IMPACT Pickens calls for resignations from Pickens BOE
News April 28, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – In a meeting all there own, IMPACT Pickens, a group of citizens who have banded together against certain members of the Pickens Board of Education, called for resignation of Board Chairman Sue Finley.
They did so with a large presentation showing text messages. The massive collection of 350 pages obtained through an Open Records Request showed the text messages and statements of Finley, Young, and references to other board members. The entire presentation is available (video to the left) and the group is more than willing to offer digital copies of the texts on thumb drives.
These texts vary from fragments to whole sections of conversations. They were presented by the Impact Pickens Organization during the town hall meeting that many, including former Superintendent Dr. Rick Townsend, attended. Though Dr. Townsend didn’t speak much, he did answer a couple of question from citizens about timelines and extra funds the school had.
IMPACT Pickens President Steve Lowe expressed his aggravation and frustration that board members would be “plotting” anything, but said these texts show the plans set into motion to oust Dr. Townsend as Superintendent and bring back former Superintendent Dr. Carlton Wilson. These texts, Lowe showed, happened during meetings as well as during executive sessions at times. With the main focus of the presentation on this plan to bring back Wilson, there were also other points when Chris Pence, Treasurer of IMPACT Pickens and main presenter at the Town Hall, pointed out plans to get Finley appointed Chairman and Steve Smith appointed as Vice Chairman.
Chris Pence shows a text message obtained through the IMPACT Pickens Open Records Request during a presentation on April 24, 2021.
While Finley was appointed to Chairman, Smith was not appointed Vice-Chair. In one text, Finley stated, “The Queen is not happy.”
Pence said this was appalling as the text references the vice-chairman appointment. He said these texts messages and the fact that board members and administrators are planning things and discussing votes and intentions to vote outside of open board meeting, constitutes SACS violations. SACS is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Their better known parent company, AdvancED, operates accreditations and certifications and was among the main concerns of citizens when Townsend was in the process of being terminated.
That process was drug out as citizens’ outcry over the $500,000 payout and other implications came in to focus. That process continued as the Board of Education attempted to negotiate with Townsend to find a different position in the school system for him instead of Superintendent.
With Townsend declining the offers, the Board moved forward with the buyout.
Besides Townsend, the texts included plans for the appointment of Aaron Holland, allegations about Holland, and implications for future plans. One text from Young to Finley stated, “If those two knew Aaron it wouldn’t be 4-0. Lol”
The texts evolve between Holland and Finley discussing plans and motions, willingness to do something in his first meeting, and possibly waiting until January.
Other texts openly admit to an “underground network” with orders to praise “him” to his face to ensure good evaluations while Sue says they are working as fast as they can to “correct the situation.”
Pence also posed allegations that Board Attorney Phil Landrum allowed Finley to redact certain sections of the text messages at her choosing.
Many of the texts continue following and leading towards the removal of Townsend with Finley allegedly steering much of the operations to her own plans and desires. IMPACT Pickens highlighted only a portion of the texts in the packet, showing what they showed as the high points of the scheming.
One of the text messages from Tony Young specifically admits a meeting with “Phil” and “Amy” discussing a buyout number ready. IMPACT Pickens said this is a major issue as the text occurred on January 11, 2021 discussing buyout information and the termination of Dr. Townsend days before the emergency called three-hour executive session meeting of the Pickens BOE on January 15, 2021, or the “Emergency Called Meeting” of the Pickens BOE on January 18, 2021, discussing the termination of Dr. Rick Townsend.
Meeting in the Community Room, IMPACT Pickens presented their allegations against members of the Pickens Board of Education calling for recalls on April 24, 2021.
Additionally, early text messages before these emergency called meetings asked if the board should “bring Tony in before we ask Dr T to leave the room or after?”
The Organization has already spoken with SACS accreditation, Georgia’s Attorney General, and other agencies requesting investigations into the Board and these allegations.
Additionally, they are collecting signatures and moving forward with court cases of their own. Seeking board members and the Superintendent Tony Young to step down, the organization is pursuing recalls and any options they have available. They called for school personnel as well, but were warned that many teachers and staff have to worry about retaliation to their jobs or even their children in the school system.
