[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6634907,"mediaKeyId","2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7","parentId",2654310,"title","Pickens County schools honor teachers, students and staff; Pickens High earns AP recognition, bands score straight superiors","audioSeconds",2047,"startMs",298000,"endMs",2345000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7&start=298&end=2345","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7/thumbnail_298000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6634907/Georgia/Pickens-County-schools-honor-teachers-students-and-staff-Pickens-High-earns-AP-recognition-bands-score-straight-superiors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634907-37d7c6b3328c64b265735afbebb5cd78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087400&Signature=SEuuF~j2NLjW4dIvHX46j8-N3KQEdxxINoxbHCPyzdJr-MYzWvLRmgoP7OyJ2slOQJQPIeZnSdhkQ-2078V0AeZ9ChSq8UC8taWC9i40-hbQFIyqOx-2Pj8012VbynicLijDpGtFYsBasdpUjupSJNxYLueoJ8mewt1LOFy75v~QCvFiwtoIFvct2SE1yUY7JILLz2m2v4RY1pwiQAwiu3GwJD4~DnFRhyumcxkgOK9nANcxjCd0NnOFzutI7Tl7Lpf2bETfrHwIp9VYchFDaxf3igHc6jB6ddU8daZH2vDQ~80fEIdYVy~Q7T5YEu9Ld6tAYOBjemk70AooCe5j0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Georgia ","date","2025-03-15T20:12:12.317Z","article","The Pickens County Board of Education recognized staff and students at the meeting as part of school board appreciation week and district awards.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker read Dragon Award nominations and recognized student Jackson Jones of Pickens Junior High and special education teacher Josh Hedrick of Jasper Middle School. Parker read descriptions of both recipients’ service to students; on Jackson Jones he quoted a principal describing him as “the epitome of what all students should strive to be.”

The board also honored Martha Seager from the district office with an additional Dragon Award during School Board Appreciation Week; staff described Seager as the district office’s “central nervous system” for her organizational work.

Superintendent Doctor Thomas announced that Pickens High School earned recognition as an AP Honor School in AP STEM and in AP Honors School Expansion for more than 25% growth in Advanced Placement participation from May 2023 to May 2024. He also said state Superintendent Richard Woods will present achievement banners to Harmony Elementary (literacy leader banner) and Pickens High School (math leader banner) at a visit scheduled for Wednesday, April (time stated in meeting).

The board also heard that the high school concert and symphonic bands scored straight superiors at large group evaluations, a top rating in band performance.

The recognitions were presented without public debate; staff and board members offered thanks and appreciation to honorees and community partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pickens County Board of Education | March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board celebrated Dragon Award winners, recognized central office staff and announced academic and music honors for district schools. Superintendent said state superintendent Richard Woods will visit to present achievement banners to two schools.","taxTitle","Pickens County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",59451,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634911,"Pickens County board approves personnel reports and routine consent agenda items",2466,249000,2715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7&start=249&end=2715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7/thumbnail_249000.jpg","/articles/6634911/Georgia/Pickens-County-board-approves-personnel-reports-and-routine-consent-agenda-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634911-6de1ab16f9c1ea3617c33fd813aee6b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087400&Signature=IPM2XkrofJnEuhB8pcs3yTmLHuZTv6TWl5iAFE7fC5UKlClXQBrxXER~7vMJMflrOzO54mL~qs0v7gJWlS2AYNhChzqgn786VTJpK2z9yIdND3eba5aIg3HInAkHHfcc6Kj2aO3g1uI1eI~hifRiYPfgthbm~8lSFUakeeFy1tTC~5Lx42TDNCO21apBb-kBB0pCuyomGobQ7eNhyjicEd57uDE2YLsGuVdNLR4nWO0WRC6cAliI-gen~ImMm-qr6oB9y7WvVDRhsL2c9uuH0NJGv6YBBEBEk8LnCH-AV-Znc3rtxTWWoAYSMT8uJZIDHXkrqNAO82U7zUrq~5XVPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Education approved three personnel action reports and the meeting consent agenda during its regular session, the board chair announced.

