Demopolis BOE to hire Public Examiners for audit

By a unanimous vote the Demopolis Board of Education decided to request the Alabama Department of Public Examiners perform the school system’s audit for fiscal year 2014.

The item had been tabled from the September meeting to see if local accounting firm Mason and Gardner, LLC, could adjust the cost of the audit the firm has done for DCS.

“It’s not about quality,” stressed Supt. Dr. Al Griffin, “but a sound use of resources.” By going to the state, the system should save about half the cost of the audit.

The board also approved a resolution supporting Amendment 4 on the Nov. 4 ballot. The amendment would increase the requirement to a two-thirds vote, rather than a simple majority, of the Legislature in order to pass a law that would require local boards of education to spend over $50,000 in local funds without providing the funds to pay for the increased expense.

“Unfunded mandates hurt,” said Griffin, speaking in support of the resolution.

Griffin reviewed the results of the ACT Aspire Assessment administered in the spring, showing areas of strength and where schools need to focus. Principals attending the meeting explained how their teachers were working to use the information to help students.

In other action, the board approved:

• Disbursing athletic supplemental pay to coaches twice a year beginning in September 2015 instead of at the conclusion of each athletic season.
• The appointment of Carolyn Moore as the delegate to the Alabama Association of School Boards Convention in December. Linda Russell will be the alternate delegate.
• Overnight and out-of-state travel for the Demopolis High School Band to attend the Southern Star Festival of Champions in Panama City Beach, Fla., April 29-May 3, 2015.
• A Business Case Analysis Letter of Interest with Schneider Electric. The firm will make an extensive review of all electrical and other utility usage and report to the board on a proposed plan to reduce costs.

The board made the following personnel changes:

• Maternity leave for Andrea Johnson from April 1 to August, 2015.
• Maternity leave for Addy Card from Jan. 25 to March 15, 2015.
• Paschal Dunne as Soccer Volunteer once all required paperwork is completed.
• Modify athletic supplements to reflect Lisa McHugh as the head Demopolis Middle School Cheerleader sponsor and Jennifer Lay as the assistant sponsor.
• Accept the resignation of Ronnie Edwards as DMS custodian.
• Post DMS custodian position from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3.
• Hire Master Sgt. Rhule Pringle Jr., as DHS JROTC instructor
• Approve family medical leave for Susan Browder.

The next board meeting will be Nov. 17.