By Sherri Blevins
On June 14, 2022, the DeKalb County Board of Education held another early morning meeting. Before the official meeting, it held a work session to allow support organizations to address the Board and others to discuss items related to the business meeting.
First, Dianne Church, a representative of the Alabama Conference of Educators (ACOE), representing teachers and support professionals, explained the organization’s process of representing its clients. Church stated, “We start by doing member surveys from all our members. Once our directors and CEO obtain that information, they take that information to Montgomery, where they have individual meetings with State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, all the state legislators, and Governor Ivey. That is how our people in Montgomery know our stand on education issues. We also encourage our members to reach out to their local legislators and be familiar with them throughout the year. Last year, in addition to her face-to-face meeting, Governor Ivey called our CEO two additional times to discuss the pay raises with him.”
Next, Chief Financial Officer Anthony Cooper asked the Board to amend the F.Y. Budget 2022. Cooper explained the need for the adjustment. He said, “Each year after the original budget is approved in September by the Alabama State Department, systems have two opportunities to amend the budget. This is our one and only. The budget runs from October 1 through September 30. The last time a budget amendment can be made is June 15.” Cooper explained that this year the County had no subtraction of any funds from the original budget, but it has several additions. The additions came from state money, several grants, and many new programs. The County now receives supplements from the state for a Mental Health Coordinator, Bullying Prevention Program, Teacher Mentoring Program, Career Tech Extended 10-Month Contract, Cyber Security, and others. The County also received additional federal funds to apply to various areas with a September 30 spending deadline. Cooper asked the Board to agree to the amendment, and it voted to accept it.
The Board heard from one other department head during the work session. Dr. Atchley with the bus department updated everyone on the possibility of adding air-conditioned buses to the bus fleet. Through an unexpected circumstance, the Board has the opportunity to purchase fourteen buses with air-conditioners at a discounted price. The Board agreed to the bus purchase.
During the regular meeting, the Board approved the following personnel items:
Resignations
A. Rosemary Adams – Library Media Specialist – Crossville Middle School – 6/3/22
B. William Joshua Taylor – P.E. Teacher / Head Football Coach – Crossville High School –
6/6/22
C. Kent Colvin – P.E. Teacher – Crossville Middle School – 6/3/22
D. Willard Carter Jr. – Bus Driver – Collinsville High School – 6/3/22
E. Kaitlyn Knopps – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Geraldine High
School – 6/24/22
Transfer
A. Megan Adams from CNP Worker at Ider High School to Jr. High CNP Manager at
Henagar Jr. High School (2022-074) (Effective 6/6/22)
B. Chick Waycaster from Head Mechanic to Shop Foreman – Vehicle Maintenance
Supervisor at the Bus Garage (2022-084) (Effective 7/1/22)
C. Ian Richards from P.E. Teacher at Sylvania High School to Drivers Education Teacher at Plainview High School (2022-085) (Effective 8/1/22)
D. Laura Smith from Elementary Teacher at Crossville Elementary School to Elementary
Teacher at Collinsville High School (2022-096) (Effective 8/1/22)
E. Nicole Callahan from Elementary Teacher at Collinsville High School to Elementary
Teacher at Valley Head High School (2022-061) (Effective 8/1/22)
Placements
Certified
A. Dr. Keith Gorham – Science Teacher – Plainview High School
B. Autumn Hinton – Itinerant Special Education Teacher – Geraldine High School
C. Bailey Stephens – English Language Arts Teacher – Crossville Middle School
D. Riley Edwards – Varsity Boys Head Football Coach – Crossville High School
Support
E. Jordon Wright – CNP Worker – Plainview High School
F. Jonathon Dennis – Maintenance Employee – Facilities
G. Kayla Smith – Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional – Geraldine High School
Contracts
A. June 14, 2022 Contracts Report
B. TEAMS Contracts
a. Ted Boyd – Valley Head High School – Contract Resignation – Placement as
Mathematics Teacher
Superintendent Lyles announced that the system has contracted with Marzano High-Reliability Schools to help with school improvement planning. They will help the Superintendent’s office evaluate how teachers teach in the schools and help with strategic planning to prepare for accreditation in two years.
Lyles congratulated Fyffe Elementary for being recognized as an ALSDE Science of Reading Spotlight School. They were one of fourteen in the state selected. They were recognized for their collaborative coaching partnerships within structures that support the implementation of strong foundational literacy instruction based on the science of reading.
The next DeKalb County Board of Education meeting is July 1, 2022, at 9:00 am, with a work session at 8:45 am.