Pickens Board of Education holds first meeting of 2022

PICKENS, Ga. — The Pickens County Board of Education held their first meeting of the new year on Jan. 13. During the meeting the board re-elected it’s chair and vice chair, recognized the Pickens High School esports coach, and discussed continuing shortages in the school system. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the board voted to fill the positions of chair and vice chair. Board Chair Sue Finley and Vice Chair Tommy Gartrell were both unanimously selected to serve another year in their respective positions. 

The board also recognized PHS’s esports coach Will Nix. Nix spoke briefly at the meeting, sharing his team’s success: “We have finished fourth this year … four out of 141 schools competing this year. I couldn’t be more proud of my team.” Finley spoke for the board saying, “We appreciate all your efforts. We know that anybody who sponsors a team gives much more than their bonus, but gentlemen you have made us so proud.” 

Chief Operations Officer Stacy Gilleland spoke during the superintendent reports portion of the meeting. He updated the board on the construction of new agricultural facilities and spoke about the shortages the Pickens school system continues to face. “Transportation, of course we’re still struggling daily with just sickness of COVID and other illnesses to cover routes,” Gilleland said. He explained that upcoming training classes will increase the amount of drivers available. Gilleland also noted that Pickens County Schools Nutrition Services also struggles with supply and staff shortages. “We have 32 employees in food service. At one time this week, we had seven out with COVID, five out with other sicknesses. That’s 37.5% of her [School Nutrition Director Beth Thompson] staff,” Gilleland emphasized.