By Sherri Blevins
The Jackson County Board of Education met on July 13, 2023, with several items on the agenda. One of the first important decisions made was the name of the new Career and Innovation Academy. In honor of former Jackson County Superintendent Kevin Dukes, the Board approved naming the new facility the Kevin Dukes Career and Innovation Academy. A special ceremony was held to honor the late superintendent and his family, and the new signage for the academy was revealed.
Another motion approved was the purchase of additional property for Stevenson Elementary School. Property belonging to Margie Waldrop was bought for $50,000.00.
The Board entered into a memorandum of understanding between the Jackson County Board of Education, Alabama A&M University, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System for the collaborative use of the Paint Rock Valley High School property. The school closed in 2018.
The Board also voted on action concerning Pisgah and North Sand Mountain High School. Pisgah High School and North Sand Mountain High School bleachers will be demolished and temporary bleachers installed for $528,990.00.
Several personnel actions were approved as well:
• Family medical leaves were granted to Aretha Kesler and Katie Derr
• Resignations of Aretha Kesler (Hollywood School bus aide), Sherry Matthews Swinford, Jessica McClain, and Raeah Etherton (County-wide instructional aides)
• Transfer of Peggy Smith from a Stevenson Elementary School teacher to a county-wide reading coach
• Transfer of Amanda Stewart from a Bridgeport Elementary School teacher to a county-wide reading coach
• Transfer of Stacie McAllister from a North Sand Mountain High School teacher to an elementary teacher at Hollywood School
• Transfer of Melissa Howell from a Stevenson Elementary School teacher to an elementary and physical education teacher at Hollywood School
• Transfer of Cody Brown from North Sand Mountain High School Principal to Special Education and Health Services Supervisor
• Transfer of Lynda Keith from an 8-hour custodian at North Sand Mountain High School to a county-wide school bus driver and technical school bus driver at North Sand Mountain
• Employ Briana Gilbert as a bus aide at Hollywood School
• Employ Autumn Townson as a 7-hour lunchroom worker at Section High School
• Employ Kathey Parker as a Pre-K auxiliary aide at Stevenson Elementary School
• Employ Tiffany Castleberry as an elementary teacher at Stevenson Elementary School
• Employ Ashlee Hastings as a county-wide school nurse (initial location at Section High School),
• Employ Victoria Miles as a county-wide school nurse (initial location at NJHS)
• Employ Jordan Williams as a part-time elementary teacher at Flat Rock School
• Employ Sophie Clark as an elementary teacher (long-term substitute until certification completion) at Bridgeport Elementary School
• Employ Teresa White as a technical school bus driver at North Sand Mountain High School
• Employ Matthew Allen as a part-time teacher at Woodville High School
• Employ Vickie Gilley as a county-wide school bus driver (initially located at Dutton School)
• Employ Kelley Chapman as an Assistant Principal at Section High School
• Employ Rachel Muir as a special education teacher at Hollywood School
• Employ Anna Smith as an elementary teacher at Hollywood School
• Employ Callie Goins as a Pre-K auxiliary aide at Pisgah High School
• Approval of Angie Kelly and Terry Ballard as Bridgeport Middle School coaches
Congratulations to all newly hired employees, and good luck with the new school year.
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