DHS, DMS getting technology updates
Demopolis High School won’t have to wait another year to have the out-of-date Smartboards replaced with more up-to-date Promethean Panels
The Demopolis Board of Education Monday approved a plan with Synergetics to install the new screens at both DHS and Demopolis Middle School this year. The school system will continue to pay the regular amounts until the cost of all the equipment is paid for.
Supt. Kyle Kallhoff told the board that the school system has 96 fewer students than last year, which means 4.5 teaching units were lost.
He said the reduction was covered by attrition. Two units at both DHS and U.S. Jones Elementary and an adjunct position have gone unfilled.
However, on a positive note, the Alabama legislature appropriated $600 per teacher for classroom supplies.
In reviewing legislation passed in the 2019 session, Kallhoff said Demopolis already has begun working on the literacy bill. The bill, which will first affect this year’s first graders, requires that all students be proficient in reading by the end of the second grade or they will not advance to the third grade.
A state committee is being set up to implement the bill. Kallhoff said he is advocating someone from Demopolis be appointed to the committee.
He reminded the board of the important vote on March 20 to decide whether the state Board of Education members will be appointed rather than elected. The issue also will determine whether the governor will appoint a state Superintendent of Education or have that person continue to be selected by the state BOE.
A third piece of legislation approved allows emergency teaching certificates to last two years instead of one, he added.
The board approved Kallhoff’s attendance at the Southern Regional Education Board meeting in Baltimore on July 11. Kallhoff will be one of the presenters, speaking on the STEAM center at DMS known as Lab 212.
The DMS and DHS cheerleading squads were approved for travel to Tuscaloosa July 22-25 for cheerleading camp. DHS softball will play in Corinth, Miss., on March 6-7; Leroy on March 13-14; Gulf Shores, March 22-25, and Tuscaloosa, April 24-25.
In other action, the board approved:
- The state auditor’s report, presented by Cindy Wilson. There were several actions by the board that required correction.
- Dispositions of technology items that are beyond repair or outdated.
- Use of the USJ gymnasium and cafeteria in May 2020 by the USJ Class of 1970.
The board also heard from Latrell Arrington with the Alabama Youth Tobacco Prevention Program, part of the West Central Alabama AHEC. Arrington asked the board to consider updating its current policy on smoking to include vaping. He also said programs to reduce smoking by students should begin earlier than the 10th grade. Demopolis’ policy is solid but can be improved, he told the board.
Kalhoff said the system still is looking to fill a school counselor position at DMS and a technology technician.
Conditional employment was approved for:
- Julie Wright, special education teacher at DMS
- Calen Turner, math teacher at DHS.
- Allison Hannah, lunchroom cook at DMS
- Cleshanah Barlow, lunchroom cook at USJ
- Roberta Edwards, lunchroom manager at DHS
- Corey McCormack, network administrator for Demopolis City Schools
- Teresa Scruggs, special education teacher at Westside Elementary
- Jeremy Johnson, P.E. teacher at WES, pending certification
- Jenna Morgan, Brittany Donald and Laurice Thomasson, WES teachers
- Tracy Moore, pre-K auxiliary teacher at WES
- Beth Fleming, 9-month (with one-month additional supplement at her current daily rate) assistant principal at USJ.
- Laura Holley, 10-month assistant principal at WES.
Braswell Braswell is being transferred from USJ to DMS as a social studies teacher, pending certification.
Crystal Harvey-Murphy, para-professional at USJ, was designated non-renewal.
Maternity leave was given to Caitlyn Hugh, USJ, and Iesha Morris, lunchroom worker at WES. DMS custodian Leroy Harris, was granted leave.
The next board meeting will be Monday, July 22, at 5:15 p.m.