Dougherty County Local School Governance Teams are sworn in

ALBANY — Nearly 150 members of the Dougherty County School System’s new Local School Governance Teams (LSGT) were sworn in Monday at the School Board’s mid-monthly meeting, which was conducted at Dougherty High School.

The teams have been undergoing training and certification to prepare for the DCSS’s transition to the charter school system, which will take place at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year in Augusta. There are LSGTs located in 22 of the system’s 23 schools. System officials say the intent of the initiative is to give parents and residents in the community more local control of their neighborhood schools.

The 23rd, International Studies Elementary Charter School on Cutts Drive, is already a charter school.

“We really didn’t have a problem getting people to volunteer for the governance team. They all want to be involved in the education of our children” Charter System Consultant Jewel Faison said. “Unfortunately, there are around 11 slots that have been changed through transfers, moving from the city, etc. Also there are a few schools that had an extra person go through the training.

“Until I can verify which ones are going to sit, I feel a little uncomfortable releasing their names.. I am certain we will have those 22 positions fill by the time school starts.”

After the wwearing-in ceremony, administered by Probate Court Judge Nancy Stephenson and State Court Judge Victoria Darrisaw, DCSS superintendent Butch Mosely spoke to the new appointees.

“I want to thank all of you for your willingness to serve. We appreciate it,” he said. “This didn’t happen overnight and one of your most important tasks will be helping us get more parental involvement in our schools. Help us and we will help you.”

The LSGT members by school are:

HIGH SCHOOLS

— Albany High School: Virgina Kirina, Manxavier Greene, Acillen Watts, Derrick Jackson, Liz Quinn, Linda M. Vance, DeNovia Lowe.

— Dougherty Comprehensive High School: Katrina Towns, Elizabeth Gibson, Nettie Hill Wilson, Margaret Crapps, Blake Davis, Collette Jenkins, Erica Holley.

— Monroe Comprehensive High School: Torre Mills, Patrick Bass, Kowana McKinney, Patsy Williams, Aaron Johnson, Lawrence Knighton, Shelia Byrd.

— Westover Comprehensive High School: Kathy Hardison, Carla Parker, Esther Barwick, LaVonda Gervin, Delvin Hawkins, Eric McCallum, Toura Lee, Shelia Jackson.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

— Albany Middle Magnet School: Delisa Long, Audrey Brown, Denita Wiggins, Tangela Clements, Jawan Ware, Sonya Acree, Lakeisha Covin.

— Merry Acres Middle Magnet School: Stephanie Moon, Carla Marcus, Adrienne Moore, Joel Callins, Carolyn Hand, John Flood.

— Radium Middle School: Valencia Rivers, Zeporia Bass, Sheralyn Davis Billie Shaffey, Wanda Mallard, Marvin Gibson, Marquis Davis, Monica Perry.

— Robert Cross Middle Magnet School: Littla Hayslip, Mandy Dozier, Erica Perry, Alicia Irwin, Brian Jones, Hassan Farris, Nona Jernigan.

— Southside Middle School: Darryl Stephens, Cathy Clemons, Kathryn Lewis, Rod Gardner.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

— Alice Coachman Elementary School: Alasia Hooks, Trina Faulkner, Dorothy Walker, Kendra Hodge, Theodus Drake, Wilhemina Kalip.

— Jackson Heights /Harvey Elementary: Jazmine Gilbert, Brittini Myles, Brittany Mitchell (paraprofessional), Butch Knight, Edna Sawyer.

— Lake Park Elementary: Beth Ann Riggins, Annette Haggerty Pinkston, Chauncey Keith, Melinda Pollock, Terron Hayes, Angie Barber, Cris Darsey.

— Lamar Reese Elementary: Monika Whitmire, Robin Calhoun, Arian Mitchell, Natasha Price, Yvette Fields, Cynthia George, Twilan Ware, Charlene Bradford.

— Lincoln Magnet Elementary: Quartissia Johnson, Kanese Rachel, Evangeline Charles, Jennifer Williams, Emily Jean McAfee, Theresa Pratt, Hope Smith.

— Live Oak Elementary: Kaysha Young-Brown, Heather Waddell, Ricardo Wiley, Shacobi Fluellen, Patricia Jenkins, Brenda Shy, Willie Mae Marlin.

— Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary: Lavetta Lee, Demetria Carter, CaMia Hopson, Carl White, Jr., Patricia Morris.

— Morningside Elementary School: Susan Simmons, Veronica Thornton, Billy Glanton, Catica Bennett, Michael Nelson, Carlos Keith, Karen Jones.

— Northside Elementary School: Tracee Williams, Tyjuana Burton, Rigoberto Delgado, Beth O’Brien, Chris Hill, Geshebria Blocker.

— Radium Elementary School: Ashley Reese, Cathy Flood, Carol Harrell, Latarsha Dunlap, Theresa Tomblin, Brandi Sutton, James Davis.

— Sherwood Acres Elementary School: Mary Wilson, Susan Daniels, Tashoma Holsey, Tammy McNair, Jason Belk, Timothy Robinson.

— Turner Elementary School: Carol Price, Christopher Sharpe, Latonya Diggs, Marvin Laster, Rachel Scott, Ursula Joyner.

— West Town Elementary School: Yolanda Bryant, Marilyn Banks, Shelia Jackson, Elizabeth M. Bogans, Christy Wright, Carlton D. Arnold, Debora Knowles.