The Carroll County School Board named Marshall E. Guess as the interim athletic director to replace former AD Alex Rawls.
During its board meeting on January 14, the board approved making Guess the interim AD with a 3-2 vote. Board Members Donnie Wiltshire, a former football coach, and William Downs voting against the recommendation.
Rawls recently resigned as athletic director to work closer to his home in Eupora. Superintendent Billy Joe Ferguson said he believes Guess would make a great AD for the remainder of the season. He said someone, either he, J.Z. George High School Principal Coretta Green or another person –which was Rawls, have to accompany the district’s teams to their games -- home or away.
“We’re responsible for our fans, and we had an incident at one game where there wasn’t a coach,” Ferguson said, but didn’t specify what game or why.
He said Guess, being an assistant football coach, is familiar with the process and is liked by the students. “I think he’ll do a great job,” Ferguson said.
Board member Donnie Wiltshire asked if Guess had any administration credentials, besides being an eighth grade math teacher.
“No, he doesn’t have to have credentials,” Ferguson said, adding there have been other AD’s that didn’t have credentials.
“But, those were coaches from way back. That’s not now,” Wiltshire said.
The board, also:
*Approved a recommendation promoting Lillie Green, no relation to J.Z. George principal Coretta Green, to ISS. Ferguson said Lillie Green was previously a custodian and also drives a bus. Green would also remain a bus driver.
*Approved a $135 donation from the Town of Vaiden to the athletic department.
*Approved listing the J.Z. George High School gymnasium as an emergency shelter for the American Red Cross. This measure was tabled in December after it was requested the Red Cross send proof of liability insurance.
*Approved placing the bios of all teachers, faculty, staff, superintendent and board of trustees on the Carroll County School Board website at the request of Washington-Bell. She said she was approached by parents over the holidays who wanted to know which teacher did what and why.
“They had no idea of who does what or what credentials our teachers have,” Washington-Bell said. She said she also wanted forms placed on the website so there are readily accessible for parents.
