Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, ALA.--The DeKalb County Board of Education met on Monday, April 18, at Collinsville High School. After the meeting, groundbreaking for the new gymnasium and dedication for the new Collinsville Agriscience Building was held. 

“We are very excited about what we have been able to accomplish here at Collinsville High School. With the completion of the new Agriscience/FACS facility and the beginning of construction on a new gymnasium, Collinsville School has a lot of positive momentum helping to move us forward,” stated Collinsville Principal Bradley Crawford. “These facility enhancements, along with other improvements we have been able to complete, are a sign of the positive direction our school is headed.”  

The Board honored two Early Graduates from Collinsville High School, Abigail Henderson and Jennifer Juarez Cabrera. 

In a personnel matter, Geraldine school bus driver, Mike Cash, was suspended for five days without pay. 

The Board proclaimed May 6, 2022, as School Lunch Hero Day to show appreciation to the County’s school lunchroom staff.  

In other business:

The board approved the following retirements: 

• Emily Reed - Elementary Teacher - Sylvania High School - Retirement - 6/1/22 
•  Connie Cochran - Secondary Science Teacher - Fyffe High School - Retirement - 6/1/22 
•  Jennie Smith - CNP Worker - Collinsville High School - Retirement - Retirement date adjusted to 5/1/22 
• James Bryant - Custodian (12-month) - Crossville High School - Retirement - 6/1/22 
•  Pamela Bryant - Assistant Custodian (9-month/7-hour) - Crossville High School - Retirement - 6/1/22 

The board approved the following resignations:

• Dr. Jacob Brown - Assistant Principal - Collinsville High School - Resignation - 6/30/22
• Wendy Olchawa - Assistant Custodian (9-month/7-hour) - Geraldine High School - Resignation - 5/31/22 
• Blaine Smith - Physical Education Teacher - Ider High School - Resignation - 5/31/22 

The following Leave of Absence was approved:

•  Jennie Smith - CNP Worker - Collinsville High School - 4/4/22-4/29/22 
• Pam Bryant - Custodian - Crossville High School - 1/25/22-5/27/22 (Extended from 3/31/22) 
• Willard Carter Jr. - Bus Driver - Collinsville High School - 8/2/21-5/27/22 (Extended from 11/19/21) 
• Catherine Knight - CNP Worker - Crossville Elementary School - 1/28/22-8/2/22 (Extended from 3/25/22) 

The following  transfers were made:

• Tyler Brooks - Assistant Principal to High School Principal (12-months) (2-year provisional contract) (6/1/22-6/30/24) - Ider High School 
•  Natasha Hilley - Secondary English Language Arts Teacher at Fyffe High School to Itinerant Secondary Interventionist (9-months) - (Effective 8/1/22) 
•  Shay Thrasher - ARI Instructional Coach to Itinerant Instructional Coach: Literacy (9-months) - District  (Effective 8/1/22) 
• Leanne Timmons - Elementary Teacher to Itinerant ARI Instructional Coach  (9-months) - Plainview High School  (Effective 8/1/22)
• Ronnie Stiefel - Facilities Improvement Manager to Maintenance Supervisor - Facilities 
•  Wendel Evans - Maintenance Worker to Facilities Improvement Manager - Facilities 

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 

Kristen Jones - Elementary Teacher - Geraldine High School  (Effective 4/1/22) 

Colby Cochran - Science Teacher (Leave from 1/18/22-4/27/22) - Fyffe High School 

Support 

 Lauren Bryant - CNP Worker (Leave from 1/28/22-3/25/22) - Crossville Elementary School 

The following Volunteer Coaches were approved:

Crossville High School 

 Danny Smith - Girls Golf 

The following Contracts were granted:

• Ernie Willingham - Head Football Coach, Head JV Baseball Coach, Head Varsity Baseball Coach 2022-2023 school year - Collinsville High School 
• Pam Gann - Special Education Consulting and Planning Services - District 
• Connie Armstrong - CNP Worker - Geraldine High School 
• Anita Flynn - CNP Worker - Ider High School 
• Contracts for Federal Programs, Special Education, and Migrant 

The Dekalb County School Board will meet for their next meeting on May 5, with a work session beginning at 4:30 and the regular meeting beginning at 5:00 in the Meeting Room of the Facilities Building.