BOE approves new hires, contracts, bids
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its June 27 meeting, the Coosa County Board of Education approved numerous matters, including new hires, contracts and bids in preparation for the new school year.
With Board President Tiffany McCain absent, Vice President Sharon Massie oversaw the meeting. Aside from two instances where board members recused themselves regarding certain individuals, all agenda items were unanimously approved by the board.
Regarding new hires, the board approved Kaitlynn Pelletier as an elementary education teacher, Dr. Martin Conkle as an English language arts teacher at the high school and Andy E. Watson as high school assistant principal. All were approved for the 2024-2025 school year and all pending completion of requirements.
The board also approved the voluntary transfer of Marlee Byrd from high school special education paraprofessional to elementary school special education paraprofessional for the 2024-2025 school year.
The board also approved a Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science, or TEAMS, contract with Morris Phillips, in accordance with Alabama Act 2021-340, beginning on August 1 and ending on July 31, 2025.
Further, board members approved an extra hour contract for paraprofessionals for the upcoming school year.
Regarding substitute contracts, the board approved contracts for the 2024-2025 school year for six lunchroom workers, 42 teachers/aides, one nurse, four bus drivers, one bus aide, and one van driver, all as substitutes.
Regarding those contracts, Board Member Joe Belyeu recused himself from voting on Doris Gamble as a substitute teacher/aide, and Board Member Jenny Kimbrell recused herself from voting on Journey Brekle Jones as a substitute teacher/aide. The other 53 were unanimously approved.
In other contract matters, the board approved contracting with First Response Pest Control for its services for the facilities from July 1 until June 30, 2025.
Regarding other personnel matters, the board approved a job description for the central office bookkeeper/inventory clerk.
As is done annually, at its June meeting the board also approved bids for petroleum, propane and motor oil.
The board approved low bids from Allen Oil Company of Sylacauga for gasoline, bus diesel fuel and heating diesel fuel, effective July 1 through June 30, 2025. The only other bidder for those was WH Thomas Oil, who was the higher bidder on all three.
Regarding the propane bid, the board approved waiving a “minor discrepancy in the propane bid,” as the E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding is on file at the board office, but was not included in the bid packet.
With that done, the board proceeded to award the propane bid to Blossman Gas, who was the low bidder, effective July 1 through June 30, 2025. The only other propane bidder was Thompson Gas, which bid 34 cents more per gallon.
The board also approved the low bid from WH Thomas Oil for motor oil, effective July 1 through June 30, 2025. The only other bid for motor oil was from Allen Oil.
Following a called meeting held Wednesday morning, the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Board of Education will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 25.
