Wilson chosen to head FCCTC

The search for a new Franklin County Career and Technical Center administrator was concluded on Thursday, Feb. 23 with the hiring of Dexter Wilson by the Board of Education during its monthly business meeting.

Wilson, who is currently employed by the district at the center, will fill the slot being vacated by Terry Moffett, who has served as FCCTC administrator, effective Friday, June 30.

The school district had recently advertised for the leadership position.

Superintendent of Education Chris Kent said he began encouraging Wilson three or four years ago to prepare for a shot at this position when he knew Moffett was looking at retiring.
“I don’t do this very often, but we knew Mr. Moffett was reaching retirement and I talked to Mr. Wilson back then, and encouraged him to get his administrative (certification),” Kent said.
“(Mr. Wilson’s) like me — has a wife and kids and 46 things going on — so he got started, and the next thing I know, I hear he’s quit (working toward his certification). He’s sitting here, and he’ll tell you, I came to him and asked ‘What are you doing?’ and he said ‘I just had to have a break; it’s just too much.’
“I (said), ‘I get it. Dexter, get back on it.’ He got back on it (and) he finished it. I had been encouraging him to be prepared for this particular job, because I know that he is the person for it.
“I did advertise and so forth, spoke to (Wilson) some more … he’s my choice and he has been for a few years — and I don’t say that very often, and I’m saying it in his presence. So, I’m recommending him for our (Career-Technical) administrator for next year.”
Wilson will assume those duties with the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.

In other business conducted during the board meeting last week:
• The panel discussed a bus accident from late last year.
In December, one of the district’s buses was rear-ended by another driver in a company truck, and repair costs were estimated at $14,500.
As the bus was valued at slightly more than $20,000, the insurance company totaled it — leaving the district with the option to try to salvage the vehicle or to accept the insurance company payment to go towards the purchase of a new one.

Attorney Lane B. Reed advised the board to accept the payment for slightly more than $21,000.
• Board members were presented with certificates of appreciation by Kent in honor of “School Board Appreciation Week.”

“This really took place (the week of) Feb. 12-18, but I haven’t had a chance to see you,” Kent said.
“I do want to say, sincerely, I appreciate each one of you. I don’t take the relationship we have work-wise — and personal-wise — for granted, because I hear of a lot worse situations out there.

“I do appreciate what you do. I know it’s not for the money — it’s because you care about Franklin County and you care about children, so I want to give you a certificate of appreciation and, again, I don’t take lightly what we’re doing here. I do truly appreciate what each of you do for us and for our staff and students.”

• Put in place a step-aside provision, which would allow Dr. Selma Wells, who serves as the FCSD’s director of federal programs, to stand in for Kent, as superintendent, in the event a matter involving his wife, who is also employed by the school system, comes up for discussion by the board.

• Voted to enter a service agreement with Atrium Express, the computer system already used for the district’s school libraries, in the amount of $2,223.46.

• Approved two facility usage requests from the community — one from Connie Johnston, requesting use of the high school auditorium for the Dixie Daisy Juniorettes to hold its spring pageant on Saturday, March 25, and another from Wes Arnold with the Franklin County Baptist Association to use of the auditorium to host an evangelistic crusade May 30-June 2.

• Gave approval for the Franklin County High School Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps to attend national drill competition in Daytona Beach, Fla. in May.
Funds for the trip were raised by program participants.