The West Jackson Retired Educators met at the Baptist University of Florida Kinchen Center on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 with Superintendent Hunter Nolen as guest speaker. Mr. Nolen was introduced by President Larry Moore. Mr. Nolen gave a brief resume of his credentials that included his many facets of work in the school district. He has driven buses, coached, taught at the elementary, middle school and high school levels in the classroom. Mr. Nolen has been a principal at two schools. He discussed his priorities that include : 1. Visiting schools regularly. 2. Increasing teacher base pay for beginning salaries. 3. Helping with insurance costs. 4. Providing Driver’s Education at schools. 5. School Safety 6. Increasing the graduation rate. 7. Supporting extra-curricular activities to encourage enrollment in district. 8. Starting an ROTC program. He also discussed statistics in school grades. The group enjoyed interaction with the new superintendent and his energy in serving the school system. A brief question and answer period followed.
The organization also discussed the status of the Tutor/Scholarship program. Mrs. Mixson stated that the tutor provided by the college for the first semester did excellent work in a first grade classroom. There will be another tutor starting soon.
The West Jackson Retired Educators provides a scholarship to high school seniors interested in becoming a teacher. The application is available through Mrs. Nancianne Watson, the high school guidance counselor at Graceville School. It is due March 5, 2025. If help is needed in filling out the application, please notify Mrs. Watson for her to contact a West Jackson Retired Educator to help a student in the application process.
Member Bonnie Wertenburger is a Prevention Program Director for Florida State University-Florida Center for Prevention Research (FCPR). She reported that FCPR applied for funding from the Department of Juvenile Justice for a mentoring grant for Graceville High School for $150,000. She is also applying for funding through the Department of Children and Families in a Partners for Success grant for Jackson, Washington and Holmes Counties for $350,000. We are hopeful these grants come through to help our students.
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