Airport Road improvements at Flint Hill Elementary School gained the go-ahead vote to make accessing the school easier and safer at the May 15 Newton County Board of Education (BOE) meeting.

The board approved Newton County School System (NCSS) Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey’s recommendation to grant a right of way deed, a permanent drainage and utility easement and a temporary construction easement to the county so construction can begin.

Kent Campbell, BOE attorney, requested the approval, saying it will allow progress to begin once the school year ends and should be completed before students return in August. The newly widened road and entrance to the school will be 40 feet long by 1,100 feet wide. Campbell said some trees will have to be cut down to widen the line of sight and that he expects turn lanes to be included in the plan. A water line will also have to be moved.

He said the easements and deed, as well as the project itself, is necessary for safety and will allow easier access to the school for buses and school-related traffic.

“It should’ve been done years ago,” Campbell said.

Today’s students help tomorrow’s education
Students in the first Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) were honored at the meeting for their role in making tomorrow’s education in Newton County brighter.

Fuhrey launched the SSAC this year to receive input from those most directly affected by BOE decision- and policy-making. Students in grades seven through 12 met twice throughout the school year with Fuhrey to discuss how decisions made at the district level affect students at each school throughout the county.

“The kids are very insightful,” Fuhrey said.

She said she received more than 80 applications, which included an essay.

During meetings, Fuhrey said, the SSAC reviewed strategic plans, talked about how to increase the effectiveness of ACT and SAT preparedness, brainstormed ways to instill positive post-high school decision making and talked about ways to curb bullying in schools.

“We intend to continue the program next year,” Fuhrey said. “These kids are miraculous. They’re just amazing.”

According to the NCSS website, SSAC middle school members are: Zach Whitmire, seventh grade, Veterans Memorial Middle; Julia Towns, seventh grade, Indian Creek Middle; Christian Johnson, seventh grade, Newton County Theme School; Georgia Holmes, seventh grade, Cousins Middle; Amira Williams, eighth grade, Veterans Memorial Middle; Sarah Moss, eighth grade, Cousins Middle; Jordan Lilly, eighth grade, Liberty Middle; Diana Ha-Vo, eighth grade, Clements Middle; Jessica Books, eighth grade, Indian Creek Middle.

SSAC high school members are: Lilly Mayfield, ninth grade, Eastside High/Newton College and Career Academy; Molly Cady, ninth grade, Newton High; Max Mayfield, 10th grade, Eastside High/Newton College and Career Academy; Anthony Johnston, 10th grade, Alcovy High; Parker Hutchinson, 10th grade, Eastside High; Sam Hay, 10th grade, Eastside High; Megan Andrews, 10th grade, Eastside High; Ngaio Warrington, 11th grade, Newton High; Logan House, 11th grade, Alcovy High; Trinity Harrison, 11th grade, Newton High; Ryhan Davis, 11th grade, Newton High; Kitana Woodruff, 12th grade, Newton High; Ella Svirida, 12th grade, Alcovy High; Sam Potts, 12th grade, Eastside High; Joseph Phelps, 12th grade, Eastside High; Kyana Morris, 12th grade, Newton High; Alexis Langford, 12th grade, Eastside High; Jean Frimpong, 12th grade, Newton High/Newton College and Career Academy.