With fanfare and enthusiasm, and even a DJ, the Liberty County School System got its faculty and staff ready for the school year at Friday’s annual convocation.
“Our goal as board members is to make sure that we are doing the things you all need us to make your job better,” board Chair Verdell Jones said to a Bradwell Institute gym packed with school system staff, “and more than anything else to help educate our children.
Because you’ve said some things, we’ve done some things.”
The 2024-25 school year, originally scheduled to start Monday, was pushed back to August 12 because of Tropical Storm Debby.
Jones pointed out that the school board has adopted an addendum to its cell phone policy for high schoolers, with the introduction of the Yondr pouches. While the longstanding rule has prohibited students from using their cell phones during class, the pouches — which use magnetic locks — are expected to keep the cell phones out of access throughout the school day.
“We wanted to remove some distractions out of your way,” she said. “Your board is not scared.”
Jones lauded the school system’s effort to provide free lunch and breakfast for every student.
“You don’t have to talk to hungry kids this year,” she said. “We are removing distractions so you can do what you do best.”
Jones also extolled the board’s passage of a balanced budget for the coming school year. The school board is operating on a $170.6 million budget, with nearly $87 million directed toward instruction. The state is providing more than $96 million in funding, and local property taxes account for nearly $29.4 million.
“We don’t have go looking for money; we don’t have to go begging for money,” she proclaimed.
The state’s fiscal year 2025 budget, signed into law in May by Gov. Brian Kemp, includes a record $13.2 billion for K-12 education. It included another $2,500 pay raise for teachers and $7 million for statewide literacy initiatives.
“We gave teachers another much-needed pay raise,” state Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway). “For too many years, you labored for more than you were worth.”
Williams recounted what his late mother, a former educator, once told him – her retirement check as a teacher was bigger than any pay check she received while she was teaching.
“That should not happen,” he said.
Williams also encouraged teachers to reach out to him and let him know what needs to be done at the state level for education.
“I’m tired of folks who ain’t ever taught nobody nothing telling you how to teach kids,” he said.
He also called on parents to do their part, saying teachers aren’t there to raise their children Williams also chastised those in state government who continue to push for school vouchers.
“I have been an advocate for public schools. We don’t need to fund private education,” he said. “I have a son I kept in private school but I paid for it. I didn’t ask the state of Georgia to help me with it.
“This is the only place in education where you don’t get to cherry pick the superstars. You got to take everybody who comes, whether they go to the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Spelman, Morehouse or no house.”
Jones also praised the board for adding school resource officers for its schools, and said the school system also is making gains on its shortage of bus drivers.
“All of this together makes a great team,” Williams said. “And don’t be quiet about it.”
Becky Busby, a gifted resource teacher at Frank Long Elementary School, implored her fellow faculty and staff members to tap into the spirit of the ongoing Summer Olympic Games as they prepared for the school year’s start.
“Much like the athletes who inspire us, you, our teachers, paraprofessionals, administration, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, coaches and esteemed board workers, you are our champions,” she said. “You demonstrate the same qualities every day in our schools, guiding our students to their own personal best. Let’s take inspiration from that Olympic spirit. Like athletes preparing for the Games, we too must prepare ourselves, set goals, honing our skills and staying focused on Liberty County’s mission, that we are here for all students. Let’s set ambitious goals, embrace challenges with courage and work together with a shared vision of excellence.”