In a separate video, Pence spoke to citizens thanking them for support. The organization operates through donations that they said they have used to acquire information such as the 350 page open records request for texts. He said, “I really think that now we’re showing the elected officials that the citizens are tired. We are tired of them wasting our money. We are tired of them not being ethical or moral.”
Lowe also commented on the response the organization has received from citizens saying, “We are really grateful for all you have done. It’s been humbling to see people come out…”
Board of Education releases details on Townsend’s termination
Education, News, Politics, Press Release March 3, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – It took a little more than a month for the Pickens County Board of Education to release the financial fallout regarding the termination of Dr. Rick Townsend and the future contingency plan. Consequently, it leaves many hesitant to trust the board after some members reversed course from their original expectations.
In previous statements, Chairwoman Sue Finley had hoped to retain Townsend in a different capacity while trying to find a budget-neutral solution. After weeks of back and forth between both Townsend and the school board, it was clear that both parties were not going to get what they wanted.
Board Chair Sue Finley
On February 26, Phil Landrum, attorney for the Pickens County School Board, issues a Press Release that quickly went viral. In the one-page letter, Landrum starts by highlighting the reorganization of the front office. The reorganization strategy was inspired by Tony Young, the school system’s acting Superintendent. Young’s plan, pitched in a previous interview, called for eliminating the Assistant Superintendent’s position and the Chief Officer. The school system hopes to save $565,604.88 over the next couple of years between those two positions.
Landrum went on to say that the citizens should ultimately see a net benefit after a heavy loss the school system is set to take from the payout of Townsend. The school system will have to pay Townsend two years of salary at $406,014.73. After FICA payments and Workers Compensation payments are made, taxpayers can expect to pay $421,699.50 in total. For many vocal citizens that opposed this decision, this was an inevitable fear come true.
In a post made through a social media group Impact Pickens, Brian Rittenberry also acts as an administrator to said group vowed that he would proceed with a petition to recall some of the Board of Education members. In a conversation with Election Supervisor Julianne Roberts, any petition would exclude Tommy Gartrell and Steve Smith because a recall cannot be made on an elected official in their first, or last, 180 days of their term in office.
Rick Townsend, former Superintendent of Pickens County Schools
Roberts confirms that no one has requested a petition from her office.
While opposition to the board decision made some take a proactive approach, Townsend took to his social media account to say that he’s ready to move on from the issue.
“Yes, I’m disappointed I’m not able to complete some of the goals that I had, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to lay the groundwork for future change in Pickens,” said Townsend. “There was no wrongdoing on my part and I fell victim to politics, but knew that was a possibility when I agreed to accept the position. It’s time to move on and continue to make a positive difference in the community and spend more time with my family.”
Pickens Board of Education cuts ties with Townsend
Board of Education, Education, News, Press Release February 24, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – On February 23, The Pickens County Board of Education officially cut ties with former school Superintendent Rick Townsend.
In a meeting that lasted no more than six minutes, the school board went straight to business without a pledge or invocation.
Board Chair Sue Finley
Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 to terminate Townsend’s contract. Board Chair Sue Finley and Board Members Aaron Holland and Steve Smith voted in favor of the termination. Vice Chair Tommy Gartrell and Board Member Tucker Green both voted not to terminate.
Perhaps the evening’s biggest surprise was the lackluster crowd that barely made a dent in the room. The 4 p.m. start time didn’t help matters as the meeting either conflicted with work schedules or school athletic events were happening that night.
Prior to the vote, Board Member Tucker Green openly voiced his objection, calling the decision “reckless.”
“This is a reckless decision, and it’s not in the best interest of our students or our district,” said Green. “We need to get back in a position in this community and in this school district where we focus on the students we serve.”
Board Member Tommy Gartrell echoed Green’s opposition as he talked about the economic consequences in the future.
“I want to make clear, there are better use for our resources financially than this decision,” said Gartrell.
Early on during the process, Finley was optimistic that a budget-neutral resolution could be reached with Townsend not leaving but instead taking on a revised role within the school system. However, based on the results of yesterday’s decision, Townsend and the school board were too far apart. Ultimately, this leaves taxpayers on the hook.
