Clarke County School District superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker speaks to community members in the E. B. Mell Auditorium on Nov. 1. The newly-appointed superintendent organized the town hall as a way to share his vision for the future of the district. “Our future in Clarke County depends on how well students learn. (We need to) invest in them,” Hooker said. Photo by Aza Khan
CCHS hosted the first community town hall of the year featuring CCSD superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker who shared his plans for the school district and answered questions.
The Athens-Clarke County community was invited to a town hall in Clarke Central High School’s Mell Auditorium featuring recently appointed Clarke County School District superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker on Nov. 1. Hooker, having recently assumed his position on Oct. 10, shared his vision for the district and took questions from both online submissions and the audience.
The event is the first in a series of six town hall meetings lasting until Dec. 5, which will be hosted at various locations throughout ACC.
The event ran from 6-7 PM and drew a variety of members of the CCHS staff. Instructional Coach Ginger Lehmann, who worked with Hooker for several years when he was CCHS’ principal, is excited for Hooker’s return to the district.
“I have a history with Dr. Hooker. He was the principal here at Clarke Central when I was an English teacher, and he was the one who encouraged me to continue my education, so I am very excited to have him back in the district,” Lehmann said. “I think you saw tonight that he is a very authentic, compassionate man of integrity who cares a lot about students, teachers and the community, so I enjoyed hearing from him tonight.”
A community member sits in the E. B. Mell Auditorium listening to CCSD superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker speak on Nov. 1. Hooker focused on community involvement and broadening problem solving strategies to include religious organizations. “If we’re going to improve education in CCSD, we must include the faith-based community,” Hooker said. Photo by Aza Khan
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During the session, Hooker emphasized the importance of a strong relationship between the district office and the parents of CCSD students.
“I’m excited about returning to Clarke County. (There’s) lots of work to be done, but I think we have the right players. People need to understand that in order to do the work, it’s not just (about the) district office,” Hooker said. “(We need) the entire community to do this work, so I’m excited to be engaging people to come back and do it for the kids.”
For CCHS parent Meredith Dykes, Hooker’s message resonated.
“It’s very exciting that he wants to get feedback from parents, staff and community members,” Dykes said. “I think it’s going to open up (opportunities) for the community, families and the district to all work together for whatever purposes (Dr. Hooker) feels are important for the district.”
“I’m excited about returning to Clarke County. (There’s) lots of work to be done, but I think we have the right players. People need to understand that in order to do the work, it’s not just (about the) district office. (We need) the entire community to do this work, so I’m excited to be engaging people to come back and do it for the kids.”
— Dr. Robbie Hooker,
CCSD superintendent
Business owners were also present at the town hall, as the success of the school district directly affects the future success of their businesses. Howard Allen Motor Company owner Steve Middlebrook stressed the number of people moving to surrounding counties in recent years and the business sense behind investing in young Athenians’ education.
“I’m interested in (the CCSD). I have so many friends that moved from Athens-Clarke County to the surrounding counties, primarily Oconee, Jackson, to live and educate their kids,” Middlebrook said. “I’m interested in the workforce (of the) county (and) what we can do as business leaders to support the school system so that (students) not only graduate (but that) they graduate (with) skills to work and stay in our community.”
