Madison County BOE gets overview on high school renovation project

The MCHS project is expected to be completed in August 2014.

County voters approved renewal of a one-cent sales tax last year for renovations at MCHS and Comer Elementary School. The elementary school’s new media center is already constructed and school leaders aim to have it ready by the start of school.

PARKING ISSUES

School administrators are wrestling with the problem of student parking at MCHS during the two-year construction process. Superintendent Dr. Allen McCannon and assistant superintendent Bonnie Knight told the board of education that they are in preliminary discussions with the Ag center board and the county to see if the school system can construct a parking lot across the road from the ninth grade academy/board offices (old middle school) that will provide 96 parking spaces for students. Knight said the school system can use $25,000, which has already been approved by the board for parking.

McCannon said this is being considered for student safety since it will require students to cross Madison Street only once at an existing crosswalk. If students are allowed to park in the current parking area at the high school, which will be located directly behind the construction zone, they will have to cross the road several times to walk to school, since the previous access to the school through the gymnasium will be blocked.

McCannon said they realize the construction phase will cause some problems for students and staff but that it is unavoidable.

“With progress comes problems,” McCannon said.

Other parking areas for students will be the sports complex, the freshman academy parking lot and freshman academy gym parking lot. Knight said this will still result in a few less student parking places than in the past. She said parking spaces will be numbered and “sold” this year, with seniors given top priority for parking spaces. Teachers will park behind the freshman academy and in a graveled lot behind the high school during construction.

MCCANNON’S CONTRACT RENEWED

McCannon’s contract as school superintendent was renewed by the school board Tuesday night. It includes no pay increase. His annual salary will remain at $126,000 and the contract will run from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015.

PERSONNEL

The board approved the following personnel recommendations Tuesday night.

Colbert Elementary – hire teacher Sarah Knoll; approve an increase in hours (20 to 40) for parapro Anna Morris; accept the resignation of FTE coordinator/secretary Julie Finnegan and replace her with parapro Pam Rice and release teacher Joshua McCurley from his contract.

Comer Elementary – approve long-term substitute Patricia Patterson for parapro Misty Costello and hire Heather Thompson and Brandi Paul as parapros.

Hull-Sanford Elementary – hire teacher Michelle Archer to replace Amanda Frary; approve the transfer of Addie Wood from parapro to teacher to replace Ashley Armour and hire Laura Minish and Laura Deal as two new parapros.

Ila Elementary – approve the transfer from MCHS parapro to teacher and hire Bonnie Westbrook and Allie Robertson as parapros.

MCMS – approve maternity leave for Suzanne Beckman (Aug. 31 – Dec. 3).

MCHS – approve supplemental duty for Jan NeSmith as an at home placement coordinator.

Student services – hire Beth Tatum as an SLP to replace Russell Tacket.

System level – hire Steven Resby and Jesse Chitwood as HVAC/maintenance workers and Misty Friedman as school nutrition director to replace Laura Fair.

Transportation – terminate for cause mechanic Ralph Coleman and approve FMLA leave for mechanic William Kytle.

School nutrition – hire Maryalice Hall as a temporary SN assistant for summer meal program and hire Aprilla Hankins as a SN assistant to replace Gaybritsha Goodman; hire Patricia Lee as an SN assistant to replace Geneva Grizzle and hire Kimberly Coley as an SN assistant to replace Kathy Bishop.