Marla Jones, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- (FULL VIDEO ON SOUTHERN TORCH FACEBOOK) The DeKalb County Board of Education met on Tuesday, June 14th for its regularly scheduled meeting.
The Board approved Riley Edwards to replace William Joshua Taylor as the Head Football Coach at Crossville High School.
Edwards graduated from Collinsville High School in 2000. He received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University in 2003 and his Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama in 2006. Edwards served as the Head Baseball Coach at Collinsville for eleven years. He was the Defensive Coordinator for the Collinsville Panthers for fourteen years. For the past two years, he has been the Assistant Football Coach and the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Crossville.
“I am glad to have the opportunity to provide a positive environment to help the young athletes at Crossville to grow and reach their goals,” stated Crossville Head Coach Riley Edwards.
“I would like to thank the many mentors and coaches that have always advised me. Obviously, my dad, Johnny Mac Edwards, who passed away a year and a half ago, Coach Ernie Willingham, my cousin Coach Mike Riley who currently is with the New Jersey Generals, Coach Tom Allen of Indiana University, Coach Allen Beckett and Coach Sam Graham” stated Edwards. These men have always held an instrumental role in advising me and encouraging me in my coaching journey.”
The Board also approved a Budget Amendment for the fiscal year of 2022 to allow for grants that were received.
Superintendent Wayne Lyles stated that the school system had entered into an agreement with Marzano High-Reliability School for a strategic planning process to prepare for accreditation and school improvement projects.
The Board also approved the transition to air conditioning on newly ordered school buses ( 10 full-size and 4 special needs).
The following resignations were approved:
• Rosemary Adams - Library Media Specialist - Crossville Middle School - 6/3/22
• William Joshua Taylor - P.E. Teacher / Head Football Coach - Crossville High School - 6/6/22
• Kent Colvin - P.E. Teacher - Crossville Middle School - 6/3/22
• Willard Carter Jr. - Bus Driver - Collinsville High School - 6/3/22
• Kaitlyn Knopps - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional - Geraldine High School - 6/24/22
The following transfers were made:
• Megan Adams from CNP Worker at Ider High School to Jr. High CNP Manager at Henagar Jr. High School (Effective 6/6/22)
• Chick Waycaster from Head Mechanic to Shop Foreman - Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor at the Bus Garage (Effective 7/1/22)
• Ian Richards from P.E. Teacher at Sylvania High School to Drivers Education Teacher at Plainview High School (Effective 8/1/22)
• Laura Smith from Elementary Teacher at Crossville Elementary School to Elementary Teacher at Collinsville High School (Effective 8/1/22)
• Nicole Callahan from Elementary Teacher at Collinsville High School to Elementary Teacher at Valley Head High School (Effective 8/1/22)
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
• Dr. Keith Gorham - Science Teacher - Plainview High School (Effective 8/1/22)
• Autumn Hinton - Itinerant Special Education Teacher - Geraldine High School (Effective 8/1/22)
• Bailey Stephens - English Language Arts Teacher - Crossville Middle School (Effective 8/1/22)
• Riley Edwards - Varsity Boys Head Football Coach - Crossville High School
Support
• Jordon Wright - CNP Worker - Plainview High School (Effective 8/1/22)
• Jonathon Dennis - Maintenance Employee - Facilities (Effective 7/1/22)
• Kayla Smith - Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional - Geraldine High School (Effective 8/1/22)
Superintendent Lyles congratulated Fyffe High School for being recognized as an ALSDE Science of Reading Spotlight School. Fyffe is one of fourteen schools selected in the state for this recognition. Spotlighting: Collaborative coaching partnerships within structures that support the implementation of strong foundational literacy instruction based on the science of reading.
The date of the next DeKalb Board of Education meeting will be July 1 with a work session beginning at 8:45 a.m. and the regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room of the Facilities Building.
