As an event of School Board Recognition Month, the Pike County Board of Education was honored with an appreciation reception prior to its Monday meeting.

Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of Pike County Schools, expressed his appreciation to the board members for their dedication and service to the children of Pike County.

“I say this every Year, and I truly mean it,” Bazzell said. “We have the best board of education around. Every decision the board makes is in the best interest of all our students.”

Bazzell made a special presentation to Board Member Linda Steed for her 30 years of service to the board.

“Mrs. Steed’s interest has always been the children of Pike County,” he said. “She has served in top leadership positions with the Alabama Association of School Boards and has worked at the regional and national levels for passage of legislation and policies important to local school boards.

“Mrs. Steed has traveled throughout the state and to Washington D.C. as an advocate for kids in the state. We congratulate her.”

Steed said she would not have been able to serve to the extent she has had it not been for the support of Bazzell, the board members and the faculties and staffs of Pike County schools.

Topping the new business for the Board was the approval of the designation of the new Goshen High School softball field as “Lady Eagle Field.” The Board also approved the placement of a memorial to Coach Dee Hughes at the facility. Hughes lost a courageous battle with cancer in Sept. 2013.

She had spent 13 years coaching softball and volleyball at GHS. Former players, students and community members say her legacy and lessons run deep.

In other new business brought before the board, the board approved a resolution proclaiming January 2015 School Board Recognition Month.

The Board approved permission to enter contract with Dr. Phyllis Mayfield for consultative services involving students participating in the Alabama Alternate Assessment. All expenses will be paid from Title I/II and IDEA Funds.

The Board approved permission for Stephanie McCall (CO) Tammy Calhoun (Banks), Sherri Barr (Goshen High School) and Beth Chancellor (PCHS) to attend the Alabama Transition Conference March 2-4 in Auburn. All expenses will be paid through IDEA funds.

The Board also approved permission for Sandra Trotter and Kim Faulkner to attend the Autism Conference in Tuscaloosa Feb. 26 and 27. All expenses will be paid through IDEA funds.

In personnel action, the board approved the hiring of Angela Thomas as cheerleader coach at Goshen High School for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year.

Permission was granted for Natalie Knox to become a seven-hour employee versus a six-hour employee due to the implementation of Breakfast in the Classroom at Pike County Elementary School. If the program is removed, Knox will return to a six-hour employee.

Tammy Jackson’s request for family medical leave from Goshen Elementary School was approved.

The Board approved the voluntary reduction of hours for Lawrence Sankey to that of bus driver.

Permission was given for the GHS and PCHS Science Bowl Teams to participate in the Regional High School Science Bowl Competition in Mobile Feb. 6-7. The board approved the request to provide the bus and driver for the event.

The Board approved permission for volunteer status for Arlisa Johnson for the PCHS marching band and agreed to pay compensation in the amount of $600 for those services out of the marching band account.