By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
No one would disagree 2020 has been an extraordinary year. Certainly, educators can attest to the kind of year it’s been. They’ve had to change how school is done, devising and adapting to new methods.
In light of the extraordinary school year, the Escambia County Board of Education approved a resolution at the December 17 meeting extending “extraordinary compensation” for employees.
The resolution reads in part:
“WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed and continues to pose multiple challenges to the Board’s mission of providing high quality education for Escambia County School (“ECS”) students; and WHEREAS, the commitment, dedication, hard work, and exemplary performance of the Board’s employees has enabled Escambia County Schools to meet and overcome these challenges and continue to provide a quality education for ECS students; and
“WHEREAS, the pandemic will continue to require ECS employees to engage in duties and responsibilities above the normal call of duty throughout the 2020-2021school year; and
“WHEREAS, the members of the Escambia County Board of Education, hereby commend each and every employee of Escambia County Schools; and
“NOW THEREFORE IT WILL BE RESOLVED by the Escambia County School Board of Education that, in consideration of the future non-anticipated additional services beyond their normal duties to be provided by the employees of the Escambia County Board of Education in association with the COVID-19 requirements for the 2020-2021 school year, all full-time active employees who are currently on the job and working effective December 1, 2020, with the exception of the Superintendent, will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $500.00.”
Speaking of adapting to changes in how school is done, Superintendent John Knott announced the following schedule for students returning to school after the Christmas break. The second semester will start with a staggered start schedule –January 4, 5, and 6. All students return on January 7.
In other business,
- the board awarded the contract for emergency repairs, caused by flooding due to Hurricane Sally, for W.S. Neal High School to Triptek Construction (of Atmore) in the amount of $668,900. (A claim has been filed with FEMA for a Public Assistance Damage and Recovery Grant, Disaster #4563DR-AL.)
- renewed the appointment of board attorney Broox Garrett for January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, with a $1,000 retainer fee.
The board approve the following personnel recommendations by Superintendent Knott.
Leave of absence
- Krystal Jernigan, bus driver, Brewton Bus Shop, medical leave of absence, effective August 19, 2020 through December 1, 2020
- Brandon Stophel, custodian, Escambia County High School, leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act for 60 days, effective August 19, 2020 through November 20, 2020
Resignation - Lindsey Morgan, elementary teacher, Escambia County Middle School, effective November 20, 2020 (amended date)
- Annette M. McKey, elementary teacher, Escambia County Middle School, effective December 11, 2020
- Cheri Parker, LPN aide, W.S. Neal High School, effective November 30, 2020 (amended date)
- Tammy Nelson, bus aide, Brewton Bus Shop, effective December 18, 2020
Retirement - Linda Sue Gibson, special needs bus driver / transportation secretary, Brewton Bus Shop, effective December 21, 2020
Transfer - Cordia Lee, counselor, (187 contract days) Escambia County Middle School, to counselor, (202 contract days) Escambia Career Readiness Center, effective January 4, 2021 (replacing Lia Zeiger)
Employment - Robert Whitfield, assistant principal, W.S. Neal Middle School, effective January 4, 2021 (replacing Perry Updike)
- Brandon Wiggins, HVAC/electrician, Brewton Maintenance Department, effective January 4, 2021 (replacing Colton Hammonds)
- Ronald Davis, bus driver, Atmore Bus Shop, effective January 4, 2021 (replacing Amanda Matta)
- Julie Newton, teacher, Title I After School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Karen Andrews, teacher, Title I After School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Sharon Morgan, teacher, Title I After School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Jessica Green, teacher, Title I After School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- DeAnna Ross, teacher, Title I After School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Julie Newton, teacher, Title I Saturday School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Jeffrey Haney, teacher, Title I Saturday School Program, Flomaton High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Leketha Bradley, lead teacher, Title I After School Program, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Heather Kirkland, teacher, Title I After School Program, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Melanie Kent, teacher, Title I After School Program, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Tristan Fore, teacher, Title I After School Program, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Amber Carpenter, teacher aide, Title I After School Program, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Lillie Jones, teacher aide, Title I After School Program, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective January 4, 2021
- Janet Gunn, substitute teacher, Title I After School Program, W.S. Neal Elementary School, effective November 1, 2020
Rehires - Marsha Wilson, elementary teacher, Escambia County Middle School, effective December 14, 2020 (replacing Paula Ferguson)
- James Rogers, elementary teacher, W.S. Neal Middle School, effective January 4, 2021 (replacing Daniel B. Killam)