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

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting, via Zoom on Thursday, April 23.

DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett updated the Board on school closures and how the school system was dealing with the pandemic. 

“We are making through it the best we can, I’ve been really encouraged and pleased by the work of everyone” stated Barnett. 

During the meeting, the following Non-Renewals and Terminations were approved:

• Scott Clifton - Secondary Science Teacher - Collinsville High School 
• Allison Davis - Secondary English Language Arts / EL Teacher - Collinsville High 
• Emily Bales - Elementary Teacher - Crossville Elementary School 
• Caitlyn Hunt Dickey - Secondary Mathematics Teacher - Crossville Middle School
• Amelia Parker - Pre-K Teacher - Crossville Middle School 
• Jerry Smith - Assistant Custodian (7-Hr/9-Month) - Crossville Middle School 
• Shay Mitchell - Assistant Custodian (7-Hr/9-Month) - Crossville Middle School - 
• Kaitlyn Weaver - Secondary English Language Arts Teacher - Crossville High 
• Christina Ford - Secondary General Science - Crossville High School 
• Cory Amos - Secondary English Language Arts Teacher - Crossville High School
• Tammy Richey - Itinerant Special Education Aide/Paraprofessional - Geraldine 
• Jessica Galloway - Custodian (9-Month/7-Hour) - Geraldine High School 
• Autumn Hinton - Itinerant Special Education Teacher - Geraldine High School 
• Elizabeth Conn - Secondary General Science Teacher - Geraldine High School 
• Skylar Painter - Elementary Teacher - Geraldine High School 
• Akela Barkley - Secondary English Language Arts Teacher - Henagar Jr. High 
• Christina Watkins - Elementary Teacher - Ider High School 
• Ashley Hudgins - Itinerant Special Education Teacher - Ider High School 
• Amy Hardin - Itinerant Special Education Teacher - Henagar Jr. High School / Plainview 
• Kyle Coots - Elementary Teacher - Plainview High School - 
• Ali Duke-Moses - Secondary Mathematics Teacher - Plainview High School 
• Heather Conkle - Pre-K Teacher - Ruhama Jr. High School 
• Jason Lindsey- Aide/Paraprofessional - Ruhama Jr. High School 
• Molly Veal - Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher - Sylvania High School 
• Jeffery Baird - Secondary General Science Teacher - Valley Head High School 
• Marc Walsh - Elementary Teacher - Valley Head High School 

All non-renewals and terminations were approved unanimously with the exception of Ali Duke-Moses, which passed with a 3-2 vote, with Carol Hiett and Mark Richards voting against the non-renewal of Moses. Moses taught secondary mathematics and helped coach the Plainview Softball and Volleyball teams.  

 On Friday evening, a crowd of parents and students including Rainsville Councilmember Brandon Freeman gathered at the DeKalb County Coliseum in support of Moses.  

The crowd then drove to Dr. Jason Barnett’s residence with cars painted with “We Support Ali” and “Expect More” to show their support. 

Southern Torch contacted Rainsville Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt seeking information on whether the supporters obtained a parade permit. As of press time, Lingerfelt had not made a comment. 

The following Retirements/Resignations were approved by the board:

• Regina Frazer - Secondary Mathematics Teacher - Valley Head High School - Retirement 
• Steve Simpson - Secondary Mathematics Teacher - Fyffe High School - Retirement 
• Deborah Parham - Nurse (9-Month) - Henagar Jr. High School - Retirement 
• Mary Keith - Elementary Teacher - Valley Head High School - Retirement 
• Tonya Myers - Elementary Teacher Fyffe High School - Retirement 
• Teresa Clinton - CNP Director - Central Office - Retirement
• Byron Fricks - Secondary Social Sciences Teacher - Crossville High School - Resignation       
• Savannah Frost - Itinerant Bus Paraprofessional - Ider Special Services Center - Resignation 

The following contracts were granted:

• Connie Yarbrough - Homebound 
• Shannon Pruett - Homebound 
• Huntsville Behavior Associates - Behavior Analytic Services Tucker Davis - DVA Math Tutor 

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education will be held on May 12, 2020 beginning at 12:00 P.M. (Meeting will be conducted through a digital platform.)