Thursday, December 13, during the regular meeting of the Coffee County Board of Education, Ms. Leola Johnson was recognized for her tenure on the school board since May 2017. The December 13 meeting was her final meeting as a board member. “Not only has Mrs. Johnson been committed to her role as a school board member for District 1, but she has devoted her entire professional career to the Coffee County School System,” stated Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent.
Mrs. Johnson retired from the Coffee County School System in May of 2005 having served over 30 years as an administrative assistant on the campus of Coffee Junior High and West Coffee Middle School. Mrs. Johnson came on to the board after the passing of Ronnie Johnson, who represented District 1. She was sworn in on May 16, 2017 and very quickly adapted to her new role. All of the current school board members shared their appreciation to Mrs. Johnson and thanked her for all she has done while serving on the school board and professionally within the system.
Mrs. Johnson thanked everyone for their support and kindness during her tenure and stated, “I will continue to be a supporter of our school system and our boys and girls.”
The board also recognized Cameron Watson, a sophomore from Coffee High School, who finished first in the region for the cross country team. On a course of 3.1 miles, Cameron set a new course record with a time of 16:40. He currently holds the record for the 1600 and 3200 in track for CHS as well. This past summer, Cameron, who normally would run 50 – 60 miles per week, ran 451 miles to prepare for the 2018-2019 cross country season. “Cameron is a hard worker and very mentally strong. He is never satisfied with his time and he works every day to get faster,” stated his coach, Blake Smith.
Among the items the board approved were two out of state travel requests from the NJROTC program at Coffee High, as well as a resolution to finalize some security upgrades at Coffee High that began last summer and more renovations that will take place this summer once school is out.
At the end of the pre-meeting work session, Ken Erickson and his son, Nathan, addressed the board regarding an alleged cheating incident that took place during the 2016 school year. Ken and Nathan said they had spoken with Superintendent Leis and others at the central office about the alleged incident. They also said nothing had been done and were unsatisfied with that outcome. After Ken spoke, but before Nathan did, board member Jesse Jowers asked Leis if he had looked into the matter. “Yes. I’m satisfied with our findings. That’s where we’re at,” he said.