Story By AnnaKate Freeland
The Fort Payne Board of Education approved a request for the creation of a 10-month assistant principal position at Fort Payne Career Academy, effective June 27, 2025, at the board’s June 26 meeting.
Superintendent Brian Jett said he feels an administrator should always be there to help monitor the increase in expected students. Jett said there are 206 students enrolled in career academy programs, but they aim to have 250 students.
The board also approved a request for the creation of a 10-month guidance counselor position and a cashier position at the Fort Payne Career Academy, effective June 27, 2025. The cashier position will also be created at Williams Avenue Pre-K.
Retirements
Sally Wheat, WVES principal, effective July 1, 2025
Resignations
Rebecca Mason, FPHS AV Communications teacher, effective June 2, 2025
Terri Killian, Williams Avenue Pre-K System-Wide SPE teacher, effective June 1, 2025
Hannah Turner, FPHS science teacher, effective June 1, 2025
Melissa Smith, LRIS 3rd grade teacher, effective June 11, 2025
Brittany Hunter, Williams Avenue School nurse and nurse bus aide, effective June 7, 2025
Valorie Barnes, FPHS education and training teacher, effective June 16, 2025
Taylor Scott, LRIS system-wide SPE teacher, effective June 17, 2025
Leaves
Lacie Davis, LRIS 5th grade teacher, effective July 29-Sept. 8
Hannah Vaugn, LRIS 3rd grade teacher, effective July 29-Sept. 1
Transfers
Jordan Todd King, from half-time custodian at Williams Avenue and FPHS to full-time custodian at FPHS, effective Jully 1, 2025
Seth Herod, from CNP custodian at FPMS to custodian at Williams Avenue, effective June 27, 2025
Lauren Everette, from 4th grade teacher at LRIS to 3rd grade teacher at LRIS, effective July 29
Sheldonna Wise, from 3rd grade teacher at LRIS to history teacher at FPMS, effective July 29
Miranda Holcomb, from 2nd grade teacher at WVES to system wide EL teacher at WVES, effective July 29
Yolanda Gomez-Aguirre, from CNP custodian at LRIS to system-wide EL aide at LRIS, effective July 29
Steven Chesnut, from math teacher at FPHS to math teacher at Fort Payne Career Academy, effective July 29
Angie Maxwell, from English teacher at FPHS to English teacher at Fort Payne Career Academy, effective July 29
Chris Roberts, from guitar teacher at FPHS to guitar teacher at Fort Payne Career Academy, effective July 29
Guadalupe Robles, from 5th grade EL teacher at LRIS to kindergarten teacher at WVES, effective July 29
Jennifer List, from principal at LRIS to principal at WVES, effective July 1, 2025
Jeff Boatwright, from assistant principal at FPHS to principal at LRIS, effective July 1, 2025
Joy Farmer, from CNP worker at FPHS to CNP worker at WVES, effective July 30
Michael Banks, from PE teacher at FPHS to PE teacher at FPMS, effective July 29
Recommendations
Each recommendation is made pending a background review, which meets suitability criteria, clear employment drug screening, and valid appropriate Alabama Certification in the area being taught.
Patty Strickland, part-time assistant to the superintendent, effective Feb. 1, 2025-June 30, 2025
David Smith, AV and communications/drone instructor at FPHS, effective July 1, 2025
Carmen Machen, 1st grade teacher at WVES, effective July 29
Jessica Pope, pre-k aide at Williams Avenue Pre-K, effective July 29
Isabella Hallman, system-wide SPE teacher, effective July 29
Cayla Hill, system-wide SPE aide, effective July 29
Margaret Allen Camp, pre-k teacher at Williams Avenue Pre-K, effective July 29
Sydney Lea, cosmetology teacher at Fort Payne Career Academy, effective July 29
Rachel Timmons, 3rd grade teacher at LRIS, effective July 29
Alvaro Gomez Garza, system-wide CNP worker, effective July 30
Alejandra Hernandez, system-wide CNP worker, effective July 30
Jireh Wagner, system-wide SPE aide, effective July 29
Julie Prater, system-wide SPE aid, effective July 29
Amanda Bryant, system-wide SPE nurse aide, effective July 29
Suzanne Phillips, system-wide SPE teacher, effective July 29
Blake Tyler Puryear, custodian at WVES, effective 2025-2026 school year
Elizabeth White, system-wide school nurse and nurse bus aid, effective July 29
Catherine Durham, system-wide SPE teacher, effective July 29
Joshua Gray, history teacher at Fort Payne Career Academy, effective July 29
Masen Howard, system-wide computer technician, effective July 1, 2025
FPCS Summer Camp Aides, effective June 2, 2025
Kayla Magbie
Erin Cagle
Avery Chadwick
Fany Hilerio (4 days)
FPCS Summer Camp Substitute Aides, effective June 2, 2025
Tia Moses
Mallory Durham
Rachel Ellis
Rosie Craig
Alaba Contreras
Ann Chisenhall
In other action the board:
Approved the request for the creation of a bookkeeper/secretary position at Williams Avenue Pre-K/Fort Payne Career Academy based on the middle school secretary/bookkeeper salary schedule, effective June 27, 2025
Approved the request for the creation of an additional unit for a special education teacher position at LRIS, effective June 27, 2025
Approved additions to the Fort Payne City School Board of Education Policy Manual, effective July 1, 2025. The additions are to replace the current 6.20 Electronic Communication Devices with new 6.20 Wireless Communication Devices and update 4.10.4 adoption of rules and regulations regarding student cell phone policies.
Approved the creation, job description, salary schedule (If applicable), advertising, and filing of a curriculum specialist position and virtual teacher position, effective June 27, 2025
Approved declaring FPCS technology items as surplus due to age, usefulness, and or/non- operating status of the items
Approved Jennifer List’s, principal at WVES, employment contract, effective July 1, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028
Approved advertising positions for the 2025-2026 school year. The positions are HIPPY site program coordinator, parent educators (to be determined by enrollment), EDP site director, EDP teachers (to be determined by enrollment), and EDP aides.
Approved to increase breakfast and lunch prices to the minimum amount allowed under the community eligibility program. Breakfast will be $3.25. Lunch will be $4.85.
