BOE approves field trips, personnel, more
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Last Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Education saw the approval of field trips, a contract and policy, updated job description, and a few personnel matters.
With Board President Tiffany McCain absent, Vice President Sharon Massie oversaw the meeting, with all other members present.
The Board unanimously approved two field trips for high school students, with it being clarified that there would be no money from the Board involved in the trips.
One is for the varsity cheerleaders to take a field trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Ga., to participate in cheer camp July 7-10. Breezy Johnson is the team sponsor, and parents will transport their own child to and from the trip.
Each cheerleader will pay for their own registration by doing multiple fundraisers throughout the end of this year and this summer to help offset the cost, as well.
The other is a field trip to Indianapolis, Ind., for the JAG National Career Development Conference April 22-27.
The sponsor is Debbie Phillips, and there will be five competitors attending to compete in Creative Decision Making and Prepared Speaking. A JAG scholarship will be used to fund that trip.
In other business, the Board unanimously approved a contract with Jarrod Bullard for lawn care services for the period from April 1 to March 31, 2026; a revision of the Coosa County Schools Wellness Policy; and an updated and revised job description for the technology director position.
Regarding personnel matters approved, names of hired individuals are not made publicly available until after the minutes are approved at the following month’s meeting. However, in last week’s meeting the Board approved three hires, including two funded through grants and one that is not paid by the Board.
With a letter of recommendation from Wanda Young, special education coordinator, the Board unanimously approved “Individual A” as a Central Elementary School special education teacher in the multi-needs classroom pending meeting all requirements, as well as obtaining an Emergency Certification.
Also with a letter of recommendation from Young, the Board approved “Individual B” as a paraprofessional in the multi-needs classroom, pending meeting all requirements. Board Member Jenny Kimbrell recused herself from voting, and the remaining Board members approved the hire.
For both hires it was explained that both are grant-funded positions for the 2024-2025 school year. The positions may not continue for the 2025-2026 school year if the grant is not funded.
With a letter of recommendation from Brandi Lee, Central High School principal, the Board unanimously approved “Individual C” as a community coach at the high school for the 2024-2025 school year. It was stated that this individual will not be paid by the Board.
During last week’s meeting it was also reported that the high school prom will be held April 12 at The White Orchid in Sylacauga.
Superintendent of Education David Stover Jr. also informed the Board that the Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology, or APTAT, Rural Roadshow event will be held Friday, April 4, from 12 to 6 p.m. at the County Extension Office.
The February Board of Education meeting primarily consisted of personnel matters, with those individuals’ names not being publicly released until the minutes were approved at last Thursday’s meeting.
With President McCain absent from that meeting, as well, Vice President Massie oversaw the meeting with all other members present.
The Board unanimously approved acceptance of a letter of resignation from Central Elementary School secretary Xochitl Blakely effective February 26, and acceptance of a letter of intent to retire from Child Nutrition Director Pamela Jones, effective July 1.
In non-certified recommendations, the Board approved hiring Karen Hayes as a high school career coach with a start date of March 10, by a majority vote. Board Member Joe Belyeu opposed the motion, and the hire was approved with a vote of 3-1.
Another non-certified recommendation was unanimously approved, which was for hiring Hannah Jensen as a 4-hour paraprofessional at the elementary school in the multi-needs classroom. Her start date was February 28, with completion of requirements.
The Board also unanimously approved a voluntary transfer of Hanna Rudd from school bus driver to shuttle bus/custodian position for the Career Tech Center for the 2024-2025 school year, effective March 3.
Regarding substitute recommendations, the Board considered individuals as substitute teachers/teacher aides/lunchroom workers for the 2024-2025 school year, pending completion of requirements. While the Board took each individual as a separate vote, all three were unanimously approved.
Those were Aliya Rodgers as a substitute lunchroom worker, Brandy McNaughton as a substitute teacher/aide and Alexis Woods as a substitute lunchroom worker/teacher/aide.
In other business during its February meeting, the Board also unanimously approved Proposed Calendar C for the 2025-2026 school year. It was reported that all school personnel were given an opportunity to vote on three options, with Calendar C receiving the majority of votes.
During that meeting the Board also dismissed into executive session for eight minutes for a discipline matter to discuss the good name and character of a student. After reconvening in open session, Massie asked Superintendent Stover if he had a recommendation to make regarding the student.
Stover recommended the student be expelled with services for 365 days from the date of the incident and that they must come before the Board to request to re-enter school. The Board unanimously approved the recommendation.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board of Education will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 24, following Whole Board Training being held from 2 to 4 p.m.
