08/25/2026
🏆 AUGUST BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS 🏆
The August meeting of the Turner County Board of Education gave us another opportunity to celebrate our students, staff, leaders, programs, and continued progress across Turner County Schools!
🎓 GAEL LEADERSHIP ADVANCEMENT RECOGNITION:
Congratulations to Willie Edwards, Daniel Purvis, Amber Stephens, and Darcy Rainey, who were recognized for completing the year-long Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) Leadership Advancement Program and received their Leadership Advancement Certificates and Pins.
Throughout the year, these leaders participated in ongoing professional learning designed to strengthen leadership capacity, expand their knowledge of effective educational leadership practices, and provide opportunities to learn alongside leaders from across Georgia. The program focuses on developing strong, effective leaders who are prepared to positively impact their schools, districts, staff, and students. We are proud of their commitment to continued growth and to investing in themselves as leaders so they can continue investing in others!
🍎 SYSTEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR:
The Board also recognized Mrs. Melissa Goulden, Turner County Schools' 2026–2027 System Teacher of the Year!
Mrs. Goulden represents the outstanding educators throughout our district who show up each day committed to teaching, supporting, encouraging, and challenging our students. We are proud to have her represent Turner County Schools!
📚 SUMMER READ-A-THON RECOGNITION:
Reading didn't stop when school let out for summer!
We were excited to recognize Turner County Elementary School students Bentley Douglas, Fitz Mathis, Suri McWilliams, and Kaydon Simon for their accomplishments through our Summer Read-A-Thon. The summer reading program encouraged students to keep reading, practicing their literacy skills, and building strong reading habits even while away from the classroom. Congratulations to these young Titans for making reading a priority this summer! 📖🌟
💰 MORE THAN $177,000 IN CTAE & AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION GRANT FUNDING:
Turner County Schools was awarded a combined $177,254 in FY27 grant funding to continue strengthening Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education opportunities for our students:
• $43,880 – Federal Perkins V Funds
• $35,051 – State CTAE Grant Funds
• $98,323 – State Agricultural Education Grant Funds
These funds allow us to continue investing in high-quality programs, equipment, resources, and learning opportunities that help prepare our students for Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship after graduation.
🍎 GaDOE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE – SCHOOL NUTRITION:
We are also extremely proud of our Turner County School Nutrition Program for receiving an Award of Excellence from the Georgia Department of Education!
Under the leadership of School Nutrition Director Mr. Artemio Gomez, our nutrition team works each day to provide quality meals while maintaining strong program operations and meeting the high standards expected of school nutrition programs. This state-level recognition reflects the hard work, attention to detail, teamwork, and commitment of Mr. Gomez and our entire School Nutrition staff. Congratulations to our School Nutrition team on this well-deserved recognition! 👏
🚀 A STRONG START TO 2026–2027:
Superintendent Wray also shared highlights with the Board from an incredibly busy and productive start to the new school year, including:
➡️ Leader Academy – Two days of focused professional learning for district and school leaders centered around The Speed of Trust, leadership, accountability, communication, CCRPI, data, and our continued focus on improving outcomes for students.
➡️ Teacher Academy – Three days of professional learning designed to give our teachers additional tools, strategies, resources, and support before students returned.
➡️ Pre-Planning – Four days of preparation, collaboration, training, classroom readiness, and school-level planning to ensure our faculty and staff were ready to welcome our Titans back.
➡️ Convocation – An energetic districtwide kickoff celebrating our employees, recognizing outstanding educators and staff, building excitement for the year ahead, and reminding us that momentum requires both motivation AND movement!
➡️ First Day of School – A successful opening across Turner County Schools as students returned to classrooms ready to learn and our faculty and staff began another year focused on doing Whatever It Takes to support our students and prepare them for their futures.
There is a lot of great work happening across Turner County Schools, and we are proud to recognize the people behind that work - from our youngest readers to our teachers, leaders, support staff, and programs!
We have started the 2026–2027 school year with energy, momentum, high expectations, and a continued commitment to excellence.
🧡 Great things are happening in Turner County Schools!
