Demopolis BOE discusses school safety, posts USJ principal position
Demopolis City Schools Supt. Kyle Kallhoff spoke Tuesday on the growing concern of school safety in wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. last week.
Addressing the Board of Education meeting he said the school system will revisit its crisis plans at each of the four campuses and set up additional measures to make sure Demopolis students are safe.
He also said the school system will continue to work with the City of Demopolis and the Chief of Police to strengthen the School Resource Officer presence on each campus.
However, he added, there are issues that must be faced both before and after school hours. Parents, he said, must monitor children’s social media accounts, pay attention to any unusual behavior at home and get rid of violent video games.
“School safety is best implemented with the tri-pod approach: student, school, home,” he said.
U.S. Jones Elementary School principal Leon Clark will retire effective July 1, and the board approved advertising for his position.
In other personnel matters, the board approved:
- Brad Daniels as Demopolis Middle School baseball assistant coach with a supplement of $724.
- Transferring Trey Smith from DMS baseball head coach to Demopolis High School JV baseball head/assistant varsity coach and make adjustment in coaching supplement to $2,168.
- Transferring Brian Bradley from DMS baseball assistant coach to DMS baseball head coach and make adjustment in coaching supplement to $1,901.
- Kole Thrasher as a volunteer baseball coach at DMS.
- Jennifer Williams as a substitute.
- Veronica Long as a long-term sub at DMS for Tammi Western-Scott.
- Family Medical Leave for Roger Locke.
- Compensation for additional duties for David Vann, maintenance assistant, at the rate of $100 per week until Locke returns.
- Increase maximum work hours for Michael Randall to 30 per week for grounds keeping until Locke returns.
Valerie Crawford with Gear Up and Demopolis site facilitator Andy Turberville gave an update on the program, now in the fourth year of the seven-year grant. The program works with students and parents to prepare for post-secondary success in college, career or the military.
The board approved the following:
- 2018-2019 school calendar. Classes begin Aug. 13, 2018, and end May 23, 2019.
- Facility usage agreement with Adam Brown, DMS and USJ band director, in his efforts to start a River City Community Band.
- Agreement between WSLY and DHS.
- Hold Harmless agreement between Plaza Golf Carts and DHS.
- Approval of inventory dispositions.
The board approved out-of-state and/or overnight field trips for:
- DHS baseball team to Montgomery.
- DHS FBLA Club to Birmingham
- One DHS band student to Montgomery
- DHS Scholars Bowl to New Orleans
- DHS DECA Club to Birmingham.
Teachers, staff and students from DHS and USJ were honored in keeping with the tradition of recognizing outstanding people at the city’s schools.
From DHS, teacher Allene Jones, receptionist Dorothy Bruno and senior Lula Boone were recognized. Representing USJ were teacher Etta Pope, staff member Ralph Mullen and third grader Lawson Boone.
The next meeting will be Monday, March 19.