Cioffi accepts Assistant Superintendent position in Massachusetts

Community, News, Rebel's Corner

Blue Ridge, Ga. – Fannin County High School Principal Erik Cioffi will be leaving the Rebels for a new position as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Personnel with a school system in Massachusetts.

Fannin County, School System, High School, Principal, Erik Cioffi, Resignation, Assistant Superintendent, Open Position, Hiring

Cioffi submitted his resignation to FCSS on July 17, 2020.

Cioffi submitted his resignation to the Fannin County School System (FCSS) to be effective August 28, 2020. The Board of Education is expected to accept this resignation at a special called meeting on July 23,2020.

This move allows us to be closer to our immediate families in New England,” Cioffi said of the new position he will be filling in Massachusetts. “I was born and raised in Massachusetts so I will be returning home.”

Cioffi said in an email sent out to colleagues that his family will remain in Georgia to complete their senior year at Fannin County High School, but that all will be reunited upon graduation. He plans to visit frequently and attend events throughout the year.

The resignation date of August 28 will allow Cioffi to remain with the FCSS to help bring in the start of this unusual school year with new protocols in place due to Covid-19. 

Cioffi acknowledged his intention to be an active member in restarting the school year : “Many protocols and procedures will be fine-tuned over the next couple of weeks as we seek guidance from the North Georgia Public Health Department and local leaders.”

I want to “Thank you” for an amazing 11 years – I will reflect often on the successes and relationships that have been built and I truly believe the staff at FCHS is one of the best in the country,” Cioffi said to his colleagues adding, “Thank you for your efforts and dedication to the students of Fannin.”  

The Fannin County School System has listed an anticipated job opening of High School Principal on their website (anticipated because Cioffi’s resignation is not finalized until the BOE holds an official vote).

The website states that the position is not an entry level leadership position and “a preferred applicant’s portfolio will highlight prior successful teaching- and leadership-related experiences, demonstrate effective communication skills, and prove one’s ability to lead.”

Applications can be filled out online, via the FCSS website. Interested individuals who qualify should ensure that a completed application is entered online (in Frontline) no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020.

Citizen calls for Post Two Patterson’s resignation

Board of Commissioners, News
resignation

FANNIN COUNTY, Ga – While attending a Patriot Tea Party Meeting in Mineral Bluff, Post Two Glenn Patterson found himself in a “contentious situation” with certain members of the crowd over the new library proposal. One of whom spoke at the March 10, 2020 Board of Commissioners meeting to ask for Patterson’s resignation.

The Patriot Tea Party invited to all three commissioners to a question and answer session. The topic concerned the new library proposal.

During public commentary, Larry Henderson told the room, “[Patterson’s] conduct during a public meeting the other day was totally out of line, unprofessional, and his verbal attack of a woman in that meeting was beyond comprehension.”

Patterson prepared a statement concerning the Patriot Tea Party meeting and calls for his resignation.

He also relayed that he had known many public officials over the years and believed that if any of them had behaved in that manner, they would tender a resignation.

Patterson described the series of events concerning his comment, “My comment it was to someone who I went to school with, in high school. I knew her. We were talking about the library. I tried to lighten the mood a little bit; it was in sarcasm. I said, ‘you might want to give us a donation.’ At that time, Mr. Henderson charged me, and I just ignored it, but that was the situation. Now looking back, it might have been taken the wrong way or in bad taste.”

Also, he clarified he met with the woman after the meeting and apologized to her. They left on good standing, according to Patterson.

Lane Bishop provided more detail about the situation, “He attended with honor, and he behaved himself, I think, well. As a matter of fact, I tried to save him a time or two, but people get emotional about things like this.”

Patterson agreed that Bishop tried to step in as a moderator to calm the situation.

“I was quickly met with several people in attack mode, yelling insulting comments about public officials, and even my wife was later drawn into a disturbance outside. Things got way out of hand as several people after the meeting apologized for the outrageous behavior,” explained Patterson.

He further went on to say that this wasn’t the entire crowd, but a few people set a “rowdy” tone for the meeting.

In a statement, Patterson said, “I believe in even a contentious situation people should be able to demonstrate a measure of grace and respect for one person’s opinion. This doesn’t mean that one can’t have a spirited debate over an issue, and on the contrary, debates over concerns are beneficial. One should remember to use the golden rule in stating their case. I believe the good people of Fannin County hold their elected officials and our political organizations to a high standard and want them to deal with issues in a civil and respectable manner, and I try to do that. We should not resort to critical accusations and the like, but simply agree sometimes to agree to disagree.”

Bishop stood up after Patterson finished speaking and vouched for the Post Two’s version of events.

However, Bishop did state that the meeting resulted in more questions about the library proposal and sale of Whitepath.

“I think we, and you primarily, have bought a white elephant, on your hands, and something needs to be done about it. It needs to be revealed to all the citizens and taxpayers of Fannin County, exactly what went on with the sale of Whitepath,” declared Bishop.

He asked for a copy of the closing statement and why can’t the county sell the building, and then use the money to build a stand-alone library on another piece of land.

Chairman Stan Helton told Bishop that he could have the closing statement.

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