USJ museum proposed; mask mandate extended by BOE
Hoping to create a “living legacy for the City of Demopolis,” the U.S. Jones School National Alumni Association is working toward establishing a museum of the school’s 50-year history.
Lawrence Lee, a member of the last USJ High School graduating class in 1970 and the association’s chairman of the board, asked the Demopolis Board of Education Wednesday for “approval and support” to set up a museum in a hallway of the school.
Board member Carolyn Moore, who graduated from USJ in 1969 and served as the school’s counselor for many years, said the hallway in question now holds a trophy case and other items of the school’s history. The museum, she said, “would be an addition to what’s already done.”
Covid cases are down dramatically among students, Supt. Tony Willis reported. So far this week only three new cases have been reported. Many factors have played into the decrease in numbers, but to ensure the number stay low, he received board approval to extend the mask mandate until the next board meeting on Oct. 18.
In other action the board:
- Entered into a speech contract with Susan Hollinger & Associates, psychometrist, for testing during the school year.
- Named Olen Kerby as delegate to the Alabama Association of School Boards Delegate Assembly Dec. 2, with Harris Hurst as alternate.
- Approved changes to the contract for the Westside Elementary multi-purpose contract.
- Agreed to split the cost of School Resource Officers with the City of Demopolis.
- Okayed the DHS Boys Basketball team trips to Gulf Shores Nov. 20-23 and to Wallace, Hanceville Dec. 20-22.
- Approved the use of the DHS auditorium by the Two Rivers Arts Council on Nov. 30.
In his report to the board, Willis said the results of the state assessment tests taken in the spring show Demopolis scores mirroring the state average. He said teachers and administrators are being challenged to help students reach above average scores.
The state assessor inspected all four campuses and reported that “the bones of our schools are really good,” said Willis. There is room for improvement, and some of those issues already are being corrected.
He reported enrollment in the school system is back to what it was two years ago. The future of Demopolis schools look bright and ripe for growth since the enrollment at WES in grade K-2 is greater that the class sizes at the high school.
Work is beginning on the WES multi-purpose building. Willis said construction is to be completed in time for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
The board approved the following personnel report:
- Employment: Mary Glenn Agee as math teacher in January, pending graduation, satisfactory documentation and board approval, and Leslie Morrison, Special Education aide.
- Resignation: Langdon Colburn, second grade, effective Oct. 15.
- Substitutes: Lena Marks and Charlotte White.
- Long-term Sub: Stacy Cyd Johnston, 6th grade math, through Dec. 17.