By Sherri Blevins
On March 23, 2023, the Ider community gathered at Ider High School for the groundbreaking of the long-awaited state-of-the-art gymnasium.
DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Wayne Lyles welcomed the host of excited supporters of Ider High School to the ceremony. School officials, DeKalb County Board of Education members, and building project officials picked up shovels and ceremonially began the construction project.
Superintendent Lyles explained that this groundbreaking was the beginning of the last new gymnasium in the DeKalb County School system in recent history. Lyles thanked Senator Steve Livingston and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter for their help securing the funding for the long-anticipated sports facility. Lyles said, “This gym is long overdue and is a much-needed facility for this school plant. I have no doubt that it will be put to good use in this school and community.”
Ider Board of Education Member Robert Elliott stated, “I have thought my whole life that we will get a new gym one day. Then I thought, well, we will not get a new gym. But seeing this happening makes me think that this community has waited and waited and now will have something to be so proud of; the community can come up and see the school system’s work and think, ‘Ider is not forgotten.’ A lot of people have said that we are just up here, and nobody cares. I tell them, no, somebody does care. We are seeing this here and in the things done at the school. I am excited that this Board has chosen to do this for us and give us this opportunity.”
After the ceremony, the Board of Education work session was held in the Ider cafeteria. Principal Tyler Brooks informed everyone about the exciting developments happening inside the school. Brooks said students were now equipped to study the weather using a portable weather station on campus. Another new educational opportunity will be coming this fall when Ider partners with Northeast Alabama Community College to offer dual enrollment classes for industrial systems and building construction technology students. An introductory HVAC course and an introductory electrical course will be offered to interested students. A mobile classroom will be set up for the instruction. This is a pilot program Northeast hopes to expand in the future.
Brooks reported that the students’ IReady scores were outstanding, showing a 90% growth rate, among the state’s highest. A new software program is being implemented in the school lunchroom televising and recognizing students’ accomplishments.
Following the work session, the Board conducted its regular meeting. The following personnel actions were approved:
Retirements
A. Karen Barnett – Elementary Teacher – Fyffe High School
B. Lisa Shrader – Itinerant Indian Education Teacher – District
C. Robin Pair – Elementary Teacher – Sylvania High School
D. Linda Chambers – CNP Worker – Sylvania High School
E. Kathy Dodd – Elementary Teacher – Fyffe High School
Resignations
A. Otis Washington – Social Worker/Mental Health Services Coordinator – District
B. Rachael Walker – Cheerleading Coaching Duties Only – Crossville Middle School
C. Lillian Hawkins – Junior High Volleyball Coaching Duties Only – Crossville Middle School
D. Misty Day – CNP Worker – Geraldine High School
E. Kendi Alverson – CNP Worker – Geraldine High School
F. Heather Harris – Assistant Custodian (9-month/7-hour) – Plainview High School
G. Taylor Clough – Jr. High Girls Basketball Coaching Duties Only – Crossville Middle School
Leaves of Absence
A. Avery Collins – Pre-K Teacher – Fyffe High School
B. John Daniel Pope – Shop Foreman – Transportation
C. Kim Maness – Academic Supervisor – Central Office
D. April Hall – Elementary Teacher – Plainview High School
E. Sonya Stephens – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Fyffe Special Services Center
F. Tracie Ford – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Middle School
G. Lacie Fricks – Elementary Teacher – Sylvania High School
H. Madison Willoughby – School Nurse – Geraldine High School
I. Monique Kittle – Secondary Mathematics Teacher – Sylvania High School – Intermittent Catastrophic
J. Hannah Vann – Elementary Teacher – Sylvania High School
K. Jordon Wright – CNP Worker – Plainview High School
On-the-Job Injury
A. Selina Alexander – CNP Worker – Plainview High School – 0 days
B. Trina Land – CNP Worker – Plainview High School – 0 days
C. Devin Bouldin – Science Teacher – Collinsville High School – 0 days
D. Jennifer Gilbert – EL Teacher – Geraldine High School – 3 days
Transfers
A. Brittany Rhodes from CNP Worker at Crossville Middle School to Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional at Geraldine High School
B. Tim Coppock from Assistant Custodian (7-hr/9-month) at Crossville Middle School to Assistant Custodian (7-hr/9-month) at Fyffe 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. Melissa Snyder – Elementary Teacher (Leave 10/20/22-5/26/23) – Crossville Middle School
B. Megan Hearn – Secondary Mathematics Teacher (Leave 3/17/23-5/26/23) – Crossville High School
C. John David Willoughby – Itinerant Special Education Teacher – Henagar Jr. High School
D. Skyla Gray – Varsity Volleyball Coaching Duties – Plainview High School
E. Lola Cortez Garcia – Secondary English Language Arts Teacher – Crossville High School
F.Lily Wills – Elementary Teacher (Leave 2/22/23-4/28/23) – Plainview High School
Support
G. Candice Painter – Assistant Custodian (7-hr/9-month) – Crossville Middle School
H. Tori Rogers – CNP Worker – Crossville Middle School
I. Sam Griggs – Itinerant Social Worker – Mental Health Services Coordinator – District
Volunteer Coaches
A. Blake Truett – Baseball -Geraldine High School
Contracts
A. March 23, 2023 Contracts Report
B. Myra Burgess – Math Teacher – Geraldine High School
C. Christie Deere – Math Teacher – Geraldine High School
D. Jenny Mann – After-School Bus Driver – Ider High School
The Board also approved the Central Office Cleaning Services Bid with CJC Cleaning, the Sylvania High School Football Field Lighting Project with Musco Sports Lighting, and the purchase of stage curtains for the Collinsville High School Auditorium Stage from Georgia Stage LLC.
Superintendent Lyles recommended, and the Board approved, the K-3 English language Arts Textbook Adoption with McGraw Hill-Open Court and the entire supplemental list approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. The 4-5 English Language Arts Textbook Adoption with McGraw Hill-Open Court was also accepted.
The SkillsUSA team was given a $2,000 sponsorship for its state contest, and the FinalSite website contract was approved.
The next meeting will be on April 27, 2023, at 4:30 in the Meeting Room in the Facilities Building.