School board approves employee changes

Published 4:50 pm Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Chilton County Board of Education approved resignations, supplements, leave requests and emergency-basis positions for more than 10 employees Tuesday.

The board accepted resignations from Carol G. Easterling, Child Nutrition Director, effective Jan. 31, 2014; and Ronnie J. Sewell, mechanic at the Bus Shop, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

The board approved revised lists of the following employees to receive supplemental pay: Jemison High School – Vikki Winslett, junior varsity and varsity cheerleading sponsor; Thorsby – Rachel Argent, head junior high and head varsity softball coach; Nicole Hilyer, assistant junior high and assistant varsity softball coach; and Meghan Owens, junior high cheerleader sponsor.

The board approved leave requests for: Aubrey S. Kearns, Jemison Middle, Oct. 16–Nov. 6, 2013; Susan Mitchell, Isabella, Feb. 8, 2014 for six weeks; Jennifer Own, Clanton Elementary, Jan. 6–Feb. 10, 2014; Danyel Ratliff, Clanton Intermediate, Jan. 4, 2014 through the remainder of the school year; Kawarya S. Tuck, Chilton County High, Feb. 10–March 31, 2014; Amy R. Trentman, Verbena, Jan. 27–March 31, 2014.

The board approved the following employees on emergency basis: Don Miles, Isabella (grades K–12), English/Language Arts teacher; Victor Rodriguez, Jemison High (grades 8–12) in-school suspension teacher assistant; Christy Coggins, Verbena High (grades K–12), cafeteria assistant.

Additionally, the board approved posting a teacher’s assistant position at Clanton Elementary School primarily for behavioral support.

In his report, Superintendent Dave Hayden said former Thorsby High School teacher Jennifer McNeill’s attorney withdrew an appeal contesting her termination, ending the board’s involvement in the case.

In August, McNeill was placed on administrative leave after she was charged with statutory rape and sodomy of a juvenile student.

In October, the board voted to terminate McNeill’s employment and cease her pay in a hearing she requested but did not attend.

In other business, the board:

•Approved November 2013 financial statements and bank reconciliations of the Central Office as presented by Chief Financial Officer Steve Yeargan.

•Approved November 2013 payrolls and accounts payable.

•Approved the minutes of the previous meeting.

•Approved to distribute December payroll checks on Monday, Dec. 30 from 8–10 a.m.

•Approved the school system’s 2013–2014 technology plan.

•Approved long-term Chilton Alternative Program placement for four students for the remainder of the 2013–2014 school year.

•Approved family medical leave for a student.

•Approved payment of $2,057 to Boy Scouts of America for the Learning for Life character education program.

•Went into executive session for about 20 minutes to discuss a pending legal matter.