After the meeting had adjourned, FYN asked Finley for further comment regarding the board’s reasoning to let Townsend go. Finley referred us to Phil Landrum, attorney for the Pickens County Board of Education. He, too, declined to comment. Finely abruptly left the building with a police officer by her side.
Tony Young will remain as acting interim Superintendent.
Through a press release later that day, the school board did acknowledge that while the termination was amicable, Townsend’s dismissal is without cause.
Superintendent drama continues for Pickens Board of Education
Featured News, Featured Stories, News February 15, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – At February’s Pickens County School Board meeting, citizens vow that former Superintendent Rick Townsend’s abrupt firing is not going away.
Attendance was not as boisterous or packed as in some recent meetings, yet people still upset with the board’s discussion occupied much of the room.
Steve Lowe, who is spearheading the opposition group, started by saying that the dismissal of Townsend deserves more time for people to speak than the allotted five minutes given by the board. Lowe’s more significant concern is that much of the instability has to do with excessive turnover for the superintendent’s position. These turnovers have left taxpayers having to pay more than half a million dollars for over a decade.
“This community has a problem with our school district right here
in the stability of leadership of this board and this switching of superintendents. It is a great problem,” said Lowe. “We have great administrators and staff, and some of them are here tonight, friends of mine that I love and respect, and they deserve better than that, and our community deserves better than that.”
Lowe stated the board’s current dysfunction could become a severe issue for retaining highly qualified teachers leading to a possible accreditation issue if left unchecked.
“We’re going to have a real problem as a system retaining and attracting good staff because of this dysfunction at our board, and it has to end.”
After Lowe’s time expired, many in the audience clapped as he vowed not to let the issue go.
When the meeting adjourned, FYN spoke to Chairwoman Sue Finley about Lowe’s charge of dysfunction between board members. Finley was adamant that there is no current animosity. Other board members echoed the same sentiment, saying that they can have a difference of opinion, but it shouldn’t stop them from collectively moving forward.
While board members won’t comment on the details of the negotiations between Townsend and the school system, Finley did say that she is hopeful that the outcome will still be budget-neutral, with Townsend staying on in a different capacity. A resolution could come as early as the end of the month. Multiple board members also acknowledged that Tony Young is likely to serve as Interim Superintendent until the end of the school year.
In other news, board members unanimously approved a request to buy seven new school buses. Six buses will have a seating capacity of 72 passengers, while the seventh bus will be designated as a special needs bus with a capacity of 48 passengers. The special needs bus will be outfitted with an electric lift for easy wheelchair access. Stacy Gilleland, the Chief Operations Officer for Pickens, says that the six standard buses will cost the county a total of $619,344. The county will receive $77,200 in state bonds to cover much of the $114,490 required for the special needs bus.
BOE confirms termination of Superintendent’s contract agenda
News January 17, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – After a recent special called meeting of the Pickens County Board of Education ended after three hours in executive session, all indications pointed towards discussions of termination the Superintendent’s Contract with Dr. Rick Townsend.
Rick Townsend, Superintendent of Pickens County Schools
FYN reported on citizens comments and sources relaying information confirming this as the next step along with a special called meeting for Monday, January 18, 2021.
Today, the Pickens BOE issued publications in advance of tomorrow’s 3 p.m. meeting confirming the agenda item titled “Termination of Superintendent’s Contract” along with “Appointment of an Interim Superintendent.”
With this on the same meeting agenda, the interim could potentially be someone already in position with the Board such as Assistant Superintendent Tony Young. However, there is no details available pointing to exactly who will be taking the Interim Superintendent Position.
It was exactly one year ago when the Pickens County Board of Education was going through the same process after the resignation of Dr. Carlton Wilson came amid procedures to dismiss him as well. He resigned on December 19, 2019, as was nearly reinstated the following month on January 9, 2020 when board member Sue Finley made the motion to re-appoint Dr. Wilson as Superintendent of Pickens County schools, seconded only by, then Vice Chairman, Steve Smith.
Pickens County Board of Education member, and former Chairman, Tucker Green
With obvious dissension amongst the Board of Education, the process continued under Interim Superintendent Dr. Charles Webb until Dr. Rick Townsend was hired. His contract becoming effective on April 27, 2020, Dr. Townsend was also hired by a split 3-2 vote.
