Sudden teacher resignations leave Demopolis BOE to scramble
Just when Demopolis City Schools thought its teaching staff had been filled, five teachers resigned this week.
That led to a called meeting of the Board of Education Thursday to transfer two teachers and hire three others in time for the opening of school Monday.
It also caused Supt. Kyle Kallhoff to express his frustration at teachers who leave a week before classes begin. While he doesn’t fault them for choosing better jobs or pursuing other opportunities, it is annoying to have to scramble at the last minute to fill vacant positions.
“It is frustrating when teachers leave,” he said. “At the same time if their heart’s not here, I respect that and want to support them in that, but it would be nice to know that in June, not early August.”
Alabama law allows them to leave with the proper notice, but even with the proper notice, “This puts us in quite a bind.”
He and the members of the BOE praised the two teachers who were willing to tackle new positions at the 11th hour. “Luckily we have employees like the two who are being transferred.”
The two who are stepping up are Brad Daniels, transferring from teaching English at Demopolis Middle School to Demopolis High, and Jami Webb, fifth grade teacher at U.S. Jones Elementary who will move to Daniels’ position at DMS.
Those resigning are Loreal Moore, DHS English teacher; Rodney Lewis, JROTC instructor; Allene Jones, DHS English teacher; Judy Pritchett, Westside Elementary aide, and Judith Moore, WES Special Education teacher.
Conditionally employed are Anna Foy, USJ; Donna Randall, DHS English teacher; Suzann Hughes, WES transition class paraprofessional, and Donna Dodson, WES Special Education.
Reginal Hill will become a long-term sub for Trena Reynolds; maternity leave in place of Hughes, since she is now hired full time.
Substitutes are Mandy Fields, Desinta Parker, Brittney Stacey and Shanell Tate.
Demopolis resident and former teacher Heidi Nettles introduced herself to the board as the new area Uniserve Director for the Alabama Education Association.