County schools name teacher of the year

♦ Meeting covered awards, updates and test scores.

With cheers and a shower of confetti, Floyd County Schools announced Greg Smith of the Floyd County College and Career Academy as system teacher of the year Monday night.

Along with Smith’s award, teachers of the year for each individual school were also announced, including finalists Bonnie Rampley of Pepperell Primary, who was named system elementary teacher of the year, Russ Burnett of Pepperell Middle who was named system middle school teacher of the year, and Greg Smith who was awarded the CCA as high school and system teacher of the year.

The meeting brought board members up to speed on the system’s overall status, including SAT test scores presented by John Parker, assistant superintendent and chief academic officer. Parker praised the system for beating state and national averages in SAT test scores and showed optimism for ACT and CCRPI

scores which the system has received but are embargoed.

“Lets just say I feel good about them,” he said. “They can embargo the scores but they can’t embargo my feelings about the scores.”

Board members also received an update on facilities including Pepperell Middle, which broke ground last week, and the Armuchee High School gymnasium, which is nearing completion. The school system is waiting on a final permit from Floyd County Government before construction on the new middle school can begin.

The system also heard from Lou Dempsey, president of Dempsey Auction Co., who has been awarded the bid to auction off the former school property. The auction will take place on the former school at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. Dempsey said marketing for the property will begin immediately.

Floyd County Schools Teachers of the Year by school:

GWP- Angie Travis AES- Elisha Lindner

AMS- Hailey Burns AHS- Blake Bourg APES- Karen Masters CSES-ALI Sellears GLES- Starla Smith CHS- Dr. Joan Davis JES- Lori Casey MES- Holly Bryant MMS- Melissa Smith MHS- Sarah Syverson PPS- Bonnie Rampley, Elementary TOTY PES- Velika Hurst PMS- Russ Burnett, Middle TOTY

PHS- Haley Gee CCA-GREG Smith, High and FCS TOTY

Above: Pepperell Primary teacher Bonnie Rampley (left) claps for Floyd County Schools Teacher of the Year Greg Smith as he is showered in confetti during Monday night’s board of education meeting. Smith also won system high school Teacher of the Year as well as the Teacher of the Year for the college and career academy. Below: Model Middle School Teacher of the Year Melissa Smith (left) hugs Model Board Representative Melinda Strickland

John Popham Pepperell Primary teacher Bonnie Rampley (left) shakes hands with Superintendent Jeff Wilson as he hands her a certificate declaring her the system elementary and primary Teacher of the Year during Tuesday night’s board meeting. Rampley was also the Teacher of the Year for PPS.

John Popham Armuchee High School Teacher of the Year Blake Bourg (left) shakes hands with Armuchee Board Representative Chip Hood during Tuesday night’s board meeting.