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 1,536 STUDENTS

59 CERTIFIED 18 SUPPORT

WJMS will be the feeder middle school for Gum Springs Elementary and West Jackson Elementary Schools. Students will then attend Jackson County High School.

Opening August 2023

Multi-Racial 6.3%

Other 11%

Black 10.5%

Black 8%

Hispanic 21%

White 60%

White 56.8%

Hispanic 26.3%

Bus Safety Poster Contest Winner 11 Students Placed in JCSS Art Show NEGAL Middle School Football Champions Student Winners at District Technology Competition Competed in the American Legion's Oratorical Contest

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Athletic Teams Clubs & Organizations

12

Dr. Melissa Conway Principal 400 Gum Springs Church Road, Jefferson, GA 30549 (706) 654-2775 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/WJMS

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#WJMSsuccess

FACULTY

2023-24 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 686 STUDENTS

56 CERTIFIED 22 SUPPORT LKMS will be the feeder middle school for North Jackson Elementary School, and Heroes Elementary School (opening in August 2024).

Students will then attend Jackson County High School.

Brand new, state-of-the-art three-story middle school, located adjacent to Jackson County High School.

Agricultural, Art, Band, Chorus, Family and Consumer Science, Physical Education, Spanish, Robotics courses offered.

On-campus athletic turf field

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Athletic Teams Clubs & Organizations

12

Dr. Miriam Ledford-Lyle

Principal 79 Legacy Knoll Lane, Hoschton, GA 30548 (706) 654-5590 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/LKMS

#TheKnoll

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East Jackson Elementary School

South Jackson Elementary School

EJES offers a challenging and rigorous educational experience for all students in a safe and caring learning environment.

FACULTY 64 CERTIFIED 17 SUPPORT

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 608 STUDENTS

We strive for success at SJES by working hard each day to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students as we prepare them to be college and career-ready.

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 701 STUDENTS

Other 14%

SSTAGE AWARD WINNER FOR PROMISING PRACTICES

Black 9%

69 CERTIFIED 26 SUPPORT

Other 6%

Champions Award Recipient

Hispanic 14%

Hispanic 18%

White 72%

Home of the 2022-23 JCSS District Paraprofessional of the Year

Elementary Agricultural Program Eastside collaboration with middle and high school Musical Production of The Lion King Kids Five representatives at Regional Technology Competition

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FACULTY

Clubs & Organizations

Allyson Pennington Principal

White 67%

Home of the 2022-23 JCSS District Support Person of the Year 2022-23 5th Grade Young Georgia Author's District Winner State-of-the-art media center featuring Integration technology, coding activities, Maker Space, 3D Printer 16 acres of nature trails & outdoor classroom On-campus greenhouse Readers Theater Special

Amy Adams Principal

1531 Hoods Mill Road, Commerce, GA 30529 (706) 336-7900 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/EJES

1630 New Kings Bridge Road, Athens, GA 30607 (706) 543-8798 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/SJES

#EJEStheBestNest

#GreatDayatSJ

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Maysville Elementary School

North Jackson Elementary School

MES exists to provide a rigorous and challenging standards-based curriculum guided by data and researchbased best instructional practices.

We are growing tomorrow’s leaders today! Our goal is for our students to be innovators and lifelong learners who leave our school with a strong academic foundation and solid character education.

FACULTY

48 CERTIFIED 27 SUPPORT

Family-oriented school in the town of Maysville, focused on connections with families, businesses and churches.

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 445 STUDENTS

58 CERTIFIED 24 SUPPORT

Multi-Racial 10.9%

Other 9%

2 Young Georgia Author Recognitions

Black 13.9%

Hispanic 19%

White 47.8%

White 72%

Pilot Program for Birth-Age 5 "Eagles'Nest Class Every MES Student Received a Winter Coat this year through partnership with community Parent Academies held throughout the school year Competed in Science Olympiad Competition

Dr. Katie Warwick Principal 9270 Highway 82 Spur, Maysville, GA 30558 (706) 652-2241 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/MES

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FACULTY

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 701 STUDENTS

#AmazingMaysville

1 competitor in State Technology Competition

Hispanic 27.4%

Most diverse school in Jackson County

20

languages spoken

Representing

26

countries

Yearly Events held at NJES: ESOL Family Nights Grandparents Week Red Ribbon Week Veterans Day Program NJES Loves Reading Campaign Kindness Week AND MORE!

