The Ware County Board of Education handled a long list of agenda items during the March 2025 work session with passage in the regular monthly meeting.
Board members approved the Ware Children’s Initiative Agreement for Ware County Board of Education to be its Fiscal Agent for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
The Ware Children’s Initiative is part of the Georgia Family Connection, a statewide network spanning all 159 counties. It works to improve outcomes for Georgia’s children, families and communities by addressing systemic barriers and delivering local solutions.
The Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) drives this effort, providing resources, governance, and data as the state’s KIDS COUNT grantee, while focusing on interconnected goals of healthy children, stable families, and thriving communities.
Through collaboration and tailored initiatives, this grassroots-born model empowers Georgians to build a stronger future, proving progress is achievable even amidst complex challenges.
• Georgia Mentor Partnership Program: The board approved the FY26 application for participation in the Georgia Mentor Partnership Program.
The continuation of this partnership is vital as the Parent Mentor’s role includes assisting the system with the implementation of the SSIP (State Systematic Improvement Plan), which focuses on improving the graduation rate of students with disabilities.
The Georgia Department of Education funds this partnership with federal funds allocated to the district position. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) federal funding is also budgeted to support 10 additional days to ensure support to students, families, and the community.
• Graduation Cohort Reassignment Checklist Form: Board members approved the request for a Graduation Cohort Reassignment Checklist Form.
The checklist will ensure a thorough and equitable review process, incorporating eligibility verification, advisor consultation, transcript review and registrar approval. It also requires student acknowledgment of the impact on their graduation timeline.
By implementing this structured process, academic integrity will be maintained while providing flexibility for students with compelling needs.
• Georgia Vision Project for Public Education resolution: The board approved the review and renewal of the BOE’s resolution to continue their commitment to the Georgia Vision Project for Public Education.
The Georgia Vision Project was initiated collaboratively by the Georgia School Boards Association GSBA and the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA). Since its inception, over 20 private, professional and corporate organizations all over Georgia have joined as partners in this effort.
The goal of the partnership is to create and communicate a new vision for public education in the state of Georgia by providing all children with an equitable and excellent education that prepares them for college, career, and life.
• 2024-25 SY Strategic Plan and Goals and Objectives: Board members approved the review of the Strategic Plan and Goals and Objectives for 2024-25 SY (School Year).
The Strategic Plan is reviewed and modified, as needed, every three to five years. The plan includes the Mission, the Vision, District Priorities and Areas of Focus for the next 3-5 years.
Four major goals serve to focus efforts and resources ∞ Student Achievement – develop and implement innovative, rigorous, and relevant learning environments that challenge all students to attain high academic growth.
∞ Operations and Finance – maintain fiscal stability and reserves through sound financial practices while providing safe and efficient facilities and maintenance/ transportation operations ∞ Human Resources – recruit, retain, and develop highly skilled personnel to serve the needs of each child in the Ware County School System.
∞ Community Involvement – strengthen school, family, and community partnerships.
• Balanced Scorecard for Ware County Schools: The board approved the review of the Balanced Scorecard which tracks data year-by-year covering a number of factors including Graduation Rate, Elementary Content Mastery, Elementary Progress, Elementary Readiness, Middle School Content Mastery, Middle School Progress, Middle School Readiness, High School Mastery, High School Progress, and High School Readiness.
• Policy BH — Code of Ethics: Board members approved the annual review of Policy BH, the Code of Ethics.
The code can be found on the Board’s website.
• GSBA add to legislative positions: The board approved the motion made by Rusty Ganas to request GSBA add to the legislative positions the following: Due to safety concerns associated with changing the time twice per school year, the Ware County Board of Education recommends that GSBA advocate for a legislative priority to maintain a consistent yearround time setting.
The Board was in agreement with all other GSBA Legislative Positions. There are 11 pages of recommendations.
• Appointment of delegate and alternate delegate to GSBA: Board members approved the appointment of a delegate and alternate delegate to the GSBA. There were two nominations made.
Ganas nominated Barry Deas as the delegate and Buster Tyre as the alternate. Karen Ethridge nominated Barry Deas as delegate and Rusty Ganas as alternate.
It was unanimously decided Deas will be the delegate and Ganas will be the alternate.
