By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
Most folks in the room knew what Superintendent of Education John Knott meant when he said, “We may as well get the elephant out of the room.” Most had heard that just that morning, he had announced at a principals’ meeting that he was planning to retire after seven years as the school system superintendent.
His official announcement came Thursday, April 22, at the Escambia County Board of Education meeting.
“I have talked with the board individually and the staff,” Knott said, admitting he was trying not to get emotional. “I am submitting my notice of intent to retire effective the end of July.
“God has blessed me and blessed my life … This was a hard decision. I love coming to work. I love the people I work with. But it’s time.”
Board President Cindy Jackson opened the floor for comments:
Board member Danny Benjamin said Knott is the fifth superintendent he’s worked with.
“You’ve done an outstanding job,” Benjamin said. “We’ve been blessed to have you. We wish you the best. You’ve done nothing but move this board and county forward.”
Lisa Tindell, publisher of The Brewton Standard, was emotional as she talked about her working relationship with Knott through the years.
Jamie Burkett, Technology Coordinator, praised Knott for embracing the technology needed to keep the system up to date.
CFO Julie Madden was very emotional and unable to speak for several moments as she talked about working closely with Knott.
In other business, the board heard an update on COVID in the school. Knott said there was one positive student in the county, the first in about six weeks. Although some protocols have changed, the schools will continue sanitizing, hand washing, and deep cleaning.
Knott reported that Danny Benjamin was appointed a judge to represent District 2 in the selection of the Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Brandon Wilcox, the new W.S. Neal High School head football coach / athletic director, was introduced.
Knott expressed the board’s appreciation to Mayor Jim Staff and the city council for proclaiming Mental Health Month 2021 in Atmore, and to the school system’s mental health services coordinator Marlo Young who is working with city across the county to raise awareness and support for mental health issues.
The board approved the following personnel recommendations by Knott.
Leave of absence
1. Brandon Stophel, custodian, Escambia County High School, medical leave of absence, effective November 20, 2020 through March 28, 2021
Resignation
1. Brittany Brown, kindergarten teacher, Flomaton Elementary School, effective May 21, 2021
2. Angela Davis, elementary teacher, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective May 21, 2021
3. Angela Roman, math teacher, W.S. Neal Middle School, effective May 21, 2021
4. Christopher Davis, teacher, W.S. Neal High School, effective May 21, 2021
5. James Gosnell, math teacher, W.S. Neal High School, effective May 21, 2021
6. Dudley Fountain, HVAC/electrician, Atmore Maintenance Department, effective April 12, 2021
Retirement
1. Mary Quarker, special education instructional aide, Escambia County High School, effective June 1, 2021
2. Jonathan Barnes, teacher, Escambia County High School, effective June 1, 2021
3. Scott Hammond, principal, Flomaton High School, effective July 1, 2021
4. Teresa Hultz, teacher, Flomaton High School, effective June 1, 2021
5. Connie Hale, elementary teacher, Huxford Elementary School, effective June 1, 2021
6. Joann Boatwright, 7-hour lunchroom worker, Huxford Elementary School, effective June 1, 2021
7. David Bodiford, teacher, W.S. Neal High School, effective June 1, 2021
8. Jane Franklin, bus driver, Brewton Bus Shop, effective June 1, 2021
9. John Knott, superintendent, Escambia County Board of Education, effective July 31, 2021
Transfer
1. Emily Lindsay, special education teacher, Escambia County Middle School, to special education teacher, Flomaton Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021 (replacing Robyn Watson)
Employment
1. Meghan Mayo, elementary teacher, Flomaton Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021
2. Kayla Riley, speech language pathologist, Huxford Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021 (replacing Wendy Stafford)
3. Christianna Redditt, elementary teacher, Huxford Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021 (replacing Scarlet Strom)
4. Tiffany Hammac, special education teacher, Huxford Elementary School, effective April 23, 2021 (replacing Vicki Gulsby)
Employment change
1. Marlo Young, Counselor (187 day contract), Escambia County Middle School, to Mental Health Service Coordinator (202 day contract), Escambia County Board of Education, effective March 29, 2021 (replacing Marlo Young)
2. Summer Patterson, special education teacher, Flomaton Elementary School, to elementary teacher, Flomaton Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021 (replacing Wendy Shelton)
3. John Smith, elementary teacher, Huxford Elementary School, to physical education teacher, Huxford Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021 (replacing Alice White)
4. Lora Matheny, ARI reading specialist, Huxford Elementary School, to kindergarten teacher, Huxford Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021 (replacing Elizabeth Tucker)
5. Sherie Johnson, 6-hour lunchroom worker, Escambia County Middle School, to 7-hour lunchroom worker, Escambia County Middle School, effective May 1, 2021 (replacing Shelly Burgess)
6. Melanie Renfroe, 6-hour lunchroom worker, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, to 7-hour lunchroom worker, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective May 1, 2021 (replacing Dishista Brown)
Rehires
1. Paula Ferguson, elementary teacher, Flomaton Elementary School, effective August 4, 2021
Non-renewals
1. Approval of non-renewal and/or transfers of personnel for the 2021-2022 school year