By Sherri Blevins
On March 24, 2022, the DeKalb County Board of Education work session addressed several items of interest. Chief of Staff Brian Thomas explained a reimbursement request from district bands for expenses lost to Musical Destinations Inc. during the COVID 19 shutdown. Several families and students lost deposits they had made for band trips that never took place. Musical Destinations has only reimbursed deposits from one county band with no promise of refunding the rest. The Board agreed to reimburse band members who had proper documentation of what they paid.
Superintendent Lyles requested immediate action on approving the job description for a building construction teacher for a new course to be taught in the fall. Lyles said the course would cover multi-trade construction, including framing, plumbing, and electrical. Lyles stated, “We are very excited about the course due to the need in our area.” He asked the Board to forego the procedure of “laying the request on the table” and grant emergency approval of the description in hopes of locating a teacher soon.
Next, Chief Thomas explained the proposed 2022 Policy Committee recommendations for the Board to consider and vote on at the next meeting. One emergency request was made to help solve the CNP staffing shortage. Thomas asked that the Board change a portion of its hiring policy, eliminating the need for a high school diploma or GED for jobs other than teachers and paraprofessionals. He asked that the policy state that candidates possess the skills and abilities necessary to perform the job. The Board also approved this request.
During the business meeting, the following personnel placements and actions were made:
Retirements
A. Jennie Smith – CNP Worker – Collinsville High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
B. Chris Murdock – Bus Driver – Ruhama Jr. High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
C. Ginger Hill – Elementary Teacher – Geraldine High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
D. Diane Church – Itinerant ARI Instructional Coach – Plainview High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
E. Darlene Mosley – Elementary Teacher – Geraldine High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
F. Debbie Busby – EL Teacher – Collinsville High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
G. Debra Bell – Elementary Teacher – Sylvania High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
H. Dennis Stiefel – Auto Mechanics Teacher – DeKalb County Technology Center – Retirement – 6/1/22
I. Lisa Bridgeman – Elementary Teacher – Plainview High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
J. Janie Peppers-Sherrod – ARI Instructional Coach – Collinsville High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
K. Leigh Anne Stalvey – Elementary Teacher – Ider High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
L. Montye Thompson – Itinerant Speech Language Pathologist – Ider High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
M. Anna Clayton – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Elementary School – Retirement – 6/1/22
N. Robin Pair – Elementary Teacher – Sylvania High School – Retirement – 6/1/22
Resignations
A. Jamie Bowman – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Plainview High School
- Resignation – 3/7/22
B. Traci Treadaway – Elementary Teacher – Geraldine High School – Resignation – 3/31/22
C. Ben Johnson – Agriscience Teacher – Geraldine High School – Resignation – 6/13/22
Leave of Absence
A. Larry Odom – Bus Driver – Crossville High School – 1/26/22-3/25/22 (Updated from 2/21/22-3/21/22)
B. Brittany Sears – Elementary Teacher – Fyffe High School – 2/28/22-5/27/22
C. Pam Bryant – Custodian – Crossville High School – 1/25/22-3/31/22
D. Nicole Stiefel – Itinerant Special Education Teacher – Fyffe Special Services Center –
3/14/22-4/11/22
E. Haley Harville-York – Science Teacher – Fyffe High School – 1/18/22-4/27/22
F . Lora Smith – Pre-K Teacher – Crossville Middle School – 3/8/22-4/14/22
G. Tracy Martin – Cosmetology Instructor – DeKalb County Technology Center –
3/1/22-5/28/22
Transfer
A. Bridgett Ott from Principal at Ider High School to District Instructional Supervisor – School Improvement and Secondary Curriculum 12-Month (Effective June 1, 2022) Support
A. Tammy Richards – Bus Driver Tech Route – Crossville High School (2022-018)
Volunteer Coaches
A. Valley Head High School
a. Shane Ingram – Golf
b. Kaylynn Hulgan – Softball
Contracts
A. Paul Benefield (Amendment) – Coaching Duties
B. After-School Programs
a. Nicole Carroll – Teacher – Sylvania High School – ARP
b. Leslie Day – Bus Driver – Valley Head High School – GEER
c. Dana Fox – Tutor – Sylvania High School – ARP
d. Heather Headrick – Tutor – Sylvania High School – ARP
e. Tracy Lawrence – Literacy Teacher – Fyffe High School – GEER
C. Homebound
a. Emily Bales – IDEA B
b. Tammy Taylor – IDEA B
D. Summer Program Site Director
a. Joey Haymon – Tech School – ARP
b. Whitney Whiteside – Plainview High School – ARP
E. Special Programs – IDEA B
a. Kris Courson – Sign Language Services
b. Jana Foshee – Assessments and Related Services
c. Madge Gower – Speech-Language Assessments
d. Jeanie Green – Assessments and Related Services
In addition to personnel actions, the Board heard comments and recommendations from Superintendent Lyles on other matters. Lyles recognized Plainview High School Teacher Julie Caminiti for her work on the Yellow Hammer History Hunt, and he praised her for her excellent work on the project. Lyles also recognized Robert Hale for earning his ALSDE Mechanic Certification.
The Superintendent requested that the Board support those schools sending BETA Clubs to the National Convention with a $1,500.00 donation for their expenses. The Board members agreed. The Board also permitted Ider Fire Department to remove a house located on Ider High School grounds and approved the proposed site for the Ider gym.
Before adjourning, Lyles asked that everyone remember the family of Cheryl Wilborn, a dedicated school nurse who recently passed away.
The next meeting will be on April 18, 2022, at 4:30 pm in the AgriScience and Family Consumer Science Building at Collinsville High School.
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