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Mask mandate ends in Demopolis schools; principals review plans for the year

Jan McDonald , , , , , ,

Masks no longer are required of students, faculty and staff in Demopolis City Schools.

The mask mandate imposed at the beginning of the school year officially ended Monday, but at its meeting Monday night, the Board of Education voted to reimpose the mask requirement at a school if positive numbers jump to one percent of the population.

Supt. Tony Willis said the DCS system hasn’t been above one percent in more than a month; only two students are positive now, which is one-tenth of one percent. Although masks are not required, he encouraged people to continue wearing them.

The school system’s four principals each gave a brief overview of their school’s Alabama Continuous Improvement Plan (ACIP) for the year. Required by the state and voted on by the board, the ACIP plans show how schools will progress over the year.

Westside Elementary principal Tisha Lewis said the emphasis this year for all 554 students will be math and reading. All students have been issued a Chrome Book and will be exposed to technology each day. Lewis said the staff also will work on improving more parental involvement.

Bridgett Powell, principal of U.S. Jones Elementary, called it “the best school in the state of Alabama.” Its goal is to be among the top 10 percent in the state by stressing that all students can learn. This year the emphasis is on more personalized learning, helped by full-time reading and math coaches.

At Demopolis Middle School, Dr. Gary Gibson said the school has “as good a faculty, or better, than anywhere I’ve ever been.” The first-year principal said the learning gaps this year are wider because of Covid. “We want to take care of all kids.”

Terina Gantt, principal of Demopolis High, said the school has several goals this year: improving scores on ACT and WorkKeys; classroom instruction and assessment; parental involvement night for rising freshmen, and implementing DHS Care, the recognition of businesses and individuals in Demopolis who have shown outstanding support for the school.

Willis recognized three board members for their continued training. Honored by the Alabama Association of Schools Boards were Carolyn Moore, Master 4th year; Chairman Conrad Murdock, Master 3rd year, and Harris Hurst, Level 2.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Supplemental pay for positions now assigned that were not filled earlier.
  • Updating the salary schedule showing the two percent salary increase approved by the state.
  • Contracts with Kathleen Randall to assist varsity cheerleading; Rodney Rowser, varsity track assistant, and Robert Steiner, boys’ varsity soccer assistant.
  • Blanket purchase orders on a routine payment schedule instead of having to approve payments each month.
  • Contract with The Learning Tree, Inc. for applied behavioral analysis of students when needed.
  • Purchase of 1,900 headphones from Howard Technology Solutions for $38,000.
  • Annual capital plan, as required by the state, of a wish list of items the school system would undertake should the funds become available. Willis said most of the items on the list have been included for years.
  • Supplement for Rosie Tuck for additional special education duties.
  • Asking the state for a rate for leveraging of public school funds should the school system entertain borrowing money for improvements.

The board also okayed field trip requests:

  • DHS Girls Softball to Daphne High School Feb. 24-25, 2022; Corinth, Miss., High School March 4-5, 2022; Gulf Shores Tournament March 27-30, 2022, and Saraland High School, April 2022.
  • DHS Science students to Dauphin Island Sea Lab Nov. 2-3.
  • DMS football team and cheerleaders to the first annual Tornado Bowl in Laurel, Miss, Oct. 30.

Personnel changes included:

  • Resignations: Andrea Miller, ACCESS Lab Facilitator, JV softball head coach and assistant varsity coach and DMS head girls’ basketball coach; Traci Stein, DMS P.E. aide; Sarah Stanley, DMS secretary.
  • Hired: Julia P. Singleton, ACCESS Lab Facilitator at DHS; Beverly Bridget Cox Ryan, DMS P.E. aide.
  • Leave of absence: Constance Cleveland, WES, beginning Aug. 6, and Courtney Kerby, DHS Career Prep, March 14-May 16, 2022.
  • Retirement: Constance Cleveland, WES.

Willis announced Tanya Chestnut, the state Board of Education member for the district that includes Demopolis, will make her first visit to the city on Friday.