Super to interim; Collier picked

The Escambia County (Ala.) School Board removed the 'interim' term for Michele Collier at its Thursday board meeting to name her as the system's new superintendent, however, the interim term was placed back on during a special meeting Monday after the board realized it had to advertise for that position.

Collier, who served as an assistant superintendent, was serving as the school system's acting after the school board voted to buy out former Superintendent Michele McClung's contract.

During its School Board Appreciation last Thursday at W.S. Neal High School, the board voted unanimously to name Collier as the new superintendent asking Board Chairman Loumeek White and School Board Attorney Kirk Garrett to negotiate her contract.

Once the board learned the position had to be advertised, a special meeting was called Monday morning at the central office.

The board voted unanimously to name Collier as the interim superintendent, effective Feb. 1 for a period of six months or until the board appoints a new superintendent, which ever comes first.

The board approved the process and timeline and notice for a superintendent proposed by Board President Loumeek White to post the position immediately on the school's website for 30 days with applications due no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Board member Mike Edwards made the motion and it received a second by Board Member Danny Benjamin. The board then voted 7-0 to advertise for the superintendent position.

At a workshop to discuss the superintendent position prior to the meeting last Thursday, just before the board approved Collier as the new superintendent, school board attorney Garrett recommended the board issue a contract that would run two years and 5 months when they hire a superintendent to avoid a situation like the current one.

"It gets you back on the time frame of July 1 to June 30, so we don't have a superintendent contract expiring in the middle of the school year," said Garrett. "I suggested Feb. 1 thru June 30.

The contract can be from 2 to 4 years, which he said that was up to the board to decide.

Teachers recognized

Elementary teachers of the year recognized are: Natashcia Kidd from Escambia County Middle School; Courtney Dixon from Flomaton Elementary School; Brandy Lassiter from Huxford Elementary School; Noelle Morris from Pollard-McCall Junior High School; Kathy Griffin from Rachel Patterson Elementary School; Amanda Hoke from W.S. Neal Elementary School; Sandra Barrow from W.S. Neal Middle School; and Shirley Prescod from A.C.Moore Pre-school

Secondary teachers of the year recognized are: Jessica Green from Flomaton High School; Marcia Adams from Escambia County Middle School; Barbara Whatley from Escambia County High School; Anne Catherine Campbell from W.S. Neal Middle School; and Willie Fantroy from Escambia Career Readiness Center.

Financial Report

School Chief Financial Officer Rochelle Richardson gave a review of the monthly financial statement for December 31, 2023. Richardson reported to the board that the unreserved fund balance $15,738,794.02, which is 3.7 months operating reserve.

In other business, the board:

-Approved an out of state trip for selected seniors of Escambia County High School to tour Florida A&M University and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. on February 27, 2024

-Approved an overnight trip for 12 Escambia County High School Honor Band students to attend the Southeastern United States High School Honor Band and Clinic on February 1, 2024 through February 3, 2024 at Troy University (with chaperones)

-Approved a board policy revision of Section VII. Instructional Program-Selection of instructional materials and materials for the school libraries (This item has been tabled for 30 days) with the provision that it can be modified at the specific time, if necessary

-Approved to authorize the board enter into a contract with Alabama Association of School Boards to provide consulting services related to the search for a new CSFO with a contract price in the amount of $5,000 plus mileage, and related fees and expenses, and authorize Board President White to execute the contract

-Approved to authorize Board President Loumeek White and legal counsel to negotiate contract with Criterion for CSFO consulting services at the rate of $825 per day plus related per diem travel and other expenses, to be provided on an 'as needed' basis as determined by designated board personnel

-Approved the Escambia County Board of Education Cheerleading Constitution (This item will be tabled for 30 days)

-Approved to award the bid from Gulf States Distributors for the purchase of metal detectors as needed

(safety grant and local funds will be used to keep athletic events safer)

The next school board meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, at Flomaton High School Library.

The Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education approved the following recommended personnel changes at its Jan. 18 meeting. The changes are as follows:

Resignation

Kike Pettway, probationary principal at Escambia County High School, effective Jan. 21, 2024 per agreement between ECBOE and Ms. Pettway

Employment

Kike Pettway, mental health coordinator at Escambia County Board of Education, effective Jan. 22, 2024 (replacing Marlo Young); Joseph DiFilippo, teacher at Escambia County High School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Princess Davis); Kenyon Moody. Elementary teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective Jan. 2, 2024 (replacing Seth Harwell); Sydney Garrett, special education teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Berna Milton); April Graham, elementary teacher at Pollard McCall junior High School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Jessica Peterson); Jalen Pugh, physical education teacher at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Maurice Bradley); Heather Lavana, special education aide at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 19, 2024; Makala Lee, special education aide at Rachel Patterson Elementary School. Effective Jan. 19, 2024; Julius Armstrong, special education teacher at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Tina Garrett); Shykeelia Collins, elementary teacher at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Feb. 1, 2024 (replacing Rhonda Jarju); Deborah Wiggins, 6-hour lunchroom worker at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Kendra Valenzuela); Heather Walton, English/language arts teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Glynnis Booker); and Angela Leachman, bus driver for Atmore Bus Stop, effective Jan. 19, 2024 (replacing Ronald Hall)

Leave of Absence

Jason Stabler, teacher at Escambia County Alternative School, effective Sept. 12, 2023 through Dec. 12, 2023

After School Employment

Alison Britt, teacher for the after school program at Flomaton High School, effective Jan. 19, 2024; Caroline Hughes, teacher for the after school program at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 23, 2024; Julie McDonald, teacher for the after school program at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 23, 2024; and April George, teacher for the after school program at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Jan. 23, 2024

TEAMS contract

Michael Roberts, TEAMS science at W.S. Neal High School, effective Aug. 2, 2023