BOE okays change in virtual learning; passes $3 million capital budget

When Demopolis schools offered both virtual learning and in-school classes at the start of the school year, parents opting for the on-line version understood it would extend through the first semester.

At the Board of Education meeting Monday, Supt. Kyle Kallhoff said that decision is being amended. Parents may send their children back to the classroom at the beginning of the next grading period Oct. 19.

Kallhoff said that about half the virtual students are doing very well, but others are struggling. To keep those students from falling too far behind, parents have the choice of sending them back to school. He said parents will need to let the school system know by Oct. 2 so schools will have time to adjust COVID-19 protocols to accommodate what is expected to be another 500 students.

Kallhoff praised students, faculty and staff for “embracing and following established protocols” on campus to combat the coronavirus. He said only three students have tested positive – none of which contracted the virus on campus. No employees have had a positive test.

One of the positive aspects of adjusting to COVID-19 is the greater communication between parents and teachers, he said. Though a special app, more than 700 phone calls have been made and more than 30,000 text messages have been recorded.

The board approved the 2020-2021 Capital Plan. Thanks to a state-wide capital bond approved by the legislature last spring, the Demopolis school system will have more than $3 million to made additions and improvements to its four campuses.

The Capital Planning Committee “usually goes over what we dream of doing,” said board member Olen Kerby. This will be the first time that many of those dreams may become reality.

First on the list is a $1.7 million multi-purpose facility at Westside Elementary. It will be built off the end of the second-grade hall and include a basketball court, stage and bleachers.

The board last month approved the purchase of 6.92 acres at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 80 W and Tiger Lane. The capital budget may be used not only to pay the $400,000 cost of the property but another $200,000 to pave an access road to the campus.

In the meantime, the Board approved Naheola Credit Union to provide financing for the project for seven years at 2.45 percent.

In a 2019 bill passed by the Alabama legislature, school systems in Marengo County and in Decatur were granted funding for the Best and Brightest STEM Program.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding so the money for the program will be funneled through the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce.

Best and Brightest offers incentives for graduates of Alabama universities who have student loans and are qualified to teach in the science, technology, engineering and math fields if they move to the county. Kallhoff said there are two possible employees interested in the program.

In other action the board approved:

• An agreement with the Learning Tree for Applied Behavioral Analysis Services for special needs students.
• The annual agreement with Lewis Pest Control.
• Funding one charter bus for the DHS band and one charter bus for the DHS football team for the Oct. 16 game at Marbury High School, for a total not to exceed $2,000.
• Superintendent professional development at the fall conference in Florence Oct. 12-14.
• Tentative out-of-state/overnight travel for the DHS softball team March 5-6 to Corinth, Miss., and March 28-31 to Gulf Shores.
• Inventory disposition of equipment that cannot be repaired.
• Revision of board Policy 7.19 Uniform Administrative Requirements.

The personnel report was approved:

• Conditional employment of Kelsey Hafley as DHS math teacher.
• Resignation of Greg Rhyne, DHS math teacher; Rick Wilson, adjunct Industrial Maintenance instructor at DHS, and Cleshanah Barlow, U.S. Jones Elementary lunchroom worker.
• Termination of Timothy Cain Sutton, Demopolis Middle history teacher.
• Temika Holloway as a substitute.
• Juleigh Stevens, WES, extending her leave of absence to Oct. 12.
• Anne Freeman, WES, modifying her retirement to Nov. 1.
• Special Education Lead Teachers to receive a supplement of $500 to be paid in September and again in September 2021. They are Tammy Knott, Shameka Gray and Melissa Latham. Mary Roberts will receive $500 in September 2021 only.
• Rosie Tuck, Special Education bus driver, to receive a supplement for additional bus duties to be paid as $2,000 in December and $2,000 in May 2021.
• Changes in softball supplements to reflect McKewn Dannelly removed as head coach at DMS and placed as the JV head/assistant varsity coach; remove Calen Turner Lowery as DMS assistant coach to become head coach at DMS.

The next board meeting is set for Oct. 19.