As the start of the 2017-2018 school year approaches, the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education handled business to prepare for the upcoming year during a meeting on July 17 at the central office.

One action approved by the board included bringing in an on-site counselor from West Alabama Mental Health to be stationed at Demopolis Middle School and serve current and potential WAMH clients. The service will come at no cost to the board for the counselor, but the system will need to provide an office, internet connection and phone service.

Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff said that the WAMH counselor will serve as a resource for the school counselor and if the program is successful this year, it may expand to U.S. Jones Elementary or Westside Elementary for the 2018-2019 school year.

Child Nutrition Program (CNP) bids approved for the year included Four Seasons Produce, $23,783; Borden Dairy, $83,769; and Ice Cream Warehouse, $11,170.

The board also approved a measure to allow parents to pay school fees online through PayPams. Previously, parents were only allowed to pay for a child’s school lunch though PayPams. With the approval, the board modified the motion to ensure PayPams lowers its service fee as the school year progresses.

Action items approved by the board include the following:

• An agreement with Shelton State Community College for the dual enrollment HVAC class.

• Inventory disposition of four items, including a 1998 bus that will be offered for sale.

After a lengthy executive session, the board also approved extra-curricular supplements for the school year. Notable positions needing to be filled include head basketball coach for DMS and assistant coach positons for DHS football, girls’ basketball and baseball.

In the personnel report, the board approved the following:

• The employment of Mary Ellen McCrory, CNP worker at WES; Nicole Jensen, Social Studies teacher at DMS; Tracey Stewart, 10-month assistant principal, split between WES and USJ; Jamie Webb, USJ teacher, and William Jackson, 12-month custodian at WES.

• Resignations of Pam Morrison as Central Office secretary and Allison Cobb, English/Language Arts teacher at DMS.

• Transfers of Shawn Nikki Cobb, Special Education paraprofessional from USJ to DMS, and Ricky Richardson, Special Education paraprofessional from USJ to WES.

• Substitute licenses for Elaine Carter and Katie Poole.

• Moving Brandi Dannelly, DHS girls P.E. teacher to a 10-month employee, and Norvie Womack, Career Prep teacher at DMS, to a 10-month employee.

Because of actions taken in the personnel report, the board agreed to advertising for a DMS English teacher and re-advertising the central office secretary position and expand it to 10 months with a commiserate salary.

Other consent items include:

• A memorandum of understanding to implement in the new pre-K program.

• Contract with Fleming Photography to take Demopolis High School pictures, including senior portraits, class photos and sports.

• Rotary Club dues for the superintendent.

The board will have a called meeting on August 2 at 9:30 a.m. to personnel hires before the start of the school year. The next regular meeting will be August 21.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, July 19, print edition of the Demopolis Times.)