Board receives donation from United Launch Alliance

Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

 

The Morgan County Board of Education had a few extra dollars in the bank after last Thursday’s board meeting. Craig Langford with United Launch Alliance presented Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr.  a check for $3,000 from the company.

Langford mentioned that his company is asking the school system to produce the trained workers needed and they are giving back to the system to help in this project. ULA needs engineers to build rockets and the school system will use the money to further the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) project in the schools.

The board recognized Cody Brooks, a Cotaco Junior High School student, who was ranked the number one shooter at the fourth grade level. He competed at the National Archers in the School’s Program’s 2016 National Tournament. He was presented a plaque and congratulated by the board.

The MCMOE also recognized the Brewer High School Fishing Team for being the First Place Team in the 2016-Alabama Student Anglers Bass Fishing Association State Tournament. Hopkins thanked the coaches and principals for both winners and thanked the volunteers for giving back to their community. He also mentioned that the students were also learning a life skill.

Prior to the meeting, directors Dr. Cherie Humphries, Patrick Patterson and Cliff Booth discussed the advantages of Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for assessment services. This test will predict a students’ ACR score with a 92% probability. This will access where the students are currently.

The directors also discussed Edmentum for assessment services as well. This service will describe what the teachers need to do to get the students on the right path.

This information will be needed going forward due to the requirement by 2020 that schools be required to demonstrate each individual students progress from kindergarten through grade 12. The testing will be done through ACT Aspire in grades 3-5 and grade 10, with the ACT being given in grade 11. The goals are to raise ACT scores. The information provided by the services will help to get students ready to be tested.

Dr. Humphries also discussed the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) K-2 testing. This test is administered three times during the school year, fall, winter and spring. Humphries compared the results, comparing 2015 scores with 2014 scores. In most areas, improvement could be seen in all three areas, core where students need to be, strategic, where students are on the fence and intensive, where students are really struggling. The goals would be core increasing in percentage and the other two decreasing each year. There is a DIBLEs team at each school to help with this progress.

Hopkins also recognized new administrator Tracie Turrentine. She will be the new assistant principal at Priceville Junior High, which will now be a fifth through eighth grade school beginning with school year 2016-2017. Priceville Elementary students who will be in the fifth grade will attend PJHS in August.

One item on the agenda died due to the lack of a motion. The item called for the board to approve a 4% salary increase for all employees for the 2016-2017 school year. The state legislature approved this salary increase for teachers and principals for the upcoming school year. However, anyone with a salary over $75,000, not including principals, was not included in the state pay raise. This included directors and the superintendent, for a total of nine employees of the system who did not get the 4% increase.

Board members commented they decided to go with what the state legislator mandated on pay raises. The increase for teachers and principals will be paid for by the state.

 

PERSONNEL

The Superintendent recommended the following personnel items be approved as written.

• Accepted resignation as countywide bus driver from Sherry Scott, effective May 27, 2016.

• Accepted resignation from coaching duties at Falkville High School (varsity volleyball and junior high basketball) from Mallory Alberti effective May 17, 2016.

• Accepted resignation as junior high volleyball coach at Falkville High School effective May 23, 2016, from Angie Tomlin.

• Approved contract for services with Lisa Lang to provide hearing and braille instruction as needed.

• Accepted resignation as cross country coach at Priceville High School effective May 25, 2016, from Marteasha Gray.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Mallory Alberti from math teacher at Falkville High School to math teacher at Sparkman School effective August 2, 2016.   Ms. Alberti will be replacing Jay Townsend who was non-renewed.

•Accepted notice of retirement from Glenn Lang, principal at Falkville High School, effective June 30, 2016.

• Accepted notice of retirement from Gail Blevins, database administrator for Morgan County Schools, effective July 1, 2016.

• Accepted notice of retirement from Patsy Bryant, first grade teacher at Cotaco School, effective June 1, 2016.

• Accepted resignation as head softball coach at Falkville High School effective May 31, 2016, from Billy Eason.

• Accepted resignation as assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach at Falkville High School effective May 31, 2016, from Karen Wilemon.

• Approved employee supplemental contract with Brenda Caudle as nurse supervisor for Morgan County Schools effective for contract year 2016-2017.

• Approved employment of Victoria Counce as teacher (math) at Danville High School effective August 2, 2016.  This is a new position.

