Demopolis BOE readies for new academic year in Monday meeting
Back-to-school preparations took up much of the Demopolis City Board of Education meeting Monday.
Board members voted on personnel changes, bids for services and other actions to get ready for the school year that starts in less than a month.
One of the actions taken was to approve an on-site counselor from West Alabama Mental Health to be at Demopolis Middle School to serve WAMH clients. The board pays nothing for the counselor but will provide an office, internet connection and phone in the library.
In addition to working with the WAMH clients, the counselor will also serve as a resource to the school counselor, said Kyle Kallhoff, superintendent. If the program works well this first year, it may be expanded to U.S. Jones or Westside Elementary Schools in 2018-2019.
Parents who want to pay on line for their child’s school lunch now use PayPams. The board voted to expand the service to allow parents to pay school fees on line as well.
However, the original motion was modified to make sure PayPams lowers its service fee as the school year progresses and the amount declines.
The Child Nutrition Program (CNP) bids approved included Four Seasons Produce, $23,783.11; Borden Dairy, $83,769.01, and Ice Cream Warehouse, $11,170.
In other action the board approved:
- An agreement with Shelton State Community College for the dual enrollment HVAC class.
- Extra-curricula supplements.
- Inventory disposition of four items, including a 1998 bus that will be offered for sale.
In consent items, the board voted for:
- A memorandum of understanding to implement in the new pre-K program
- A contract with Fleming Photography to take Demopolis High School pictures, including senior portraits, class photos and sports.
- Re-advertising the Central Office secretary position and expand it to 10 months with a commiserate salary.
- Advertising for a DMS English teacher.
- Rotary Club dues for the superintendent.
The personnel report included the following:
- Employment: Mary Ellen McCrory, CNP worker at WES; Nicole Jensen, Social Studies teacher at DMS; Tracey Stewart, 10-month assistant principal, split between WES and USJ; Jamie Webb, USJ teacher, and William Jackson, 12-month custodian at WES.
- Resignations: Pam Morrison, Central Office secretary, and Allison Cobb, English/Language Arts teacher at DMS.
- Transfers: Shawn Nikki Cobb, Special Education paraprofessional from USJ to DMS, and Ricky Richardson, Special Education paraprofessional from USJ to WES
- Substitutes: Elaine Carter and Katie Poole
- Miscellaneous: Brandi Dannelly, DHS girls P.E. teacher to a 10-month employee, and Norvie Womack, Career Prep teacher at DMS, to a 10-month employee.
Kallhoff gave the board a brief overview of the ACT, ACT Aspire and AP exam results for 2017, which will be shared with personnel at the Teacher’s Institute.
The board will hold a called meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, to make final personnel changes. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the board will be Monday, Aug. 21, at 5:15 p.m.