New School May Cost More Than Expected

New School May Cost More Than Expected

By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on June 28, 2018.

Sally Wheat, Principal of Wills Valley Elementary School and Brian Jett, Principal of Fort Payne High School addressed the Board regarding accomplishments made during the school year.

Superintendent Jim Cunningham discussed the possibility of the new Williams Avenue School to exceed the projected budget due to unpredictable changes in economy.  “I think the trend is going to continue up, and it looks like it's going to continue to trend up a bit more” stated Cunningham. “Personally, I believe that the new school will use all our bond money.”

In other business, the Board accepted the following retirements and resignations:

  • Kay Bryan, Math Teacher at Fort Payne High School due to retirement
  • Katherine Barfield, Kindergarten Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School due to retirement
  • Accepted the resignation of Christy Brandon, from the following positions.at Fort Payne High School- French Teacher, English Teacher and French Club Sponsor
  • Accepted the resignation of Heath Vincent, from the following positions at Fort Payne High School-Social Science Teacher, Football Co-Defensive Coordinator
  • Accepted the resignation of Kelly Gwarjanski, History Teacher at Fort Payne High School
  • Accepted the resignation of Kandy Lopez, Halftime EL Aide at Wills Valley Elementary School and Halftime EL Aide at Fort Payne High School
  • Accepted the resignation of Mamie Jo Miller, Head Girls Soccer Coach

Leaves:

  • Approved a request from Tonya Lilly, a 3rd grade Teacher at William Avenue Elementary School, for a one year Leave of Absence effective for the 2018-2019 school year

Transfers:

  • Approved the transfer of Brittney Owens, from English Language Arts Teacher at Fort Payne High School, to System-Wide Special Education Teacher
  • Approved the transfer of Vicki Dodd, from PE Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School, to PE Teacher at Williams Avenue Elementary School
  • Approved the transfer of Jeff Boatwright from Full-time History Teacher at Fort Payne High School to the following positions:
    • Half-Time Assistant Principal at Williams Avenue Elementary School
    • Half-Time History Teacher and Virtual Government and Economics Teacher at Fort Payne High School

The Board made the following recommendations and placements:

  • Shannon Goshorm, English Language Arts Teacher at Fort Payne High School
  • Nancy Gentry, English Language Arts Teacher at Fort Payne High School
  • Jessica Hayes. English Language Art Teacher at Fort Payne High School
  • Franklin Posey, Social Science/History at Fort Payne High School
  • Katie Maples, Halftime EL Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School/ Halftime EL Teacher at Fort Payne High School
  • Riley Street, 7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School
  • Brooklyn Trotman, 3rd Grade Teacher at Williams Avenue Elementary School
  • Peyton Johnson, 4th Grade Teacher at Williams Avenue Elementary School
  • Melody Maness. 3rd Grade Teacher at Williams Avenue Elementary School
  • Kellie Vizzinia, Pre-K Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School
  • Cassandra Elmore, Kindergarten Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School
  • Brittany Hunter, System-Wide LPN/SPE Aide
  • Janet Thomas, System-Wide LPN/SPE Aide
  • Alejandra Mascorro, System-Wide EL Aide
  • Genesis Salinas, System-Wide EL Aide
  • Lorenza Martin Francisco, System-Wide EL Aide

Approved the Extended Day Program Staff as submitted:

  • Site Coordinator, Peggy Byrd

Three Full-Time P.M. Teacher Positions and one Pre-K Teacher Position-to be shared between the following certified teachers:

  • Renae Burt
  • Melanie Roberts
  • Karen Fleming
  • Donna Hayes
  • Tammy McKenzie
  • Susan Carr
  • Kim Butler
  • Karen Keeling
  • Connie McPherson

P.M. Aides:

  • Melissa Escobar
  • Lauren Gibbs
  • Tara Stiefel, Pre-K Aide

The Board approved the Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters Program Staff:

  • Coordinator, Linda Ramage
  • Parent Educators
    • Arline Causey
    • Dawn Langston
    • Yadira Robayno

The Board approved the following Vertical Leadership Team Representatives:

  • Jolie Martin, Kindergarten Reading
  • Jana Groghan, Kindergarten Math
  • Kristy Conway, First Grade Reading
  • Gena Fowler, First Grade Math
  • Geri Johnson, Second Grade Reading
  • Brandi Bouchard, Second Grade Math
  • Caleb Wigley, Third Grade Reading
  • Ellen Benefield, Third Grade Math
  • Lauren Haymon, Fourth Grade Reading
  • Melissa Campbell, Fourth Grade Math

The Board declared the following items as surplus due to age, usefulness and/or non-operating status of the items:

  • 2004-#118 Bluebird Bus (84 passenger)
  • CNP equipment
  • Technology equipment
  • WVES Textbooks

The Board approved the Extended Day Tuition as follows:

  • $30 for one child
  • $42.50 for two children
  • $55 for three children

Increased the hourly rate of the Fort Payne City School Extended Day employees, as follows:

  • Site Director from $16 per hour to $18 per hour
  • Teachers from $15 per hour to $17 per hour
  • Aides from $9.50 per hour to $10 per hour

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Fort Payne City Board of Education will be held on July 26, 2018 beginning at 6pm.