DCS board approves $2.5 million in contracts
Almost $2.5 million worth of contracts for new construction, renovations and ventilation upgrades received approval Monday at the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education meeting.
Interim superintendent Dr. Walter Davie reported Kyser Construction of Tuscaloosa was the low bidder for the multi-purpose building at Westside Elementary school for $2,199,200, after adjustment of the bid package.
The bid by N.C. Morgan Construction, also of Tuscaloosa, of $181,550 was well under the approved budget of $325,000 for renovations at U.S. Jones Elementary and Demopolis Middle schools.
Rice Heating and Cooling of Demopolis won contracts for both the air purifiers for HVAC systems at all schools for $23,215, paid for through the CARES Act, and the HVAC system at the WES cafeteria for $24,971.
Tisha Lewis’s two-year probation as principal at WES has ended. Her new contract, along with those of Bridgett Powell, USJ principal, and Derrick Hester, principal at DMS, are for three years and one month. Davie explained this measure was taken so that contracts for all 12-month employees end on June 30.
The board voted on a Memorandum of Understanding with Vanderbilt University to allow student teachers from the college to be placed in Demopolis schools. Last month the board also entered into a contract with Mississippi State University.
The board held its first reading of revisions to the system’s Wellness Policy. The additions primarily pertain to food and nutrition but also include communication with parents and safe routes to schools. A second reading and a vote on the revised policy will be made at the next board meeting.
Shelley Patrenos with the Examiners of Public Accounts presented the finding of the state audit for 2020. Only one problem arose, which already has been resolved, she told the board.
Ashley Coplin, executive director of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation, gave an update on the organization’s activities, including the $45,000 in grants presented last fall. A round of grants this spring will be announced in May.
She announced a new adventure this month, an innovative way to thank DCSF donors and to raise money, since the coronavirus pandemic prevented previous fund-raisers. “A Night of Lights” will be going live on the Internet April 28 at 6:30 p.m. The DHS marketing students and Tiger Guild performers will showcase student talent, air DCSF grants in action and announce the winners of the silent auction now underway.
In other action the board approved:
- Revision of pay for the summer learning program.
- Interquest Detection Canines for August 2021-May 2022.
- Adoption of the math textbooks for the next school year.
- Out-of-state and/or overnight travel request from DMS for trips to Disneyworld in February 2022 and Washington, D.C. in May 2022 and for the DHS JROTC-Cadet Leadership Camp May 28-31 in Columbiana.
The board approved the personnel report as follows:
- Resignations: Stacy Cyd Johnston, DHS math teacher; Andrew Lowery, DHS career prep/health teacher and assistant varsity football coach and head DMS baseball coach, and Calen Lowery, DHS math teacher and head varsity girls’ basketball coach and assistant varsity girls’ softball coach.
- Conditional employment: Dionne Reese, Cheyenne Martin and Amanda Powell, USJ teachers, and Dominique Collins and Courtney Smith, WES teachers.
- Substitutes: Michael Coats and Riley Benson with sub license to work lunchroom and custodial.
- Modified return date for FMLA of Casey Morgan, DMS lunchroom worker, to April 26.
- Leroy Harris, DMS custodian, requesting FMLA through April 28.
The next board meeting will be Friday, May 14, at 2 p.m.