The Rockdale County Board of Education voted Aug. 20 to name the Rockdale Career Academy Auditorium after former Clerk of Superior and State Courts Joanne Caldwell, in recognition of her efforts and advocacy that helped create the Rockdale Career Academy.

"The Rockdale County Board of Education expresses their sincere appreciation for Mrs. Joanne Caldwell by recognizing her dedicated service and the positive influence she has had upon the children of Rockdale County by declaring as of this day that the auditorium at Rockdale Career Academy be named in her honor and from this day forward be known as The Joanne Caldwell Auditorium," read the resolution.

"Caldwell was instrumental in the establishment of the Rockdale Career Academy; serving on the Rockdale County Public Schools Community Leadership Committee composed of educators, community members and high school students that brought forth the recommendation to the Rockdale County Board of Education to build Rockdale Career Academy and pattern it after the Central Education Center in Coweta County which allows students to retain their connection with their respective high schools," the resolution continued.

The idea for naming the auditorium was initially brought up in April by school board member Wales Barksdale, as a way to honor Caldwell's years of public service and service to the school system. Board member Katrina Young asked if community members would come to request the name. In May, members of the community and the Citizens Progressive Club of Rockdale County, including Coach and City Councilman Cleveland Stroud, Club President the Rev. Aldren Sadler, Sr., Chester Benton, former City Councilman Bill Rogers came before the school board to propose the name.

Caldwell, a native of Henry County, graduated from Campbell High School in Fairburn, Ga. and later attended Reinhardt College and Georgia State University. She was elected as the Clerk of the Rockdale County Superior Court from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 2008. She was honored in 1995 as the Stetson F. Bennett Superior Court Clerk of the Year; appointed to the Superior Court Clerks Retirement Board; served as Past-President of Georgia Superior Court Clerks Association; and is an active member of the Superior Court Clerks' Training Council.

Her public service earned her numerous recognitions including: Barksdale Boys & Girls Club Leadership Award in 1988; Rockdale Rotary Club Lee Arrandale Leadership Award for 1999-2000; 2006 Person of the Year by the A.R. Gus Barksdale Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors; Liberty Bell Award from the Rockdale Bar Association; Rockdale Chamber of Commerce A.R. Gus Barksdale Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. She continues to serve Rockdale County Public Schools on the Advisory Council.

Caldwell was married to the late James Wesley Caldwell, has one son, Michael Scot, three grandchildren and a great-grandchild who were educated in Rockdale County Public Schools. She is a member of Conyers First United Methodist Church.