Story by Donna Thornton donna@southerntorch.com
The Fort Payne Board of Education approved a request to partner with SCOUT Management as its construction manager for future construction projects at its April 25 meeting.
Superintendent Brian Jett said SCOUT helped the school system with construction of Little Ridge and the BEAT Center, and had been a good partner.
“They know to look for things that I do not,” Jett said.
“I believe they saved us money,” board member Sharon Jones said, on those projects.
The board also approved a commitment to a 2024 Pool (Leverage) Bond between the Fort Payne City Board of Education, and the Alabama State Department of Education.
Jett explained that Capital Improvement Bonds are used to leverage money for capital projects within the school system. These projects include, but are not limited to, additional storm shelters, high school gymnasium and additional classrooms.
The benefits of the program are:
(1) Ability to Leverage Public School Funds – Prior to the enactment of Act 98-373, school boards could not leverage their capital funds from the State. This program allows school boards to finance larger capital projects up-front rather than pay for capital improvements as a pay-as-you-go basis.
(2) Sharing of Transition Costs – Each school board will bear its pro rata share of the issuance expenses for the Capital Improvement Bonds.
The board approved the 2024 summer school plan, financial statements and bank reconciliation reports, and a number of personnel actions meeting, including:
Retirements: Kelly Evans, school secretary at Little Ridge Intermediate School, effective June 1.
Resignations:
Justin Kisor, PE teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School and head volleyball coach (any and all coaching duties aassigned) effective May 24.
Ashley Kisor, PE teacher at Little Ridge Elementary School (any and all coaching duties as assigned) effective May 24.
William Nole Yancey, third grade teacher at Little Ridge Elementary School, effective May 24.
Hailey Williams, third grade teacher MSIT team at Little Ridge Intermediate School, effective March 7.
Cassie Willingham, fourth grade teacher, MSIT team at Little Ridge Intermediate School, effective Feb. 27.
Ellen Benefield, elementary teacher within the Fort Payne City School System, effective July 31.
Erika Cruz, system-wide EL aide, effective May 24.
Ashlyn Holland, system-wide SPE aide, effective May 25.
Leaves:
Hannah Bryant, intervention teacher at Little Ridge Intermediate School, 12-week leave of absence for the 2024-2025 school year.
Transfers effective for the 2024-2025 school year:
Mindy Chadwick, math coach at Wills Valley Elementary School to building-based math coach at Wills Valley Elementary School (position newly-created by the Alabama State Department of Education).
Pennie Magnusson, AMSTI TIR math coach to building based math coach at Wills Valley Elementary School.
Sherri Gibbs, AMSTI TIR math coach to building based math coach at Little Ridge Intermediate School.
Audra Minton, half-time guidance counselor at Wills Valley Elementary school and half-time counselor at Little Ridge Intermediate School to full-time guidance counselor at Fort Payne Middle School.
Melissa Knowles, secondary instructional technology specialist at Fort Payne High School to a system-wide data manager/technology integration specialist, effective for the 2023-2024 school year.
Recommendations:
Fort Payne High School 2023-2024 summer school instructors, effective May 28-June 27:
Kim Traylor – credit recovery
Anna Shugart – credit recovery
Austin Panell – drivers education
Melissa Smith, fourth-grade MSIT team at Little Ridge Intermediate School.
Additions to the substitute personnel lists: Bus – pending completion of bus driver certification; and CNP.
Created positions:
Math interventionalists: Full-time Wills Valley Intermediate School, previously half-time position; full-time Little Ridge Intermediate School, previously half-time position
Certified Academic Language Therapy specialist: one position, half-time at Fort Payne Middle School and half-time at Fort Payne High School; full-time at Wills Valley Elementary School.
CSFO assistant at the Central office (six-month contract)
Additional work days during 2023-2024 summer:
Genesis Salinas, WA-PreK office aide, 10 days
Regina Boatwright, WVES counselor, 20 days
Paola Segura, WVES translator, S/W EL aide, 15 days
Donna McClure, LRIS elementary gifted teacher, 20 days
Teresa Barksdale, LRIS counselor 10 days
Kristie Conaway, WVES ARI coach, 10 days
Mindy Chadwick, WVES math coach, 10 days
Pennie Magnusson, WVES math coach, 10 days
Lauren Haymon, LRIS reading coach, 15 days
Sherry Gibbs, LRIS meth, 15 days
Shannon Patterson, FPMS counselor, 4 days
Audra Minton, FPMS counselor, 4 days
Approved out-of-state travel:
Scott Timmons, FPHS Principal/Athletic Director – FPHS JROTC May 18, Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville, Ga. and FPHS Girls Basketball Team, June 16-20, Fort Walton Beach High School
The board approved the dates, times and locations for the next two regular board meetings:
Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the central office
Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the central office
The board voted to go into executive session for discussion involving good name and character. No action was taken as a result of the executive session.
