DCS receives high accreditation scores; BOE codes robots at meeting
With the clap of hands or the light from a cell phone, Demopolis City Schools Board of Education members made little robots move to their commands Monday.
The board continued its practice of meeting at different campuses this spring with a visit to Demopolis High School. Principal Terina Gantt, Computer Science teacher Kelly Gandy and Trey Bucarel, one of her students, explained how the Computer Science curriculum has become popular and already has met all the new nine standards set recently by the state.
“Alabama Computer Science is really making its mark across the nation,” said Gandy.
With grants it has received and with the possibility of another grant soon to be awarded, the DHS computer curriculum is preparing students to be ahead of the technology game of the future, said Gantt.
During the public comments section of the agenda, Nikki Carter used all her allotted time to speak on urging conflict resolution when differences arise in the schools “so we can make things better” and “resolve problems through collaborative effort.”
Carter came before the BOE in 2018 to speak on the issue of bullying in Demopolis schools, but in this appearance, she asked the board for more transparency by posting board policies and minutes on its website and providing complaint forms at each campus. She also said the bullying problem has not been addressed since the last time she spoke before the board.
In his comments to the board, Willis proudly announced the school system received the highest or next to highest rating on 30 of the 31 global standards set by the Accreditation Committee.
“It’s something worth celebrating,” he said. The average score ranges between 278-283. Demopolis reached 313.
The only low score was the lack of a strategic plan. Willis said DCS knew going into the review that would be the case. He received board approval for LEAN Frog to help DCS set up a new stakeholder-driven five-year plan. Work on the plan will begin late in the summer.
Willis also addressed one of the issues raised by Carter in her comments. He said the new, fully updated DCS web page and social media presence would be online April 29.
The board approved two quotes from Learning Labs, Inc. Both will be paid for through grants at no cost to the school system. The first, for $23,713.34, is to begin promoting Career Tech in Demopolis Middle School. The second, a partner to the first, will be to hire teachers to introduce and explain careers to DMS students at a cost of $116,363.22.
Harris School Solutions received board okay to update software for all personnel records and forms and keep track of work orders at a cost of $47,775. Much of the work has been done by hand using paper forms.
Supt. Tony Willis said a review of job descriptions revealed that at least 40 positions were out of date or non-existent. Administration reviews are being done on all of them. The board approved 10 that had been completed.
He told the board the Westside Elementary School multi-purpose building remains behind schedule, but the contractor assured him work will pick up once the building is enclosed. Willis said he is skeptical it will be completed by the Aug. 13 deadline.
In other action, the board approved:
- Inventory dispositions of technology beyond repair.
- Update on Impact 180o Program guidelines to provide for a broader group of students.
- One DHS student and coach to attend the Track Heptathlon at Hoover High School May 16-17.
- Use of the DHS Auditorium by Dance By Design May 15.
- DMS Disney World Trip Jan. 15-20, 2023.
Larry Perrin with Schneider Electric spoke to board members about their interest in upgrading the lighting and thermostats in the school system buildings. He said his company would evaluate and prepare a plan. If the board goes with the plan, the cost would be rolled into the total cost of the project. If the board declines, it would have to pay the fee for the work.
Perrin said estimates now are that the board can save $2.6 million in utility costs over 10 years.
The board approved the retirement/resignation of 10 employees: Gary Gibson, DMS principal; Brenda Moore, lunchroom worker; Robin Dunn, history teacher; Peggie Rowser and Nancy Seale, WES aides; Tracey Stewart and Jennifer Clem, kindergarten teachers; Tammy Capps, P.E. teacher, and Mary Griffin, in-school suspension facilitator. The resignation of Terry Fountain, JROTC instructor, also was granted, but Fountain returned to work from a leave of absence.
Substitutes approved are Tommy Perkins, DMS lunchroom, through April 18; Karla Galvan and Ashley Hill. Perkins was hired as a nine-month custodian beginning April 19.
Roger Locke, maintenance supervisor, was granted FMLA.
The next meeting will be May 19 at WES.