The Chilton County Board of Education voted Tuesday to implement preventative child abuse curriculum in county schools from the Family Sunshine Center of Montgomery.

In a work session Oct. 11, board members discussed allowing the FSC or a similar outreach group to visit all schools in Chilton County and conduct programs for students in grades 2–4 on domestic violence and abuse.

The board approved Superintendent Dave Hayden’s recommendation to require elementary principals to schedule school safety programs with the Family Sunshine Center.

The board also heard from visitors Rex and Gillian Bittle, who voiced concerns about some Jemison High School students not being able to take courses at LeCroy Career Technical Center because of limited bus availability.

Rex Bittle said two buses transport students from JHS to the center in the mornings only, and no buses run from JHS to the center in the afternoons.

Bittle said about 80 students currently go to the tech center each day.

“Some of our students are not able to take advantage of courses at the tech school because they’re not able to drive, and the bus only runs once from Jemison,” Bittle said. “Jemison’s needs have gone up. We don’t know how many more want to go.”

Bittle asked the board to consider reviewing bus routes and having at least one bus available to transport students from JHS to the tech center in the afternoons.

Board members thanked Bittle for his comments and said they would discuss the bus issue further.

“We want to get as many students as we can out there,” board member Curtis Smith said.

The board approved an architect’s list of pre-qualified roofing contractors to send bids to for re-roofing Chilton County High School and Jemison High School and to reserve the right to add other qualified contractors upon the recommendation of the architect and maintenance supervisor.

The board approved the following leave requests: Regina Bryant, Chilton County High School, beginning Sept. 27; Emily Driver, Chilton County High School, Oct. 15–Dec. 9; Holly Matson, Jemison Elementary School, Nov. 1–Dec. 16; Angela Sanderson, Isabella, Sept. 30–Jan. 6; Katrina H. Shaw, Clanton Elementary, Oct. 28–Jan. 6; and Phyllis H. Sorrells, Clanton Intermediate, beginning Sept. 24.

The board approved the following school/shop requests: Chilton County High School – Permission for the band to accept an invitation to perform in the 2015 Tax Slayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.; Clanton Intermediate School – Permission for Ginger Head and Diane Williams to take their Special Needs classes; Isabella – Accept Pam Jackson’s resignation as junior varsity cheer coach effective Dec. 20.

The board approved the following employees and to post positions: Chilton County High School (grades 9–12) – Special Education Teacher Assistant, Stephani Bucklew; Clanton Intermediate School (grades 3–5) – Special Education Teacher Assistant, Jessica Higgins; Clanton Middle School (grades 6–8) – Science Teahcer, Kelly Rozelle; Maplesville (grades K–12) – Social Science Teacher, Luke Corona; Verbena High School (grades K–12), Title I Intervention Teacher, Magenn McGriff (transfer); Bus Shop – Bus Drivers for a) Jemison Route, Carolyn Wallace; b) Special Needs Route, Scott Penton; and c) Special Needs Route, Tina Martin.

In other business, the board:

•Approved payrolls and account payables for September 2013.

•Approved monthly financial statement and bank reconciliations of the Central Office for August 2013 as presented by Chief Financial Officer Steve Yeargan.

•Approved minutes of previous meetings.

•The board awarded a floor covering bid to Carpet Store & More and a chain link fence bid to Independent Fence.

•Approved Lisa Marcus as a substitute bus driver and Julie Ousley as a substitute for teachers and support personnel.

•Approved the Medicaid Administrative Claim (MAC) program contracts.

•Approved placing a student in the Chilton Alternative Program for 45 days.

•Approved two delegates (Curtis Smith, nominated by Joe Mims, and Lori Patterson, nominated by Pam Price) and an alternate (Jim Shannon, nominated by Mims) to represent the board at the AASB Delegate Assembly on Dec. 5.

•Approved to give some land near Isabella High School to the county (pending state approval) for a storm shelter to be built.

•Approved homebound services for two students.

•Approved posting an intervention teacher at Jemison Middle School to be paid for with federal funds.

•Approved clarification of the name of a previously hired highly-qualified substitute, Courtney Adams.

•Approved a copier contract between Jemison Elementary School and Berney.

•Approved updating board policy with Boardman and Carr law firm for $13,500, with a meeting tentatively scheduled for Oct. 25.

•Approved 90-day placement in Chilton Alternative Program for three students.

•Approved amending the cell phone policy and in-school suspension guidelines as proposed in the board’s work session Oct. 11.