Staffing issues cause headaches for Jackson County school systems jacksonnewspapers.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jacksonnewspapers.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Hess explained that utilizing Zonar would enable the addition of a GPS system on every bus, turn-by-turn instructions for substitute bus drivers and electronic pre-trip inspections.
Suzette Lowe
Bea Isner, a retired educator, was appointed by the Jackson County Board of Education to fill the position vacated by former board president Bobbi Ferrell.
Serving as a school counselor from 1995-2016, Isner earned her bachelor’s degree in business education from Glenville State College, followed by a master’s degree in school counseling from Marshall University. She spent the majority of her career at Ripley High School, but also worked at Ravenswood Middle and Ripley Middle schools.
Isner said she is honored to be chosen to serve in this position.
“I look forward to supporting Jackson County schools as the newest board member,” she said.
Suzette Lowe
As a result of the Jackson County Board of Education’s decision at the May 6 meeting, class size for grades kindergarten-3 will be reduced to no more than 17 students.
Superintendent Blaine Hess and Assistant Superintendent Jay Carnell explained this change was made possible by funding source changes.
“We are able to use Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund (ESSERF) for this,” said Hess. “This stimulus money will go to good use in adding additional positions and keeping others.”
The premise behind lowering class size according to Hess is “to recapture learning loss.”
“No matter how good our summer school is, we won’t be able to get these kids totally caught up,” he said. “This will offer a more proactive, long-lasting solution.”
Suzette Lowe
It is all about destiny.
For Justin Johnson, the desire to manage that destiny has led him to make some changes in his life.
“I’ve always been a searcher,” the 39-year-old said. “Being happy, making my child happy is at the heart of anything I’ve ever done.”
Being open to new experiences has led Johnson to make some major shifts in his life in the last few years. One of those shifts occurred in February of this year.
“I resigned my position as a social studies teacher at Ripley High School,” he said. “I had been with Jackson County Schools since 2009, but I ventured out to start my own restaurant, Hot Johnson’s.”