Monroe Messages
A Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
Board Bulletin - March 8, 2022
 
Covid-19 - In a unanimous vote, the Monroe County Board of Education amended the previously approved Covid-19 protocols.  The approved protocols are highlighted below.  
 
  • Masking optional for staff and students in school settings
  • Recommend that unvaccinated staff and students 5 years and older receive the Covid-19 vaccination and work with DPH as needed to set up vaccination schedules for willing staff and students
  • Contact trace exposures within 3 ft for 15 minutes in the school setting, allowing parents the option to quarantine their child
  • Visitors/Volunteers will be allowed in the school settings. Masking optional for volunteers and visitors
 
No changes were made to the exposure or positive test protocols. You can view them on our website, www.monroe.k12.ga.us.  These protocols will be reviewed again as needed based on the community spread rates in our area.
Staffing Changes - The Board of Education approved the promotion of Mary Persons Principal Jim Finch to Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Operations, effective July ‘22. Dr. Finch is in his 15th year as the principal at Mary Persons High School and has been in education for 28 years. Dr. Finch has served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL, 2018-2020) and for the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP, 2016-2021). Dr. Finch has served as President, Vice President, Past President, and State Coordinator for GASSP and was Georgia’s advocacy delegate in Washington, D.C. to NASSP during the 2014-2017 school years. He has served as a lecturer and guest presenter for local RESA’s as well as the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. Dr. Finch will replace outgoing Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Operations Jackson Daniel, whose retirement was approved tonight.. Mr. Daniel is completing 26 years of service with Monroe County Schools.  
The Board of Education also approved the promotion of Dr. Becky Brown to Director of Assessment, Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE), and Federal Programs, effective July ‘22. Dr. Brown is in her 6th year as the principal at K.B. Sutton Elementary School and has been in education for 23 years. Dr. Brown is a member of several professional associations, including the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals (GAESP) and the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervisors (GACIS). Dr. Brown will replace Sandy Colwell, who left Monroe County Schools in January.  
 
Accreditation - Monroe County Schools once again earned accreditation. The Cognia review team awarded Monroe County Schools an Index of Educational Quality score of 372.90 out of a possible 400. The average score for Cognia reviewed schools over the past five years falls between 278.34 and 283.33. In its report, the team wrote “Preserving and protecting the high level of quality assurance that defines Monroe County Schools became the team’s focus in this accreditation review. The system’s capacity for continuous improvement is indeed its educational hallmark. The team applauds the many accomplishments from the past and those in the future.”
James P. Evans, Jr. - It is with our deep regret and sorrow to report that long-time board member James P. Evans, Jr. has passed away. The Evans' Family informed us that Mr. Evans died early this morning. Please keep the Evans family in your thoughts and prayers.