The Union County Board of Education had plenty to celebrate March 19 with the observance of School Board Appreciation Week, the announcement of Teachers of the Year, the recognition of retiring Middle School Principal Tammy Hughes, and the welcoming of new UCMS leadership.
At the Central Office that evening, Hughes received thanks for her outstanding 30-year career with the system, during which time she worked in all three schools while advancing from paraprofessional to teacher to assistant principal and, finally, principal the last two years.
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She is now ready to retire, and Superintendent John Hill let her know at the March board meeting how much she will be missed, describing her as “an amazing middle school principal.”
Hill and the Central Office have been working diligently to find a suitable replacement for Hughes; fortunately, they did not have to look far.
UCMS Assistant Principal Casey Jones has been tapped as Hughes’ replacement and will transition to principal to start the 2026-2027 academic year. Jones has been with the system for 20 years and served as the AEP/Success Center administrator prior to becoming UCMS assistant principal in 2023.
Joining Jones in the Principal’s Office will be longtime UCMS teacher Kelly Helton to serve in the Assistant Principal role. As a team, Hill said of Jones and Helton, “I am so confident in these two individuals.”
“I’m honored and I’m very thankful for the opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m thankful to have Kelly. We’ve got a lot of good things planned, and I do want to say I’m so thankful to work with Miss Tammy for the last two years. I’ve never seen anybody more committed to the profession than Miss Tammy.”
For her part, Helton shared the fact she began her career 21 years ago teaching fifth grade with Hughes, adding that she is “really pleased” with the current direction of UCMS: “We have a great team, and we’re just so excited for this opportunity.”
In other business, the School Board welcomed the new Teachers of the Year, with the principal of each school introducing their respective teacher and providing some background on why he or she was nominated.
First up was teacher Sarrah Ellen McDonald of Woody Gap School, introduced by Principal Wendy Reynolds.
“Her passion for teaching and this school is evident in everything that she does,” said Reynolds, going on to describe McDonald as someone who “brings joy with her to the halls each day.”
Although she is preparing to retire soon, McDonald’s five years at Woody Gap will be remembered fondly.
Next was teacher Holly Cook of Union County Primary School, introduced by Principal Debby Decubellis, who described her as “the type of teacher every school wants to have.”
Teacher Cynthia Todd was chosen as Union County Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. Principal Dr. Jerry Bavero said that Todd “is the kind of teacher who pours her whole heart into her students and her school” by consistently going above and beyond to provide support, whether that means preparing breakfast or providing extra tutoring.
Union County Middle School’s Teacher of the Year was recognized as Greg Wilson. Although he has only been at UCMS for less than two years, Principal Hughes said he has already made a positive impression on his fellow teachers by bringing “energy, humor and genuine care” to the classroom.
Last but not least, Union County High School Principal Josh Davis introduced Robby Roxbury as UCHS Teacher of the Year.
“Robby Roxbury is the kind of teacher who shows up every day ready to make a difference,” Davis said. “With energy, humility and a strong work ethic, he focuses on what matters most, helping students grow both in the classroom and in life.”
Davis also relayed comments from Roxbury’s colleagues, who appreciate him for “quietly leading by example” without seeking recognition.
That said, one teacher rose above all as the District Teacher of the Year, and that honor went to Holly Cook of the Primary School.
An emotional Cook was shocked to receive the news and a standing ovation before her husband James “Hotrod” Cook joined her at the front of the board chambers for a quick photo opportunity to celebrate the occasion.
“We’re blessed to have some extremely amazing teachers. We’re also blessed to have an amazing Board of Education,” said Superintendent Hill, pivoting to recognize the district’s board for all its hard work, especially in light of School Board Appreciation Week March 9-13.
Hill revealed that “our school district is extremely well thought of outside of Blairsville,” in part due to the board’s care for both staff and students. In fact, Union County’s Board of Education was awarded the Exemplary Board Award by the Georgia School Boards Association this year.
“What a thankless service job that you spend so much of your time and hours and (put) blood, sweat and tears into. But you are so important to the success of the school district,” said Hill.
UCHS Class of 2026 Senior Savannah Love also received board recognition for earning STAR Student, as did her chosen STAR Teacher, Dixie Conger. The pair received trophies and applause, and Love discussed her plans to major in biochemistry and become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Another major point of discussion in the March 19 regular meeting was the Fiscal Year 2026 pay supplement for educators. Championed and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, the supplement provides a one-time payment of $2,000 to state-funded teaching positions, though the system will need an additional $420,000 to fund it.
School Board Chair Tony Hunter said district personnel deserve the supplement because “they’re amazing people,” even as he cautioned against quick judgments by some members of the public.
“Our constituents look at us like we’re just blowing money,” Hunter stated, clarifying that the one-time supplement is mandated by the state legislature and not something that local board members voted on.
The next School Board regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, starting with a work session discussion at 6 p.m. followed by a voting meeting at 7 p.m. inside the Central Office Board Room at 124 Hughes Street. The public is encouraged to attend.