Board members moved and seconded the motions for the personnel reports and for the consent agenda. A motion to approve personnel action report No. 1 was made and seconded; subsequent similar motions were made for personnel action reports Nos. 2 and 3. Board members then approved the consent agenda, which included financial reports, purchase of school buses, out‑of‑state overnight field trips for FFA and CTAE participants, and declared surplus items from Jasper Middle School and the Pickens High Media Center.

The transcript records procedural adoption language (“All in favor”) for these routine items. For one recorded tally the clerk announced “4 0” and asked for abstentions; a board member named Bartram was then mentioned during that exchange. The transcript does not provide a roll‑call breakdown of yes/no/abstain votes for each item.

The consent agenda items listed on the record included: financial reports, purchase of school buses, approved overnight FFA and CTAE trips (Covington, Macon, Eatonton and Spartanburg), and minutes from recent board meetings. Board members also approved three personnel action reports as presented.

No contentious debate or public participation on these agenda items was recorded; the motions were presented as routine approvals.","The Pickens County Board of Education approved three personnel action reports and a consent agenda that included financial reports, bus purchases, overnight student trips and surplus property, the board announced during the meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634915,"Operations update: district outlines high school remodel, track resurfacing, HVAC cycle and transportation recruitment",319,1489000,1808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7&start=1489&end=1808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7/thumbnail_1489000.jpg","/articles/6634915/Georgia/Operations-update-district-outlines-high-school-remodel-track-resurfacing-HVAC-cycle-and-transportation-recruitment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634915-ebb5fea586d3a903fe9daffa6aa5266c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087400&Signature=FQIUv0qRHJuNK5Zg3KiTpsGZ9uke8wMkkKDx~XYQjntCLxPEfKh9SARDVpAScV7aBgKhNgCjN9VGj0wRNbzv-n5C~6dbB6jfouNIfzmT5qeciCUQAJukxPSB-PCg1nZGXnxHoXd7E5ZyCgC0LZyHxWPaENIfU6sHTdKUIBy4tGYynZd1Xd~s7ezR4HJ9ZeiAP2WPJV9E-10iHf8GBG~tQhjtc4VNn0eTTCOi9vz~cXPbWuG-NfA3yLfVEGzrKMCksQ94nSh1rIBHLDkx3fRjbz0ENsmQFauYPGC2Q7TXzoNQikvUcrcJhpCnQvihTVFBk38PSRYhaM67EF~Ip8FFsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County district operations staff briefed the board on several large construction and operations projects, ongoing maintenance cycles and a new focus on transportation recruitment at the board meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker delivered the quarterly operations report, describing active projects including the high school remodel, track resurfacing, HVAC replacements and several facilities upgrades. “They’ve already painted most of the schools outside the classrooms… they’re working from 4 to 10 in the evening or working on the weekend, trying to get things done while students aren't there,” Parker said, summarizing contractors’ progress on the high school work.

Parker said the track resurfacing is expected to be largely finished before graduation, with the final lane surfacing dependent on sustained warm weather for curing. He also described an annual HVAC replacement cycle that the district has begun this year; staff said the cycle is intended to reduce long‑term maintenance costs and that some state funding is being used to support HVAC work.

On student services and safety, Parker highlighted the district’s school‑based health center planning and routine screenings, noting that staff and community partners have supported health grants and screenings. He also described multi‑disciplinary site assessments completed with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and said the district has started six‑week multidisciplinary meetings at schools that include counselors, nurses and SROs to discuss student services and safety.

Transportation and staffing were a major focus. Parker said the district has launched a recruiting and retention committee for bus drivers and is making modest facility and morale investments—updated driver lounges and a requested flagpole—to encourage retention. “We’re updating the driver's lounge… just a little more exciting to work down here,” Parker said. He noted that recruiting is constrained by CDL and background requirements and that staff are collecting personal stories to use in recruitment outreach.

