Board recognizes students

At Monday night’s meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Education, Vincent Ly was recognized as the 2026 Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Student. Ly selected Jonathan Parks Jordan, his Honors Geometry and AP Pre-Calculus teacher, as his STAR Teacher. Pictured from left are School Superintendnet Dr. Chris Roppe, Ly, Jordan and High School Principal Dr. Greer Smith.

Monday night’s Jeff Davis County Board of Education meeting kicked off with Primary School Principal Dr. Shelly McBride recognizing the following students.
Kindergarten: Joshua Kase Sellers – Highest Growth on ELA Diagnostic; Baylor Shephard – Highest Score on ELA Diagnostic; Brock Williams – Highest Growth on Math Diagnostic; Bryn Bullard – Highest Score on Math Diagnostic.
First Grade: Haigen Pierce – Highest Growth on ELA Diagnostic; James Mullis – Highest Score on ELA Diagnostic; Ryliegh Bennett – Highest Growth on Math Diagnostic; Dane Griffin – Highest Score on Math Diagnostic.
Second Grade: Jario Olivarez – Highest Growth on ELA Diagnostic; Israel Eason – Highest Score on ELA Diagnostic; Braxton Smith – Highest Growth on Math Diagnostic; Lincoln White – Highest Score on Math DiagnosticHigh.
High School Principal Dr. Greer Smith recognized Vincent Ly as the 2026 STAR Student. The STAR Student is the senior with the highest SAT score in a single sitting and ranks in the top 10% of the graduating class. Vincent chose Jonathan Parks Jordan, who taught him Honors Geometry and AP Pre-Calculus, as his STAR teacher. Vincent plans to attend Emory University in the fall to major in Human Health with the career goal of going into Family Medicine.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe presented the January attendance report, indicating that the average attendance for Jeff Davis County Schools was 94.66%.
Federal Programs Director Dr. Joey Floyd provided an update, highlighting the continued support the programs provide to students and staff. Recent efforts include Chromebook replacements, expanded support for English learners and migrant students, parent involvement initiatives, professional learning opportunities, and elementary mental health services.
Director of Student Services Garrett White shared that the full planning team completed orientation Jan. 22 and the four focus area teams held their first meeting Feb. 5. Teams will meet again Feb. 23 to finalize goals and begin developing performance objectives.
Dr. Adam Kirby gave an update on the following capital projects:
Tennis Fieldhouse — Completed; Auxiliary Gym — passed inspection and will begin moving weight room this week; New Primary School — Brickwork should be completed within the week; first coat of interior paint is being applied; drywall is going up; back asphalt (bus area and road to Broxton Highway) is down.
The following items were unanimously approved by the board: Facilities Use Request – Junior Class Parents to use the Multipurpose Ag Center to host prom April 18; Facilities Use Request – Hazlehurst-JD Chamber of Commerce to use the Multipurpose Ag Center April 21 and 22 to host the Women In Business Luncheon.
Chief Financial Officer Joshua Worth presented the December financial reports. The board unanimously approved the financial reports as presented.
Resignations accepted: Pre-K Custodian Ericka Strickland; Pre-K teacher Alyssa Williams; primary school custodian Jeraldine Horne; primary school paraprofessional Natalie Reagan Varnadoe; primary school teacher Jennifer Williams; elementary school teacher Kirsten Cox; middle school teacher Shanae Lewis; bus driver Portia Capers.
Retirements accepted: Pre-K administrative assistant Harriette McDaniel; primary school paraprofessional Alice Grantham; primary school teacher Lori Thomas; elementary school paraprofessional Rhonda Clements; elementary school teacher Samantha Gillespie; high school counselor Greg Lovett; transportation administrative assistant Judy Carter.
Terminations: high school custodian Durran Gonzalez.
Recommendations: FY27 Certified/Classified Administrative Personnel; pre-K custodian Rosie Harmon; primary school SPED Inclusion teacher Hattie Wommack; elementary school SPED teacher Kristi Butler; middle school teacher Jessica Medders; high school custodian Garrison Conner Rea; School System SPED administrative assistant Chelese Griffin.
Board Training is scheduled for Feb. 24 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Board Retreat will be March 17 from 5 to 8 p.m.