MOULTRIE – Parent representatives from each district school recently completed a six-month immersion program. The Georgia School Board Association developed the Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy (VILLA). It exposes parents and community volunteers to many of the operational areas of a school district.

A child’s school principal invites the parents to participate in the program. Superintendent Dan Chappuis and other district administrators lead the program.

Chappuis said, “The VILLA program is a powerful way for our district to connect with our community, parents, and families. The Colquitt County School District is founded on relationships, and the VILLA program allows us to foster positive relationships with our families. We are able to educate our parents on the operations of our school district while creating space for meaningful dialogue and feedback. The feedback we receive from our families helps us grow stronger and continue striving to be the best district we can be.”

The parents attended five lunch sessions, during which they learned about different school and district governance topics. These topics included school board governance, teaching and learning, human resource management, facilities, budgets, school safety, and student services. Therefore, school district department heads presented the monthly topics. Accordingly, they gave parents insight into how those areas impact and support classroom instruction.

During one of the monthly meetings, parents boarded a school bus to visit some of the current ESPLOST facilities projects. The group toured the new 9th-grade addition at the high school. They also did a driving tour of the new canning plant and agriculture facility. They also toured the Willie J. Williams cafeteria expansion and new wing addition. At C.A. Gray Junior High, they saw which buildings would be removed in the coming year. They also discussed the plans to redevelop the campus landscaping and outdoor spaces.

“I truly value this experience, both as a parent to children in the district and as a former public educator,” said Krysta Porteus. “Each session was very informative, and district leaders provided transparent information, allowing VILLA parents to see the many facets of running a school district. This program is designed to empower parents by facilitating open and honest conversations with district leadership about topics such as school safety, communication amongst district stakeholders, instruction and curriculum resources, services provided for learners with special needs, how financial decisions are made, and the upcoming school additions at several sites. As I finish the program, I walk away feeling very confident in our school district leadership, knowing they are planning what is best for students and maximizing every available resource.”

The 2024-2025 VILLA participants were Amanda Rojo Dominguez (Cox Elementary), Chad Walden (Doerun Elementary), and Lichina Hill (Funston Elementary). Also, Lisa Marie Stephens (Hamilton Elementary), Leanne Chafin (Norman Park Elementary), Emma Esparza (Odom Elementary), and Davida Foard (Okapilco Elementary). As well as, Jose Rodriguez (Stringfellow Elementary), Corey Shiver (Sunset Elementary), Natalie Davis (R.B. Wright  Elementary), Krysta Porteus (Williams Middle School), Sitarra Thomas (C.A. Gray Junior High), Ross Dekle (Colquitt County High School), and Brad Lofton (GEAR).