Longtime Carroll County Schools administrator Terry Jones has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2024. Additionally, Assistant Superintendent of School Performance Dr. Jessica Ainsworth has been named Associate Superintendent of School Performance, the Carroll County Board of Education announced after approving a number of personnel changes for next school year.
“Mr. Jones has been a fixture in our system and has always fulfilled whatever task he was assigned with professionalism and excellence,” Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “I worked with him way back at Central High School, and it has been a great experience to work with him again in his current role these last eight years.”
Jones has spent his entire 31-year career in education at Carroll County Schools. After a five year stint in the U.S. Army, Jones began in 1993 as an assistant coach and teacher at Temple High School. After four years there, he became assistant principal at Villa Rica High and later at Central High. He next took the principal role at Central Middle School for eight years before moving to the district office as Director of Middle and High Schools for another eight years. He has spent the last eight years as Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services where he oversees school safety, school nutrition, technology and transportation.
“I want to thank the Carroll County school board and our superintendent, Mr. Scott Cowart, for the opportunity to serve Carroll County.” Jones said. “Working in the field of education has always been my passion and I can’t think of a better school system to work in than the Carroll County School System. Carroll County has always been special to me and working for the Carroll County School System allowed me the opportunity to give back to the community I love so much.”
“Our system has been the recipient of a great deal of wisdom and perspective from Mr. Jones over the course of his career,” Cowart said. “It is hard to fully express the impact he has made and the thanks we owe him for years of dedication.”
Ainsworth began her teaching career in 2003 at Villa Rica High School. She has gained experience in the classroom as well as in administrative roles as an assistant principal, principal, educational evaluator, and Director of Assessment in the Douglas County School System. She returned to Carroll County in 2019 as Assistant Superintendent of School Performance.
Since that time she has completed the Superintendent Professional Development Program from the Georgia Superintendents Association. This two-year program prepares aspiring superintendents for bold, versatile and visionary leadership. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Carrollton Dawnbreakers Rotary Club. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including National Assistant Principal of the Year from the National Association of Secondary Principals.
Dr. Ainsworth earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in education from the University of West Georgia, a specialist in special education from Jacksonville State University, a degree in educational leadership, and a doctorate in school improvement both from the University of West Georgia.
“Dr. Ainsworth’s drive and passion for meeting the needs of all students has been a big part of our success as a school system,” Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “She is committed to providing premier experiences for our students, staff, parents and community. I look forward to the insights Dr. Ainsworth will bring to our efforts to ensure that each student graduates prepared to be successfully enrolled, employed, enlisted and engaged in his or her community.”
