File Photo
By Marla Jones
Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- (Video on Southern Torch Facebook page) The DeKalb County Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 16. The meeting was changed to 1:00 p.m. from 5 p.m., due to the potential of severe weather.
The Board accepted the low bid from Southland International, to expand the county’s bus fleet. The bid was for (12) 2024 Type C, 72 Passenger School Buses, with air conditioning in the amount of $118,838.79 per bus.
“The DCBOE, Mr. Lyles, and our CSFO Anthony Cooper remain committed to serving DeKalb County Students with the best buses possible. With the number of summer programs and summer travel continuing to grow, the DCBOE voted to continue the purchase of air-conditioned buses” stated Transportation Supervisor, Dr. Keith Atchley.
“With this purchase, DeKalb County will be operating 36 AC-equipped buses next year. All 121 routes will be covered by buses that are 10 years old or newer. This is an amazing accomplishment for a rural, Title 1 district. I would like to thank our Board and district leadership for supporting Transportation.” concluded Atchley.
Early graduation was approved for Cadance Twilley of Plainview High School. Cadence is currently in college working toward a medical degree.
The following Retirements and Resignations were approved by the Board:
• Tia Jenkins - JV Volleyball and Softball Coaching Duties Only - Resignation - Plainview High School
• Kaci Kirk - Head Volleyball Coaching Duties Only - Resignation - Plainview High School
• Kayla Smith - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional - Resignation - Geraldine High School
• Joshua Hill - Assistant Custodian (9-month/7-hour) - Resignation - Fyffe High School
The following leaves of absence were granted:
• Karen Holcomb - Bus Driver - Crossville Middle/High School - 8/5/22-5/26/23 (Extended from 11/30/22)
• Katie Willingham - Elementary Teacher - Plainview High School - 2/20/23-5/26/23
• Brenda Douglas - ½ Counselor/ ½ Teacher - Crossville High School - 1/23/23-4/21/23
• Angela Padgett - Itinerant Special Education Teacher - Ider High School - 2/13/23-3/13/23
• Antonia Cordell - English Language Arts Teacher - Crossville Middle School - 1/3/23-3/1/23 (Extended from 2/3/23)
The following On Job Injury was approved:
• Jackie Davis - CNP Worker - Plainview High School - 0 days
The following Transfers were made:
• Hannah Biddle from Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional at Sylvania High School to Itinerant Pre-K Special Education Teacher at Fyffe Special Services Center
• Maddie Shankles from Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional at Plainview High School to Elementary Teacher (Leave 2/20/23-5/26/23) at Plainview High School
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
• Marisa Moses - Secondary Science Teacher - Sylvania High School (Effective 1/24/23)
• Sara Dupree - Pre-K Teacher (Leave 2/13/23-5/26/23) - Fyffe High School
Support
• Amy Smith - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional - Fyffe Special Services Center (Effective 2/27/23)
• Donna Young - CNP Worker - Collinsville High School (Effective 2/21/23)
• Heidi Johnston - Pre-K Auxiliary (Leave 2/6/23-5/12/23) - Crossville Middle School
• Misty Parham - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional (4-hour) - Sylvania High School (Effective 2/15/23)
• Greg Pfahl - Bus Mechanic - Transportation (Effective 3/3/23)
• Michael Cory Shankles - Bus Mechanic - Transportation (Effective 3/3/23)
The following Volunteer Coaches were approved:
Sylvania High School
• Christian Andrade - Soccer
•Barry Hiland - Soccer
Valley Head High School
•Shawn Morgan - Softball
• Robert Kyle Ware - Softball
The following Contracts were approved by the Board:
• February 16, 2023 Contracts Report
• Charles Warren - Teaching Services - Ider High School
• Ronald Anderson - Softball Bus Route - Ider High School
• Dale Pruitt - Teaching and Coaching Duties Contract Amendment - Plainview High School
• Paul Benefield - Teaching and Coaching Duties Contract Amendment - Fyffe High School
Superintendent Wayne Lyles requested permission to place pending board approval for vacancies in the system, which was approved by the Board.
Superintendent Lyles gave Board members an update on happenings within the School System. These include:
• Legal Service Rate Increase through Lanier Ford (each board member received rate increase information)
• After last month’s Board meeting, Crossville Middle School received a TVA Stem Grant. This makes 7 of 12 schools in the system, grant recipients. Lyles stated that the DeKalb County Board of Education had received a $30,000 check and funds would be distributed to the winning schools.
• The town of Mentone donated another generous donation to Hammondville Baseball Field along with several State Legislators and the State Board of Education. The field is expected to be ready for the Valley Head Baseball team to play this season.
• Congratulated student athlete Ian Baine of the Valley Head High School Tigers Football Team. He had a record-setting season where he rushed for 2,865 yards, which makes him the DeKalb County Single Season rushing yardage record holder. He also led the state for rushing yards in all classifications this season and ranked 13th nationally.
• Congratulated the 2A State Football Champions, Fyffe Red Devils on winning their 6th state title. Brodie Hicks was the Championship MVP. He rushed for 235 yards on 45 carries, scored 5 touchdowns, and scored 30 points. This set four new records for a state championship game.
• Congratulated all the Plainview Basketball Teams on their DeKalb County Basketball Championships.
• Wished Good luck to; basketball teams that have advanced to the AHSAA Regional Tournament. Geraldine Varsity Boys, Ider Varsity Girls, Plainview Varsity Girls, and Plainview Varsity Boys will be playing at JSU.
• DeKalb Fine Arts Theatre will be presenting The Addams Family at the Fort Payne Auditorium on April 14-15 and 21-22.
The DeKalb County Board of Education will meet on March 23, at Ider High School. There will be an Ider High School Gym Groundbreaking Ceremony at 4:15 P.M. A Work Session will begin at 4:30 p.m. and a Regular Meeting at 5:00 P.M., in the Meeting Room at Ider High School.
