DeKalb County Board of Education
By Sherri Blevins
The DeKalb County Board of Education met on Thursday, January 7, 2021, for its first meeting of the new year. During the work session, Dr. Barnett stated, “Getting through the fall semester was a feat and tremendous work by all of our employees, our faculty, staff, teachers, custodians, CNP, nurses, bus drivers, and administrators. They all did a fantastic job, and I am really proud of all the work that went into making the first semester a success. There were some challenging times, but we had a good semester.”
Dr. Barnett highlighted new challenges to overcome in the spring semester, including standardized testing, proms, and graduation. He gave an overview of the school’s budget that looked promising for the spring and the possibility of improvements to be made with additional funding from the CARES Act’s extension.
During the regular meeting, the Honorable Andrew Hairston administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Barnett, allowing him to officially start his second term as Superintendent. Dr. Barnett was unopposed in his reelection bid. His mother, Karen Barnett, wife Leah, daughter Leighton, and son Porter joined him during his oath.
Dr. Barnett stated, “It is an honor to be sworn in.” He went on to say, “I am proud of what we have accomplished over the last four years. I have been looking back at the Facebook Timeline over the last few days at our accomplishments. There is no doubt; I believe that it is not because of me necessarily, or anything, but just the work. I think people have been ready to do some different things in a different way. We can’t do anything without people in the schools working.” At the end of the meeting, Dr. Barnett thanked his family for always supporting him in his position.
The Board approved the following actions:
- Early Graduation –Audrey Brundage – Ider High School
- On the Job Injury
- Constance Bowman – CNP Worker – Geraldine High School – 0 days 5.
- Paul Larry Laney – Bus Driver – Valley Head High School – Retirement – 1/1/21
- Jonathan Ty Cole – Secondary Social Sciences Teacher – Crossville High School – Resignation
- Diana Brown – ESL Tutor – Crossville Middle School – Contract Termination – 1/5/21
- Arhely Canales Musino – Itinerant Migrant Home Liaison – District – 12/1/20 6.
- Macy Cole – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Elementary School – 1/11/21-2/22/21
- Teresa Ann Word – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Elementary School – 11/2/20-12/18/20 (Extension from 11/30/20)
- Heather Beritiech – Elementary Teacher – Crossville Middle School – 1/19/21-2/16/21
- Tobey Hicks – Secondary Science Teacher – Crossville High School – 1/4/21-2/16/21
- Karen Boyd – Bus Driver – Plainview High School – 1/4/21-3/1/21
- Lauren Paige Phillips – Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher – Fyffe High School – 2/12/21-4/28/21
- Regeania Dickerson – Special Education Teacher – Collinsville High School 2/16/21-5/27/21
- Eryn Thrash – Child Nutrition Program Secretary to Assistant to the Child Nutrition Program Supervisor at the Central Office (2020-253) (Effective 1/4/21)
- Alicia Satterfield – Itinerant Special Education Teacher at Geraldine High School to Itinerant Psychometrist at the Annex (2020-262) (Effective 1/4/21)
- Placements (All placements are made pending a background review meeting suitability criteria and negative, pre-employment drug screen and appropriate certification)
- Lindsey Higdon – Elementary Teacher (1/4/21-5/27/21) – Ider High School (2020-260)
- Ethan Turbyfill – Secondary Social Sciences Teacher – Geraldine High School (2020-260-1)
- Rachel Johnson – Itinerant Special Education Teacher – Geraldine High School (2020-263) (Effective 1/4/21)
- William Holter – Secondary Social Sciences Teacher – Crossville High School (2020-264)
- Cary Dewayne Hearn – Bus Driver – Crossville Elementary School (2020-259) (Effective 1/11/21)
- Amy Thomas – Pre-K Auxiliary – Plainview High School (2020-266)
- Ider High School a. Anthony Blevins – Baseball
- Katelyn Freeman – Homebound – IDEA B
- Margaret Brown – Clerical Help – Local
- Alex Thomas – Student Technician – Local
- Sharon Miller – Intervention Teacher – Ruhama Jr. High School
- Superintendent’s Recommendations, Comments, and Reports
- Supplement from Fyffe Athletic Club – Paul Benefield- $10,000
- COVID Leave
- Continuation of Families’ First Coronavirus Relief Act through March 31, 2021.
- Continuation of Remote work Application through March 31, 2021.
- 2021-2022 DeKalb County Schools Calendar Placed on the Table for consideration
- Permission to Place Pending Board Approval
Thursday, February 18, 2021, is the date for the next regular meeting beginning at 5:00 PM with the work session at 4:30 PM in the meeting room at the Facilities Building.
DeKalb County Board of Education