Schools have ‘relatively smooth start’
One vacancy remains to be filled in Demopolis City Schools, but except for that, the system had a “relatively smooth start,” Supt. Kyle Kallhoff told Board of Education members Monday.
Two teachers and the Demopolis High lunchroom manager resigned earlier this month, which meant administrators had to do some shuffling and last-minute hiring to start school, he said.
Conditional employment was granted to Jesse Miles, Demopolis Middle Career Prep teacher; Molly Malone, Westside Elementary teacher, and Raven Simmons, WES special education aid.
Resignations came from Kianga Austin, 4th grade; TyReice Mack, first grade, and Roberta Edwards, DHS lunchroom manager. Sandra Harris has suspended her retirement and resumed her position in the lunchroom.
In other personnel matters:
- Carrie Goodman requested maternity leave begging Oct. 1.
- Caitlyn White, DHS science teacher, is modifying the return date from maternity leave to Oct. 2, and Michelle Schroeder will serve as her sub until then.
- Nan Dollar will be the long-term first grade sub until Sept. 19.
- Jeffery Bonner is the long-term sub for JROTC at DHS.
- Iesha Morris, WES lunchroom worker, is modifying her return date from maternity leave to Sept. 30.
- Nesbert Vaval is a volunteer with tennis at DHS.
- Cynthia Burton asked to be removed from the substitute teaching list, but Tanika Hogan, Ernest Taylor, Linda Johnson, Alexandria Ward and Heather Wilson were added. In addition, Clarissa Mullen was added to the list as a sub lunchroom employee.
- James Curry was approved to teach architecture, construction and manufacture classes at DHS on a part time basis.
The board also approved a $5 per day raise in substitute pay, effective Oct. 1. The system now pays the state minimum.
Most of the rest of the meeting concerned contracts and bids.
The board approved a $1,800 contract with Fleming Photography to take pictures at 30 school events during the year to be used by the system for its web page and social media. Each school will select three events, and the remainder will be athletic events.
Kallhoff said the school system is “trying something new” with the photography contract.
In other action, the board approved:
- The supervision of Low Risk Juvenile Sex Offenders Policy.
- Standard Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit agreement with Shelton State Community College.
- A resolution commemorating the U.S. Jones High School Class of 1969, which will have its 50th reunion in September. Board member Carolyn Moore proudly said she was a member of that Blue Devils class.
- Renewal of the contract with Lewis Pest Control for annual termite coverage of $4,225 and quarterly inspection of $3,440, an increase of about $500.
- Purchase of a maintenance utility truck for $23,900, about $1,000 under budget.
- Out-of-state and/or overnight field trips.
- Use by the Armstead Family of the DHS gym on Aug. 24.
In his comments, Kallhoff said attendance is down about 12 students from last year. The ADA construction at DMS is nearing completion. With extra funds left over, new commodes and urinals are being purchased.
Other projects planned in the near future include replacing the DMS gym floor, providing outdoor lighting for WES, USJ and DMS and repairing the asphalt at the DHS tennis courts.