News Staff Report
The Escambia County Board of Education addressed a number of issues in regular session Thursday, October 28.
Superintendent Michele McClung presented a proposal to the board currently for information only. She is looking into contracting with Kelly Educational Services (KES) to manage substitutes due to the shortage of personnel. The system is almost at a crisis level, McClung said. In fact, she related an incident in a school recently in which a teacher was sitting in the hallway between two classrooms, trying to conduct two classes, due to personnel shortage.
One board member suggested the board go ahead and contract with KES since the shortage already exists. McClung said more financial information needs to be gathered before she makes the recommendation to the board.
Substitutes already in the county system would roll over into the Kelly system and would be paid at the Kelly rate which is higher than the current public school rate.
The board voted to enter into contract with PowerSchool’s Performance Matters to help mitigate learning loss and provide ACT preparedness. McClung worked with this program in Mobile County.
Chief School Financial Officer Julie Madden presented the financial report for fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The school system has an operating reserve of 3.15 months.
One agenda item received a motion and second which were both rescinded after a short discussion. At the July 22 meeting, the board voted to retain then-Superintendent John Knott as a consultant to the board regarding COVID-19 and pandemic-related matters and for health and safety issues related to COVID-19, effective October 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022. At the October 28 meeting, the agenda item read, “Approval to terminate consultant contract with John Knott regarding COVID-19 and pandemic-related matters and for health and safety issues related to COVID-19, effective October 28, 2021.” Board member Mike Edwards made the motion to approve with a second by board member Coleman Wallace. However, after a short discussion, the motion and second were rescinded when other board members wanted more information before voting.
Superintendent Michele McClung introduced Garrett Weaver, student at W.S. Neal High School who has been named SkillsUSA Alabama High School State Reporter. Garrett is in his second year in the industrial maintenance program at Escambia Career Readiness Center. He is currently president of SkillsUSA, the Career Technical Student Organization, and has attended meetings in Montgomery and Washington DC.
McClung presented a list of “good news” happenings at all schools.
She also recognized board members for honors in the Alabama School Board Association School Board Member Academy:
* Board President Cindy Jackson, Master Honor Roll
* Board Vice President Mike Edwards, Master Honor Roll
* Board member Loummek White, Level 1
* Board member Kevin Hoomes, Master Level
* Board member Danny Benjamin, Master Honor Roll
* Board member Coleman Wallace, Master Honor Roll
Two women, both from the Brewton area, addressed the board and superintendent, expressing their displeasure with the mask requirements imposed on students. The board voted October 20 to change the mandate from required to preferred, effective October 29.
In personnel, the board voted to reinstate four-and-one-half sick leave days to Elizabeth Chaloux, teacher, Escambia County Alternative School, due to an on-the-job injury, effective 1/2 day August 17, 2021, August 18-20, 2021, and August 23, 2021
The following personnel recommendations were submitted by McClung and approved by the board.
Leave of absence
1. Pamela Iutzi, custodian, Flomaton Elementary School, medical leave of absence, effective September 21, 2021, through October 11, 2021
Resignation
1. Amberis Fountain, elementary teacher, Escambia County Middle School, effective November 30, 2021
2. Joni Simpson, 6-hour lunchroom worker, W.S. Neal Elementary School, effective October 28, 2021
3. Nicole Watson, bus driver, Brewton Bus Shop, effective October 20, 2021
4. Angelia McMullen, bus driver, Atmore Bus Shop, effective October 15, 2021
Employment
1. Shaun Goolsby, deputy of operations, Escambia County Board of Education, effective November 1, 2021. Board President Cindy Jackson voted no on this recommendation.
2. Kike Pettaway, attendance supervisor, Escambia County Board of Education, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Cheryl Jones)
3. Russell Robinson, special education teacher, Escambia County Middle School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Tamara Banks)
4. Heather Driver, teacher aide, Flomaton Elementary School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Melanie Rowland)
5. Emily Barlow, special education aide, Huxford Elementary School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Lillian Dean)
6. Shirley Prescod, instructional aide, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective November 1, 2021
7. Tamesha Knight, 6-hour lunchroom worker, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Katherine Hodges)
8. Maranda Lambeth, pre-k program instructional aide, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Deloris Johnson)
9. Lindsay Mims-Banks, teacher aide, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective November 8, 2021
10. Cynthia Scott, kindergarten teacher, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective November 1, 2021
11. Academic Recovery Response Plan After School Personnel: Staffing schedules will be based on student enrollment, student attendance, and need for student academic support, effective October 1, 2021 through May 25, 2021
Flomaton High School
Teachers: DeAnna Ross, Sharon Morgan, Kimberly Nevels, Jessica Green, Alison Brit, Karen Andrews
Pollard McCall Junior High School
Teachers: Heather Kirkland, Rebecca Green, Laketha Bradley
W.S. Neal Elementary School
Lead teacher: Gloria Hill; Teachers: Britney Shelly, Janet Gunn, Andrella Nettles, Margo Nordmeyer-Adams
Employment change
1. Paula Stone, special education teacher aide, Escambia County Middle School, to special education teacher, Escambia County Middle School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Jacquita Jenkins)
2. Heather White, elementary teacher, Pollard McCall Junior High School, to English / language arts teacher, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective October 29, 2021 (replacing Traci Burch)
3. Laurel Billy, special education teacher, W.S. Neal Elementary School, to kindergarten teacher, W.S. Neal Elementary School, effective November 1, 2021 (replacing Tracy McCurdy)