He was praised by, then Board Chairman, Tucker Green who said, ““Dr. Townsend brings a wide array of educational experiences which is of great importance to the Board. Dr. Townsend’s experience at multiple levels, coupled with his proven track record of improving schools and school districts, was appealing to the Board. The Board also believes that Dr. Townsend is uniquely capable to provide clear leadership from the district level to the school level.”
Nine months later, the meeting will be held on January 18, 2021 with the agenda indicating that the Board will also terminate Townsend’s contract.
Three hour executive session leads to doubt for Pickens Superintendent
Featured News, Featured Stories, News January 16, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – Pickens County could be seeing another chapter in its ongoing Superintendent troubles over the years after a three-hour-long meeting was held almost entirely in Executive Session.
On January 16, 2021, the Pickens County Board of Education held a special called meeting posted to host both an Executive Session and General Discussion items on the Agenda.
During the meeting, it was said that the general discussion was originally put in to discuss a different topic. However, some citizens present said they were present to “show support” for Superintendent Dr. Rick Townsend.
Rick Townsend, Superintendent of Pickens County Schools
While the Board of Education spent almost all of the three hours in Executive Session, Dr. Townsend was not present for a large part of the meeting as he was seen exiting the room where the executive session was being held.
The only results of the meeting that were publicly stated as the Board returned from their executive session was the calling of yet another Special Called Meeting for this Monday, January 18, 2021.
However, sources have messaged FYN saying they are expecting the School Board to be dismissing or firing Dr. Townsend on Monday.
The board said in their Friday meeting, “We will have a Called Meeting on Monday at 3 p.m. It will be published over the weekend.” This means they will be meeting on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, although there is yet to be an agenda or meeting placed on the Pickens Calendar on their website as of the writing of this article.
Pickens County Schools will Allow Extracurricular Activities
Community, Dragon's Corner January 5, 2021
Dear Dragon Families,
After much consideration, it has been determined that all Pickens County School District
extracurricular activities will be allowed to continue as planned. This decision was made after
careful consideration was given to the safety, health and well-being of all parties involved. After
discussions with administrators, coaches, central office personnel and local healthcare officials, we
have developed a plan that we believe will allow for hosting of all school-sponsored events to be
done in a safe manner.
In order to host these events on our campus, it will be necessary to implement the following
mitigation strategies:
- Spectators must wear a mask or face shield at all times while inside a Pickens
County School District facility. - Social distancing must be practiced when practical.
- Capacity at all events on Pickens County campuses will be limited to 25%.
- All participants, coaches and sponsors will be screened prior to participating
in any event or practice.
*Failure to comply with these requirements may result in removal from the
event or activity.
We ask for your complete cooperation as we continually seek strategies that will allow for
our students to participate in these extracurricular activities and events. These students have
worked extremely hard to prepare for these events. They need our support and cooperation in
order for them to safely participate.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to support our students across all extracurricular
and co-curricular activities within the district. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me, Mr. Chris Wallace, or Dr. Chad Flatt at [email protected],
[email protected], or [email protected].
Respectfully,
Dr. Rick Townsend
Superintendent
State Superintendent Richard Woods visits Tate Elementary
News September 9, 2020
JASPER, Ga. – On tour through several schools in North Georgia, the State Superintendent Richard Woods visited Tate Elementary last week to tour the school and speak with administrators on the beginning of the new school term considering much of the changes and challenges this year.
State Superintendent Richard Woods speaks with students of Tate Elementary during lunch.
During the visit, Woods got to see the school system during lunch and view many of the social distancing and new practices in place. Students sitting only on one side of the lunchroom table and empty tables in between those in use.
Woods spoke on some of the differences between the school systems inside of the Metro-Atlanta area and those outside of it. For example, inside the metro-area, many more are virtual and digital learning while the outside area is seeing closer to, on average, 70 percent of students in school with the other 30 percent on digital. However, he clarified that these were his understanding and not firm numbers. Woods also noted that each county is handling things in its own way and are showing different things and coming up with ideas on handling the situation.
