Parent representatives from each district school recently completed a six-month immersion program. Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy (VILLA) is a program developed by the Georgia School Board Association to expose parents and community volunteers to many of the operational areas of a school district. The parents are invited to participate by their child's school principal. Superintendent Dan Chappuis and other district administrators lead the program.
Superintendent Chappuis shared, "We are proud to celebrate another successful year of our Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy (VILLA) in the Colquitt County School District. This program provides opportunities to engage and equip parents with a deeper understanding of all aspects of school district operations. Through VILLA, we are strengthening partnerships, fostering trust, and building a collaborative culture that will positively impact our students and community for years to come."
The parents attended five lunch sessions during which they were presented with various school and district governance topics. The topics included school board governance, teaching and learning, human resource management, facilities, budgets, school safety, and student services. The school district department heads presented the monthly topics and gave parents insight into how those areas impact and support classroom instruction.
During one of the monthly sessions, parents boarded a school bus to see how ESPLOST funds are reinvested into District infrastructure. The group toured the cafeteria expansion and new wing at Willie J. Williams Middle School and the revitalized campus at C.A. Gray Junior High—both key projects in the current secondary-focused ESPLOST cycle. The tour also visited Norman Park Elementary to discuss long-term facility planning. District leaders shared that while current capital projects have prioritized secondary schools, evaluations are already underway for the next ESPLOST cycle to address elementary-level facility needs.
"The VILLA program has been an enlightening experience," shared Becca Turner. "As a parent of two children who have attended the Colquitt County School District, I'm grateful to have learned that our system is fiscally sound, planning for needed structural improvements, and working to enhance educational offerings that prepare students for college and the workforce."
The 2025-2026 VILLA participants included Lola Gordon (Cox), Donna Maples (Doerun), Sharon Hall (Funston), Katie Summerlin (Hamilton), Jennifer Wetherington (Norman Park), Justin Searcy (Odom), Ericka Lopez (Okapilco), Justine Martinez (Stringfellow), Drew Durhman (Sunset), Max Demott (RB Wright), Marc Eure (Willie J. WIliams), Sabrina Singletary (C.A. Gray), Becca Turner (CCHS, and Judd Lasseter (GEAR).
Pictured (left to right) Sabrina Singletary, Marc Eure, Ericka Lopez, Justine Martinez, Judd Lasseter, Lola Gordon, Max Demott, Katie Summerlin, Drew Durham, Becca Turner, Jennifer Wetherington, and Sharon Hall.
Not pictured: Justin Searcy and Donna Maples