BOE Addresses Ongoing Controversies

BOE Addresses Ongoing Controversies

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The DeKalb County Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday.  

DeKalb County Board of Education Chairman Randy Peppers responded to the ongoing situation at Sylvania High School and the arrest of Dustin Wade Dalton.  Dalton was arrested on multiple charges related to inappropriate contact with students. 

Peppers read a letter during the regular meeting addressing the ongoing investigation.  Following is an  excerpt of the letter: 

“The DeKalb County Board of Education desires to see justice served for any and all victims associated with the ongoing investigation involving a former DeKalb County teacher.  In order to fully cooperate with the ongoing criminal investigation, the board is not able to disclose to the public all the facts and circumstances of which the board is aware. The board’s cooperation with law enforcement in this regard is in the best interest of a full and fair investigation and a just result for the victims.”

The Board honored Danny Lindsey for achieving his School Bus Mechanic Certification.

The Board approved the Water Bottle Filler Project to  Storm Master in the amount of  $273,386.16

The Board approved the following Retirements and Resignations:

  • Tim Hixon - Custodian - Fyffe High School- Retirement - 9/30/20
  • Billy Durham - Bus Driver - Ider High School - Retirement - 1/1/21
  • Helen Carter Jones - CNP Worker - Collinsville HighSchool - Retirement - 10/1/20

The following Leave of Absences was granted:

  • Brett Smith - Science Teacher - Henagar Jr. High School - 10/19/20-12/17/20
  • Chris Davis - Band Director - Plainview High School - 11/13/20-5/27/21
  • Christina Watkins - Elementary Teacher - Ider High School - 11/30/20-3/26/21
  • Dana Kittle - Bus Driver - Crossville Elementary School - 9/16/20-11/2/20
  • Dana Willis - CNP Worker - Plainview High School - 9/23/20-11/2/20
  • David King - Bus Driver - Sylvania High School - 10/7/20-11/30/20
  • Zeb England - Custodian - Geraldine High School - 9/25/20-11/18/20

The following Transfers were granted:

  • Jim Womack- Assistant Custodian (9-month/7-hour) to Custodian (12-months) at Fyffe High School (2020-225) (Effective 10/1/20)
  • Deanna Erin Brown - Itinerant EL to Language Acquisition Coach for the District (Effective 11/1/20)
  • Tyler Brooks - P.E. Teacher at Sylvania High School to Assistant Principal at IderHigh School (2020-231) (Effective 11/1/20)

The following Placements were made: (All placements are made pending a background review meeting suitability criteria and negative, pre-employment drug screen and appropriate certification)

Certified

  • Sharon Miller - Elementary Teacher (Leave from 10/5/20-12/18/20) - Crossville Elementary School 

Support

  • Gloria Wilbanks - CNP Worker - Crossville Middle School (2020-221) (Effective 11/1/2020)
  • Leisha Hancock - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional - Geraldine High School 
  • Josh Hill - Assistant Custodian (9-months/7-hour) - Fyffe High School (Effective 10/21/2020)
  • Diana Brown - ESL Tutor - Crossville Middle Schoo (Effective 10/1/2020)
  • Martha Vazquez Barrios - ESL Tutor - Crossville Middle School  (Effective 10/1/2020)
  • Alicia Seay - Bus Driver - Crossville Elementary School (Effective 10/1/2020)
  • Courtney Waldrop - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional - Plainview High School 
  • Amanda Chisenhall - Itinerant Special Education Pre-K Paraprofessional - Fyffe Special Services Center (Effective 11/9/20) 
  • Tracy Hulgan - Bus Driver - Collinsville High School  
  • Rachael Turvey - CNP Worker - Collinsville High School (2020-244)

The following Volunteer Coaches were approved: 

  • Ider: Rickey Bryant - Girls Basketball, Jonnie Frost - Art
  • Fyffe: Erik Magnusson - Cross Country
  • Henagar: Joseph Goza - Jr. High Basketball

The next meeting will be on November 5 at 5 p.m. with the work session at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Facilities Building.

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