Vidalia BOE Honors Student Heroes
Wheeler Counties, which has been common practice for several years. While walking in a lobby area of the school for the meeting, the visitor fell, and was recognition for three students who assisted an American Red Cross representative who fell in the hallway at Vidalia High School during a regular board meeting on Tuesday, September 13.
According to Superintendent Garrett Wilcox, the representative was one of approximately 50 guests visiting the school for the annual opening meeting of the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and The Vidalia City Schools Board of Education had the rare honor of holding an Indian Star continued from page
unable to get up on her own due to an injury.
Students Shannon Collins, Caily Oliver, and JaQuan Johnson, who were in the area for lunch, recognized the woman’s need for help and responded immediately. As Johnson checked on the woman, Oliver went to get the nurse, and Collins stayed with the victim and assisted her until help arrived.
The Indian Star Recognition, which was developed many years ago, serves to recognize individuals for their exemplary and inspiring roles within the schools and communities. The award recognizes individuals for making a positive difference, whether for a lifetime filled with dedicated endeavors or for a one-time achievement. “This is just an opportunity to say thank you, more than anything else, for being a good citizen,” Wilcox told the students.
VHS Principal Bruce Mulkey explained that school administration first received word of the students’ assisting the woman through a community member who was impressed with the students’ actions. “Then, when we went back to watch the video surveillance to make sure we had everything taken care of, we were able to see firsthand what they did,” Mulkey said.
“We couldn’t be more proud of what they did. A lot of times, we see adults, as well as our young people, in communities pull out their phones and video as soon as something happens. None of that happened in this case, and our kids immediately jumped in there to make sure she was okay and went to get help,” the Principal said.
Mindy Morrison, the community member who informed the school administration of the students’ kind actions, said, “They jumped into action and began asking what they could do, and Shannon (Collins) never even let go of the woman’s hand. It was an incredible response for kids. I’m sure that was not a comfortable thing — I mean, it was a serious event right in front of them — and they immediately jumped into action. That’s not normal for kids their age. That was a big deal.”
Millage Rate
The school’s millage rate was set at 14.852 mills for the residents of the city within Toombs and Montgomery Counties. The school held hearings for this millage rate on September 7 and 8, and advertised the hearings and proposed millage rate prior to this adoption.
Policy Adoption
The Board Policy which deals with the use of school facilities was approved and adopted by a unanimous vote. This policy was first introduced at last month’s board meeting on August 9, then laid on the table for public comments and concerns for 30 days. This policy states that school facilities may be used by organizations and associations within the county if available and approved by application to the Board. No individuals or families will be permitted to use facilities unless otherwise approved by the Superintendent.
Curriculum Report
Assistant Superintendent Ginger Morris informed the Board that the school is within the Top 3 schools with most progress made for the use of state funding.
Personnel
The resignation of J.R. Trippe Middle School and Vidalia High School Chorus Teacher Sydney Williams was accepted. Wilcox says the school administration has reached out to several former chorus teachers but has had no luck so far in her replacement.
The following new hires were accepted: VHS School Nutrition Assistant Daphne Roberson, Sally D. Meadows Elementary School paraprofessional Candy Burton, and bus driver Anthony Payne.
