At the center of it all is Superintendent, Dr. Ferlondo Tullock, a leader guided by a simple but powerful philosophy: education is empowerment. “Our mission is to empower young people to be able to compete and succeed in an ever-changing global society,” says Superintendent Tullock. “That really drives the work that we do with our young people, preparing them academically and vocationally so they can go out into the world of work, pursue postsecondary education, or even join the military and be successful.” SUPPORTING THE WHOLE CHILD Education in Calhoun County is designed to meet the needs of the whole child. The district understands that students learn best when their academic, emotional, and social well-being are supported together. “There are several supports, both in the classroom and in the community, for our young people,” says Superintendent Tullock.“We have special education services for our more challenged learners, tutors, and instructional coaches who work alongside teachers to help students reach their potential.” Recognizing that mental health is essential to learning, the district provides counselors in every school. “Mental health is a huge component of student success,” notes Superintendent Tullock.“We have mental health counselors in our schools to make sure those resources are there when students need them.” Fred S. Mack, the district’s Ombudsman and Coordinator of Federal and Alternative Programs, also oversees public relations and helps ensure that Calhoun County’s message of inclusion reaches every family.“We want to make sure every child and parent feels heard and supported,” says Mack.“That means creating pathways and partnerships that remove barriers to success.” The district’s outreach includes events like the Exceptional Children’s Expo, which brings together more than 30 vendors to provide families with access to vital community resources. “In a rural community, not everyone can get the resources,” says Superintendent Tullock. “We bring the resources to them.” Another key support system comes through the food services department. Every student receives free breakfast and lunch daily, eliminating the worry of unpaid balances or unequal access to meals. “Every young person in our district receives free meals,” Superintendent Tullock explains. “There are 237 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11 CALHOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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