Carroll County Schools honors staff and students; REACH Georgia scholarship signing held

The Carroll County Board of Education used its November meeting to recognize staff and students and to host a REACH Georgia scholarship signing with state student finance representatives present.

Dr. Jess Gainsworth introduced paraprofessional Nina McDaniel, who the board honored for her service to Carroll County Schools since 2006 and her work supporting students in alternative programs and transportation. The board also recognized multiple schools and teams for recent academic and athletic achievements, including Central Middle School’s national recognition as one of 24 Schools of Distinction and several middle- and high-school championship teams.

Superintendent Scott Cowher praised the REACH Georgia scholarship program and the board’s opportunity to hold a signing, saying, “We appreciate the state doing that, and we appreciate you as a board allowing us to do that as a ceremony.” Christopher Green, identified in the meeting as president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (also referenced as the Georgia Student Finance Authority), and Linda McWerter (listed as a board commissioner in meeting remarks) were acknowledged as guests who participated in the scholarship signing and photos with students.

Specific students were named for recognition and scholarship signing: Marley Skaggs (Bowden), Anders Dalton (Central), Gabriela Bazell Escobar (Mount Zion), Adore Jackson (Temple), and Jaria Cello (Villa Rica). The board dismissed attendees briefly to the lobby for a signing and photographs before resuming the formal meeting.

The meeting also highlighted district updates from the superintendent, including recent Georgia Department of Education honors for literacy and math at multiple schools, STEM grant awards, and a district technology fair scheduled for Dec. 2.