Schools will not allow cell phones

At its meeting last Thursday, although they took no action, the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education heard as Superintendent Michele Collier said this coming fall, the school system will crack down on its policy to not allow cell phones in the schools, citing the drop in discipline problems since Escambia County Middle School has recently led the way.

"It has made a phenomenal difference," said one school official. "We were literally having to work two, three, four five situations a week with up to 10 or 12 kids involved in these tech screens and chat rooms, that were negative, where they talk about each other. It has cut the discipline problems drastically."

Assistant Superintendent George Brown said the school has a policy in place that does not allow cell phones, but admitted the schools have not done a good job implementing the policy.

"Next year, we will stress the importance of the policy," said Brown. "I feel if kids are on their phones and looking down, they are not talking to each other, missing out on social skills. We are going remove them completely from sight."

Brown said cell phones are also being used in hallways and bathrooms to set up problems, such as fights, or when things are planned to happen. He said no child will be denied the right to call their parent and no parent will be denied the right to speak to their child but cell phones are a big distraction.

"There have been fights that were illegally recorded using these devices," said Brown. "And then they post them on social media against the will of other students. This will protect the kids and parents too from doing that. Dr. Collier made it a point that we are going to do a better job."

Brown said there is data from other schools that have enacted the policy and the results are that academic performance has gone up and bad behavior and discipline has gone down everywhere it is happening. He said the new policy this fall will carry its own punitive actions for not following the policy.

"If I'm a parent, I will want that for my child," said Brown.

In other business, the board:

-Approved an overnight trip for Escambia County Middle School cheerleaders to attend cheer camp at Troy University on July 15, 2024 through July 18, 2024.

-Approved an out of state trip for gifted education to attend the Atlanta Aquarium and World of Coca Cola in Atlanta, Ga. (fifth and sixth grade gifted students will attend on May 8, 2024, and 7th and 8th grade gifted students will attend on May 9, 2024)

-Approved an overnight trip for W.S. Neal High School track and field team to attend the AHSAA State Outdoor Track & Field meet on May 2, 2024 through May 4, 2024 in Cullman, Ala.

-Approved a contract with CDW-G for Microsoft Office Professional Plus license and software assurance in the amount of $12,935.28 to be paid for from ESSSER 3 funds

-Approved a 2024-2025 textbook adoption

-Approved entering into an Easement with Alabama Power for power lines on board-owned property at W.S. Neal High School, and execution of the same by the board president.

-Approved dual enrollment for dual credit agreement between Reid State Technical College and Escambia County Board of Education.

-Approved reimbursement of $3,400 to Flomaton High School for non-refundable charter bus expenses for senior class trip that was rescheduled due to severe weather.

-Approved a Cyber Security Incident Response Plan

The board unanimously approved the following recommended personnel changes at its meeting. The changes are as follows:

Retirement

Ronald Keith Nall, Physical Education teacher at Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective June 1, 2024; Monica Blackmon, teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School, effective June 1, 2024; John White, teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School, effective June 1. 2024; Suzanne Helton, JAG Specialist at W.S. Neal High School, effective June 7, 2024; Susan Hardyman, teacher at W.S. Neal High School, effective June 1. 2024; and Kathleen Meadows, bus driver at Brewton Bus Shop, effective June 1, 2024

Resignation

Earlean Simon, special education teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective May 24, 2024; Tina Hunt, math coach at Escambia County Middle School, effective May 24, 2024; Zachary Gotlib, TEAMS math teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective May 24, 2024; Charlotte McCormick, teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective May 24, 2024; Arlene Hoomes, 7-hour lunchroom worker at Flomaton High School. effective April 10, 2024; Sonya Higdon, custodian at Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective April 5, 2024; Anne Catherine Campbell, math teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School, effective May 29, 2024; Jack Floyd, technology technician at ECS Technology Department, effective March 29, 2024

Employment

Kara Sawyer, secretary/bookkeeper at Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective April 29, 2024 (replacing Joyce Gunn); Melissa Ewing, custodian at Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective April 19, 2024 (replacing Sonya Higdon); Jason Tolbert, utility/groundskeeper at Atmore Maintenance Department, effective May 1, 2024 (replacing Justin Dubose); Robert Spicer, bus driver at Brewton Bus Shop, effective April 19, 2024 (replacing Stacey Fuqua)

After School Employment

Leah White, After School Program teacher at Escambia County Middle School effective Feb. 6, 2024; Jude Sanford, After School Program teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective Feb. 6, 2024

Summer Employment

James Williams, ARRP Summer School, custodian at Escambia County Middle School effective June 18, 2024; Erin Howard, Camp Big Blue Teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School effective May 28,2024; Jennifer Blaney, Camp Big Blue Teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School effective May 28, 2024; Bailey Johnson, Camp Big Blue Teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School effective May 28,2024; Tammy Bonds, Camp Big Blue Teacher at W.S. Neal Middle School effective May 28, 2024

Leave of Absence

Linda West, teacher at Escambia County High School, from Nov. 27, 2023 through March 8, 2024

Transfer

Arlene Hoomes, seven-hour lunchroom worker, from Pollard McCall Junior High School to seven-hour lunchroom worker at Flomaton High School, effective April 1, 2024

The next board meeting will be at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 9 at Escambia County High School.