• Approved within school reassignment of Donya Brewington from third grade teacher at West Morgan Elementary School to second grade teacher at West Morgan Elementary School effective for school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Kari Sharbutt from world history 8th grade for five periods and study skills 7th and 8th grade for one period to social studies 6th grade for 1 period and world history 8th grade for five periods at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Holly Lake from science 6th  grade for 4 periods and ELA 6th grade for 1 period to science 6th grade for 5 periods and social studies 6th grade for 1 period at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Mandy Ransom from 7th/8th grade study skills for one period and math 4 periods to 5th and 6th grade study skills for 2 periods and math 6th grade for 4 periods at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Easton Eubanks from third grade teacher to kindergarten teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Heather Mahan from 1st grade teacher to 2nd grade teacher at Lacey’s Spring School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Kathy Dubberly from library media to 2nd grade teacher at Eva School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Valerie Sapp from 5th grade enrichment and social studies 5th grade for 5 periods to social studies 6th grade for one period and social studies 5th grade for 5 periods at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Jackie Teague from 2nd grade teacher to first grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Julie Weatherby from 1st grade teacher to 4th grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

* Approved within school reassignment of Amanda Willingham from 4th grade teacher to 2nd grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Ron Smith from PE regular ed 5 periods/PE SPE 1 period to economics 4 periods/PE regular ed 2 periods at Brewer High School effective school year 2016-2017.   Mr. Smith will be replacing Joseph Betterton who was non-renewed.

• Approved within school reassignment of Kimber Leigh Morris from social studies 6 all day to 6th grade social studies for one period and 6th grade reading for the other five periods at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Mark Childers from science 8 five periods/study skills one period to science 7 5 periods/study skills 1 period effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Kasey Davis from third grade teacher to first grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Amy Warner from second grade teacher to fourth grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Lauren Adams from fifth grade teacher to second grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Robin Davidson from 2nd grade teacher to 1st grade teacher at Lacey’s Spring School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Nicholas Riley from Biology teacher to Physical Science teacher at Danville High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved within school reassignment of Jamison Hill from Physical Science teacher to Biology teacher at Danville High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved school to school transfer of Candie Norris from 5th grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School to 5th grade teacher at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Valerie Sapp from 5th grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School to 5th grade teacher at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Gail Day from 5th grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School to 5th grade teacher at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved school to school transfer of Lisa Terry from countywide teacher serving WMES and WMMS to 3rd grade teacher at West Morgan Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.  Ms. Terry will be replacing Donya Brewington.

• Approved school to school transfer of Jackie Goodwin from 4th grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School to 5th grade teacher at Priceville Junior High School effective school year 2016-2017.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Shana Bryson from grade 7 civics and geography/ 7th and 8th study skills at Priceville Junior High School to history teacher Brewer High School effective school year 2016-2017.  Ms. Bryson will be replacing Anders Coggins who was non-renewed.

•Approved employee supplemental contract with Rickey Fortenberry to serve as chief mechanic at the Central Office for contract year 2016-2017.

• Approved contract for services with Maria Kennedy to analyze and distribute ACCESS data for EL students effective five days between June 13, 2016 and July 29, 2016.

• Approved contract for services with Amanda Haskins to provide tutoring services effective June 10, 2016, through September 30, 2016.

• Approved employment of Michael Walker as teacher (history) at Priceville Junior High School effective August 2, 2016.  Mr. Walker will be replacing Shana Bryson who is being recommended for a school-to-school transfer.

• Approved employment of Melodi Waldrep as teacher (third grade) at West Morgan Elementary School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Waldrep will be replacing Kristi Hood who resigned.

• Approved employment of Aleisha Viau as countywide teacher (ESL) effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Viau will be replacing Kellis Dees who resigned.

• Approved employment of Thomas Joshua Caldwell as teacher (science) at Priceville Junior High School effective August 2, 2016.  Mr. Caldwell will be replacing William Duncan who was non-renewed.

• Approved employment of Undra Jamar Rush as teacher (fifth grade) at Priceville Junior High School effective August 2, 2016.  Mr. Rush will be replacing Kim Smith who retired.

• Approved employment of Misti Leigh Bressette as countywide teacher (ESL) effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Bressette will be replacing Jessica Baker who resigned.

• Approved employment of Jessica Baker as teacher (sixth) at Pricville Junior High School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Baker will be replacing Anna Baker who was non-renewed.

• Approved re-employment of Leigh Michelle Prince as teacher (kindergarten) at West Morgan Elementary School effective August 2, 2016.

• Accepted notice of retirement as countywide job coach from Eleanor Holt effective June 1, 2016.

• Accepted resignation from Chelsea McCurdy Smith, countywide preschool aide, effective May 27, 2016.

