Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- (Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The DeKalb County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on July 29.

Dr. Keith Atchley brought one of the ten newly purchased air-conditioned buses for the board to view. 

“Like most industries in today's world, supply chain issues and labor shortages have impacted bus manufacturing. DeKalb County Schools (DCS) had a great opportunity to save significant money by purchasing buses through a cooperative purchasing agreement. We later learned that the buses were equipped with air conditioning” stated DeKalb County Transportation Supervisor Dr. Keith Atchley. 

“The Board of Education supported the purchase and we were able to move forward. This comes at a good time since summer programs have been increasing over the past few years. This past summer we had 27 buses on summer routes compared to two in 2019.  This year DCS purchased 10 regular route AC-equipped buses at a price of $962,787.00, and four special needs buses at a price of $421,000, at an approximate total of $1,383,000.00.  I appreciate the support of the Board to help us update our fleet” concluded Dr.Atchley. 

The 2022-2023 Calendar was updated which switched a Teacher Work Day and Student E-Learning Day to allow for teachers to have a long weekend during breaks. 

The Board also approved a CNP bid to Flowers Baking Company for bread. 

The Board approved the following Retirements and Resignations:

• Amanda Lambert- Itinerant Speech Language Paraprofessional- District-Retirement
• Janice Morgan-Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional-Geraldine-Retirement
• Elizabeth Selena Smith-Pre K Teacher-Plainview High School-Resignation
• Leslie Brown-Middle School Counselor-Crossville Middle School-Resignation
• Kristi Brown-CNP Worker-Crossville Middle School-Resignation
• Meagan Rampage-English Language Arts Teacher-Geraldine-Resignation
• Alexandria Spurgin Lankford-Elementary Teacher-Crossville Elementary School-Resignation

The following Leave of Absence was granted:

• Lori Miller-Itinerant Special Education-Sylvania (8/1/22-12/1/226/22 Intermittent)
• Rebecca Guinn-Store Worker-Fyffe (8/1/22-8/26/22)
• Robert Bryant-Assistant Custodian (9-month) Crossville Middle School (8/5/22-9/20/22)

The following Transfers were approved:

• Brenda Douglas from English Language Arts Teacher to ½ Counselor/1/2 Teacher at Crossville High School 
• Crystal Chambless from Elementary Teacher to Assistant Prinicipal at Geraldine High School 

Teacher

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: 

• Jesse Chandler- P.E. Teacher-Crossville Middle School
• Daniel Sigler-Computer Science Teacher-Crosslle Middle School
• Kayla Andrew-Computer Science Teacher-Crossville Middle School
• Miles Keith- P.E. Teacher-Crossville High School
• Ken Brown-Itinerant Special Education Teacher-Crossville High School
• Kassandra Barkley- Itinerant Special Education Teacher-Crossville High School
• Staci Gilbert-High School Counselor-Crossville High School
• Lindsey Mashburn Davis-English Language Arts Teacher-Fyffe High School
• Leanna Johnson-Elementary Teacher-Crossville Elementary School
• Starla Wilks-Elementary Teacher-Crossville Elementary School
• Donna Garrison- Itinerant Special Education- Plainview High School (Leave from 8/10/22-9/21/22)
• Danielle Buchannan- Middle School Counselor (9 month)-Crossville Middle School
• Terri Beth Goodman- English Language Arts Teacher- Geraldine High School

Support:

• Connie Hemphill-CNP Worker-Ider High School
• Lindsey Cofield-CNP Worker-Geraldine High School
• Peyton Wilbanks- Itinerant Bus Aide-Fyffe Special Service Center
• Lorna Massey-CNP Worker-Collinsville High School
• Justin Foster-Bus Driver-Collinsville High School

The following Volunteer Coach was approved:

• Fyffe High School- Stephaine Graben- Volleyball

The following Contracts were approved by the Board:

• Lori Willyard-Contract CNP Worker-Ruhama Jr. High School 
• Patricia King- Contract CNP Worker-Ruhama Jr. High School
• Jo McCorkle-Substitute CNP Worker-Collinsville High School
• Dale Pruitt-Head Football Coaching Contract-Plainview High School 

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold its next meeting on August 25.  The work session will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 5:00 p.m.