By Sherri Blevins
RAINSVILLE – State Board of Education District 8 Member Dr. Wayne Renyolds presented Dr. Brandon Renfroe with a proclamation from the Alabama State Board of Education honoring him for being selected as a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (PAEMST) during the January 25 meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education. Dr. Renfroe teaches science at Geraldine High School.
The PAEMST awards are the highest honors the United States government bestows specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers. Congress established the Awards in 1983. The President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year.
Awards are given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).
The award recognizes those teachers who have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program’s inception, more than 5,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST for The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Each state finalist moves on to the national selection committee, which will identify up to two teachers –one in mathematics and one in science – from each state.
Dr. Renyolds congratulated Dr. Renfroe for demonstrating excellence in the classroom for the past eighteen years, and he expressed his pleasure at having a presidential award nominee from his district. Dr. Renfroe stated, “I teach, and I work with the best people anywhere. My principal, Mr. Richey, and Mr. Greeson are here tonight. I am so thankful to be in DeKalb County and at Geraldine. Rural schools are special schools, and I could not be more thankful to work where I do and with the people I work with. I am part of a team. I don’t deserve this. I do not deserve this, but I am part of a special team, and I work with special people. I am thankful for them.”
Representatives from Snider Electric visited the meeting to update everyone on the success of its partnership with the school system. In 2018, the DeKalb County Board of Education agreed to contract with Snyder Electric to reduce electricity costs for the system and provide a safe and comfortable working environment for everyone. The company guaranteed to save the school system money or to reimburse it if savings were not realized. Since 2018, the company has saved the school system $1.4 million in energy costs, delivering a 29% reduction so far and guaranteeing $27.3 million in savings over the next twenty years. The spokesperson said the savings were coming from the new building automation system, LED lighting upgrades in the halls, classrooms, and gymnasiums, window replacement and new widow designs, and new HVAC systems. The company has also installed a full security system for the county.
During the meeting, the Board approved the following personnel actions:
On the Job Injury
A. Traci Roper – E.L. Teacher – Sylvania High School – 3 days
Leaves of Absence
A. Phillip Pointer – Head Custodian – Crossville Middle School
B. Lori Johnson – Assistant Custodian – Geraldine High School
C. Betty Bowman – CNP Worker – Fyffe High School
D. Leanna Johnson – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Elementary School
E. Sharon Sibert – Bus Driver – Geraldine High School
F. Tammy F. Smith – Itinerant Special Education Bus Aide – Ider Special Services Center
G. Haley York – Secondary Science Teacher – Fyffe High School
H. Molly Martin – P.E. Teacher – Crossville Elementary School
Retirements
A. Johnny Patton – Bus Driver – Collinsville High School
Resignations
A. James Hamby – Bus Driver – Crossville Elementary School
B. Tanya Chesser – Assistant Custodian – Crossville Elementary School
C. Carlie Brown – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Middle School
D. Shana Talley – English Language Arts Teacher – Sylvania High School
E. Avery Collins – Head Volleyball Coaching Duties Only – Fyffe High School
F. Rebecca Goldin – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Valley Head High School
G. Melissa Roberson – E.L. Teacher – Collinsville High School
H. Jesse Daniel – Social Science Teacher – Plainview High School
I. Brandi Selvage – Cheerleading Coaching Duties – Plainview High School
J. Tyler Vann – Secondary Teacher and Head Football Coaching Duties – Sylvania High School
Transfers
A. Candice Painter from Assistant Custodian (7-hr/9-month) at Crossville Middle High School to CNP Worker at Geraldine High School
B. Tiffany Harris from Bus Driver at Crossville Middle/High School to Bus Driver at Geraldine High School
C. Delane Wiggonton from Vocational Rehab Job Coach for the District to Payroll Clerk at Central Office
D. Tabitha Shay Mitchell from Itinerant Assistant Custodian at Crossville Elementary School / Crossville High School to Assistant Custodian at Crossville Elementary School
E. Ronald Anderson from bus driver at Ider High School to bus driver at Collinsville High School
Placements
Certified
A. Amber McIntire – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Middle School
B. Emily Westmoreland – English Language Arts Teacher – Sylvania High School
Support
C. Brasha Nelms – Pre-K Auxiliary – Geraldine High School
D. Shannon Light – Pre-K Secretary (10-month)
E. Hannah Looney – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Collinsville High School
F. Haley Garner – CNP Worker – Ider High School
G. Teddy Helms – Assistant Custodian – Crossville Middle School
H. Shontee Brooks – Bus Driver – Crossville Elementary School
I. Brandon Hastings – Bus Driver – Henagar Jr. High School
J. John Beam – Bus Driver – Crossville Middle/High School
Volunteer Coaches
A. Crossville High School
a. Connor Haynes – Soccer
B. Sylvania High School
a. Eli Gurley – Baseball
Contracts
A. January 25, 2024 Contracts Report
B. Connie Cochran – Science Teacher – Fyffe High School
Superintendent Lyles recommended that the Board accept two bids from Donohoo Chevrolet. It approved $48,056.50 to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for the Transportation Department and $65,011.50 to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado for the Maintenance Department. The Board agreed to reimburse the City of Sylvania $3,294.62 for the use of a sewer pump that serves the Sylvania Campus.
Superintendent Lyles announced that the Bishop Colvin Law firm would now represent the Board as it merged with Lanier Ford, which previously served the system. The sale of 0.13 acres located at 21225 AL Highway 117, Ider, was approved because the land was of no value to the system.
The 2024 Policy Committee was approved, as well as the 2024-2025 school calendar.
Finally, Superintendent Lyles and the Board congratulated the Plainview High School Basketball Teams for winning the DeKalb County Basketball Tournament, Fyffe High School Cheerleaders for winning the State Traditional and Game Day Cheer Competitions, and Aiden Sly on winning the DeKalb County Spelling Bee. Aiden is a sixth grade student at Ruhama Jr. High School.
The next meeting will be on February 22, 2024, at 4:30 pm.