Dougherty School Board announces key hires, releases tentative 2017-18 budget

ALBANY — The Dougherty County School Board conducted its regular monthly session Monday and made several key position hires, in addition to releasing its tentative FY 2017-18 budget.

Monday night’s big splash was the hiring of Albany State University Associate Athletic Director Lea Henry as the system’s new countywide athletic director. However, two other notable hires were also made.

The board voted to approve the addition of Cheryl Johnson-Smith as the DCSS director of school improvement and appointed Tameka Jackson as the district’s director of student support services.

“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Johnson-Smith said. “I can say with confidence that the culture of the district is anchored on student achievement, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with our teachers and staff to find new, innovative ways to help our students succeed.”

The director of school improvement coordinates programs and services for targeted schools while assisting principals and school leadership teams with developing strategies for improving learning for students. Johnson-Smith will be responsible for the day-to-day management of data analysis, instructional support services, professional development and the School Improvement Grant implementation.

Johnson-Smith is a native of Albany and a 1993 graduate of Dougherty Comprehensive High School.

As director of student support services, Jackson will report to the deputy superintendent and is responsible for the day-to-day management of behavioral health services and social work services (including crisis intervention and homeless services), while also coordinating school counseling and graduation coach services, in collaboration with school leadership.

The director provides direct support to all school administrators/instructional scheduling teams within the district in the development and enhancement of all aspects of academic course scheduling and master schedule construction.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve the students of Dougherty County in this new role,” Jackson said. “The reality is that some of our students face some daunting obstacles that, without help, could hurt their chances for realizing their potential. I’m eager to work with our staff, administrators and teachers to help our students overcome those obstacles and succeed.”

Associate Superintendent Ken Dyer also presented a tentative FY 2017-18 budget. The budget fund is approximately $129 million, $2 million more than last year’s budget. Dyer said much of the extra money comes from the state, with the funds earmarked for 2 percent raises for teachers, in addition to a 2 percent cost of living adjustment for teachers, bus drivers and food service workers.

Dyer added there will be two public budget hearings at times and dates to be determined before the board votes on the final budget at its next meeting on June 28. By law, the district must file a budget with the state by June 30.