Demopolis BOE selects Kallhoff as new superintendent
To the applause of those in the room, the Demopolis City School Board selected Kyle Kallhoff as the next superintendent of schools.
Reading from a prepared statement, board chairman Conrad Murdock said board members gave their top two choices in a sealed envelopes to board attorney Alex Braswell who tabulated the votes. The two candidates chosen were Kallhoff and Dr. Elisabeth Davis.
Murdock and board member Linda Russell interviewed the two by phone Monday morning and shared their conversations with the rest of the board.
On a motion by Jim Stanford, the board voted unanimously for Kallhoff.
Murdock took time to thank the board and especially the Demopolis community and its leaders for support during the selection process.
The board also approved the 2015-2016 Code of Conduct for students, which included a “drastic change” in cell phone usage, said interim superintendent Dr. Frank Costanzo.
Under the new rules, no student will be allowed to have a cell phone or any device that can connect to an external network, except for extra-curricular activities.
If found, the device will be taken up and returned to the parent at the first infraction. With a second infraction, the device will be held until the end of the school year.
“We don’t want cell phones disrupting instruction,” said Costanzo
Tablets or other devices only will be allowed in a classroom with a teacher’s request in writing.
The only other change was to the dress code, which prohibits any dress that can be considered disruptive. Principals will determine the proper action.
The Code of Conduct will be given to all parents and will be posted on the system web site.
The board approved an agreement with Shelton State Community College for Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit for the 2015-2016 school year.
“We’re proud to have the agreement,” said Costanzo, “in providing our students with Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit.”
In other action the board approved BRESCO as the lowest responsible bidder – who complied with all bid requirements – for Career Tech Culinary Project equipment in the amount of $52,273.82.
It has yet to be determined whether the equipment will be housed at Demopolis High School or in the Career Tech center proposed for the former New Era building. The equipment had to be purchased by the grant deadline, or funding for it would have been lost.
The board approved a contract with Robbins Engineering LLC for project management services with the DHS HVAC renovation.
Robbins Engineering will provide on-site representation to make sure the project is completed on time.
“There are issues, but there are no issues that cannot be corrected before school starts,” said Costanzo.
The board accepted the resignation of Kendra Elmore, U.S. Jones third grade teacher, and has posted the position. The only other personnel matter was the correction of a name for conditional employment approved July 14. The correct name is Logan Colvin.
Costanzo said new teachers will have orientation on August 6; Teacher Institute will be August 10; In-Service day is scheduled August 11; Professional Development, August 12, and classes begin August. 13.