The Demopolis High School freshman class of 2017 will have some choices as to which diploma endorsements they would like to pursue as the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education approved a revised diploma plan during a brief meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, at the central office on Cedar Avenue.
Alongside the minimum requirements for the completion of an Alabama High School Degree, students will be able to seek endorsements for Advanced Placement, Advanced, Advanced Career Tech and Career Tech.
Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff presented the qualifications for each endorsement in last month’s BOE meeting and then again in a public forum on Thursday, Dec. 1.
For more information on the new endorsements and required courses, visit the central office for a complete listing.
During the meeting, the board and Kallhoff recognized a Teacher of the Year from each of the city schools.
Honored during the meeting were Gabrielle McVay, Westside Elementary kindergarten teacher; Patricia Bolden, U.S. Jones Elementary fifth grade teacher; Susan Browder, Demopolis Middle School grade math teacher; and Jay Russell, Demopolis High English and creative writing teacher.
From those four one teacher from the elementary schools and one from the junior or high schools will be selected to compete for state teacher of the year in Montgomery.
In the personnel report, the board approved the following:
• conditional employment of Kaley McManus, special education teacher at U.S. Jones
• resignation of Chris Tangle, principal of DHS effective Dec. 31.
• termination of Stacy Jones, WES lunchroom worker, effective immediately.
• substitute license for Michael Anthony McClain.
• maternity leave for Addy Card from Feb. 20 through April 3, 2017.
• leave of absence and doctor update requested from Constance Cleveland requested as FMLA expires on Dec. 16.
• FMLA leave for Barbara Wallace has expired, but she continues to be on sick leave and won’t return by Jan. 2. Wallace will provide update from doctor for a return date.
In consent items, the board approved overnight trips for the DHS boys’ basketball team Dec. 20-22 to Birmingham, the DHS girls’ basketball team Dec. 27-29 to Birmingham, and the DHS HOSA Feb. 23-24 to Montgomery.
The board will host a called meeting Monday, Dec. 12 where Kallhoff hopes to address the interim opening for the DHS principal position.