The Lowndes County Board of Education met Friday morning at the central office, hearing a presentation by Brandy Gardner, coordinator for the Safe & Drug-Free Schools program.
Gardner told the board that according to anonymous surveys, less than 60 percent of students at West Lowndes Middle School, New Hope Middle School, and Caledonia High School report feeling safe on campus.
Approximately 2,139 students in grades six through 11 were asked questions ranging from how many times they”ve been threatened on school property to how often they drink or smoke.
The survey used SmartTrack technology, which is an anonymous, Internet-based data collection method used to measure students on substance abuse and safety issues.
Nearly 90 percent of students district-wide said they had never been threatened or injured with a weapon while on campus.
However, roughly 20 percent of all Caledonia High School students reported experimenting with beer and cigarettes, and more than 12 percent have tried marijuana. Of those students admitting experience with alcohol and tobacco, most reported trying it for the first time between the ages of 11 and 14.
In other news, the board approved a number of personnel changes.
Robin Ballard, assistant principal of New Hope Elementary, has resigned. Resigning from New Hope High School are cross country coach Justin Putnam, varsity cheerleader sponsor Robin Cregeen, and English teacher Monica Woolbright. Caledonia Elementary assistant teacher Derenda Abels has also resigned.
The board also held a lengthy executive session, taking action on student matters but taking no action on a pending litigation.
Lowndes County Schools Superintendent Mike Halford refused to discuss whether or not disciplinary action has been taken or is being planned against an employee at New Hope High School who allegedly released two minors into the custody of a woman without the parents” permission last week.
The woman, Christy McGough of 1153 Lake Lowndes Road, was charged late Thursday with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She now faces two counts of statutory rape.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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