ESE/Student Services Staff

ESE/Student Services Staff

Melinda Richie

Coordinator of ESE & Student Services
Phone: 850-973-1562
Melinda Richie currently serves as the Coordinator of ESE & Student Services for the Madison County School District.  She is a graduate of Charlton County High School in Folkston, GA.  She received her Bachelors of Science in Special Education and Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University as well as her Masters in Special Education and Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University.  Mrs. Richie began her career in Brooks County as a Special Education teacher for three years and has worked in the Madison County School District since 2007.  She is married to Eddie Richie of Madison and has three children who attend Madison County Schools.

Melissa Cherry

ESE Staffing/Program Specialist
Phone: 850-973-1567

Melissa Cherry is a lifelong resident of Madison County. She graduated from Madison County High School in 1993 then attended Florida A&M University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Cherry began her teaching career at Pinetta Elementary School then transferred to Madison County Central School as the MTSS/RTI Specialist. She loved school so much she went back and earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Saint Leo University  She is currently working in the Exceptional Student Education Department as a Staffing/Program Specialist for Madison Creative Arts Academy and EXCEL Alternative Education Center. Mrs. Cherry has been married to her highschool sweetheart for 22 years. They have three children, three dogs, and three cats. As a family they enjoy camping, crafting, and serving in their community.

Leigh McNutt

ESE Staffing/Program Specialist
Phone: 850-973-5026

Leigh Sherrard McNutt was born and raised in Madison, FL and attended Madison County Schools. She attended Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education and a Master Degree in Educational Leadership.

Leigh has been employed with Madison County School District since 1995 and has served in the positions of, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, First Grade Teacher and currently as an Exceptional Student Education Staffing/Program Specialist for the District PreK Program, Lee Elementary School, Pinetta Elementary School, Greenville Elementary School and Kindergarten at Madison County Central School.

Leigh is married to Kevin McNutt and has two children, Dalton 10 and Savannah 10 who attend Madison Creative Arts Academy. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Madison, Florida.

Renae Williams

ESE Receptionist Clerk
Phone: 850-973-5029
Renae Williams serves as the ESE Receptionist/Clerk, at the Madison County Central School, for the Madison County School District. She is a graduate of Suwannee County High School. Renae earned a degree in the nursing field but quickly discovered that the field of education and helping others had her heart. She has been working for the school district for 25 years in a variety of positions including Substitute Teacher, Paraprofessional and now Receptionist/Clerk. Renae is married to Jayson Williams, has three daughters, and 3 grandchildren who she adores. In her spare time, when she is not traveling, Renae owns and operates her own business, Leap of Faith Boutique.

Mary Ellis

ESE Administrative Assistant
Phone: (850) 973-1566
Mrs. Mary Ellis was born in Orlando and raised in Madison County.  She attended schools in Madison and completed her secretarial training at North Florida Jr. College in 1988.  She worked as a secretary for Dixie Packers for 16 years and worked for Smithfield for another 2 years until plant closure in 2006.  She began working with Arc Big Bend in 2006 as an administrative assistant and remained for 15 years.  Mary joined the ESE Department in September 2021 as the Administrative Assistant to the ESE Coordinator, Melinda Richie.  Mary has been married to Frank Ellis for 33 years and they have three children and five grandchildren.  She enjoys spending time with her family, shooting ASA bow tournaments with her husband, and vacationing at the beach.  She is a member of Lee United Methodist Church.