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The Demopolis Board of Education held its last meeting of the academic school year at Westside Elementary School on Thursday, May 19. The board was treated to a musical performance from Mr. Foster and his second grade students. The board also took the chance to recognize DHS athletes who had outstanding performances at the State Track Meet.

Shonedra Richardson took first place in all four events she competed in, and set state records in the long jump and the 100-meter. Her teammates Miriam Dominquez, Sarah Beth Smith, Heavenly Bing, and Hattie Hurst placed sixth in the 4×800 relay. Bing took fifth place in the 300-yard hurdles and seventh place in the 100-yard hurdles.

The boys’ team had 12 athletes and took third place in the state competition. Trenton Braxton, Kelvin Rowser, Ty Davis, and Kenon Rowser took seventh place in the 4×400 relay. Cam’ron Wright took third place in the long jump, and Braxton won first place in the 110 and 300 hurdles and took fifth in the long jump.

During the regular meeting session, Board member Olen Kerby was elected as the chairman for the next school year, and Harris Hurst was elected as the vice-chair.

The board approved the hiring of  Mid-Western Commercial Roofers for the re-roofing project at DHS. The board also approved LOCKSTEP for cabling installation phase 2.

The board had its first reading of Out-of-District Fee changes to Board Policy 5.00-Students. The proposed change includes an annual $100 fee to be paid at registration every year.

The board approved the Investment Grade Audit Agreement with Schneider Electric. Schneider Electric will upgrade lighting and thermostats throughout the school system, and the cost of the audit will be added to the total cost of the project. The board will have the option to accept or decline the upgrades after the audit, and if it is declined the board will have to pay a fee for the work.

Schneider Electric said the school can save an estimated $2.6 million in utility costs over a 10-year period.

Under the Superintendent’s report, Supt. Tony Willis reported that after meeting with the architects, general contractors, and the site foreman, the priority in August is to have the road for drop off and pick up back in working order. The completion date has been moved closer to September when it will be in the dry and construction can move faster as all the materials are on site.

Willis also reported that the DHS Class of 2022 earned over $5.398 in scholarship money, which is double any of the past six years. Willis said that 55 percent of seniors got scholarship money and the average award to each recipient was $61,340, the highest record ever for Demopolis.

Other items approved by the board:

• Approved the financial report for April 2022
• Approved a contract between DCS and CSFO (Chief School Financial Officer) Morgan Nelson
• Approved inventory dispositions
• Approved Advancement and Technology Fund Budget (FY 2022)

Consent Items

• DHS-FBLA to National Competition – June 27-July 3 – Chicago, IL
• Use request – DHS and USJ gyms by Theo Ratliff Center, June 2-3, 2022, from 9:00-12:00 noon

Personnel Report

• Resignations/Retirements: Olga Agee (4th grade teacher) resignation, effective 5/27/2022, Mary Glenn Agee (6th grade Math teacher), resignation, effective 5/27/2022, Brandon Allen (Band Instructor), resignation, effective 5/27/2022
• Non-Renewals: Ashley Boykin (Pre-K Teacher), effective 5/27/2022, Zhana Todd (Pre-K Auxiliary teacher), effective 5/27/2022, Joann Smoot-Bryant (Math Coach – 10 month) effective 6/13/2022, Marquita Ezell (Reading Coach – 10 month) effective 6/13/2022, Skyler Browder (7th grade Social Studies teacher) effective 5/27/2022
• Transfers: Tanya Patterson, from 3rd grade Elementary teacher to DMS 6th grade teacher, effective 8/2/2022
• Reassignments: Brittany Donald from 2nd grade teacher to reading coach (10 month) effective 7/19/2022
• Employment: Columbus Wilkins as 9 month rotating custodian, effective 8/2/2022, Meredith Jacobs as P.E. teacher, effective 8/2/2022, Amanda Cook as Pre-K teacher, effective 8/2/2022, Madison Campbell as Pre-K Auxiliary teacher, effective 8/2/2022, Lisa Williams as Elementary teacher (2nd Grade) effective 8/2/2022
• Substitutes: Terry Fountain as Sub with JROTC certificate

Approved Stipends

• Special Education Lead Teachers to receive a supplement of $500.00 each to be paid May 31, 2022 for the 2021-2022 school year. Teachers to receive are: Juleigh Stevens, Tammy Knott, Shameka Gray, Melissa Latham.
• Nicole Larkin as 2022 Elementary Summer Program Coordinator with $3,500 stipend
• Allene Jones as 2022 Secondary Summer Program Coordinator with $3,500 stipend