Dear editor,
I recall a high level of tension in Greene County in 2014 regarding our schools. Our test scores were awful, one of the lowest counties in the State.
Our graduation rate was abominable.
Our school board (BOE) was not only ineffective but combative. Our finances were almost impossible to decipher. Our Superintendent position was a revolving door of one failure after another. The ESPLOST was defeated because voters had no confidence in the ability of the BOE to spend the money wisely, causing Greene County to operate without $Millions of additional funding. The one bright light in this picture was Lake Oconee Academy but it was attacked regularly by the BOE and in the newspapers. It seemed like Greene County could not define success.
But you and Ernie Felice formed a grass routes task force to define success. This group worked tirelessly to understand all aspects of our school operations. Strengths and weaknesses were identified and evaluated.
Short and long-term goals were envisioned and spelled out. People in key positions were evaluated. An initial strategic plan was formulated.
These efforts culminated in the election of November 2016 when three new BOE members were elected including you as Chairman. In addition, three new members of the Board of Commissioners were elected including its new chairman. This began a new era of cooperation between the BOE and the BOC for the benefit of Greene County Children.
Looking back, things did not change immediately but evolved. New strategic plans were formulated. Key people in the schools and administration were replaced. The school board itself became functional. Greene County had a huge job to fix our schools but we had new leadership in place to meet the challenge. Without it we would not have passed ESPLOST the following year.
We would not have been able to launch the College and Career Academy or qualify for $millions in State aid for it. We would not have installed Dr. Houston as our Superintendent. We would have had a hard time renewing the Charter for Lake Oconee Academy.
We would not have seen improvements in our reading and other test scores. We would not have been able to envision the primary education strategy or the physical school alignment needed, including the new elementary school. Countless things we thought were out of reach now become possible.
Greene County Schools are not perfect and there is still much to do. But we now know what success is and we are better equipped to go for it. I have high confidence in the teams of people you have assembled, as well as the elevated processes you have put in place that will serve Greene County Schools for years to come.
Mike, you took on a huge task and you’ve exerted an enormous effort over 9 years of personal sacrifice to lead us to this point. You have made an immeasurable contribution to the children of Greene County. It is hard enough to say THANK YOU! I and many others wish you well in your retirement.
Gerry Giesler, Greensboro