Demopolis BOE makes hires, readies for school year to begin

Much of the business conducted by the Demopolis City Schools board of education Tuesday involved preparations for the beginning of the school year and the acceptance of bids for the geothermal loop-field at Demopolis High School.

The board awarded four bids for the field, totaling almost $1.66 million. Supt. Al Griffin said change orders may come that would save several thousand dollars in addition to the almost $500,000 already saved.

The school system will purchase the supplies needed for the installation, which will save sales tax, and if the invoices are paid within 10 days, another one percent of the bid cost will be returned, Griffin continued.

Still to be awarded is the bid for labor and installation. Excavation for the loop-field will begin the first of August.

Mid-South Geothermal won the contract for the work with a bid of $833,057. Hydro-Temp won two bids, the first for HVAC equipment for $468,833, and the second for the digital equipment, $28,953. Cooper Brothers will handle the HVAC installation for $327,389.

The board also approved training by Software Technology Inc. (STI) for training two small groups of teachers at U.S. Jones Elementary and DHS for the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative.

Once trained, the teachers will pass on their knowledge to fellow teachers so that instructors in grades 3-12 will be proficient in including digital devices as part of classroom instruction. Demopolis Middle School teachers were trained last year and implemented BYOD during the 2013-2014 year.

“The general public doesn’t understand Bring Your Own Device,” said DMS principal Blaine Hathcock. Using the technology is more than accessing the internet to find out answers, he explained.

DHS principal Dr. Tony Speegle concurred. Having educators trained in using the devices is another step in having Demopolis schools move in the direction of 21st Century classrooms.

The board approved the purchase of two used buses from Thomas Built Buses at $59,000 each. Hathcock reported the vehicles, built in 2010, are in good condition and will be equipped with air conditioning.

The school system will pay for one bus and finance the other at an interest rate of 2.3 percent.

Child Nutrition program director Arletha Little presented bids for milk for the upcoming year. The board voted to award the bid to Borden Dairy for $70,462.64.

Evelyn James, CFO for the school system, said sales tax revenues for June were up almost $13,000 over the previous June and almost $109,000 for the year.

Griffin read a letter from Rachel Seales, DECA advisor for the Alabama Department of Education, commending the DHS DECA club for achieving the Gold Marketing Level. He praised the DHS DECA advisors Connie Davis, Courtney Taylor and Kelley Gandy.

The following personnel changes were approved:

  • Resignation of Heather Kennedy as DHS/DMS choral teacher.
  • Hiring Jillian Arthur as DMS/DHS choral teacher.
  • Hiring Alan Kasper as DHS science teacher
  • Hiring Jessica Dial as Central Office secretary.
  • Hire Sherry Feller for five days at $25/hour to train new Central Office secretary.
  • Hire Robert Timothy Jordan as DHS JROTC instructor.
  • Grant leave of absence for Ronny Edwards, DMS custodian, through Oct. 31.
  • Hire Allison Cobb as DMS science teacher.
  • Hire Thomasene Russell as USJ special education aide.
  • Open DHS Spanish position through August 4.

Approved as volunteer coaches were:

  • Trey Thornhill, DHS football
  • Ronnie Abrams and Gabrielle Essex, DHS basketball
  • Mike Randall, DHS baseball
  • Rodney Rowser, DHS track
  • Jeff Latham, DHS softball
  • Fleming Tartt, DHS tennis.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Modifications regarding the Teacher Attendance Incentive Program.
  • Use of the DMS Athletic Complex by the Demopolis Youth Football League.
  • 2014-2015 Code of Conduct.
  • 2014-2015 supplemental pay for coaches, sponsors and support activities.
  • 2014-2015 salary matrix.

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 18.