Lakeside principal gets assistant post
Columbia County school trustees selected Lakeside High School Principal Jeff Carney as the new assistant superintendent of student learning during a Tuesday meeting.
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Carney will replace Lauren Williams, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
The board voted 4-1 in favor of Carney. Board member Mike Sleeper would not comment after the meeting on his reasons for voting against Carney.
A graduate of Evans High School, Carney has worked in the Columbia County school system for 21 years, 16 of them as an administrator. He has been principal at Lakeside High for eight years.
Superintendent Charles Nagle said he recommended Carney for assistant superintendent for his ability to build consensus with teachers and his record of innovation for improving learning.
Carney said he looks forward to making a larger contribution to the school system, and "can't wait to get started doing that."
Williams' last day is May 31, but Carney said he didn't know when he will assume his new role. Though he will immediately start a transition process for his move to the central office, Carney said he first will need to make sure Lakeside is prepared for the upcoming school year.
Also on Tuesday, school officials decided to ask voters to approve a $45 million bond referendum and pay for it by renewing the 1-percent education sales tax.
The board adopted a resolution to send the referendum to voters for their approval in the July 20 primary.
The bond would be used to start construction on a new Columbia Middle School, conduct repairs to existing schools, make technology improvements and purchase school buses.
Renewal of the 1-percent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax also likely will go before voters on the same ballot.
With $108 million to $130 million expected to be collected from 2012-17, the sales tax would be used to pay off bond debt, and replace Evans and Martinez elementary schools. Depending on the earnings, it might also replace North Columbia Elementary, North Harlem Elementary, South Columbia Elementary, Harlem Middle and the alternative school.