• Approved revision to the effective date of employment for Julie Bone, MCS CNP Director, to May 31, 2016.  This request is made by our payroll department.

• Approved revision to Sparkman School’s support staff listing to show Amy Miller re-employed as a bus driver.  This request is made by our payroll department.

• Approved contract for services with Donna Holmes to provide nursing services at Sparkman School for ESY 2016 effective July 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 2016 Hours 9-2.

• Approved contract for services with Sheila Kasulka to provide nursing services at Sparkman School for ESY 2016 effective June 14, 15, 16, 21 and 23, 2016 Hours 9-2.

• Approved contract for services with Phillip Banks to provide summer instruction at West Morgan High School effective June 9-July 29, 2016.

• Approved contract for services with Mary Brown to provide nursing services at Sparkman School for ESY 2016 effective June 22, 2016 Hours 9-2.

• Approved contract for services with Mindy Pfleuger to provide teaching instruction for ESY 2016 from 9-2 at Sparkman School effective June 14-16, 2016; 21-23, 2016; July 12-14, 19-21, 2016.

• Approved employment of Savanna Dutton as teacher (1st Grade) at Eva School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Dutton will be replacing Carol Bennich who retired.

• Approved re-employment of Carmon Lovett as teacher (math) at Brewer High School effective August 2, 2016.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Tracie Turrentine from instructional coach at Lacey’s Spring School to ½ time assistant principal (replacing Dennis Morris who transferred) and ½ time teacher (new position) effective July 19, 2016 (administrative position) and August 2, 2016 (teaching position).

• Approved employment of Shannan Hembree as teacher (science and 6th grade) at Sparkman School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Hembree will be replacing Gina White who retired.  (See attachments)

• Approved employment of Shelley Vaden as teacher (science) at Eva School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Vaden will be replacing Janet Benefield who resigned.

• Approved employment of Mallory Nelson as teacher (first) at Danville Neel School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Nelson will be replacing Carolyn Matthews who retired.

• Approved employment of Tracie Hopkins as bookkeeper at West Morgan Middle School effective August 1, 2016.  This is a new position.

• Approved re-employment of Shelley LeDesma as countywide special education teacher effective August 2, 2016.

• Approved employment of Meaghan Gray as countywide special education teacher effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Gray will be replacing Kristen Tanner who resigned.

• Approved employment of Melody Oden as office aide at Brewer High School effective August 8, 2016.  Ms. Oden will be replacing Lisa Maxwell who resigned.

• Approved employment of Alexandria Brooke Cordell as countywide special education teacher effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Cordell will be replacing Diane Summerlin who retired.

• Approved employment of Sally Warren as teacher (2nd grade) at Danville Neel Elementary School effective August 2, 2016.  Ms. Warren will be replacing Sharon Lawrence who resigned/retired.

• Approved school to school transfer of Christina Steele from 4th/5th grade math teacher at Falkville Elementary School to third grade teacher at Priceville Elementary School effective school year 2016-2017.  Ms. Steele will be replacing Kasey Davis who is being recommended for a within school transfer.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Brett Mooneyham from 6th grade teacher at West Morgan Middle School to kindergarten teacher at Eva School effective school year 2016-2017.  Mr. Mooneyham will be replacing Kim Woods who resigned.

• Approved within school reassignment of Felecia Wilson from pre-k teacher at Sparkman to first grade teacher at Sparkman effective school year 2016-2017.  Ms. Wilson will be replacing Crystal Long who was non-renewed.

• Approved school-to-school transfer of Kayla Lawson from kindergarten teacher at Priceville Elementary School to first grade teacher at Sparkman School effective school year 2016-2017.  Ms. Lawson will be replacing Melissa Johnson who was non-renewed.

• Approved countywide certified personnel staff listing for 2016-2017 as presented.

• Approved employment of Barry Ozbolt as custodian at Priceville Elementary School effective June 13, 2016. Ozbolt will be replacing Debbie Adkison who retired.

• Accepted resignation as teacher (history) at Danville High School effective June 7, 2016, from Heath Saint.

• Approve school-to-school transfer of Jonathan McGill from math teacher at Falkille High School to math teacher at Priceville High School effective school year 2016-2017. McGill will be replacing Lennetta Jerkins who was non-renewed.

• Approved employment of Kenneth Thomas as custodian at Priceville High School effective July 5, 2016. Thomas will be replacing Erin Lokken who was non-renewed.

• Accepted resignation as countywide bus driver effective June 6, 2016, from Dwane Bowen.

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