Teachers and administrators of Tate Elementary told Woods that they were similar to that, with 75 percent in school and 25 percent through virtual. Woods discussed ideas on mask usage, the governor’s suggestions, transportation, food preparation, and student safety in the new return to class for student.
The school system has been work with Georgia’s DPH (Department of Public Health) through outbreaks and return to sports. Yet, as he was present during lunch time, a lot of the discussion focused on the students food prep and nutrition in school.
State Superintendent Richard Woods speaks with Nutrition Director Beth Thompson about students and challenges as they return to school.
Planning has been key for food preparation in Tate Elementary as they spoke on individual wrapping and containers, separation and limitation on contact is only part of the steps taken to improve food safety and student safety in response to the virus. Nutrition Services has also seen complaints and issue in students selections and offerings, with servings prepared and put into containers or wrappers, students not seeing the food before selection.
While not a major issue, it is just an example of many of the changes that have come to schools in response to media coverage and social push for responses to the virus.
Superintendent Dr. Rick Townsend said that flexibility helps in the school systems. Woods asked how he could help local schools in their issues from the capital and from his position. Administrators said that continued flexibility would improve their efforts.
From left to right, Dr. Rick Townsend, Stephanie Hall, Richard Woods, and Rick Jasperse stop for a photo as they visited Tate Elementary as a part of Woods tour of schools as they return to classes.
Woods agreed saying that as he has toured other schools, one of the main things he has learned is that Pickens schools and their program will look very different from other counties. Individual responses and individual programs need the support for their individual responses in addition to state guidelines.
Another point that administrators brought up is that Pickens Schools may use many things in the future that they used this year in their viral response. One such example came with staggered start for some grade levels at Tate Elementary. The opening day was a huge success according to Tate Elementary Administrators, but Woods said many schools across the state are saying the same thing, that this has been one of their best starts in years. Local teachers also noted that the most important thing was to get started, to get the students back with their teachers and back to education.
Woods agreed saying that he felt much of the importance in the year is getting started, gaining momentum. He offered his continued support to Pickens saying he wants to know what the challenges are for local schools and those on both the urban and metro area and the rural and outside of the metro areas.
Pickens plans back to school with a focus on flexibility and safety
Board of Education, News July 9, 2020
Superrintendent Rick Townsend discusses the system’s return plans and what could possibly change between now and the Aug. 3 start date.
Despite ever-changing information, Rick Townsend, Superintendent of Pickens County Schools, is confident they have a good plan to resume school on August 3. Townsend said as a system, they had to consider what the ideal would be as well as what was practical and by putting teams in place to analyze both aspects, combined with the unique needs of the individual schools and come up with a plan.
Based on the guidelines from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Pickens County is considered a “minimal or moderate spread” location or yellow. Townsend said up until last week, the Georgia DPH, was considered green, meaning there was very little to no spread, but the department redesigned the criteria.
“I don’t know of any counties who are green right now,” Townsend said, adding that next week might paint a different picture because the information and recommendations have been very fluid. “They are now looking at how different spreads would impact the community.” He used the example of if there was an outbreak at a nursing home, how would it affect the schools.
Masks or No Masks
Masks will be expected when students and staff cannot social distance, such as on the bus and transitioning between classes.
However, Townsend said, there are times it won’t be practical.
“It’s important that students see the teacher’s mouth when teaching phonics or in guided reading,” he said.
“We know the younger children are going to struggle with the masks,” he said.
He also said that when students are working on group projects and are very close, they are expected to wear masks, but if they are sitting in their desks, and the teacher is at the front of the class, teaching, then going without masks is acceptable.
The system will provide one masks, but parents are welcome to provide masks for their children.
There will be wellness stations at each school for students and staff that do not feel well, but they will not require COVID-19 testing.
Camp and recess will continue in the elementary schools, but may look differently than previous years.
“Our principals will be making those decisions for their schools,” he said.
With transportation, students are expected to wear masks. Loading will assigned seats from rear to front when loading. Students will exit front to back and busses will be disinfected between routes.
Visitors and Volunteers
Visitors will wear masks while in the building, said Townsend. Volunteers will still be needed, but the number will be reduced.
“Unfortunately, we have to limit volunteer opportunities,” he said.
SEE THE RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN HERE.
