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The April 18 Demopolis Board of Education meeting was held at DHS where board members were treated to a presentation from DHS Computer Science students. Board members experimented with robots that move with hand claps or by following a cell phone flashlight.

DHS Principal Terina Gantt, Computer Science teacher Kelly Gandy, and student Trey Bucarel explained how popular the Computer Science class has become in a short time, and that it has met the nine new standards set by the state.

Under Public Comments, Nikki Carter spoke on encouraging conflict resolution in the school system when disagreements happen between students. Carter stated that she stood before the board in 2018 to discuss issues of bullying in the Demopolis school system, but that her appearance at the April 18 meeting was to ask the board to be more transparent. She asked the board to be transparent by posting board policies and meeting minutes on the website, and to also provide complaint forms at all campuses.

In the regular meeting session, Superintendent Tony Willis announced that DCS received the highest rating on global standards set by the Accreditation Committee. The school system received a rating of 30 of 31 and scored a 313, well above the average score of 278-283.

The board approved quotes from Learning Labs, Inc, at no cost to the school system as both will be paid for with grants. The first quote was for $23,713.34 and the second was for $116,363.22. The first quote will help in promoting Career Tech at DMS, and the second will be used to hire teachers to introduce and explain careers to students.

Under the Superintendent’s Report, Willis reported that the multipurpose building at Westside is still behind schedule with construction, but work is expected to pick up once the building has enclosed. Willis said he is uncertain that the multipurpose building will be completed by the August 13 deadline.

Items approved by the board:

• Approved financial report from March
• Approved personnel report
• Approved inventory dispositions
• Approved Textbook adoption for Language Arts and Career Tech
• Approved quote from Harris School Solutions in the amount of $47,775.00, paid out of ESSER funds
• Approved agreement between DCS and LEAN Frog

Consent Items:

• DMS- Disney Trip (6th – 8th grades) January 15-20, 2023
• Dance by Design- Use of DHS Auditorium, May 15, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
• DHS- Track Heptathlon- Hoover High School, May 16-17, 2022
• Update on Impact 180 Program Guidelines

Personnel Report

• Resignations/Retirements: Terry Fountain, JROTC Instructor, resignation effective 6/13/2022, Gary Gibson, Principal, resignation effective 5/31/2022, Brenda Moore, Lunchroom Worker, retiring effective 6/1/2022, Robin Dunn, History Teacher, resignation effective 5/27/2022, Peggie Rowser, aide, retiring 6/1/2022, Nancy Seale, aide, retiring 6/1/2022, Tracey Stewart, Kindergarten Teacher, retiring 6/1/2022, Jennifer Clem, Kindergarten Teacher, retiring 6/1/2022, Tammy Capps, P.E. Teacher, retiring 6/1/2022, Mary Griffin, In-School Suspension Facilitator, retiring 6/1/2022
• Substitutes: Tommy Perkins as Lunchroom Sub at DMS beginning 4/4/22 through 4/18/22, Karla Galvan with Sub license, Ashley Hill with Sub license
• Employment: Tommy Perkins as 9 month Custodian, beginning 4/19/2022
• Miscellaneous: Terry Fountain, JROTC Instructor, returned to work from leave of absence on 3/22/2022, Roger Locke, Maintenance Supervisor, requesting FMLA beginning 5/6/2022 returning in approximately 8-12 weeks

 

The next Demopolis Board of Education meeting will be on May 19 at Westside Elementary at 5:15 p.m.