By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
The highlight of last Friday’s meeting (November 15) of the Escambia County Board of Education was the swearing in of two newly elected members and one incumbent member who ran without opposition.
But the BOE also approved the spending of almost $184,000 for technological upgrades at one county high school and reading improvement software for middle school and younger students across the county.
Greg Dawkins, who defeated 36-year school board veteran Danny Benjamin in the November 5 General Election to gain the District 2 seat, was sworn in as his wife held the Bible, and Jerry Wilson, who defeated former two-term District 3 representative Mike Edwards in March’s Republican Primary, was administered the oath of office as his wife held the Bible.
District 7’s Coleman Wallace was also sworn in for his third six-year term after running an uncontested race. Administrative Assistant Michelle Lucas held the Bible while Wallace was administered the oath. Judge of Probate Doug Agerton administered the oath to each of the three.
The board also approved the expenditure of $136,978.84 to KAM Technologies for upgrades to the network switches at W.S. Neal High. Superintendent of Education Dr. Michele Collier said the school’s network switches were the oldest in the school system. The purchase will be paid for from Advancement and Technology (A&T) funds.
Also gaining board approval was the purchase of a subscription to MyOn Reading and MyOn News for Renaissance Learning for students in grades K-8. The purchase will be paid for with state textbook funds. Dr. Collier said the subscription includes access to 1,400 ebook titles, as well as current events.
In other business, the board approved another revision to the school system’s salary schedule to correct the salary amounts listed for individuals holding two different positions and announced that the next regular BOE meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, at the Atmore Central Office.
Personnel
The following personnel recommendations by Dr. Michele Collier were approved by the Board.
The following abbreviations are used:
Escambia County Board of Education – ECBOE
Huxford Elementary School – HES
Rachel Patterson Elementary School – RPES
Escambia County Middle School – ECMS
Escambia County High School – ECHS
Flomaton Elementary School – FES
Flomaton High School – FHS
W.S. Neal Elementary School – WSNES
W.S. Neal Middle School – WSNMS
W.S. Neal High School – WSNHS
Atmore Bus Shop – ABS
Brewton Bus Shop – BBS
Retirement
1. Larry Zangas, bus driver, BBS, effective Dec. 1, 2024 (amended)
Resignation
1. James Scruggs, assistant band director, ECMS, effective Dec. 20, 2024
2. Skye Ramsey, custodian, FHS, effective Nov. 30, 2024
3. Kimberly Ward, 7-hour lunchroom worker, HES, effective Nov. 7, 2024
4. JoAnn Delillo, 6-hour lunchroom worker, WSNMS, effective Nov. 5, 2024
5. James Scruggs, bus driver, ABS, effective Dec. 20, 2024
Employment
1. Kewana Bradley, accountant, ECBOE, effective Jan. 6, 2025, replacing Andrea Godbolt
2. Lee Smith, assistant principal, RPES, effective Nov. 18, 2024 (amended), replacing Shawaungela DeLoach
Employment change
1. Laura Bailey, from CNP bookkeeper, ECBOE, to CNP director, ECBOE, effective Dec. 2, 2024, replacing Susanne Boutwell
Transfer
1. Karl Smith, assistant principal, from RPES, to FES, effective Dec. 2, 2024 (amended)
After school employment
1. Ashley Gafford, teacher after school program, FHS, effective Nov. 5, 2024
2. Deanna Ross, bus monitor after school program, FHS, effective Oct. 3, 2024
3. Deanna Edwards, aide after school program, WSNES, effective Dec. 2, 2024
4. Allison Ramirez, aide after school program, WSNES, effective Dec. 2, 2024
5. Makenna Lindley, teacher after school program, WSNES, effective Dec. 2, 2024
6. Ashley Sawyer, teacher after school program, WSNES, effective Dec. 2, 2024
Contract
1. Anna Nichole Nelson, TEAMS math, WSNHS, effective Aug. 2, 2024
Leave of Absence
1. Morgan Miller, teacher aide, WSNES, effective Aug. 7, 2024 through Oct. 28, 2024