By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — (Full Video below) The DeKalb County Board of Education held a meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, June 16. 

Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett delivered an update regarding the COVID-19 situation as it relates to reopening DeKalb County Schools in the fall.

The start date for DeKalb County Schools remains August 7 and early enrollment forms for the DeKalb Virtual Academy have already been distributed if parents select that option for the new school year.

“We want to have a really developed, and really thoughtful plan,” said Barnett. “We’re working with a lot of voices to make sure we’re taking the right steps to get schools going back next year.” He further stated he would be meeting with several groups in the coming days to determine the best policies in reopening and general sanitation.

The Board approved the following financial issues and bids:

• FY 2020 Budget Amendment #2
• Bids for CNP, including milk, ice cream, and produce
• Bid for cleaning services at the central office, facilities building, and DeKalb Virtual Academy to Hester’s Cleaning Service and More in the amount of $1,775

The following retirements/resignations were approved: 

• Lakala Willingham: secondary mathematics teacher at Plainview (retirement, 6/1/20)
• Jon-Alan Pope: math instructional coach at System (resignation, 6/12/20)
• Teddy Whitmire: secondary science teacher at Fyffe (resignation, 6/15/20)

The following on-the-job injuries were approved: 

• Stanley Bullock: custodian at Valley Head (three days)
• Adam Haynes: Maintenance Worker at the Facilities Building (four days)

The following leaves of absence were approved: 

• Ashley Williamson: English language arts teacher at Sylvania (8/3/20-5/27/21)

The following transfers were approved: 

• Gregorio Sarabia: 12-month custodian to assistant secretary at Collinsville
• Danica Phillips: elementary teacher at Ider to elementary teacher at Fyffe
• Marsha Dobbins: elementary teacher at Valley Head to elementary teacher at Fyffe
• Dawn Osborne: assistant special education teacher to special education director (effective 7/1/20)
• Megan Lea: library media specialist/itinerant instructional coach at Ruhama to itinerant library media specialist at Moon Lake/Ruhama
• Daniel Pope: bus mechanic to shop foreman at the Bus Garage (effective 7/1/20)
• Kim Osborn: assistant principal (10 months)/teacher at Crossville Middle School to assistant principal (10 months) at Collinsville
• Dr. Anna Hairston: assistant principal (10 months) at Collinsville to instructional supervisor (12 months) at the central office (effective 7/1/20)
• Misty Gilbert: bus driver at Ider to itinerant special education bus aide at Ider Special Services Center

The following placements were approved: 

Certified

• Jamie Pruett: secondary mathematics teacher at Ider
• Lisa Thayer: elementary teacher at Collinsville
• Amanda Kasinger Smith: elementary teacher at Collinsville
• Nicole Carroll: business education teacher at Valley Head
• Renae Fraley: elementary teacher at Valley Head
• Molly Veal: elementary teacher at Crossville Middle
• Akela Barkley: itinerant English language arts teacher at Henagar/Ruhama

Support

• Kristen Haymon: itinerant school nurse at Henagar
• April Shrader: CNP supervisor at the central office (effective 7/20/20)
• Michael Peppers: bus driver at Crossville 
• Eddie King: bus driver at Sylvania
• Desiree Henderson: Pre-K auxiliary at RuhamaChristopher Haston: computer hardware/software technician for the school district (effective 6/17/20)
• Robert “Bobby” Hullett: bus driver at Crossville

The following summer workers were approved: 

• Sylvania: Grant Atchley, Hunter Hill
• Fyffe: Brody Coots, Koby Harris
• Geraldine: Caleb McSpadden
• Moon Lake: Bret Hulgan
• Plainview: Corey Blair, Geovauny Chaparro
• Valley Head: Matthew Ogle
• DeKalb Co. Technology Center: Seth White
• Facilities: Cally Mays

The following contracts were approved: 

• The Learning Tree: applied behavioral analysis (IDEA B)
• Berenise Luna: translator for school enrollment (local)
• Bris Torres: translator for school enrollment (local)

The Board approved the following recommendations from the Superintendent:

• Approved Jennifer Williams to receive the duties and compensation of the Assistant Superintendent Supplement, in addition to her duties as federal programs director
• Corrected salary schedules for translators and transliterators
• Increased the adult CNP meal price to $3.75, based on yearly adjustments 
• Approved a supplement from the Bear Club to Robi Coker in the amount of $20,000
• Approved a supplement from the Fyffe Athletics Club to Paul Benefield in the amount of $15,000
• Removed the Internet opt-out policy
• Approved the Superintendent’s request for permission to make placements upon Board approval

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education will be held on Thursday, July 9 at 12 p.m. via Zoom.