Video by Broadcast Editor Kelly Fulford.
Cover Photo by Senior Copy Editor Jordan Rhym.
Members of the Clarke Country School District community had the opportunity to meet newly appointed superintendent Dr. Demond Means and learn about his visions for the future of the district.
An official Meet and Greet was held for new Clarke County School District (CCSD) superintendent Dr. Demond Means at the Athens Community Career Academy (ACCA) on Aug. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. Roughly 60 community members were in attendance.
“I think the goal for the organizers was to allow me to meet people, but more importantly have an extension to the meeting, so it’s just not about shaking hands and saying hello to someone,” Means said.
The event offered a chance for Means to speak with existing members of the CCSD community and to connect through discussion and light refreshments.
“I think the event was great. More importantly, the people that I met were fantastic and it’s just another slice of Athens-Clarke County that I appreciate and (it) just emphasizes the fact that this is a great community,” Means said.
Means spoke to individuals as well as the group as a whole about his vision for the district.
“He is the leader and he has that same vision that many of us have and that is we want to continue to do what is best for kids and we want to reach those kids we haven’t reached in the past,” Cleveland Road Elementary School Assistant Principal Dr. Victoria Hunter said. “He’s a breath of fresh air. I think he’s all for kids and invested in the best interest for kids and so I’m totally on board for that.”
Means’ wife Kimberly was also in attendance. She used the opportunity to connect with those in attendance and to share her husband’s vision.
“Changing the school district or working with what you already have takes time, so his goal everyday when he is working with kids is just to make sure that they are successful,” Kimberly Means said.
For Hunter, the session gave her a favorable opinion of Means.
“He’s very down to earth, very approachable and actually looks you in the face and wants to know your opinions. That’s what I’ve seen so far of him,” Hunter said.
Clarke Central High School Principal Marie Yuran arrived later in the evening, but still had a chance to see Means interacting with those in attendance.
“I was one of the very last people to speak to him, but there was a good turnout still while I was there,” Yuran said. “The room was pretty full and I know there was a line of people waiting to talk to him, so he was really actively engaged with everybody that was there.”
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