The Jackson County Board of Education reversed its earlier “No” vote to hire three retired teachers part-time when it voted to hire one of them as a part-time employee and girls’ basketball coach.
The action, led by BOE member Michael Cronic who changed his vote, took place Tuesday night at a called meeting of the board just before graduation ceremonies at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.
In a 3-2 vote, the board agreed to hire John Hawley as the varsity girls’ coach and a JCCHS PE/health teacher on a part-time basis. Hawley is retired from the Gwinnett County School System and is the husband of Rise Hawley, the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for the JCSS.
Board members Jill McEver Elliott, Lynne Massey-Wheeler and Cronic voted to approve Hawley’s employment, while board chairperson Kathy Wilbanks and member Tim Brooks voted in opposition. Hawley was hired for two years.
Hawley’s employment, along with that of two other teachers who wanted to work part-time, had earlier been rejected by the BOE in a 3-2 vote. But Tuesday, Cronic, who earlier voted against hiring Hawley and the other teachers, said he had changed his mind after being contacted by some parents. He said some of the parents of the girls’ basketball team had threatened to take their players to Jefferson High School if the JCCHS program didn’t become more stable.
“It may not be in the interest for our system; but right now, it’s probably in the best interest for our girls,” he said.
For the full story, see the May 26 issue of The Jackson Herald.
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