• STEM internship with chamber: The board approved the request for WCHS to continue to partner in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Internship Summer Program with the Waycross-Ware Chamber of Commerce for the summer of 2025.
“This program has been very successful in the past and has afforded many students valuable internship opportunities,” said board members.
• Purchase Child Care Experience package: Board members approved a request from the CTAE Director to purchase a Child Care Experience (4-Baby Package) in the amount of $6,999 to be used for the Early Childhood Education pathway.
The purchase will be funded from FY25 Perkins funds.
• Application for Growing Our Communities grant: The board approved the request from Kim Woodard, Agriculture Teacher at Waresboro Elementary, to seek funds by applying for the Growing Our Communities grant in the amount of $5,000.
The grant will be used to purchase a manufactured shed and weatherproof storage shed to support classroom instruction in the school’s agriculture program.
• Kindergarten Farm Fun Day: Board members approved the request from the Ware County Farm Bureau to host a two-day Kindergarten Farm Fun Day experience for every kindergarten student in Ware County.
The dates are Tuesday, April 15, 2025 and Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The event will take place at the WCHS Agriculture Center.
Students will be transported by school buses. The Farm Bureau requests a waiver of fees for transportation.
Barry Deas abstained due to being on the Farm Bureau Board.
• Field trip, fundraisers: The board approved a field trip for Ware County High School. Fundraisers for Ruskin Elementary, Waresboro Elementary, Waycross Middle and WCHS were also approved.
• Facility Use Request in March for WCMS: Board member approved the Facility Use Request for the use of the Ware County Middle School’s outside athletic facility/track March 19, 2025, for the Georgia Forestry Commission’s (GFC) Work Capacity Test, with a waiver of fees.
The request was made by Tommy Banks, Ware County Chief Ranger with the GFC.
• Facility Use Request in August for WCMS: The board approved the August 8-9, 2025 Facility Use Request for the Ware Middle School Auditorium for the Waycross Area Shelter for Abused Persons to host their Dancing with the Southern Stars event, at usual and customary fees.
The request was made by Lucille Husbands.
• Employer-paid insurance coverage: Board members approved the request from the Human Resources Department for employer-paid insurance coverage of $20,000 per full-time employee.
This benefit will be paid from General Funds.
• 49 percent ESOL teacher position: The board approved the request from the District ESOL/Title IIIA Facilitator to add a 49% ESOL Teacher Position to assist with the increased number of students who require ESOL services.
An additional 49% position would give the board the flexibility to adjust teacher schedules and ensure all students are served in the best manner. Balancing the caseloads would ensure that students are being served the required amount of time mandated by the state.
The salary for this position will be funded with local funds.
The board approved the Personnel Report.
∞ Classified employment: Daniel Gispert, fulltime bus driver; Randy Richardson, full-time bus driver; Zackary James, groundskeeper; ∞ Classified resignation: Louise Pierce, school secretary at Center effective March 3, 2025; AnaBeth Waters, SpEd parapro at Williams Heights effective May 31, 2025 ∞ Classified retirement: Robinette Carter, media parapro/counselor secretary at Williams Heights effective May 23, 2025; Isabella Gordon, custodian at Wacona effective July 1 2025; Cheryl Griffin, SpEd secretary at Waycross Middle effective May 30, 2025; Jacqueline Revels, bus driver, effective March 1, 2025 ∞ Rescind classified resigntion: Nikki Martin, Reflection parapro at Ruskin ∞ Certified employment: Lilly Cook, Center Elementary teacher; Jimmy White, Ware Middle math teacher (FY25-26), Amari Wright, Speech Language Pathologist at Ruskin ∞ Certified transfers: Davena White, SpEd teacher at Waycross Middle to SpEd Coordinator, at Memorial Drive (FY25/26); Shelli Tyre, Intra System Transfer from Ware Middle principal to Director of Student Achievement at Central Office ∞ Certified resignations: Hannah Cunningham, Memorial Drive Elementary teacher effective May 24, 2025; Yvette Inman, 49% RTI Teacher at Williams Heights effective May 23, 2025; Lindsey Powers, Williams Heights Elementary teacher effective May 23, 2025; Amy Tyre, Waycross Middle Healthcare Science teacher effective February 28, 2025.
