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The Demopolis Board of Education approved several items on their agenda at the Sept. 12 meeting.

The board approved a contract with McKee and Associates to bid the Demopolis High School (DHS)track resurfacing and oversee the work. Superintendent Tony Willis said when the school did its athletic survey and needs assessment, it was decided that resurfacing the track was a priority project. McKee and Associates requires two weeks of temperatures over 50 degrees to perform the work, and the resurfaced track would not be usable for a week after completion.

Willis said the board needs to get the project “in the books” early because the project likely won’t begin until the spring due to the football team currently using the area for practices. Willis aims for the project to begin in late April or early May when neither the track or football team is using the track.

The board approved purchasing property at 306 South Industrial Park that the school board has been leasing from Ben Sherrod. The property was recently appraised at $13,000 over the asking price. The maintenance department will be set up on the property.

“Not only would it serve the purpose of maintenance, it also gives us a lot of room for storage and it has office space,” said Willis. “I feel like it’s a great long-term solution for us.”

A bid was awarded to Premier Service Co., Inc to replace the fire alarm system at DHS. The fire marshal examined the fire alarm system over the summer and found several issues with the current system and determined it needed to be replaced.

Willis said it is cheaper to replace the old system rather than make repairs. The bid came in under the budgeted $500,000 at $484,424.

The board also approved an agreement with Beta Box Learning to provide hands-on STEM Education to DHS and DMS students at no cost to the school system, after reimbursement from the Alabama State Department of Education.

“It’s really good and interactive. They have STEM learning activities that help out our kids because a lot of these things we would not be able to afford to put in their hands,” said Willis.

The board approved a proposal to enter into and Investment Grade Audit agreement with Schneider Electric Buildings Americas, Inc., to study what would be Phase II of renovations under contract with them to develop a long-term plan and method for improving HVAC system.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the salary matrix for Human Resource Director and for Classified Employees;
• Approved the job description for Transportation Director;
• Renewed a contract between DCS and The Learning Tree, Inc to provide services to special education students from Oct. 1, until Sept. 30, 2024;
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between DCS and Black Belt Community Foundation Head Start (BBCFHS) from Aug. 1, through July 31, 2024;
• Approved a change order in the amount for $59,380.82 to McKee and Associates for additional security fencing at Demopolis Middle School;
• Approved inventory dispositions; and
• Approved a field use request by Chip Hughes for use of the DHS Softball Field for Sept. 13 through December.

Personnel Report

• Resignations: Reid-Clare Stein (Allen), Elementary Education Teacher, 4th grade, resigned effective 9/24/23.
• Transfers: Jessica Henson, from classroom Aide at Westside Elementary to Bilingual Instructional Aide as Westside and DHS, effective 9/18/23. No salary changes.
• Substitutes: Shirley Spencer, with Sub license
• Miscellaneous: Charles Jones, removed as assistant varsity boys basketball coach (approved at 7/27/23 Board Meeting) and named as B-Team boys basketball coach instead, for supplement amount as shown on approved supplement schedule. Kendrick Office, to serve as assistant varsity boys basketball coach for supplement amount as shown on approved supplement schedule. Courtney Kerby, requesting FMLA to begin 1/11/24 with anticipated return date of 3/25/24. Regina Hill, as long-term Sub while Courtney Kerby is on FMLA. Kristy Smith, as after-school Extended Day Teacher.

The next meeting of the Demopolis Board of Education will be Oct. 16 at 5:15 p.m.