The Pike County Schools Board of Education had a busy night on Feb. 24 with a big agenda with a number of requests . 

Prior to getting to business with the school board, Pike County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazell announced that the school system had received a $135,000 grant from the Lt. Governor’s K-12 Capital Grant, which will go towards the planned re-roofing of the 500 Building at Pike County Elementary School. 

Bazell also announced that Goshen High School’s Agriscience Academy had received the School of Distinction designation from the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. The School of Distinction program recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional programs and services in the state and is one of the highest honors a school program can receive. 

In the first order of business, the school board approved a request to pursue two new associates degree in cybersecurity and entrepreneurship with Troy University. Pike County Schools has more than 20 associates degree programs in place. 

The board also approved a resolution with Frazier Lanier Company, Inc., regarding school tax warrants on behalf of the Pike County Board of Education. The board approved a memorandum of understanding between Pike County Schools and Troy Resilience Project for a mental health service provider for the school system. 

The board approved a number of trips for teachers and students. These trips include a request for Vanessa Mauldin and approximately eight students to travel to and attend the FBLA State Business Leadership Conference/Competition in Mobile on April 15-17. The funding for this trip will come from the FBLA and students account. Another trip will see Elijah Gilbert travel to and attend the Welding Institute for Alabama Welding Instructors on Feb. 27-28 with funding coming from the Perkins Grant. 

Another trip will see Amanda Hinton and Lesley Johnson travel to and attend the Alabama Association of School Business Officials Conference on April 29 through May 2 in Perdido Beach. Funding for these trips will come from the general funds. Stephanie Snyder and Daniel Reeves were approved for travel and attendance at the Alabama Leaders in Technology Education Winter Conference on Feb. 23-26 in Tuscaloosa with funding coming from the general funds. 

TaMika Hurts was approved for travel and attendance to the CASE Conference in Birmingham on Feb. 23-26 and the Inaugural Biennial SATC Alabama Transition Specialities Division Conference on March 2-5 in Auburn. The funding for these trips will come from the IDEA Act. 

A trip for the Goshen High School Band and chaperones to travel for a spring trip to Six Flags over Georgia was approved for May 9-10 with funding coming from Goshen High School Band. A request for Kim Sellers, Amy Garrett, six chaperones and 91 students to travel to and attend the Six Flags over Georgia Math and Science Education Day on May 9 was approved. Funding of up to $1,885.13 will be come from general funds. 

A request for Kim Sellers, Amy Garrett and eighth and ninth grade STEM Academy students to travel to the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, Fla., on March 7-9 was approved with funding coming from the Lockheed Martin Grant. A request for chaperones and fifth and seventh grade students was also approved for a one-day STEM Adventure aboard the Ambition at the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, Fla., was also approved. The funding for this trip will come from the CTE Middle Grades Innovation Grant and the general funds. 

A request for 12 sixth grade STEM Academy students and chaperones to travel to and compete in the Robotics Championship in Hanceville on March 7-8 was passed with funding coming from the general funds. Also, a request for Kim Sellers and 18 ninth grade students to travel to and attend Engineering Day in Auburn on Feb. 28 was passed. Funding will come from general funds.

Finally, a request for Amy Garrett, Kim Sellers, six chaperones and 91 students in fifth through ninth grade to attend the SchoolFest showing of Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery on March 27 was approved. Funding will come from the general funds. 

Additionally, a temporary request for two bus drivers to transport toddlers on school buses in emergency situations was approved. 

The following personnel decisions were unanimously approved contingent on certification or a verified pathway to certification and background checks. 

Resignations: 

-Marah-Katelin Adams, nurse, Pike County Elementary School;

-Brianna Clabough, special education teacher, Pike County High School;

-Sarah Allen, counselor, Goshen Elementary School (effective March 14); 

-Lauren Peters, special education teacher, Banks School (effective March 14); 

Catastrophic and FMLA Leave:

-Laken Davis, second grade teacher, Banks School (effective Feb. 25-April 8); 

Employment: 

-Laura Long, bus driver, Pike County Schools (retroactive Feb. 10); 

-Christie Newman, bus driver, Pike County Schools (retroactive Feb. 10); 

-Shelby Hines, nurse, Pike County Elementary School;

-Alexa Suell, special education teacher, Goshen Elementary School;

-Gabriela Crayton, special education teacher, Pike County High School;

-Faith Foster, special education aide, Pike County Elementary School; 

-Maddie Giles, long-term substitute teacher, Banks School (effective Feb. 25-April 8); 

-Deana Elmore, long-term substitute teacher, Goshen Elementary School; 

Compensation Adjustment: 

-Anthony Carter, physical education teacher, Goshen High School for covering seventh and eighth grade classes during block planning for second term only. Compensation to be $49.06 per block with time sheets maintained; 

-Myrie King, math teacher, Goshen High School payment for tutoring during her planning block Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and

-Ali Grace Eiland, math teacher, Goshen High School payment for tutoring services during her planning block Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for second term only. Compensation to be $39.82 per block with time sheets maintained.

The next Pike County Schools Board of Education Meeting will be held on March 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Education in Troy.