BOE approves organizational, other business
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Board of Education approved its annual organizational business and other matters during its November meeting, with all Board members present.
Board President Tiffany McCain turned the meeting over to Superintendent of Education David Stover for the election of officers for the upcoming year and establishing regularly scheduled meetings.
Stover then proceeded to ask for nominations for the office of Board president. Board Member Joe Belyeu nominated McCain, and no other nominations were made.
The Board unanimously approved McCain serving another year as Board president, and the meeting was turned back over to McCain.
McCain then asked for nominations for the office of Board vice president. Board Member Sharon Coffman nominated Sharon Massie, and no other nominations were made.
The Board then unanimously approved Massie to serve another year as Board vice president.
Regarding scheduled meetings, the Board unanimously approved keeping the meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at 4 p.m.
Following the annual organizational business, the regular monthly meeting then proceeded as usual.
Superintendent Stover recommended the establishment of a due process hearing panel under the 2024 amendments to the Code of Alabama 16-1-14.
The resolution reads, “Under the amendments to Alabama Code Section 16-1-14, a student facing certain discipline is entitled to a hearing before either the Coosa County Board of Education or a designee of the Coosa County Board of Education to determine whether the alleged violations occurred. The Coosa County Board of Education hereby designates the following disciplinary panel. If any member of the disciplinary panel cannot serve or is conflicted out, the remaining members of the disciplinary panel will be the designee of the Board of Education.”
The individuals listed as serving on the disciplinary panel are the assistant superintendent; the principal of a school where the student does not attend, in order of seniority; and the assistant principal of a school where the student does not attend, in order of seniority.
The designees are assigned the duties of the Board of Education under the Code of Alabama Section 16-1-14.
The Board unanimously approved the establishment of the panel with those individuals listed.
Regarding personnel matters, the Board unanimously approved accepting a letter of resignation from Breezy Johnson as cheer coach at Central High School and further unanimously approved Debbie Phillips as cheer coach for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
The Board also unanimously approved accepting letters of resignation from bus drivers Luke Sanders, effective November 21, and Crystalynn Levlon, effective November 18.
For a non-certified recommendation, with a letter of recommendation from Transportation Supervisor Jeff Moore, the Board unanimously approved Chonda Harris as a bus driver/substitute lunchroom worker for the 2025-2026 school year, pending completion of requirements.
Regarding substitute recommendations, the Board also unanimously approved Sarah Davenport as a substitute teacher/aide/janitor and Tiffany Hardnett as a substitute teacher/aide for the 2025-2026 school year, both pending completion of requirements.
In other business, Stover recommended approval of an educational field trip to Six Flags over Georgia for Math & Science Day on April 23. Sponsors are Pamela Belyeu and Jacques Mitchell, and Title I and student funds will be used to fund the trip.
The Board unanimously approved the requested field trip.
Additionally, the Board unanimously approved revisions to the Capital Plan for fiscal year 2025-2026, with Stover explaining that some revisions had been made to the level of priority for some projects.
As part of the annual meeting, the floor was also opened for any comments from the public regarding the allotment of public funds or administration of the Coosa County schools.
During public comment, Ruby Burks expressed excitement regarding upgrades to the softball field, which include a fully renovated concession stand, ADA-compliant restroom and a re-done backstop.
In other business, during the superintendent’s report Stover mentioned the state report card and said that Coosa County’s report card increased from a 72 to an 82, making it the first time the school system has received a “B” on the state report card.
Board Member Coffman stated that she would like to publicly thank the teachers and staff for their work.
Following its December meeting, the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Board of Education will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, January 22.
