Liberty County School System Superintendent Dr. Valya S. Lee was sworn in Aug. 19 by Gov. Nathan Deal to the State Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission. Lee, the newest member to serve on the council, will be required to travel to the capitol to attend the panel’s meetings.
The state council was formed in spring 2012 and consists of members appointed by the governor, selected ex-officio members and school-liaison officers from all the school systems near Georgia’s military installations.
Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Gregory, who also is a military/Department of Defense representative, and Fort Stewart School Liaison Officer Greg Cooke also serve on the state council from the Fort Stewart/Liberty County district.
The purpose of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployments of their parents. The commission facilitates the timely enrollment of children of military families while ensuring they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of education records from previous schools. The commission facilitates the student-placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content or assessment.
Additionally, the commission seeks to facilitate the qualification and eligibility for enrollment in educational programs and participation in extra-curricular academic, athletic and social activities. It also strives to help children of military families graduate on time.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity, and I offer my sincere gratitude to Gov. Deal for my appointment. Having seen first-hand the challenges with which many military children are faced as their parents are deployed and when they themselves are relocated to new schools, I am pleased to support the efforts of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission,” Lee said.