BOE approves personnel matters, field trips
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its May meeting, the Board of Education primarily took action on personnel matters as the school system prepared for the ending of one school year and the beginning of the next.
Board President Tiffany McCain was absent from the meeting, and as such Vice President Sharon Massie presided over the meeting.
The board unanimously approved one letter of resignation, which was for high school assistant principal and head football coach Jamarlin S. Russaw, effective June 28.
The board also took action to create a new assistant lunchroom manager position and to place an employee in that position. The new position is a title change with no extra pay involved.
The board adopted a resolution regarding the assistant lunchroom manager which reads, in part, “Whereas the Coosa County Board of Education does not have the position of assistant lunchroom manager, and wjereas, it is prudent practice to have a person who can serve in that position in the absence of Manager Deborah Abrams, and whereas Debra Hawthorne, given her duties and position in the lunchroom, is suited for such, now, therefore, be it resolved by the Coosa County Board of Education that Debra Hawthorne’s title is changed to assistant lunchroom manager, and she is authorized to act as manager when 1) so designated by Deborah Abrams or 2) when Manager Abrams is unable to act.”
In other business, the board also approved five certified non-renewals.
The board unanimously approved the non-renewals of Terry Brown, Annette Long, Timothy Eason, and Daniel Harrison. It approved the non-renewal of Kelli Hilyer with a 3-1 vote, with Board Member Joe Belyeu opposing that motion.
Upon Superintendent of Education David Stover Jr.’s recommendation, the board also unanimously approved support for the Central High School bookkeeper position by allowing up to 25 days of training by Gail Ezekiel at her current hourly rate.
Board members also reviewed TEAMS contracts, or Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science contracts. Those included renewals, non-renewals and new contracts.
In renewals, in accordance with Alabama Act 2021-340, the board unanimously approved TEAMS contract renewals with J. Mitchell beginning August 1 and ending July 31, 2029, and with A. Thompson beginning August 1 and ending July 31, 2025.
Mitchell was offered a 5-year contract because of being on an advanced contract with 20 years of service.
Regarding non-renewals, the board unanimously approved not renewing the TEAMS contract for Joseph E. Mynard, effective July 31.
In reviewing new TEAMS contracts, Stover recommended approval of TEAMS contracts for two teachers in accordance with Alabama Act 2021-340, contingent upon completion of advanced credentials by July 31, 2025.
The board unanimously approved Janet Brown and Mary White for new TEAMS contracts. Both contracts will begin August 1 and end on July 31, 2025.
In other business, the board also unanimously approved two field trips for the summer.
One is to Atlanta, Georgia, for the National Leadership & Skills USA Conference June 24-29. For that field trip, there will be eight students attending the conference, with a grant being used to fund the trip, and the sponsor is Jarrod Washington.
The other is a field trip to Orlando, Florida, for the Future Business Leaders of America National Conference from June 28 through July 3. The field trip is for the four students who placed in the state FBLA competition, with it being funded by the middle school and grant funds, and the sponsor is Brett Thomas.
The board also heard from Chief School Financial Officer Amy Davis who presented the budget amendment for the year. The board unanimously approved the budget amendment for the 2024 fiscal year as presented.
In other business during the meeting, it was reported that the annual bus inspection was completed on April 7. Of the 26 buses inspected, three were found to have three major deficiencies.
Stover also reviewed information regarding the school system’s summer programs.
He said summer school would be offered at both schools for the month of June, including next week, June 24-27. The high school offered summer school for grades seventh and eighth in the first two weeks and ninth through twelfth for the last two weeks.
Central Elementary School is also offering numerous camps for students based on their needs this summer. For each of these camps, there will be an academic focus during the mornings and then enrichment activities after lunch.
Outside agencies such as Bridgeways, Girl Scouts and the Extension Office will help provide the activities. All summer camps are being offered free of charge with transportation being provided to community bus stops, as well as meals and snacks being provided.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Board of Education will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 27.
