USJ students start BOE meeting with Black History Month tribute; Willis gives positive progress report

Taking a step from the usual routine, the Demopolis City Board of Education meeting Monday started off with singing and ended with a highly positive report on student progress this year.

U.S. Jones Elementary School students began the meeting with a Black History Month celebration before an appreciative crowd of friends and family members in the USJ gymnasium.

The USJ Tiger Tones, directed by Margie Jackson, sang “Lean on Me” and “Rise Up” and featured eight soloists: Colton Jones, Reshawn Robinson, Miracle Oates, Quinn Hall, Lexi Yelverton, Herrin Hewitt, Jordyn Simmons and Coleman Lewis.

Four students spoke on the history of the month and contributions by Blacks in America. They were Mitchell Stevenson, MaKenna Gurley, Andrew Bedsole and Joideyn Johnson.

Supt. Tony Willis took time at the end of the meeting to show a series of graphs depicting how “every metric we looked at” has shown student growth during the school term. He said the results take into account both proficiency and improvement.

“Each group is showing growth that exceeds what is expected,” he said. “It’s a huge positive.”

He said the results are because of the efforts of teachers and administrators to find the best way to reach and teach students. Instead of putting efforts in areas of deficiency, he concluded, educators can focus on areas that are improving at a slower rate.

For seven years ACT scores for students in grades 7-12 have remained at or just a fraction below the state average. In an effort to improve the scores, the board voted for an ACT program to train teachers how to help students better their scores. The $15,000 cost of the three-day training will be paid for with ESSER funds. It is scheduled for July and will consist of one day of general instruction and two days of subject specific training.

The board approved a change in the contract with VIRCO. Originally the school system was to purchase 582 chairs for Demopolis High School, but the contract is altered to pay for only 481 chairs at a cost of $245,000.

Supt. Tony Willis announced the school system has received two grants totaling $140,000 for career tech instruction. It also is expecting to receive a COPS grants of $499,000 for school safety and security. That grant requires a 25 percent match, and DCS is waiting for approval to use Covid relief funds.

Travel requests approved were for the DHS Beta Club to attend the state convention in Birmingham March 24-25; DHS DECA to attend the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Ga., April 22-26, and the DHS Track Team sectionals in Mobile April 29-30 and state meeting in Gulf Shores May 4-8.

In requesting the DECA travel, Willis recognized DHS student Ben Turberville as the state DECA president.

Willis updated the board on the construction of the multi-purpose building at Westside Elementary School. He said the architecture firm is holding the contractors accountable and has required them to correct sub-standard construction. Because of that and other delays, the estimated opening has been moved to October instead of August.

The board approved the following contracts:

• Increase in hours for students Dustin Bedwell and Shon Jones, for grounds keeping at $10 per hour, not to exceed 20 hours per week. The contract begins March 14 and extends through July.
• Gina Johnston, retired Federal Programs Director, is needed to complete required reporting forms in March and April. Her hours will be reduced in May as the new director takes over.
• Supplemental pay for soccer coach Robert Steiner.

The board also agreed to dispose of a short list of equipment that cannot be repaired.

Several personnel matters also were approved. Resignations were accepted from custodian Tommy Perkins and nurse Patricia Langley as was the retirement of Beverly Hogan, custodian. Spring Pacheco is transferred from Demopolis Middle School counselor to Federal Programs Coordinator beginning May 1.

Named as substitutes are Carolyn Duncan, Pamela Bowden, Tanner Lindsey Lyons, Marcy Lewis, Raven Simmons and Meredith Jacobs. Brian Bradley holds a professional certificate and DCL for bus driving.

Terry Fountain, JROTC instructor, requested a leave of absence through June 13. Retired teacher Gloria Mims will return to work in After School Programs and Tutoring for Intervention during the school day.

The next meeting will be March 14 in the Demopolis Middle School gymnasium.