Administrators address events, curriculum at DBOE

During its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 17, the Daleville City Board of Education heard from administrators about upcoming events and other announcements as the system prepares for graduation season.

Daleville High School Principal Josh Robertson first provided dates for May events leading to graduation on May 24, which included honors night and baccalaureate, before telling the board that seniors were also told of possible job opportunities available after high school.

“We had a representative from Sanders Lead Company in Troy… Cathy Dixon to speak to our seniors about potential jobs available to them as they graduate,” he said, stating applications were made available to students after her visit.

He said a representative from the Alabama Community College System, Emily Harrelson, has also been helping seniors fill out FAFSA and college applications. He said she has also been working with other grades preparing their four-year plans.

Robertson announced that Jamie Peters was awarded the regional Bryant Jordan Scholarship, providing $3,000 for college and three students will be attending Space Camp in Huntsville over the summer: Alex Peters, Austin Horne and Leah Steward.

During his administrative reports, Windham Elementary School Principal Chris Mitten told the board that students took part in state testing during the week of April 15, after students attended a kick-off pep rally on Friday, April 12, to encourage and motivate them to do their best on the tests.

He also announced upcoming events for WES as well, such as the Senior Walkthrough at WES and kindergarten graduation on Friday, May 17.

Special Programs Director Katheryn Horace spoke about changes to curriculum she learned about while attending a curriculum and instruction meeting in Montgomery on April 9.

“You may have noticed you have not approved any textbooks to be adopted… that’s because (Gov. Kay Ivey) put the math adoption on hold because she wanted the state team to go back and relook at that course of study,” Horace said. “Next year, teachers will be following the 2016 course of study instead of the new math course of study because it is being revisited, and there will be no math textbooks purchased until the state has gone back and revised that.”

She also told the board that accountability measures for each school were also addressed at the curriculum and instruction meeting as well as changes to absentee days for schools, which could affect the Daleville City Schools system.

In other business, the board approved the 2019-20 school calendar. The calendar was first introduced during the board’s March 20 meeting where the item of business was tabled.

This calendar has the system’s teacher institute day set for July 30, and the first day of school set for Aug. 5. Graduation is set for May 22, 2020.

"This calendar includes two days that we will dismiss students early for teacher-parent conference days," Superintendent Dr. Diane Flournoy said.

The board also made the following personnel changes:

Retirements:

Julane Pettis, English teacher at DHS, effective June 1;

Lisa Byrd, school counselor at WES, effective June 1;

Barbara Webb, second-grade teacher at WES, effective June 1;

Deborah Corbett, secretary at DHS, effective June 1;

Heather Renee Pipkins, second-grade teacher at WES, effective June 1; and,

Homebound:

Jeannie Baldwin to replace Kacie Devier, fourth-grade special education teacher.

During an April 22 special-called meeting, the board also accepted the resignation of Billy Long, bus driver, effective May 24.

The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at 4:30 p.m. at the central office.