DEMOPOLIS–The members of the Demopolis City School Board of Education were recognized during National School Board Month at the Monday night school board meeting. Students from all the schools in Demopolis including Westside, US Jones, and Demopolis High and other members of the community presented the board members with gifts like cakes, gift certificates and other tokens of appreciation.

They also recognized Fran Cox for getting her National Board Certification. She will also receive a $5,000 raise in pay and is only 1 of 24,000 teachers to receive this honor.

Tina McCoy appeared before the board and requested they look into getting lights on the DHS girls’ softball field. The board told McCoy they would look over the information and look into a lease/purchase type deal.

The board approved the fieldtrips for the up and coming year. DHS is touring the Mercedes Plant and the Alabama Steam Plant. Demopolis Middle School is planning trips to Birmingham museum of art and the Space Center in Huntsville.

The board also approved the Demopolis Canebrake Players performing two plays at Westside Elementary School.

Two new policies were looked at during the meeting. The first policy deals with installing a new promotion and retention system for the students. The policy includes establishing a system that will help the teachers in deciding whether or not to hold a child back.

The second deals with installing a new drug use policy. The policy will include training the teachers to look for and be able to recognize.

Mary Glass addressed the board concerning what has been happening at Westside Elementary. She said the school had a snowman contest and it was a great success. Glass also talked about the up and coming spelling bee on February 25.

Ronald Roberts told the board about the events coming up at Demopolis High School.

He said that all the spring sports were in the process of gearing up for the season.

The board then went into executive session for the reminder of the meting.