Assistant Superintendent Ware speaks to Emanuel Retired Educators

The Emanuel Retired Educators Association held its first meeting for 2025-26 in the Swainsboro Middle School Media Center on Wednesday September 17, at noon. President Toney Golden welcomed members and called the meeting to order. Three new EREA members, Mary Hundley, Thelma Garrison, and Annie Williams were recognized and welcomed to the meeting. Swainsboro Middle School Principal Dr. Gail Greenway provided a warm welcome from the school and shared information about the school’s academic focuses for the new school year. Lynn Torrance then offered the invocation, and members enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the Swainsboro Middle lunchroom and served by Swainsboro Middle students. Jansen Ware, Emanuel County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, brought the day’s program. Ware provided a most informative and comprehensive view of the district’s transportation, facilities, and safety plans. The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene was discussed as well as the resulting repairs at several school locations. He also shared recent improvements that have now been completed and planning for upgrades in the future at various other school locations. Assistant Superintendent Ware discussed a school district Technology Bus that provides access to online registration and other student information updates at various community locations. Students also have Internet, Chromebook, and printing access on the bus. Ware then shared information about the district’s arduous efforts to address school safety including a system in all schools that will accelerate emergency response. The system operates on a dedicated network, independent of Wi-Fi and cellular, and provides a comprehensive solution for rapid incident response. Additionally, the OpenGate system, which can be used indoors or outdoors, provides a quick and unobtrusive security screening of people and bags to enhance safety in schools and at school events. President Golden reviewed meeting dates for 2025-26 and shared goals and service projects for the year. This year, EREA members will donate school supplies at each meeting to the host school. Members will also support the Georgia Retired Educators Association project, Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, as well as The Sunshine House Children’s Advocacy Center.

EREA wishes to thank Swainsboro Middle School staff and students for the warm hospitality they extended for its first meeting of the year. The next EREA meeting is set for Wednesday, October 22, at Swainsboro Primary School at noon. Representatives from Pruitt Health will provide the program.