Friday, May 3, 2024

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School COVID cases down; system awaits funds for capital improvements

Jan McDonald , , , ,

Seven positive cases for COVID-19 in Demopolis City Schools were reported the week ending Nov. 6, Supt. Kyle Kallhoff told the Board of Education Monday night. Another five cases were reported a week later, showing that precautionary measures are keeping he pandemic in check.

He said the state has send an additional 5,000 cloth masks for students and staff, and the school system has used CARES Act funds to purchase youth-sized face shields for all Westside Elementary students.

The board approved revising its capital plan to move up in priority the renovation of the interiors of U.S. Jones Elementary and Demopolis Middle School. Replacing the turf at Demopolis High School will drop in priority.

WES chose Jaylen Heard to be Student of the Month. With him are Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, principal Tisha Lewis and board member Floy Mayberry.

Kallhoff said letters have been sent to the state to request access to funds for capital improvements. Acknowledgement has come from the state to draw $400,000 for the purchase of property adjacent to DHS. He said he is waiting to get responses from letters about the $1.7 million for the multipurpose center at WES, $125,000 for DHS roof repairs and $200,000 to build an exit from DHS to U.S. Hwy. 80 W.

Lawson Boone was selected as DMS Student of the Month. He is shown with Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, principal Derrick Hester and board member Olen Kerby.

Parents of students learning virtually have until Dec. 11 to apply for on-campus instruction to begin Jan. 5, 2021, Kallhoff said. However, some virtual students are in danger of failing because of inactivity and/or little or no support at home, he continued. They will be required to report to a classroom on Nov. 30 to try to make sure they do not fail the year.

Susan Browder and Trish McVay share Teacher of the Month honors from DMS. with them are Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, principal Derrick Hester and board member Olen Kerby.

Students and staff from WES and DMS were honored at the meeting. From WES were teacher Robin Lee; support staff William “Bill” Jackson, and first grade student Jaylen Heard.

William “Bill” Jackson is the support staff from WES recognized for the month. With him are Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, principal Tisha Lewis and board member Floy Mayberry.

DMS chose to honor two teachers, Susan Browder and Trish McVay. Also recognized were Brenda Moore as the support staff and student Lawson Boone.

Brenda Moore was chosen support staff from DMS for November. With her are Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, principal Derrick Hester and board member Olen Kerby.

With the announcement that Evelyn James, the system’s Chief School Financial Officer since April 2011, will retire Jan. 1, Kallhoff said it is time to begin the search for her replacement.

Robin Lee is Teacher of the Month from WES. She is shown with Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, principal Tisha Lewis and board member Floy Mayberry

James is the first Black CSFO and Black female CSFO in Demopolis. She started in the Demopolis school system as director of the Child Nutrition Program from 1998 to 2006. After a year as CSFO in Greene County, she returned to Demopolis as bookkeeper at DMS.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Inventory dispositions of items beyond repair at USJ.
  • Supplemental pay for DHS Boys’ Soccer assistant coach Robert Steiner.
  • Revised 2020-2021 DHS basketball schedule.
  • Overnight travel for the DHS Boys’ Basketball team to a tournament in Athens Dec. 28-30.

Approved in the personnel report were:

  • Substitutes Anne Freeman with professional certificate and Gloria Fountain, pending issuance of sub license.
  • Jackie Tripp, FMLA request from Nov. 30 through Feb. 22, 2021.