School nutrition and extracurricular updates included a note that the district served 4,443 Thanksgiving lunches during a community event and that all six school kitchens scored 100 on recent health inspections. Parker also reported the completion of several projects such as a live animal barn pad and accessory improvements at school sites.

Superintendent Doctor Thomas and Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith added context about budgets and audits: Smith said the district’s general fund revenue collected through February was 72.55% of budgeted revenue and that the FY24 audit is underway with the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.

Staff said they will return to the board with more detailed project schedules, contract details and procurement steps for time‑sensitive work.","Officials described progress on the Pickens High School remodel and track resurfacing, an annual HVAC replacement cycle, and efforts to recruit and retain bus drivers. Staff also reported school safety assessments, the planned school‑based health center and summer project schedules.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634920,"Huber commits $65,000 to Tate Elementary playground; district says work will proceed in phases",108,713000,821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7&start=713&end=821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654310-4e69c1cc5e1df34221827da08249e5e7/thumbnail_713000.jpg","/articles/6634920/Georgia/Huber-commits-65000-to-Tate-Elementary-playground-district-says-work-will-proceed-in-phases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634920-3f8bc89800b362e7384350515400cda7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087400&Signature=mzHGK8IhGTCVzrLgQdmPn8apZdXVZSfXaWW37WSavfBEiORKII9fXYy5HXDu2J4w0uocaI5-ndAuohAozq1gUqX4VCSZ-Or3tvf~Ilt2LV5OmfnbhIBi7ml4nm2kt8eVDK083gQYaRjo8rBTy-RkfztClUi0VDDBxpmSDBpUbRhUMyFJa4p5OkPhtbZntCJQjup9n2YXtjJlDXLXiNKjJ-NJoxKH-MPBUCVX96Bsa0Slx~M3uY8KlksHTg0fbh1HQLRoFBVEXtq-mRMZiagL9BEAp8ycbowSB3HUNxoiCnva3DqgkCwoTXOiiwGTerno2h2H27vIUxTF8U1k3PTX~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huber, a local employer, pledged $65,000 toward new playground equipment at Tate Elementary School, Pickens County school and company representatives said during the school board meeting.

Teresa Schlueter, human resources manager at Huber, told the board she applied for the donation through Huber’s “impact your community” program and called the award “something that the kids can grow with.” “$65,000 doesn’t go as far as it used to but the thing that’s most exciting is that there will be something different for the students to come, something that’s more adaptable for any and everyone to use and something that the kids can grow with,” Schlueter said.

Superintendent Doctor Thomas and Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker said the district will deliver the project in two phases because state procurement rules affect how the district brings new equipment into schools. “There’s 2 phases to it for you guys from Huber. So you understand the state procurement get makes it hard on us to take new things forward, but we will be moving on that project as soon as possible,” Parker said. Deckard Pool was identified by staff as the district point person for the project.

District staff said construction work on district playgrounds will be scheduled so installations do not conflict with the school year; Parker said the Tate work will take place this summer and that other playground work in the district will follow. The district also acknowledged typical procurement steps and the need to sequence purchases under state rules before delivery and installation.

The donation will be used for playground equipment and accessibility improvements, according to Schlueter’s remarks and district staff updates. Schlueter thanked district partners and outside donors that will supplement the district’s gift.

The board did not take a formal recorded vote accepting the donation during the meeting; staff presented the donation and said they would proceed with procurement and scheduling next steps.","Huber donated $65,000 to replace playground equipment at Tate Elementary, the company and district staff told the Pickens County Board of Education. District staff said procurement rules require a two‑phase approach but that the project will move forward this summer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pickens County schools honor teachers, students and staff; Pickens High earns AP recognition, bands score straight superiors

Pickens County board approves personnel reports and routine consent agenda items

Operations update: district outlines high school remodel, track resurfacing, HVAC cycle and transportation recruitment

Huber commits $65,000 to Tate Elementary playground; district says work will proceed in phases