Bates gives update on superintendent search

The Enterprise Board of Education continues its search for a new superintendent, which has been in July.

Interim attorney Roger Bates provided an update during an Oct. 29 meeting, saying background checks on candidates should be completed by the week of Nov. 4-8.

“We’re currently trying to measure all of the respondents,” Bates said. “We’ve gotten applicants from more than eight different states, and we’re seeing some very good candidates.”

Bates said more than 20 applications for the position have been received, and added after background checks are completed the list would likely be narrowed down to a few finalists.

Those candidates will likely be scheduled for public interviews, similar to the process the board used when hiring Chief School Financial Officer Brian Stewart.

“We haven’t actually discussed the interview process, but that’s how most systems are doing it now,” Bates said.

In addition to background checks, Bates and his team are comparing candidates to the data submitted through a community survey, which allowed Enterprise residents to give their input during the summer.

“We’ve tried to make sure there isn’t anyone totally off the mark from what the community wanted, and that’s definitely a plus or minus when selecting finalists for the position,” Bates said. “While the survey wasn’t binding in any way, it was certainly indicative of the community’s desires and it was really helpful to have that information.”

In other news, Stewart briefed the board on a reduction in liability coverage regarding the system’s automobile insurance, which will save the system a considerable amount of money each year.

“After some research and consulting with attorneys, it was determined that we’re not (required) to have more than $300,000 in liability coverage,” Stewart said. “Essentially, a board of education is immune from any tort claims, though in certain circumstances that immunity can be pierced.”

According to Stewart, tort law in Alabama doesn’t allow for claims against a board of education to exceed $300,000 per incident, even if they are allowed.

The system has kept a $1 million liability coverage policy in the past, but the board has agreed to reduce that to reflect the $300,000 maximum set by Alabama tort law.

It is estimated this will save the system around $25,000 a year.

“That is a considerable savings,” Board Chairman Ross Cotter said. “I want to commend (Superintendent Jimmy) Baker, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Bates for working together to research this.”

In other business, board members accepted a $131,000 bid from Moore-Warren Equipment of Dothan for the purchase of six ovens for the system’s Child Nutrition Program.

The original estimated bid was budgeted at approximately $162,000, based on the price of two ovens purchased for Holly Hill Elementary at the beginning of the year.

The recent purchase included six ovens, two for Dauphin Junior High School, two for Enterprise Junior High School and two for Rucker Boulevard Elementary School.

Child Nutrition Director Julie Harmon said the savings equates to nearly $8,000 or $1,400 for each oven.

In other news, board member Bert Barr gave an update to the rest of the board about pricing options regarding the Performing Arts Center at Enterprise High School.

Barr has been working on a committee with Baker, Stewart and PAC director Justin Hope, and the committee has been in contact with certain non-profit entities that have requested a discounted price when using the facility for an event that benefits ECS students and members of the local community.

“As recently as yesterday, we met with members of the Coffee County Arts Alliance, and we’ve basically presented them with some options,” Barr said. “They are still going through the numbers, but we expect to have reached some sort of agreement for the board to consider in time for the next regular meeting.”

Board members also selected Cotter and Jones to represent the board at the Alabama Association of School Board’s (AASB) annual conference.

Board member James Brown was selected as an alternate.

During the meeting, Cotter also asked residents to stay informed about the status of flight school cut backs at Fort Rucker.

“I know we are limited in the things we can do, but we can certainly call our congressmen and encourage them to be helpful in the process,” Cotter said. “The loss of sales tax and ad valorem taxes during the cut back could easily cost the system $3 million in a single year.”

The board also recognized achievements in the AASB’s school board academy made by of some its own members.

Brown and Jones were recognized for completing level one of board member training, and Cotter was recognized for completing levels two and three.