Carroll County School District teachers report back to work full-time on Aug. 2, and the first day for students is Aug. 8.
And Superintendent Billy Joe Ferguson said he’s juggling more balls than he can handle at the moment, trying to make sure it all happens.
Foremost, Ferguson needs new bus drivers and help at his bus shop setting up routes.
“We’re about to start school, and I’m trying to get bus drivers and get our routes changed around for a 635-square-mile area.”
The rural school district serves students from a far-flung and sparsely populated area. In recent months, the head of the bus shop has had surgery and some medical complications, leaving holes as the opening of the school year creeps forward.
Ferguson said the district is looking for three drivers, and they will need commercial driver’s licenses and safety training from the state. Those drivers have to meet some basic mobility standards as well, such as being able to exit the bus from the emergency exit at the back. Interested applicants should call the school district at 237-9276.
Ferguson said that the district is still looking to hire teachers in two areas: a STEM teacher and a special education teacher, both for the high school.
J.Z. George will have several new teachers this school year, including an English teacher for seniors and a social studies teacher.
Ferguson said he knows better than to complain. He’s been at this since 1969 with more difficult challenges. And even though it often looks as though it will all never get done before the school year opens, it always does.
Here’s an example of the kind of difficulties a superintendent faces, even in a small district such as Carroll County.
This summer, the district received several new Chromebooks to add to its existing supply of the electronic tablets the schools use to help students prepare for standardized tests. Those devices, along with technology carts and Smart boards for classrooms need to all be functional and ready to use when teachers arrive.
“The young man who oversees our technology was out for a couple of weeks due to surgery, so we’re behind,” Ferguson said. “Some things, you’ve got to have packed and ready to go.”
Several new hires have been made to enhance the school district’s sports programs, including a new boys’ and girls’ basketball coach, a couple of new assistant football coaches and a track coach.
Ferguson said he is blessed to have faculty at his schools that are “99.9 percent conscientious” and dedicated to the task of helping the district prosper. But new staff can be an asset, he said.
“I feel like there’s something about having new people around that invigorates the whole staff.
“When you see lightning, you get thunder.”
•Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
