When Mrs. Gore assumed her role as Superintendent of Tift County Schools in January, she outlined her 90 day entry plan to Listen, Learn and Lead. At 8 weeks into the plan she recently shared the following update with the Board of Education:
From the Superintendent's Desk:
With regards to the Listen and Learn portion of the plan she has accomplished the following:
Toured every facility in the system
Had a 1 on 1 with every principal and department leader to discuss strengths/needs of system
Held 22 focus groups (including parents, paraprofessionals, teachers, office and clinic staff, counselors and social workers, students, nutrition staff, and Assistant Principals)
Met individually with 25 community leaders
Interviewed with WALB and Hayward Fowler (FUN Channel)
Started meetings with LSGT (Local School Governance Team) at each school (6 completed)
Started conducting walkthroughs in classrooms with principals and our Teaching and Learning staff
Engaged in community events
Star Student Banquet and TCFEE Banquet
Read Across America at 3 schools
Sworn in as a member of the Board for the Department of Health
Attended numerous athletic activities and fine arts events
Orchestrated football players and parents meeting and first meeting of district with new football booster club
Significant accomplishments that have occurred since January:
Hired several key positions in the district
Head Football Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Offensive Coordinator
Director of Safety and Security
High School Principal (Interviews are currently being conducted)
Established and began actionizing a Board/Superintendent Agreement to outline communication procedures for the Governance Team
Initiated Board/Chair Agenda Review meetings to inform monthly meeting topics
Initiated 2x2x3 meetings to facilitate Board conversations/discussion around timely topics
Established weekly Board updates
Revised Board Policy and Regulation related to Student Activity Funds
Established expectations, approach, and cadence for Cabinet Team preparation for Board Meetings
Started work on a plan for sunsetting of GNETS within the state
Started work on Budget Development for FY 2025
Started work on the development of facility options for Board consideration, and we are actively examining school allocation procedures and making adjustments for FY 2025
The listening, learning and leading will continue and in May, Mrs. Gore will present the Board with a report summarizing her learnings and identified priorities for the district’s work for the 2024-2025 school year.
School Board Appreciation Week
The week of March 11 - 15, 2024 has been designated as School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. During this week we honor the dedicated efforts of our local school board members. Board members were presented with plaques that were created as a joint effort of the CTAE department at TCHS.
Pictured (L-R) Mickey Bentley (TCHS Construction Teacher), Dr. Melissa Busbin (TCHS Computer Science Teacher), Nathan Vicars, Blair Golden, Jonathan Jones, Sam Wright, Marilyn Burks, John Waddell, Pat McKinnon, Jamie Hill, Dayana Castillo, Memphis Padgett, Dr. Donald Gilman (CTAE Director)
Mark Wynn named Director of Safety and Security
Officer Mark Wynn has been named as the Director of Safety and Security for Tift County Schools. Officer Wynn has been a System Security Officer with Tift County Schools since 2020. Prior to joining the TCS staff, he was a School Resource Officer at Tift County High School as a member of the Tifton Police Department.
Officer Wynn has served as the interim director since January. As the leader of this department he and his team will work to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff.
Student and Staff Recognitions
These groups of students and staff members were recognized at the March Board of Education meeting.
Varsity Girls Wrestling
Region 1-6A Traditional Champions
Area 2 Champions
Team Members: Angel Dixon, Zaniya Knight, Jaycie Kelly, Sadie Davis, Addison Braswell, Skye Perry, Nathaly Rivera, Debraysia Doward, Kimajia Canady, Samantha Vicars
Coaches: Zac Martin, Billy King, Ruth Schemmel, Shawn Watson
Team Members: Damion Moate, Daniel Soto, Landon Turner, Nathan Vicars, D'Corey White, KJ Wilcox, Dillan Womack, Michael Dixon, Danny Freeman, Antron Johnson, Dawson McMillan, Chris Rodriguez, Tavon Wallace, Steven Zheng, Dustin Alexander, Javon Bateman, Jaxon Hughes, Jamari Johnson, Austin King, Bryan Melton, Anthony Pace, Cole Rutland, Cedric Snead, Andres Soto, Dain Summers, Peyton Whiddon, James Wise, Rodney Armstrong, Carlos Arzate, Austin Claunch, Tanner Fechner, Keigan Goodman, Braden Harris, Kaden Harris, Anthony Hernandez, Edwin Himinez, Keilen Johnson, Jack Lindsey, Collin Lovett
Coaches: Zac Martin, Britt Wilson, Rayder Schemmel, Shawn Watson
Varsity Boys Wrestling
Region 1-6A Team Dual Champions
Region 1-6A Traditional Champions
Varsity Girls Swimming
Team Members: Brooklyn Baird, Laurie Barbee, Leighellyn Bengston, Morgan Brey, Lilly Bruce, Brynna Burke, Ilianna Cleveland, Lordis Denny, Brianna Domagala, Keira Gibbs, Jude Hawsey, Haley Hooks, Izzy Jackson, Sara Faith Johns, Kensie Law, Emmalyn Lukas, Abby Lupo, Anna Lupo, Lauren Maag, Gabby Montalvo, Lola Reynolds, Kendall Sasser, Rachel Spurlin, Grace Walker, Reagin Walker, Raylee Walker, Savannah White, Ava Wilson
(11 consecutive years as Region Champions)
Coaches: Ivey Vickers, Teresa Walker, Kristin McElroy, Michael Hancock
Varsity Boys Swimming
Team Members: Brock Alexion, Trey Dorminey, Rocky Faw, Kason Flowers, Mason Grist, Elijah Hellman, Brodie Law, Jace Long, Miguel Martinez, Caleb May, Jack Medina, Abram Miller, Bill Nguyen, Landon Parrish, Eli Pate, Aaron Patel, Maitrey Patel, Rylan Pearman, Karson Ponder, James Ross, Brayden Rowland, Hatcher Swanson, Ethan Stalnaker, Aiden Thrasher, Ethan VanOrman, Chase Walker, Dillan White, Wyatt Keith
(10 consecutive years as Region Champions)
Coaches: Ivey Vickers, Teresa Walker, Kristin McElroy, Michael Hancock
Mark your calendars and come see us for your spring plants! Plant hop between all schools and support all three FFA chapters! If you have questions, contact one of the following teachers.
Tift County High School - Ashley Thoron ashley.thoron@tiftschools.com
Eighth Street Middle School- Eve Rogers eve.rogers@tiftschools.com
Northeast Middle School - Ashlyn Reaves ashlyn.reaves@tiftschools.com
Hope to see you there!