Demopolis Board of Education honors Butch Russell, discusses upcoming school renovation projects

Published 2:37 pm Thursday, February 25, 2021

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The most recent Demopolis Board of Education meeting opened with the board passing a resolution to memorialize H.D. “Butch” Russell, who died on February 12. Russell served as the Demopolis High School principal from 1983 until his retirement in 1998.

Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff discussed several various projects that he wants to have in place before he leaves Demopolis to take over as the superintendent of Cullman City Schools.

The first project presented for approval was renovations at US Jones Elementary and Demopolis Middle School. There is a capital budget of $350,000 to address interior renovations at USJ and DMS, including painting and reflooring. Kallhoff presented Lathan Architects of Hoover to oversee the renovations and said the projected price from Lathan Architects is well within the board’s budget.

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Kallhoff also said that he would ask the architects to present a plan for renovating the bathrooms at DHS if money is available. Renovations are expected to begin this summer.

Next, the board approved Leon Clark as the administrative construction coordinator for the construction of the multi-purpose building at Westside Elementary. Charles Jones, Jr will coordinate site-based construction.

The board approved textbook committees for math and career tech and the 2021-2022 academic calendar.

The board approved a policy revision on the Central Office’s purchase orders by removing a $2,500 cap. The change allows for blanket purchase orders for recurring expenses.

The board approved the disposal of out-of-date or no longer working technology items.

Also approved were out-of-state or overnight trips for the DHS track team on March 23 to Meridian, Miss., April 23-24 to Mobile, and April 28-May 3 to Gulf Shores.

The personnel changes approved are as follows:

Resignations: Kyle Kallhoff, superintendent; Kristina Kallhoff, USJ third grade teacher; Ricky Pulliam, DHS Special Education teacher, and Freddie James, DHS secretary.

Conditional Employment: Donald Richardson, as 12-month custodian at WES, moving from nine-month custodian at DHS, and Brianna Bryant, third grade teacher at USJ.

Other: RMLA request from Jessica Campbell, USJ aide, from Feb. 27 to April 22; Leslie Morrison as long-term sub at DHS for Special Education; FMLA request from David Vann, maintenance assistant, from Jan. 28 to April 5, and FMLA request from DMS Special Education teacher Julie Wright from Feb. 18 to April 5

The board approved advertising for a custodian (DHS), secretary/receptionist (DHS), K-5 Summer School Coordinator, 6-12 Summer School Coordinator

The next Demopolis Board of Education meeting will be on Monday, March 5 at 5:15 p.m.