Board of Education Accepts Grant for Pre-K Classrooms

WHITE COUNTY, GA – White County Board of Education approved a grant for new Pre-K classrooms, new stadium seats, and a new School Resource Officer contract at their meeting Thursday, May 27.

The board approved the acceptance of a grant to establish two new Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Mossy Creek Elementary will have an inclusive one for both special education students and traditional education students.  Mt. Yonah Elementary will have a standard classroom.

This will open up 22 new spaces for Pre-K students. Each classroom will have a teacher and a para-pro with the inclusive classroom also having one of the school’s special education professionals as well.

There will be a lottery to determine which students get the spots, it will be one spot per student if there is overflow they will go on a waiting list with district kids having the first opportunities to be picked. The entry for the lottery begins June 1 and goes through June 18. Visit https://www.white.k12.ga.us/departments/teaching-learning/pre-k to sign up for the lottery or for more information.

“We are super excited to be able to expand what we offer to our pre-k kiddos,” stated Ed.s Director of Student Accountability Jennifer King.

Stadium Seats

There will now be 200 new stadium seats to replace the old 64 seats that were removed due to Covid-19 last year. “The Booster Club asked for the extra seating and there are cupholders and armrest on each side and they will pitch and add to the cost,” stated Assistant Superintendent Scott Justus. The new seats will cost $33,820.00.

Also, the board approved a new contract with the White County Sheriff’s Office to add an additional School Resource Officer or SRO to the schools. This means there will be one permanently at the high school and one at the middle school. Mossy Creek and Jack P Nix will share one and Mt. Yonah and Tesnatee Gap will also share another officer.

“We are super excited and the sheriff seems excited,” stated Superintendent Laurie Burkett.

Lastly, White County Schools has been awarded the 2020 Vision Sign for incorporating farm to school in 20% of the meals provided to the students. This sign was presented to School Nutrition Director Abby Rowland by Burkett.

Burkett also announces the final Covid stats for this school year, one student positive and seven quarantined students none are graduating seniors. There are 0 teachers positive or quarantined due to Covid.