Troy Johnson Principal 1880 Old Gainesville Highway, Talmo, GA 30575 (706) 693-2246 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/NJES

#GrowingtogetheratNJES

West Jackson Elementary School

Gum Springs Elementary School

West Jackson Elementary School will inspire and empower all students to engage and excel in the opportunities of a global society.

GSES exists to offer a challenging and rigorous educational experience for all students in a safe and caring learning environment.

FACULTY

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 1,219 STUDENTS

101 CERTIFIED 40 SUPPORT

2022-23 STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 1,153 STUDENTS Other 9%

Black 9%

STEAM CERTIFIED

Hispanic 11%

Hispanic 22%

93 CERTIFIED 42 SUPPORT

2023 Top 10 Finish at State Science Olympiad

Black 5%

Other 9%

FACULTY

White 60%

White 75%

Home of the Georgia Science Teachers Association's 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Over $80,000 raised during Red Carpet Run Fundraising Campaign

$43,646 earned in grants during 2022-23 school year

PBIS School that promotes student responsibility and accountability

School Greenhouse and On-campus mini-farm featuring goats, chickens, rabbits

14 district winners in Technology Competition

On-campus garden & weather center Rated 5/5 for Positive School Climate Involvement with local community businesses

Lori King Principal 391 East Jefferson Street, Hoschton, GA 30548 (706) 654-2044 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/WJES

#GrowingatWJES

Clubs sponsored include LEGO League, Technology Club, STEM, Secret STEM, Drama Club, Science Olympiad and Panther Helpers Bi-annual student musical performances!

Joshua Todd Principal 600 Gum Springs Church Road, Jefferson, GA 30549 (706) 654-5580 www.jacksonschoolsga.org/GSES

#SuccessatJCSS

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2022-23 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

2022-23 District Teacher of the Year

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2022-23 District Finalist

2022-23 District Finalist

2023 RETIREES The Jackson County School System would like to thank our retirees for their continued dedication to our students, staff and community.

Name Vicky Adams Michelle Archibald Judy Bagwell Cindy Benton Resa Brooksher Suzanne Caylor Debbie Chambers April Duffey Denise Ferguson Carolyn Fulcher Carolyn Graham Todd Henry Julie Herron Kim Johnson Cynthia Lee Dianne Lee Larry Lee Richard McWhorter Floyd Moates Darrell Presley Henry Puckett Donna Raney Jennifer Saine Curtis Shoemaker Deborah Terry Cynthia Thompson Andrea Waldrip Janice Ward Allison Widstrom

Position Teacher Dir. of Elementary Education Teacher Teacher Principal Teacher Paraprofessional Teacher Bus Driver Bus Driver School Nutrition Manager Assistant Principal Teacher Principal Teacher Custodian Custodian Teacher Teacher Teacher Bus Driver Assistant Principal Dir. of Personalized Learning Bus Driver School Nutrition Assistant Teacher Teacher Paraprofessional SLP

Location EJES Central Office NJES EJCHS SJES WJMS WJES GSES Transportation Transportation EJCHS EJCHS MES EJMS SJES GSES GSES WJMS EJCHS EJCHS Transportation SJES System Transportation JCHS WJES WJES EJCHS JCHS

Years of Service 10 years 12 years 4 years 30 years 29.3 years 30 years 30 years 5 years 30 years 7 years 20 years 5 years 7 years 27 years 38 years 27 years 14 years 4.5 years 4 years 26 years 14 years 15 years 18 years 7 years 10 years 20 years 22 years 12 years 32 years

Thank you for over 509 years of combined service to the Jackson County School System!

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Jackson County School System 1660 Winder Hwy Jefferson, GA 30549 www.jacksonschoolsga.org

Follow Our School System! @JacksonCountySchoolSystem