CCBOE discusses possible resource officer, approves personnel changes

During a work session on Thursday, Feb. 4, the Coffee County Board of Education discussed the possibility of the school system hiring a school resource officer.

The school system would partner with the Coffee County Sheriff's Office for resource officer training, equipment and transportation, and other needs.

"I think feel our schools are safe, but I think that we owe it to our students and our employees to do everything we can to improve the security," Superintendent Terry Weeks said.

According to Weeks, CCSO Chief Deputy Ronnie Whitworth came to the school system to discuss any need for a school-wide resource officer.

Whitworth said that a school resource officer could be a deterrent for any potential problems that could occur at any of the schools.

"A school resource officer is not going to stop everything, but it can be a deterrent," Whitworth said.

Whitworth said the resource officer would be the law enforcement agent seen at all school events and could lead classes, such as those designed for the D.A.R.E. program.

A resource officer would also become a member of the school community, making students more open to sharing information with him or her.

The board did not make a decision on hiring a resource officer.

Following the work session, the board approved several personnel changes during its regular board meeting.

Retirements:

• Tim Archie, elementary teacher, Kinston School. His retirement date is Feb. 29;

• Carol Young, elementary teacher, Kinston School. Her retirement date is March 31;

Resignations:

• Bradley Bowers, head football coach and athletic director, Zion Chapel School;

Leave:

• Kasey Vinson, art teacher, Zion Chapel. Her period of leave will begin approximately April 13;

• Ashely Currie, math teacher, Zion Chapel School. Her period of leave will begin approximately April 11 and will last for eight weeks; and,

Employments:

• Lacy Ward, family and consumer science teacher, Zion Chapel School.

The board also approved changing two dates to the 2015-16 schedule of board meetings. The regular March meeting will be changed to March 10, and the regular May meeting will be changed to May 10.

Weeks made several student announcements during the meeting.

Kirsten Jones, from Zion Chapel School, won third place in the State Superintendent Art Contest. She will be recognized in Montgomery at the State Superintendent Award Ceremony on Feb. 11.

Hayden Carnley, of Zion Chapel High School, won the welding competition held in Elba. Taylor Nappers won third place in the competition. Both students will go on to compete at the district level.

Weeks announced that NB High School received a $2,139 grant by the Southeast Alabama Gas District. This grant is part of the company's Give Back to Schools initiative. The company will also be providing a $1,500 community service scholarship to a NBHS senior this year.