School board extends mask mandate; welcomes Digmon

Masks will be required inside facilities, school buses until Oct. 29

The Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education approved to extend the mask requirement inside school buildings across the county for students and staff and welcomed a familiar face when former board member Sherry Digmon was sworn in at its Monday meeting.

Superintendent Michelle McClung gave an update on the COVID status in the county.

“For the last two weeks in a row, Escambia County has seen a 50 percent decrease in positive student covid cases and close contacts,” said McClung. “Overall, we are continuing in a downward trend, with 21 new positive cases in students and two newly positive staff members.”

McClung said these results shows that the county is making progress.

The board approved extending the Escambia County School System's requirement that masks/face coverings be worn while inside school facilities during the school day and buses through Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.

Masks will not be required for outside activities such as p.e. and athletics. All students, regardless of age or vaccination status, who utilize Escambia County School buses for transportation, are required to wear masks. This is a mandate issued by the Federal Department of Transportation. District leaders will then reassess the current health trend as it relates to COVID-19.

“We are hoping maybe by extending it one more month, that our numbers will really go down,” said Board Chairman Cindy Jackson.

In a motion made by Board Member Danny Benjamin, which was seconded by Board Member Loumeek White, the motion carried unanimously.

Alabama State Sen. Greg Albritton presented $20,000 from the Education Trust Fund to the school board and three high schools, W.S. Neal High School, Flomaton High School and Escambia County High School. Each entity received $5,000. Albritton said the money could be used however it was needed and there are no designations or controls on the funds.

Former board member Digmon was sworn in by Judge Jeff White at the meeting. Digmon will serve out the remaining term of District 6 Board Member David Nolin, who died Sept. 2.

In other business, the board:

-Approved of FY2022 budget

-Approved of FY2022 EL Plan

-Approved of FY2022 LEA Consolidated Plan

-Approved of FY2022 Stability for Foster Students LEA Plan: Escambia County Schools

-Approved of FY2022 Homeless Education Plan

-Approved of Capital Plan (FY2022-FY2026)

-Approved to extend the transportation fuel bid for diesel and gasoline with Southern Energy Company for one year, the third extension of the bid (year four of a maximum of five years)

-Approved of the state mandated two percent raise for Superintendent McClung, effective Sept. 1, 2021

-Approved to amend the 2021-2022 Salary Schedule (to hire a deputy of operations to oversee projects, capital improvements and planning for the school system-to come from local funds)

-Approved the purchase of property 829 Andrew Jackson St., East Brewton, Ala. in the amount of $25,000 utilizing local funds. The property was appraised by Dettling & Associates Inc., with a value of $29,000. The board is responsible for the property's appraisal fee of $400.00. The board will not assume any debt with the purchase of this property.

-Approved the following recommended personnel changes:

Leave of Absence

Sabrina Dialey, six-hour lunchroom worker at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, medical leave of absence, effective Aug. 4, 2021 through September 13, 2021

Resignation

Joann Delillo, LPN/special education instructional aide ay Escambia County High School, effective Sept. 10, 2021; Johnathan Kent, social studies teacher at Escambia County High School, effective Sept. 15, 2021; Angela Rowe, special education teacher at Escambia County Middle School, effective Aug. 31, 2021; Alyssa Williams, seven-hour lunchroom worker at Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective Sept. 16, 2021; April Parker, instructional aide at WS Neal Middle School, effective Sept. 15, 2021

Transfer

Ronda Hoffman, science teacher at Escambia County Middle School, to science teacher at Escambia County Alternative School, effective Oct. 11, 2021; Melanie Rowland, teacher aide at Flomaton Elementary School, to teacher aide at Flomaton High School, effective Oct. 1, 2021

Employment

Jacob Butler, director of career and technical education at Escambia County Board of Education, effective Sept. 21, 2021 (replacing Spencer Williamson); Nicole Spottswood, elementary curriculum & instruction supervisor at Escambia County Board of Education, effective Oct. 1, 2021 (replacing Courtney McBride); Clarence Brooks, health teacher at Escambia County High School, effective Sept. 8, 2021 (replacing Kasuan Bullard); Wendy Stafford, part-time (retired) speech/language pathologist at Escambia County Middle School, effective, Sept. 21, 2021; Melissa Ingram, special education aide at Escambia County Middle School, effective Oct. 4, 2021; Rebecca O'Neil, part-time (retired) academic interventionist at Flomaton Elementary School, effective Sept. 21, 2021; Toni Jones, special education teacher at Huxford Elementary School, effective Oct. 4, 2021 (replacing Elizabeth Chaloux); Dawn Malone, part-time (retired) academic interventionist at Huxford Elementary School, effective Sept. 21, 2021; Peggy Nelson, office aide at WS Neal Elementary School, to work up to an additional two (2) off contract days, effective Aug. 2, 2021 through Aug. 3, 2021 (paid at her daily rate with local funds); Cimmaron Wilson, office aide at WS Neal Elementary School, to work up to an additional two (2) off contract days, effective Aug. 2, 2021 through Aug. 3, 2021 (paid at her daily rate with local funds); Suzanne Brown, special education aide at WS Neal High School, effective Sept. 21, 2021; Nickolas Lambeth, bus driver at Atmore Bus Shop, effective Sept. 3, 2021 (replacing Floyd Seale); Jack Floyd, technology technician at ECS Technology Department, effective Oct. 1, 2021 (replacing Willie Fantroy); Amie Kramer, secretary/receptionist at Atmore Central Office, effective Sept. 27, 2021 (replacing Peggy Rowley); Carolyn Settle, office aide at Escambia Career Readiness Center, effective Sept. 27, 2021 (replacing Tracy Jernigan Salter)

Employment Change

Tara Ross, science teacher at Escambia County Alternative School, to elementary teacher at Flomaton Elementary School, effective Oct. 11, 2021 (replacing Leigh Ann Rowland); Maegan Salter, elementary teacher at Flomaton Elementary School, to ARI reading specialist at Flomaton Elementary School, effective Sept. 21, 2021 (replacing Gina Nall)

Rehire

Quaunhntel Hill, custodian at Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective Sept. 21, 2021 (replacing Charles Jackson)

 
 
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