Board of Education meeting features recognitions and faculty updates
Published 10:19 pm Thursday, February 13, 2025
Photo provided by Lauren Pope Odom. Hahira Middle School FFA members surprised Superintendent Sandra Wilcher at Monday’s board meeting, announcing her as an honorary member of their chapter. As a former FFA member at Lowndes Middle School, she received a personalized FFA jacket to commemorate the honor.
Photo provided by Lauren Pope Odom. Elissa Cato, the nurse at Dewar Elementary, was honored with the #OneLowndes Spotlight Award for her dedication to student and staff well-being.
Photo provided by Lauren Pope Odom. [L-R] Brailyn Morse (8th grade, Hahira Middle) and London Hogan (4th grade, Westside Elementary) were honored for their winning poetry entries, while Leo Roth-Edwards (4th grade, Dewar Elementary) was recognized as a poster contest winner. Chasity Colvin (7th grade, Lowndes Middle) was also honored for her poster entry, with someone accepting the award on her behalf at the Board of Education meeting.
Photo provided by Lauren Pope Odom. Jer’Miah Taylor was recognized as an early graduate during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Photo provided by Lauren Pope Odom. Jane Hurtato, lead custodian at Hahira Middle, received the #OneLowndes Spotlight Award for her dedication to providing a clean, welcoming environment for students and staff.
Photo provided by Lauren Pope Odom. Terri Welden received the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award during Monday’s Board of Education meeting for over 20 years of dedication to supporting students, staff, and the community.
VALDOSTA— Recognitions and faculty updates dominated Monday’s Lowndes County Board of Education meeting.
Ongoing improvements at Lowndes High School continue to make progress, with major upgrades to athletic facilities and technology infrastructure. This week, turf installation is under way on the track and field, while work continues on the discus throwing and long jump pits. Meanwhile, the expansion of fiber Wi-Fi coverage is nearing completion, bringing stronger and more reliable connectivity throughout the campus.
The board reviewed a proposal to replace the fire alarm system at Hahira Elementary School due to ongoing failures and difficulties in sourcing replacement parts. The replacement system will cost $25,970, and it will be funded by a state safety grant.
Another discussion centered on a house on property the district acquired near Lowndes Middle School in 2007. The structure has been vacant for nearly 20 years and has fallen into disrepair. The Lowndes County Fire Department has used the house in previous training and has requested the ability to use it in an exercise that will result in the property being demolished. The process is expected to drastically reduce the cost of taking down the property and help the fire department refine its skills.
