DCS teachers start year with institute
Teachers got off to a spirited start to the new Demopolis school year as they were treated to humor, inspiration and door prizes at the annual Teacher Institute Monday morning at Demopolis High School.
“God is good to have all of you back,” Supt. Kyle Kallhoff told the 250 teachers, administrators and staff gather in the auditorium. “You’re working hard and it’s showing results.”
From the opening ceremony as a DHS ensemble played “Amazing Grace” to the closing as the song “Light My Fire” played over the sound system, teachers were encouraged to work together, find the best way to reach their students and strive to reach the mission and goals of Demopolis City Schools.
The session also included awards and recognition. Amanda Barnes, executive director of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation, awarded the Hugh A. Lloyd Excellence in Education Award to two teachers. Laura Holley and Terri Speegle each received $500 for demonstrating their commitment to achieving excellence in the classroom.
Barnes also announced the winner of the rotating Schoolfest trophy. U.S. Jones Elementary won for the second year by raising the most money among the four campuses for the annual Foundation fundraiser. Accepting the $1,000 check for the honor were USJ coaches Brian Bradley, Brittany Dunston and Megan Gurley.
Barnes said this year the Foundation has $60,000 available to teachers for two rounds of grants.
More than 80 area businesses and individuals donated door prizes for those attending, and still others provided doughnuts, drinks and fruit for teachers as they arrived for the session.
In his address to the teachers Kallhoff reviewed the accomplishments over the past year – his first as superintendent – and gave a brief overview of the newly completed strategic plan for the school system.
Setting the tone for the future, Kallhoff said the system’s mission statement states that Demopolis schools will be in the top 10 percent in the state on all measurable tests.
He then set the expectations for the new school year, stressing that all students will be engaged, there will be more collaboration and communication among teachers, staff and stakeholders and the school system will become more rigorous as it breaks barriers and fights complacency.
Another expectation is that employees and students will have a 95 percent attendance rate. He called up the 13 teachers and staff who had perfect attendance over the past year.
Kallhoff said the school system paid out $134,650 for substitute teachers last year and only $15,210 in incentives for attendance. He challenged teachers to flip those numbers so they can receive $400 for perfect attendance.
“It doesn’t matter what goes on in Montgomery,” said Kallhoff, referring to the hiring of a new state superintendent of education. “What matters is what’s in this room. You have tremendous power and tremendous influence.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Labarron Mack with the Alabama Education Association who told teachers, “Don’t let anyone else tell your story. You can tell your story better that anyone.”
Mack said the AEA still is in litigation opposing the four percent hike in teacher insurance made by PEEHIP just a day after the Alabama legislature approved a four percent raise in pay for teachers, the first raise since 2008.
He also said teachers will be able to pay AEA dues through payroll deduction again instead of bank drafts.
Betsy Stephens, PTA president, said the group has been able to purchase needed equipment and supplies for Westside Elementary at USJ through fundraisers. Over the last three years more than $60,000 went to WES and more than $40,000 to USJ.
Also speaking was Police Chief Tommie Reese. “I’m excited to see you back,” he joked. “I’ve had your babies for the past couple of months” and he is ready for them to be back in school.
“Your job matters,” he continued. “You’re building our future. You’re building our legacy.”
Mayor Mike Grayson told the crowd, “Never lose sight of the importance of what you’re doing.”
Dawn Hewitt with the Marengo County Department of Human Resources gave an update on “Erin’s Law” regarding suspected child abuse. She reminded teachers that they are mandated reporters of suspected abuse.