South Alabamian

Head Start welcomes public to new location






Head Start Director Gwendolyn Washington welcomes visitors to the center’s open house last week. (SA photo by Rick Couch)

Head Start Director Gwendolyn Washington welcomes visitors to the center’s open house last week. (SA photo by Rick Couch)

The construction of a new Gillmore Elementary School building opened the door for many new and exciting possibilities for Jackson students, including an unexpected option.

Because one of the GES buildings was still usable, it presented the perfect avenue to bring the Head Start program back to Jackson.

Last week, Mayor Richard Long and other city and county leaders, the Head Start staff and supporters gathered for an open house to tour the building and learn more about the program.

Center Director Gwendolyn Montgomery said she was extremely grateful to everyone that helped bring the program back to the Pine City.

“I just thank everybody for doing everything that you have done for us,” she said.

The old Jackson Head Start building, which was located on Highway 177, was severely damaged by a storm forcing Jackson students to travel to the Fulton facility. Some students were traveling more than 35 miles one way Gainestown, Barlow Bend and other outlying communities.

Leaders from the city of Jackson, Clarke County Commission, Clarke County School Board and other Head Start supporters were excited to get a first-hand look at the new facility. Head Start held an open house last week where they reflected on their journey to the new facility near Gillmore Elementary School. (SA photo by Rick Couch)

Leaders from the city of Jackson, Clarke County Commission, Clarke County School Board and other Head Start supporters were excited to get a first-hand look at the new facility. Head Start held an open house last week where they reflected on their journey to the new facility near Gillmore Elementary School. (SA photo by Rick Couch)

Clarke County Schools Superintendent

Larry Bagley said he discovered this during a walk-through of the Fulton Head Start with Commissioners Tyrone Moye and Rhondel Rhone. He said he knew Gillmore still had one building that was in good shape and with a few renovations, it would make a perfect location for a new Head Start.

“To me, it was a no brainer,” he said. “When I mentioned it to the commissioners the ball started rolling.”

Bagley said he hopes to donate a bus when new ones are added to the county school system’s fleet.

Rhone said many people chipped in to get the building up to speed and ready for the school year. He said maintenance superintendent Larry Weaver was a tremendous help and thanked GES Principal Shannon Odom for donating several items. He also commended Moye for donating floor mats out of his own pocket.

Above all, Rhone said the staff worked tirelessly to make sure everything was in place when the children arrived.

“I cannot say enough about the staff here,” he said. “Back in June, July and August, I don’t have to tell you how hot it was. To work in a building with no power, no air or nothing, they came here to work and worked every day. You never heard one of them complain. They just said they wanted to do what they can and everything they can to make sure that we get the children back here in this center. My hats off to them.”

Head Start holds a special place in his heart, Moye said, because he recalled the displacement of these children following the storm. From that point, he said it was his mission to bring them home.

“I’m happy today that we have our babies back in Jackson,” he said. “It was my hope and desire to get those kids back in Jackson. With the Lord’s help, the mayor the school board and all of us as board members, we made it happen. It’s all about the children. We made this happen today as a team.”


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