Teachers, principals and parents attended Thursdays BOE meeting to hear how the county plans to return to school.
First day of school for Pre-K and Kindergarten
Townsend said he knows it’s important to parents to be able to walk their new students to pre-k or kindergarten classes and it will be allowed on the first day, if parents are masked. After that, it will be normal drop off.
Other Aspects of Traditional School
Townsend said before and after care programs will remain and didn’t anticipate a change in cost to those programs.
Cafeteria workers are working on a plan to provide meals to students while maintaining safety standards. Workers would be masked when students enter the cafeteria.
Pickens Virtual Academy
Parents wanted options
“We had many parents ask for a virtual option,” said Townsend. “So, we gave them one. They deserve it.”
That option is the Pickens Virtual Academy, using Pearson Connexus as the platform. Students sign up by every semester.
It costs Pickens County Schools about $220 per student for the virtual academy. Students enroll each semester, allowing them to change their school type at the end of the semester from traditional to virtual or vice versa.
Townsend said that so far they’ve had about 300 students enroll in the virtual academy and he expects that number to grow by the time registration ends on July 13.
The school system hosted a virtual webinar about the virtual academy which had more than 200 parents tuning in to learn about the school. The recorded webinar has had 30,000 views since Monday.
READ ABOUT THE WEBINAR HERE.
Distance Learning
Should COVID-19 cases surge, students in traditional school will switch to distance learning, said Townsend. Teachers will provide work, which will be graded and count toward the final day. While he hopes it doesn’t happen, nothing is certain at this point.
“It’s almost like waiting for a snow day,” he said. “We may get a call at 10 p.m. saying there is no school.”
Supplies
All students, traditional and virtual, will be issued a Chromebook. Pearson representatives said in Monday’s webinar that additional school supplies would be furnished by their company, but most curriculum called for standard household items. Any art supplies would be furnished by the schools.
Sports
As of July 8, 2020 the Georgia Highschool Sports Association had football schedules posted with games starting August 21, but Townsend said anything could change and encouraged parents and students to stay in touch with coaches or staff.
Students attending the Pickens Virtual Academy will be eligible to play and participate in any extracurricular activities.
SEE THE GHSA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HERE.
Pickens BOE names Rick Townsend as finalist for superintendent
Board of Education April 7, 2020
Pickens County Board of Education named Dr. Rick Townsend as the only finalist for Superintendent in a special called meeting Tuesday. Four members voted for the motion while Sue Finley cast the only vote against in a meeting that was held partially in-person at the Board of Education building in Jasper with two members attending by phone.
As required by Georgia statute, a 14-day public comment period is now in effect.
Rick Townsend was named by the Pickens County BOE as the single finalist for the position after a three-month search.
On April 7, the Pickens County Board of Education voted to name Dr. Rick Townsend as the single finalist for the position of Superintendent. As required by Georgia statute, a 14-day public comment period is now in effect since a finalist has been named.
Townsend currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Golden Isles College and Career Academy in Brunswick, where he has been since 2010. He began is career as a teacher and coach in 1991 at Winder-Barrow Middle School. He has served as assistant principal at Jefferson High School from 1997 to 2002 and principal of Banks County Upper Elementary School from 2002 to 2005. He was then named principal of E.T. Booth Middle School in Cherokee County. He then served as principal, Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent in Appling County schools prior to serving at the Golden Isles College and Career Academy.
<div style=”float: left; margin-right: 20px;”>https://youtu.be/F41AZqnKhz8</div>
A Lithonia native, he and wife Carolyn have been married for 29 years. She is a kindergarten teacher and they have three children, Haley, Emily, and Molly. Townsend is a graduate of Reinhardt College, the University of Georgia, and the University of West Georgia, where he earned his doctorate of education in school improvement.
The decision was made after the board received 34 applicants from across Georgia and several other states. Of those, 14 candidates were interviewed and reference information gathered, leading the board to have in-depth interviews with four applicants. During this process, the board surveyed more than 200 school employees and more than 500 members of the community to determine which qualifications and characteristics were considered most important.
During the 14-day public input period, the board will finalize terms of employment. For more Pickens County school news, read our story about Tate Elementary.