Five employees from across the Colquitt County School District were recently honored for completing the School Financial Accounting Personnel Certificate Program, a rigorous professional learning initiative delivered through a partnership between the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Coastal Plains RESA.
The graduates of the 2025-26 cohort include:
- Alicia Sims – District Office
- Brooke Smith – District Office
- India Parker – Willie J. Williams Middle School
- Kristie Tucker – C.A. Gray Junior High
- Jennifer Varnadoe – Colquitt County High School
Designed specifically for K-12 school-based support personnel, the program equips participants with the expertise needed to manage day-to-day accounting, budgets, purchasing, and payroll while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. The curriculum, developed in accordance with National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) standards, covered critical topics such as internal controls, fraud prevention, governmental school accounting, and the Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula.
To earn their certificates, these individuals completed 24 program hours through a blended learning model of virtual and in-person sessions held at the Coastal Plains RESA in Lenox. The program concluded on January 22, 2026, following the successful presentation of school-level financial management projects designed to provide direct benefits to their respective schools.
"This program enhances accountability at the school level for reliable and timely financial reporting," noted program documentation from the Carl Vinson Institute. By completing this certification, these professionals are better prepared to support school administrators and ensure the honest and accurate maintenance of public funds.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia provides more than 600 training courses annually, helping government and school officials improve the skills necessary to serve their communities effectively.