By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The DeKalb County Board of Education met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 22.

Board Chairman Randy Peppers announced a temporary supplemental raise for full-time and part-time teachers and staff in the amount of $1,000 due to the complications caused by COVID-19 over the last school year.

“I, along with Dr. Barnett and the entire Board of Education, am grateful for the work our employees have provided for our students, families, and communities during this time,” said Peppers. The Board approved the motion.

The Board recognized Madison Crowe and Cassidy Lance, two early graduates from Fyffe. Elizabeth Barrientos was also recognized as the Alabama Community Education Association (ACEA) Teacher Assistant of the Year.

The Board made the following decisions:

On-the-job injuries

• Cristie Brothers: elementary school teacher at Geraldine (29 days)

Non-renewals/terminations (all effective on 5/28/21)

• John Mayfield: mathematics teacher at Crossville
• April Ivey: itinerant special education teacher at Crossville
• LaShonda Green: mathematics teacher at Crossville
• Sierra Crider: secondary science teacher at Plainview
• Denise Downer: elementary teacher at Plainview
• Patricia Willis: itinerant SPED paraprofessional at Plainview
• Marlene Bryant: elementary teacher at Collinsville
• Cynthia Wooten: elementary teacher at Collinsville
• Chelsea Patterson: itinerant SPED paraprofessional at Collinsville
• Aimee Jung: elementary teacher at Crossville
• Heather Headrick: secondary mathematics teacher at Fyffe
• Jonathan McGill: secondary mathematics teacher at Crossville
• Clay Mitchell: agriscience teacher at Crossville
• William Holter: secondary social sciences teacher at Crossville
• Gari Jan Martin: CNP worker at Fyffe
• Brittany Gilbert: business education teacher at Geraldine
• Vanessa Williams: secondary science teacher at Geraldine
• Robin Potter: elementary teacher at Geraldine
• Tonya Hilyer: elementary teacher at Valley Head
• Mandi Goza: elementary teacher at Valley Head
• Melanie Wren: elementary teacher at Sylvania
• Kady Curvin: secondary English language arts teacher at Sylvania
• Christina Watkins: elementary teacher at Ider
• Miles Keith: secondary intervention teacher and coaching duties at Ider
• Nakesha Furgerson: family and consumer sciences teacher at Ider
• Brandon Terrell: band director at Ider
• Amy Robinson: custodian at Ruhama 

Retirements/resignations (all effective on 6/1/21 unless stated otherwise)

• Annette Schultz: elementary teacher at Sylvania
• Barbara Ledbetter: bus driver at Ruhama
• Deborah Durham: assistant principal at Ider
• Rebecca Arrington: elementary teacher at Sylvania
• Tamela West: elementary teacher at Geraldine
• J.A. Lingerfelt: bus driver at Fyffe
• Neal Thrash: assistant principal and teacher at Fyffe
• Kim Dalton: secondary mathematics teacher at at Henagar
• Christie Bobo: elementary teacher at Crossville
• Karen Boyd: bus driver at Plainview
• Michelle Scott: elementary teacher at Crossville
• Matt Putnam: secondary science and physical education teacher at Sylvania (resignation, 5/28/21)
• Christie McCurdy: CNP worker at Sylvania (resignation, 5/28/21)
• Ashlea Veal: elementary teacher at Collinsville (resignation, 5/28/21)
• Jodie Jacobs: supervisor at DeKalb County Central Office (resignation, 5/28/21)
• Ethan Turbyfill: secondary social science teacher at Geraldine (resignation, 6/1/21)

Leave of absence

• Stephanie Gibson: elementary teacher at Crossville (3/22/21 to 5/27/21)
• Dana Kittle: bus driver at Crossville (4/12/21 to 5/26/21)
• Tamela West: elementary teacher at Geraldine (3/15/21 to 5/27/21)
• Ginger Hobbs: science and math teacher at Geraldine (4/19/21 to 5/27/21)
• Karen Boyd: bus driver at Plainview (1/4/21 to 5/27/21, extended from 3/1/21)
• April Baird: elementary teacher at Sylvania (4/15/21 to 5/26/21)

Transfers (all effective on 6/1/21)

• Zach King: teacher at Geraldine to teacher at Sylvania 
• Heath Kirby: principal at Valley Head to principal at Sylvania
• Scott Timmons: principal at Henagar to instructional supervisor at central office

Placements (certified and support)

• Katelynn Edmonds: elementary teacher at Crossville (leave from 3/22/21 to 5/27/21)
• Michael Davis: head football coach at Geraldine
• Katelyn Smith: assistant secretary at Geraldine
• Randy Edmondson: bus driver at Crossville

Contracts

• All COVID-19 fogging contracts extended to 5/27/21
• Suzanne Hunt: 21st Century teacher at Crossville (Title IV-B)
• Eddie Adkins: Plainview summer camp teacher (ARI)
• Lisa Bridgeman: Plainview summer camp teacher, substitute (ARI)
• Diane Church: Plainview summer camp teacher (ARI)
• Denise Downer: Plainview summer camp teacher (ARI)
• Chassidy Griggs: Plainview summer camp teacher (ARI)
• Cia Lindsey: Plainview summer camp teacher (ARI)
• Jason Lindsey: Plainview summer camp teacher (ARI)
• Louise Webster: summer bus driver at Henagar (ESSER)
• Tammie Womack: summer bus driver at Henagar (ESSER)
• Carlie Feemster: in-school literacy tutor at Crossville (GEER)
• Lisa Garmany: contracted custodial support at Plainview (ESSER)

At the request of DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett, the Board:

• Approved the job description for the position of School Academy Recovery Supervisor
• Acknowledged the 2021 policy committee recommendations discussed in the work session
• Entered into a construction management agreement with Ra-Lin for new gymnasiums at Ider and Collinsville
• Supplemented Dawn Osborne with the title of “Chief Student Support Officer”

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, May 11 at 5 p.m. with a work session preceding the meeting at 4:30 p.m.