Toombs BOE Commends Paige Williamson
Toombs County Family Connection Director Paige Williamson was honored with the Toombs County School System Community Partnership Award at the monthly Toombs County Board of Education meeting on September 9. Williamson received the award for her support and strengthening of partnerships between the schools and community. Among the resources Williamson provides to benefit the students, parents, and school system are 'Backpack Buddies,' Back to School Bash, 21st-Century Afterschool Program, and the locallyfunded Toombs County Afterschool Program. “Paige serves as a mentor to many students within our school system, and we are so grateful for the work that she does within her partnership with the district,” said Barry Waller, Superintendent of Toombs County Schools. Lyons Primary School (LPS) Principal Chris Bell and LPS Instructional Coach Rustin Parker shared the success that the school has seen through the implementation of the new Reading Horizons program. Teachers have been engaged in preparation for this program, which launched this fall, through professional learning and training. In this program, the instruction of reading is based on the science of reading, which has been analyzed through pedagogical study. The Board also announced the return of the Extra Mile/WOW Award for the district. This award recognizes staff for excellence in their work, and had been temporarily paused due to COVID because many family members and friends usually attend meetings where their loved ones are honored. The Extra Mile award will be awarded to a certified school employee, and the WOW Award will be awarded to a classified school employee on a monthly basis. During the meeting, board members discussed the success of the Toombs County School System online application that was launched three weeks ago. Currently, the app has 1,700 subscribers; the school system hopes to continue to grow that number to best communicate with its stakeholders.
Several staff positions were also approved during the meeting. Those hired were Pat Powell and Amy Musselman, Toombs Central Middle School Food Nutrition staff; Carolyn Gay as a Toombs County Elementary School Food Nutrition staff; and Jacqueline Taylor, Toombs County High School Food Nutrition staff.
Resignations were accepted for Toombs Central Elementary School paraprofessionals Kristi Denmark and Tessie Watson, as well as school bus driver and transportation staff member, Herbert Drew.
Extended Day positions were approved within the meeting for several teachers and staff who work with Special Education, CTAEs, Agriculture, and other electives. These staff members are teachers who do not have planning periods during the day and are paid a percentage of their salary to compensate for this; this percentage is determined by student need and class sizes per class.
Brad Braddy and Dana Williamson were approved as Special Education teachers for Toombs County Middle School.
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COMMENDED — Toombs County Family Connection Director Paige Williamson, right, was honored with the Toombs County School System Community Partnership Award at the monthly Toombs County Board of Education meeting on September 9. Williamson was cited for her support and strengthening of partnerships between the schools and community. Above, Williamson receives the award from Toombs County Superintendent Barry Waller.
