Thursday, April 25, 2024

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School board gets update on year of the virus; okays architect firm

Jan McDonald , , ,

On the first day students who had been learning virtually had the option of returning to Demopolis classrooms, Supt. Kyle Kallhoff gave the Board of Education an update on how the school system is fairing during the global pandemic.

Since the start of the school year he knows of five students and four employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus, requiring some 40 students and staff to be isolated because of close contact to those infected.

He said about 60 percent of the virtual students have returned to school, leaving another 372 students who remain online for their education.

USJ teacher Jannalee Duke is shown with principal Bridgett Powell, Supt. Kyle Kallhoff and board member Carolyn Moore.

Thanks to the money from the CARES Act, the school system has made another order for plexiglass dividers. The latest order will be used primarily at U.S. Jones and Westside elementary schools. Each campus also is getting extra equipment for custodians to sanitize, and air purifiers for each classroom should be delivered this week.

Some $300,000 CARES Act money also was used to purchase 600 Chrome Books now with another 600 expected in the spring to replenish those that are no longer usable. Teachers who are conducting classes under trying conditions, both virtually and in the classroom, will receive an extra incentive in November as a thank-you, Kallhoff continued. The money come from both the CARES Act and local funds.

Jennifer McCray, support staff at USJ, is with Principal Powell, Supt. Kallhoff and Board member Moore.

He reported the USDA has extended the free meals through the end of the school year. The program had been scheduled to run through the end of the calendar year.

The board approved hiring Ward Scott Architects of Tuscaloosa to design the multi-purpose building at WES. The $1.7-million building is being made possible with an expected $3 million that the Demopolis system will receive from a state-issued bond sale. Kallhoff said the funds should be available for the school system to draw on in mid-November.

USJ student Aniyah Bennett is with her principal Powell, Supt. Kallhoff and board member Moore.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Advertising for a custodian.
  • A contract with Kathleen Randall for assisting with DHS cheerleading.
  • Olen Kerby as the delegate and Harris Hurst as the alternate to the AASB 2020 conference, which will be held virtually.
  • Inventory disposition of a printer.
  • Addendum to a contract with Whitfield Regional Hospital which provides therapy for the school system.
  • The 2020-2021 DHS basketball schedules for both boys and girls.
  • Overnight travel for the DHS Cross Country team for the State Meet Nov. 13-14 in Oakville.

The board restarted the practice at meetings of recognizing the teacher, support staff and student of the month, which had been suspended when the virus hit in the spring.

DHS English teacher Rachel White is with board Chairman Conrad Murdock, Principal Terina Gantt and Supt. Kallhoff.

Honored with a certificate and donations from Robertson Banking Company and Batter Up were, from DHS, Rachel White, English teacher; Dorothy Bruno, administrative assistant, and Earl Jones, a senior.

From USJ were fourth grade teacher Jannalee Duke; Jennifer McCray, computer lab paraprofessional, and student Aniyah Bennett.

Kallhoff also announced that the DMS basketball games will be played in the DHS gym. Social distancing restricts the number of spectators, and the DHS facility will allow more seating.

DHS Administrative Assistant Dorothy Bruno is with board member Murdock, Principal Gantt and Supt. Kallhoff.

He presented awards to board members for completing the next phase of training. Carolyn Moore received the Master 3rd year; Chairman Conrad Murdock, Master 2nd year, and Floy Mayberry, Master 1st year.

The board approved the following personnel report:

  • Kelsey Hafley declined the offer of math teacher at DHS.
  • Lydia Bedsole Williams was transferred from rotating custodian to lunchroom cook at USJ.
  • Substitutes Zhana Todd and John Grindle.
  • FMLA request from USJ lunchroom worker Paula Price through Nov. 30.
  • Kristy Smith to receive a $1,000 supplement as a volleyball assistant coach to be paid for with volleyball funds.
  • FMLA request from Alyssa Stewart, WES, from March 23 through May 28, 2021.
  • Regina Hill as long-term sub for Stewart.
  • Terry Fountain, JROTC instructor, to receive the prorated amount of $993.25 for the JROTC supplement.
  • FMLA request from Thomasene Russell, USJ aid, through Jan. 4, 2021.
  • FMLA request from Patricia Bolden, USJ teacher, from March 3 through May 5, 2021.
  • Brittney Stacey as long-term sub for Bolden.
  • Beth Wideman named JV/Assistant Coach for tennis with a supplement of $1,109.
  • Charles Jones named as basketball B-Team Boys Coavh with the supplement of $2,836.