By Sherri Blevins
The DeKalb County Board of Education honored the retired Director of the DeKalb Youth Services Center with a special presentation and reception during the April 27, 2023, Board meeting. Judge Steve Whitmire presented Whitten with several tokens of appreciation, including resolutions from Senator Steve Livingston and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter for his 41 years of service to the youth of America. Whitten was the driving force behind the development and creation of the DeKalb Youth Services Center, the first of its kind in DeKalb County. Whitten served as the Director beginning in 2009 until his retirement in 2022. Judge Whitmire spoke of Whitten’s expertise in dealing with youth and running the center. He characterized him as a very caring and competent individual.
During the work session before the meeting, Ruhama Principal Stevie Green spoke to the Board about the great things happening at Ruhama Jr. High School. Green said the school is no longer considered a “focus” school because the efforts of the staff and students have paid off, with student test scores increasing. Because of everyone’s efforts, 100% of the students showed academic growth during the last testing cycle. Green introduced school counselor Stacy Mason, who invited everyone to the school’s Beauty and the Beast performance this weekend. Mason organizes a talented cast of current and former Ruhama students each year to entertain the community. The group performed the song “Gasto” for the Board and visitors during the meeting.
Plainview Principal Chris Clark reported on the happenings and accomplishments at Plainview High School. One stand-out accomplishment was the school’s score on the statewide report card. Plainview scored a 90 overall, a gain of five points from the previous year. Another honor the school received was being named a Marzano High-Reliability School, a difficult classification to earn. Clark announced that Plainview had recently entered into a contract with Northeast Alabama Community College that grants college credit to high school students enrolled and passing A.P. courses. Clark said the number of A.P. students has increased over the years to over 200 this year.
During the meeting, the following personnel actions were approved:
Retirements
A. Bradley Waddell – Bus Driver – Fyffe High School – Retirement
B. Pat Gregory – CNP Worker – Valley Head High School
C. Kelley Maddox – Science Teacher – Valley Head High School
D. Vickie Naylor – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Crossville High School
E. Rhonda Jones – Bus Driver – Plainview High School
F. Sandra Freeman – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Fyffe Special Services Center
G. Carol Slay – Elementary Teacher – Plainview High School
H. Angela Camp – Elementary Teacher – Valley Head High School
I. Eve Biddle – Business Education Teacher – Sylvania High School
J. Sharlyn Huber – P.E. Teacher – Ider High School
K. Teresa Coots – CNP Worker – Sylvania High School – Retirement
L. Phil Bryan – Principal – Crossville Elementary School – Retirement
Resignations
A. Issac Dismuke – E.L. Teacher – Crossville High School
B. Ashlynn Jones – English Language Arts Teacher – Ider High School
C. Robi Coker – P.E. Teacher and Boys Basketball Coach – Plainview High School
D. Katherine Suzanne Smith – Itinerant Speech Language Pathologist – District
E. Kayla Williams – Elementary Teacher – Ider High School
F. Bryant Nelson – Secondary Social Sciences Teacher and Assistant Football Coaching Duties – Crossville High School
G. Mark Whitt – Secondary P.E./Health Teacher and Boys Basketball Coach – Ider High School
Leaves of Absence
A. Jordon Wright – CNP Worker – Plainview High School – 3/24/23-5/5/23
B. Jennifer Davis – Pre-K Teacher – Ider High School – 4/4/23-5/4/23
C. Antonia Cordell – English Language Arts Teacher – Crossville Middle School -1/3/23-5/26/23
D. Kim Maness – Academic Supervisor – Central Office – 2/22/23-5/7/23
E. Whitney Whiteside – Assistant Principal – Plainview High School – 5/30/23-7/31/23
F. Morgan Dunn – Kindergarten Teacher – Crossville Elementary School – 8/1/23-9/4/23
G. Brenda Nash – Assistant Custodian – Collinsville High School – 4/5/23-6/5/23
H. Brenda Gembe-Bautista – Migrant Liaison – Collinsville High School – 3/14/23-5/26/23
I. Laura King – Elementary Teacher – Geraldine High School – 4/14/23-5/12/23
On the Job Injury
A. Laura King – Elementary Teacher – Geraldine High School – 0 days
B. Susan Shankles – CNP Worker – Plainview High School – 0.5 days
C. Susan Nelson – CNP Worker – Crossville Elementary School – 0 days
D. Amanda Potter – CNP Worker – Fyffe High School – 3 days
E. Carrie Atchley – High School Counselor – Sylvania High School – 2 days
Transfers
A. Darin Bell from Elementary Counselor to High School Counselor at Plainview High School
B. Robin Potter from Elementary Teacher at Collinsville High School to Elementary Teacher at Plainview High
School
Placements (All placements are made pending a background review meeting suitability criteria and negative, pre-employment drug screen and appropriate certification)
Certified
A. Rachel Goolesby – Secondary English Language Arts Teacher – Fyffe High School
B. April Parnell – Elementary Teacher – Sylvania High School
C. Cale Black – P.E. Teacher and Boys Basketball Coach – Plainview High School
D. Jennifer Clifton – ELA Teacher (Leave from 4/3/23-5/26/23) – Crossville Middle School
Support
E. Laura Oliver – CNP Worker – Geraldine High School
F. Misty Day – CNP Worker – Geraldine High School
G. Bruce Beam – Assistant Custodian (9-month/7-hour) – Plainview High School
The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education is May 11, 2023.
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