Dr. Tracy Allison has been approved by Habersham’s Board of Education as the Assistant Principal at North Habersham Middle School for 2015-2016. A native of Habersham County, Allison moves to North Habersham after 24 years at South Habersham Middle School, where she was a Special Education teacher and department head. Allison replaces Assistant Principal Patrick Franklin, who has been named Principal of Clarkesville Elementary.

Allison received her bachelor’s degree in Business Education from the University of Georgia and her Master’s degree from the University of North Georgia, She received a Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University, and her Doctorate in Teaching and Learning is from Liberty University.

Allison said she looks forward to working with Mrs. Brent Tuck, the Principal of North Habersham Middle School, as well as “an incredible staff about whom I’ve heard amazing things.”

Habersham County Schools’ Superintendent, Matthew Cooper, said “Dr. Allison’s leadership experience as a department head and her extensive experience as a middle school teacher make her an excellent choice as the new Assistant Principal at North Habersham Middle School.”

Editor’s Note: Dr. Allison first came to the attention of many of our Now Habersham readers through a guest column she wrote back in April about her son, Mason. Her column sparked an online call to show respect and appreciation to cops. You can read about it here Mason and Mom Cop Challenge…and here Mason and Mom Cop Challenge makes it to San Francisco. 

In Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Matthew Cooper made recommendations to the board for changes in eight areas of school system policy. The policies in the operation of a school system must change, at times, so that they will comply with state law, Cooper said. The policy changes Cooper recommended were in the following areas: Professional Learning Opportunities; Charter Schools; Student Behavior Code; Weapons; Bullying; Medication; Child Abuse or Neglect; and Suicide Prevention. The proposed changes in all areas are more strict than the existing rules were.

The topic of proper staff response to the presence of weapons of different types in school-related settings was addressed by Cooper in a recommended rule change. The change describes more items that constitute a “weapon” and it calls for stricter responses, at some times directly  to law enforcement, than the existing rules describe.

There was another policy change he recommended related to what is called “cyber-bullying.” It includes specific rules related to the inappropriate use of computers or other electronic devices. The phrase “cyber-bullying” is defined, this time in detail, as are a number of unacceptable uses of electronics on school property or at school-related events. The change is a more up-to-date policy, complying with state law, and demanding a fast response from personnel to a greater variety of electronic activities than in the existing policy.

In all eight areas needing policy change, Cooper either described or read aloud the proposed changes that would lead to compliance with the law, stricter rules, and better experiences for students and staff. Cooper stressed that the changes he brought to the attention of the board are written on the school system’s website. Monday was the first reading of the proposed changes. He invited the public to visit the website.

To view the proposed policy changes click on the link above or go to  www.habershamschools.com. The policies are listed on the website’s home page.