Eight educators retire

The Jeff Davis County Board of Education accepted the retirements of eight employees at their Monday night meeting. Retiring will be Doug Alexander, Richard Ryles, Sheila Edwards, Cherie Harper, Kim Taylor, Dennis Kirby, Bonnie Edwards and Paul Glass — although Glass will continue to lead the Jeff Davis High baseball program.

Athletic Director Roger Metts gave an update on the JDHS athletic programs and outstanding performers were recognized at the meeting.

2023 Girls Tennis State Champions Coach Mary Katherine Brown recognized members of the team: No. 1 singles Lexi Girtman, No. 2 singles Cori Mims, No. 3 singles Demi Rush, No. 1 doubles Noel Munoz and Aleah Parker, No. 2 doubles Presley Cox and Ava Coleman, and other team members, Briona Herrington, Graci Taylor, and Diana Hernandez.

Track Coach Greg Nail pointed out that the girls track team finished 3rd in Region 1AA and 14th at State. Individual region champions were Laisha Hernandez – 300M Hurdles, 4×4 relay (Laisha Hernandez, Asheera Wright, Ali Lewis, Anastasia Sirmans), 4×8 relay (Alex Uribe, Ali Lewis, Lily Relihan, Rebecca Lopez) and Shantei Lewis- shot put.

Laisha Hernandez was State Champion in the 300 meter hurdles. Other state qualifiers and places were Alex Uribe – 3200M, 4×8 (Alex Uribe, Ali Lewis, Lily Relihan, Rebecca Lopez) 8th Place, 4×2 (Laisha Hernandez, Asheera Wright, Rhiana Garcia, Carmen Coleman), and Shantei Lewis- Shot Put 3rd place.

Boys Varsity Track finished 5th in Region and 14th in State. Region Champs were Kaleb Ryals – 110 high hurdles and 300M hurdles, Darius Barge – shotput and discus.

State qualifiers and places: Lewis Baker – shot put, Kaleb Ryals- 110 high hurdles 7th place, Darius Barge – shotput 2nd place, discus 7th Place.

Coach Nail also headed up the school’s first ever Fishing Teams which are off to a great start. One of the two man teams made it to state.

In other action, the board ….

…. approved an out-of-state trip for the high school soccer team to play in Hoover, Ala., if they qualify.

… approved a request by School Nutrition Director Alisa Jones who asked to roll the School Nutrition Program bids for the FY 23-24 school year,

…. heard a financial report from Finance Director Betty Corbitt.

…. accepted the resignations of primary school paraprofessional Alyssa Tanner and high school custodian Michael Jowers.

…. accepted the retirements of bus drivers Elizabeth Murray and Onieta Watson, and Pre-K teacher Alyssa Tanner.

…. approved adjustments for the tennis and cross country programs.