MoCo Schools Honor 4-H DPA Participants
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The Montgomery County Board of Education recognized the Montgomery County Schools students who participated in the 4-H District Project Achievement (DPA) events in recent months.
At the beginning of the recognition, Montgomery County Agricultural/ Natural Resources and 4-H Agent Lauren Stanley and Adult Volunteer Joyce Allen spoke to the Board. They explained that in November, students in fourth through sixth grades had competed at the District Project Achievement (DPA) event at Toombs County Middle School, where each student competed against students in their own grades.
“In a variety of projects, they get to choose what project area they talk about. So it's always something that interests them, which, of course, helps build their love for public speaking because as you guys know, it doesn't come easily to everyone, but it is something that we work hard to develop in our students,” Stanley remarked.
She went on to share that Montgomery County Junior and Senior 4-H’ers – students in seventh through twelfth grades – attended their DPA event at the beginning of February at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton. “It was a weekend event. Competition levels up when you get to the junior and senior levels. Juniors – seventh and eighth graders – compete against their own individual grade levels, but when you become a senior in the ninth through twelfth grade, you compete as a group. So, ninth graders are competing against twelfth graders.”
Stanley emphasized her excitement for the students, as she commented, “We really have some outstanding accomplishments from our students in all age levels. We are so proud of them and the skills that they work hard to develop. We’ve seen students really come out of their shell thanks to DPA. We’ve seen students build their confidence and learn more about different topic areas that they previously did not know much about.”
She continued, “We see them want to do better and compete better every year. We’ve had people from all over the district and the state brag on our students for how talented and well-behaved they are when we take them different places.”
Stanley thanked Allen, Montgomery County 4-H Program Assistant Julie Waller, and Montgomery County Extension Office Administrative Assistant Leanna Connell for all their work in making the events a success. She also informed the Board that Montgomery County High School Students Tatum Williams and Hartley Williamson had qualified for the state competition at the annual Georgia 4-H State Congress event. “We’re excited to get the opportunity for them to showcase their skills in Atlanta,” she emphasized.
Stanley added, “We appreciate the support of our school system. None of what we do would be possible without you all and your partnership.”
Other Recognitions During the meeting, the Board also recognized Montgomery County High School Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Student Evan Hardeman, as they thanked him for his work to represent Montgomery County. Each month, if an employment candidate is in attendance at the Board meetings, the Board recognizes the candidate, who then introduces themselves. This month, new Montgomery County High School Head Football Coach Gabe Gay and Montgomery County Elementary School Principal Jo-ne Bourassa addressed the Board.
Gay went first, as Superintendent Ronda Hightower shared her admiration for Gay’s reputation as a coach and leader. “I can tell you not only did this man do an outstanding job in the interview, but he's living for many, many years now here. He's never wavered in being here just to be of service to kids. It's not prestige. It's not honor. It's certainly not money. But again, because he feels like he can make a difference in the lives of kids. And that's the people that I want to [be here], so welcome, sir,” she remarked.
Gay then addressed the audience, as he thanked the Board for the opportunity. “I thank the good Lord for opening this door, this avenue for me. Thank you to my wife for her unwavering support. I am so grateful,” he began.
He shared that he has missed Montgomery County Schools since leaving the schools to coach elsewhere a few years ago. “I’ve missed this place since I left. I thought about it every day since I left. And I was excited about getting back and working with the schools.”
Bourassa was then introduced by Hightower, who shared that she had met the candidate years ago while working in the Laurens County School System. “She is the most tenacious person I have ever seen – she is going to complete the task through,” Hightower explained.
Bourassa addressed the crowd saying, “You can’t even imagine the honor that I have standing here in this room with these board members and with prospective students and parents and colleagues. I just can’t wait. It’s going to be a fabulous FY27.”
Both Gay and Bourassa were approved during the personnel recommendations section of the meeting, as Gay was approved unanimously by the Board and Bourassa was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Board Member Eugene “Pete” Ward voting against the hire.
Other Personnel Recommendations Several other personnel recommendations were accepted by the Board.
Resignations were accepted for Montgomery County High School Science Teacher Shelby Shiver, Montgomery County Elementary School First Grade Teacher Presley May, Montgomery County Middle/High School Bookkeeper Celie Mc-Coy, Montgomery County Middle/High School Counselor Sequoyah Joseph, Montgomery County Elementary School Department of Exceptional Learning Teacher Devonta Osborne, Montgomery County Elementary School Department of Exceptional Learning Teacher Kristi Butler, Montgomery County Middle/High School Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Sarabeth Worth.
Retirements were authorized for Montgomery County Elementary School Inclusion Teacher Jennifer Graham, Montgomery County Middle/ High School Science Teacher Melissa Palmer, Montgomery County Middle/High School Department of Exceptional Learning Teacher Amber Reid, Montgomery County Special Education Director Alicia Hartley, Montgomery County Federal Programs Director Julie Harrelson, and Montgomery County Data Collections Specialist Patricia Osting.
Board members authorized current Montgomery County Elementary School Principal Candace Keen to transfer to the Montgomery County Middle School, where she will serve as the Principal beginning in July. Montgomery County Middle/High School Assistant Principal Bo Boatright was approved to transfer to the Montgomery County Elementary School, where he will serve as the Department of Exceptional Learning Site Coordinator beginning in July.
The following subsitutes were approved: Alexis Ramirez, Racheal Sweatt, Jasmin Hernandez, Ronisha Williams, and Mark McDaniel.
RETURNING HOME – New Montgomery County High School Head Football Coach Gabe Gay emphasized his excitement to return home to the school system from which he had graduated and coached at.
PREVIOUSLY WORKED TOGETHER – Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Ronda Hightower (right) told the Board that she had previously worked with new Montgomery County Elementary School Principal Jone Bourassa (left) at Laurens County Schools, and had been impressed by Bourassa’s tenacity.
