Arlie Collins, Board Chair

Arlie is a native of Macon.  He and his wife Thelma have been married for 12 years and have two children.  They are members of Lakeside Church at Lake Oconee.

Arlie graduated from Willingham High for Boys, attended the University of Georgia and is currently attending RockBridge Seminary where he is pursuing a degree in Ministry Leadership.

Arlie is a self-employed businessman, working in the lake area for over 9 years.  He has been involved with the local Chamber of Commerce, serving as chair of the ad hoc committee on charitable organizations.  He is currently serving as volunteer staff at Lakeside Church in the role of missions coordinator.  He is active with Global Samaritans, a locally based missions group, serving as the domestic scheduler for teams serving in Africa.  He has been team leader for the last 8 years for groups who have gone to Zambia to do construction and ministry. He teaches Sunday school, has served as a deacon and in other leadership roles at his church.

Arlie believes that he brings a fresh approach and vision to the Board of Education of Greene County with a combination of leadership skills and a heart for the children of this county.  It is his desire that every child be given every opportunity to meet their true potential and become active, productive members of our community.  He seeks to bring the school system and the board into a working relationship with the community that will benefit all the citizens of our county, most especially our children. 

Velicia Cobb
District 1

Velicia is the wife of Raymond Cobb, a graduate of GTCHS. They are the proud parents of four children: Whitney, a GCHS graduate currently enrolled in the Medical College of Georgia’s Physician Assistant program; Tawny, who attended GCHS before moving to Murfreesboro, Tennessee after her sophomore year and attending Middle Tennessee State University; Raquel, a 2011 graduate of GCHS, currently attending Clemson University; and Jalen, currently a junior at GCHS.

Velicia is a graduate of Hancock Central High and Athens Technical College. She is employed by the Georgia Department of Corrections, Greensboro State Probation Office.

Velicia and her family are members of Hill Chapel Baptist Church, where she is a Sunday School teacher to students from the age of two to the second grade. Velicia held the office of Secretary of GES PTA and President of CMS PTO. Velicia has a passion for children and their understanding the importance of taking advantage of a quality education.

Velicia will strive to foster strong parental and community involvement. She believes that all must rise to the challenge of ensuring that the educational needs of our children are met with the best education possible. She feels every child should have an equal opportunity to a quality education, because the students who are educated today will become responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

Contact Information:
Velicia Cobb
cobb4edu@bellsouth.net
Cell: 706-817-1867
Home: 706-453-9883

Ms. Allyson Harrison, Board Secretary
allyson.harrison@greene.k12.ga.us
Office: 706-453-7688 ext. 2185

 
Deborah Smith
District 2

Deborah Smith is a native of Greene County, Woodville, GA. She is employed by The Greene County Board of Commissioners in the Planning and Zoning Department. Deborah is a graduate of Greene County High School and Georgia Military College. She attended the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and received certification in GAZA and Leadership through the University of Georgia.

Deborah's goals as a board member are to put in place policies that will provide an environment of the highest expectations and accountability for all that will be conducive to learning. Also, she strives to prepare our students for the greatest success as productive citizens and lifelong learners, ever ready to meet the challenges of our community, our state, our country and the world.

Contact Information:
Deborah Smith
deborah.smith@greene.k12.ga.us
Home: 706-486-4788
Cell: 706-817-8717

Ms. Allyson Harrison, Board Secretary
allyson.harrison@greene.k12.ga.us
Office: 706-453-7688 ext. 2185

John Ray Carver, Jr.
District 3

John is a native of Glasgow, KY. He and his wife Cindy have three children. Their youngest child is a graduate of Greene County High School.

Prior to moving to Greensboro 15 years ago, John lived in Louisville, Kentucky, where he taught in the Jefferson County Public Schools for 28 years. During his time teaching in Kentucky, he had the opportunity to experience "Pay for Performance" and was a member of a staff team involved with "Participatory Management" (a staff managed school).

John attended elementary, junior high and high school in Glasgow Public Schools. After graduating from high school, he attended Western Kentucky University, where he graduated in 1967, with a BS in Industrial Education. He later returned to Western Kentucky University and earned a Masters (MA) in Counselor Education. He then received his certification in Technology Education from the University of Louisville.

John’s hobbies include riding motorcycles, computers and maintaining his greenhouse and experimenting with growing various types of plants.

As a retired teacher, John brings the perspective of an educator to the board. He believes that learning is a lifelong function. Therefore, when you cease to learn, you cease to grow. His goal as a board member is to ensure that each child receives a good solid basic education, has opportunities to explore various facets of living and working in today's world, thereby preparing them to be a productive citizen in our technological world.

Contact Information:
John Ray Carver, Jr.
carveratboe@yahoo.com
Phone: 706-621-7833

Ms. Allyson Harrison, Board Secretary
allyson.harrison@greene.k12.ga.us
Office: 706-453-7688 ext. 2185

Leah Dukes is a wife and mother.  She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, receiving her BS degree in 1989.  In 1992, she received her Master's of Education with an emphasis in Higher Education.  She moved to Greensboro, Georgia in 2000, with her husband Gordon, and their two boys, Major and Tucker. She recently obtained her real estate license.

Leah's goal is to make sure that every student graduating from the Greene County School system has the tools necessary to prepare them for the 21st Century economy.  Whether their aspirations lead them to higher education or on a career pathway, she wants them to feel confident in knowing they have been provided with a solid foundation and the tools necessary to reach beyond their wildest dreams.

Contact Information:
Leah Dukes
leah.dukes@greene.k12.ga.us
Cell: 706-817-6401

Ms. Allyson Harrison, Board Secretary
allyson.harrison@greene.k12.ga.us
Office: 706-453-7688 ext. 2185