Demopolis BOE discusses virtual school; sets public hearing (Includes Gallery)
Demopolis City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff set a public hearing for Monday, April 4, at 5 p.m. on the policy for a virtual school in the system.
Kallhoff told board members at their meeting Monday that the policy to be presented is a first draft. Comments and concerns from the community will be used to finalize the policy.
Board members were quick to raise their own concerns, specifically the issue of virtual student participation in extracurricular activities and academic standing in their classes.
Another issue to be resolved is whether to use a teacher from the school system, a teacher from a remote location or no instructor at all, said Kallhoff.
“A lot of public input is still needed,” he said.
Board member Olen Kerby expressed concern that the golf coach, who is also the high school math department head, will miss so much school at the end of the year when the boys and girls golf teams play in Montgomery.
“Spring sports are very difficult” when it comes to travel, Kallhoff said. Any given day up to four games or matches may be played, and school personnel must be with each team.
The comments came when the board approved out-of-state and/or overnight trips for the golf teams to Montgomery and Mobile beginning April 23 and continuing through May 11.
Other travel approved were the Demopolis High Beta Club to Birmingham April 14 and 15 and the DHS DECA club to Nashville, Tenn., April 23-27.
The board approved the Personnel Plan for the coming year. All campuses will gain a teaching unit except for Demopolis Middle School, which remains the same.
The plan includes changes in guidance counselor service at Westside, U.S. Jones and DMS from 9.5 months to 10 months. At DHS the term is extended from 10.5 months to a full 12 months. In addition, DMS and DHS will split the services of a counselor 40/60.
Personnel initiatives for the upcoming year include a 10-month instructional specialist, a gifted teacher for nine months and a nine-month rotating custodian.
Kallhoff said the school system is beginning to update its five-year strategic plan. He will start this week by holding meetings with students. Community meetings are planned at a later date.
The board approved the Summer Feeding Sites at five locations. WES will be June 6-July 1 from 10:30 a.m. to noon; USJ, June 6-July 29 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; DMS, June 6-July 29, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; DHS, July 25-July 29, 11 a.m. to noon, and the Housing Authority, June 6-July 29, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Summer school will be in two sessions: June 6-30 and July 6-26.
Summer work hours at all schools and the Central Office will be Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 7 a.m. to noon, May 31-July 29.
The board approved the following personnel changes:
- Retirement of Geraldine Walker (RN), school nurse, at the end of the school year.
- Maternity leave for Trena Reynolds, WES, from the first day of school until Oct. 3
- Substitutes Maleah Digmon and Rashard Ward, licensed, and Lydia Sutcliffe, certified teacher P.E.
- Tony Giddens, as an extra-curricular bus driver.
The board also passed the lodging rate at Orange Beach, Gulf Shores or Point Clear for actual room cost up to $400 per night for approved summer Professional Development.
Continuing the practice of recognizing students and teachers, Kallhoff gave certificates and gift cards to Brennan Posey, kindergarten student, and William Jackson III, lunchroom custodian, at WES and to Avake Jones, eighth grader, and Rosie Tuck, special needs bus driver and para-professional for special needs class, from DMS.
The next board meeting will be April 18.
