By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Full Video Below) The Fort Payne Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

The Board approved its $45.7 million budget for the 2019 fiscal year with $15 million in expected revenue headed toward funding the building of a new school to replace Williams Avenue Elementary School.

The Board was scheduled to hear a presentation from Goodwyn Mills and Cawood’s Robert Littleton and Katie Lucas regarding the building of the new school, but due to illness, that presentation has been postponed until the Board’s next meeting in September. The Board said a special called meeting may necessary to hear the proposal as soon as possible.

Resignations (approved in one motion)

• Johnny Johnson from the following positions, effective July 27, 2018, as submitted: PE Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School and Head Baseball Coach at Fort Payne High School
• Geri Johnson, 2nd grade teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School, effective July 29, 2018
• Tamara Smith, CNP Worker at Fort Payne Middle School, effective July 26, 2018
• Lana Goggans, CNP/Transportation Secretary/Bookkeeper within the Fort Payne City School System, effective August 24, 2018
• Dawn Langston, HIPPY Parent Educator, effective for the 2018-19 school year

Transfers (approved in one motion)

• Kyle Crabtree from History Teacher at Fort Payne High School to PE Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School, effective August 7, 2018 and non-renew his contract on May 24, 2019
• Karen Hughes from a CNP worker at Fort Payne Middle School to a CNP assistant Manager at Fort Payne Middle School, effective August 24, 2018
• Kayla Mitchell from System-Wide Special Education Aide to Kindergarten Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School effective August 2, 2018 and non-renew her contract on May 24, 2019
• Tammy Trotman from Kindergarten Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School to a 2nd Grade Teacher at Wills Valley Elementary School effective for the 2018-19 school year

Recommendations (approved in one motion)

• Steven Goff as a History Teacher at Fort Payne High School, effective August 8, 2018 and non-renew his contract on May 24, 2019
• Brittany Webb as a System-Wide Special Education Aide, effective August 2, 2018 and non-renew her contract on May 24, 2019
• Eric Varnadore for the following positions: Head Baseball Coach and Co-Defensive Football Coordinator at Fort Payne High School, effective for the 2018-19 school year
• Rachel Chaparro as the Head Junior High Softball Coach at Fort Payne Middle School, effective for the 2018-19 school year
• Mike Leath as a half-time Bus Driver within the Fort Payne City School System, effective August 13, 2018 and non-renew his contract on May 23, 2019
• Graciela Hernandez De Lopez as a CNP Worker at Fort Payne Middle School, effective August 23, 2018 and non-renew her contract on May 23, 2019
• Joy Ana Conely as a HIPPY Parent Educator, effective August 24, 2018 and non-renew her contract on May 23, 2019
• Approve the following teacher as Vertical Leadership Team Members at Wills Valley Elementary School, effective for the 2018-19 school year: Sherinda Hawkins (Pre-K), Brandi Battles (2nd Grade)

Other Business (all were approved)

• Approve the additions to the following substitute personnel lists, effective August 23, 2018: CNP, Nurse, Teacher
• Approve the request from Brian Jett, Athletic Director/Principal at Fort Payne High School for the following out-of-state travel: FPD 9th Grade Football Team on August 27, 2018 to Chattooga County High School in Chattooga, Ga.
• Approve the request to suspend the rules concerning approve to create, advertise and fill the position of School Social Worker
• Approve the creation, advertising and filling of the following position: School Social worker, job description, and salary schedule based on the Alabama Teacher Salary Matrix
• Approve the request to add an additional month to the contract of the CNP/Transportation Secretary/Bookkeeper position: ten month contract to an eleven month contract
• Approve Jackie Jennings to provide homebound services per physicians written orders until the student is able to return to school or moves out of the Fort Payne City School District, effective August 10, 2018
• Approve the 2018-19 Five Year Capital Plan for the Fort Payne City School System
• Approve the FY 2019 Budget and Salary Schedules for the Fort Payne City School System
• Approve the July 2018 financial statements and bank reconciliation report

The next meeting of the Fort Payne Board of Education will be held at 6pm on Thursday, September 27 in the conference room of the Central Office.