DCS Board recognizes Teachers of the Year
Before the business portion of its meeting began Friday, the Demopolis City Board of Education recognized four Teachers of the Year, one from each of the system’s campuses.
Honored were Hannah Kennedy, Westside Elementary; Jennifer Bedsole, U.S. Jones Elementary; Trish McVay, Demopolis Middle, and Kim Browder, Demopolis High.
The board voted for a $750 supplement to be given to each of the campus Special Education Department chairs at the end of the school year. The four are Kennedy, WES; Shelia Peterson, USJ; Jennifer Jones, DMS, and Elaine Carr, DHS. They will be designated as assistants to the Special Education coordinator in their job descriptions.
Three Child Nutrition Policies were approved, after public hearings were scheduled, in order to be in compliance with federal and state guidelines. The policies involved meal patterns, wellness and price and payment.
The University of West Alabama Track & Field Team was granted use of the DHS track. Supt. Kyle Kallhoff said the agreement benefits both groups since the UWA athletes work with the DHS track team.
The board also approved other uses for facilities but questioned whether police presence was required. Kallhoff said he and board attorney Alex Braswell will investigate.
With an amendment to the motion, the board voted to approve two events Feb. 17 and March 24 by Zeta Nu and Nu Phi for the DHS auditorium for Step performances and a request from Ross Martial Arts to use the DHS auditorium Jan. 13 for a competition.
In other action, the board approved:
- Inventory disposition of two Dell computers.
- Paying the Rotary Club dues for Kallhoff.
- Procedures for the Visitor Card System, which will “go live” Jan. 4, said Kallhoff.
- Lewis Pest Control Service Agreement.
- An agreement with the UWA Athletic Training Education Program and DHS.
- Substitute license for Allie Marques.
- Long-term substitution of Victoria Paige Gandy for Kristi Stokes at USJ.
- The Americans with Disability Act Accessibility Report for DMS, opening the way for the school system to renovate the campus to accommodate students with disabilities.
In his report, Kallhoff thanked Demopolis voters for renewing the 3-mill, 10-year property tax, which is expected to bring in some $250,000 annually.
He also congratulated Tristan Mullen, DHS senior, one of two students in the state selected for the U.S. Senate Youth Program. With the honor, Mullen also received a $10,000 scholarship.
The next meeting will be Jan. 22 at 5:15 p.m.