ECS approves FY 2021 budget, capital plan

At the Sept. 28 Enterprise City Schools Board of Education meeting, the board approved the FY 2021 budget and capital plan for the school system along with receiving the annual audit report.

The audit report was presented by Brunson, Wilkerson, Bowden and Associates’ Ashley Hataway. The report gave the school system an unmodified opinion on the report, which means there were “no material misstatements (found) and no suggested changes” made.

Following the audit report, the school board approved the budget for FY 2021 and the school’s five-year capital plan. The school board held two public budget hearings last month ahead of the vote.

The capital plan includes the paving of the entire gravel surface of the bus parking area at the Enterprise Service Center, additional parking at Dauphin Junior High, erosion control and playground upgrades at both Pinedale and Holy Hill Elementary, new roofs at both Hillcrest and Enterprise Early Education and new LED lighting and “lay-in ceilings” at Pinedale Elementary, Rucker Boulevard Elementary and Dauphin Junior High.

The capital plan also includes the construction of a new 6,500-8,500 square foot maintenance building at the Service Center and upgraded lock systems at Dauphin Junior High and all of the elementary schools except Enterprise Early Education. There will also be renovated classrooms and bathroom upgrades at various schools as well as the addition of running tracks at Rucker Boulevard Elementary, Harrand Creek Elementary, Holly Hill Elementary, Enterprise Early Education, Pinedale Elementary, Dauphin Junior High and Coppinville Junior High.

The Enterprise High School track will also be resurfaced with a polyurethane surface to replace the acrylic turf. A 500-person storm shelter is also to be built at the Enterprise Career and Technology Center (ECTC), new flooring at the DJHS gym, window replacements at ECTC and additional parking at Harrand Creek and Rucker Boulevard Elementary.

The board also heard from a concerned parent – John Barbaccia – who was upset that his homeschool student was no longer allowed to perform with the Big Blue Band due to rules not allowing homeschool students to take part in extracurricular activities at the high school, though the “Tim Tebow Rule” adopted by Alabama – and many other states – allows for homeschool students to compete in sports. Jacob Barbaccia has been a member of the Big Blue Band for over a year. The “Tim Tebow Rule” does not apply to other activities like band. Barbaccia’s son is now enrolled at EHS, so he can continue performing with the band.

“I have not only built his self-esteem by teaching him at home but I was also able to instill our Christian values into Jacob, something he won’t receive with a public education,” Barbaccia said. “Now that Jacob has been forced to be enrolled due to an ‘oversight’ made over a year ago, Jacob has personally told me and others that the stuff being taught were things he already knew and that he could sleep through class and still pass the test.

“How is it fair and equal, traits supposedly honored by this school, to give a child a privilege and then take it away after over a year? I have done my job as a parent, I am asking you to do your job with compassion for my son and other home schooled children.”

In other business, the board approved a bid for fresh produce from Four Seasons Produce and the school’s insurance policy was updated. An agreement between ECS and Sumlar Therapy Services for occupational therapy for special education students was also approved.

The board also approved the expulsion of an unnamed student and approved a number of personnel actions.

Leave:

Tracy Miller, CNP Manager, Rucker Boulevard Elementary;

Caitlin Barnes, second grade teacher, Enterprise Early Education;

Resignations:

Eric Minton, eSports Head Coach, Enterprise High;

Erica Keller, part-time teacher, Enterprise City Schools;

Lisa Walz, third grade teacher, Hillcrest Elementary;

Jim Bedsole, social science teacher, Coppinville Junior High;

Natasha Moore, CNP worker, Enterprise City Schools;

Cameron Williams, custodian, Enterprise Early Education;

Jennifer Kiel, custodian, Enterprise Early Education;

Heather Gilliland, school nurse, Enterprise City Schools;

Jennifer Rae, school nurse, Enterprise City Schools;

Ashley Williams, sixth grade teacher, Hillcrest Elementary;

Crsital Halford, custodian, Holly Hill Elementary;

Clark Quisenberry, PE aide, Holly Hill Elementary;

Marie Mosher, school nurse, Enterprise City Schools;

Retirements:

David Filipowski, PE teacher, Holly Hill Elementary;

Transfers:

Eura Edwards, CNP worker at Rucker Boulevard Elementary, to CNP worker, Enterprise City Schools;

Employment:

Ashley Williams, TEAMS contract teacher, Hillcrest Elementary;

John Griggs, bus driver, Enterprise City Schools;

Robert Harrison, custodian, Pinedale Elementary;

Sonya Dean, part-time teacher, Enterprise City Schools;

Kimberly Kelley, custodian, Enterprise Early Education;

Rachel Napoli, elementary teacher, Hillcrest Elementary;

Andrea Schapker, math teacher, Coppinville Junior High;

Savannah Moring, elementary teacher, Pinedale Elementary;

Tommy Page, custodian, Enterprise High;

Clinton Gonzalez, special education aide, Enterprise City Schools;

Antonio Fleming, custodian, Enterprise Early Education;

Anthony Lampley, custodian, Holly Hill Elementary;

Heather Gilliland, special education nurse, Enterprise City Schools;

Clark Quisenberry, PE teacher, Holly Hill Elementary;

Amanda Downing, special education nurse, Hillcrest Elementary;

Athletic Supplements:

Cody Irwin, eSports Head Coach, Enterprise High;

John Burdeshaw, assistant softball coach, Enterprise High; and

Mary Stump, softball, assistant softball coach, Enterprise High