OMES principal named Supervisor of Human Resources

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Shelby County Board of Education member Peg Hill was sworn in for another four year term by Shelby County Probate Judge Allison Boyd during the Nov. 19 meeting. 

Nominations were taken for election of board officers. Aubrey Miller was reelected as president and David Bobo as vice-president. 

During his superintendent’s report, Dr. Lewis Brooks gave a reminder that schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday next week from Nov. 23-27.

He also presented the Journey Shaper award to Beth Fuller, who is the federal programs supervisor for Shelby County Schools. The award is presented to someone who goes beyond the call of duty in their work. In the spring, she and her husband worked with Alabama Childhood Food Solutions to make sure students had meals beyond the ones served in the school district and also created a video with resources and information for Shelby Co families, which is now being used by the Alabama Department of Education for the entire state. 

“She epitomizes what our vision is to be a model of excellence, and we are very honored to give this award to her and her husband for their work,” Brooks said.  

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carroll gave the instruction report. She said this week (Nov. 16-22) was Thank Alabama Teachers Week. While it didn’t get as much publicity as it deserves, she said the system’s teacher's are “at the heart of everything we do.”

Carroll said that there were currently 4,390 students participating in full time remote learning,  not including those home on quarantine or for other reasons. She said a message will be sent out Nov. 20 to parents who currently have remote learners and want to return in the third nine weeks. The deadline to inform their principal is Dec. 11. 

“Our biggest concern right now is our remote students who are not engaging and are not doing anything or showing up,” Carroll said. “We mailed 710 certified letters at the beginning of October to let them know their child isn't doing anything and we need them to engage. Coordinators are meeting with principals to determine how many will receive the next letter for them to return to traditional learning in January because they are struggling remotely.”

John Gwin, assistant superintendent of finance, gave the first fiscal report of FY2021. For the month of October, the unreserved fund balance was $28,257,446.05, which was about a  1.7 month reserve. The October bank reconciliation amount was $34,608,204.01.

Oak Mountain Elementary School principal, Deborah Horton, was named Supervisor of Human Resources. Horton has over 26 years of experience in education, and has served as the principal at OMES for the past nine years. 

Other approvals were made for approving personnel actions and for bus subs and aides.

Two emergency declarations were approved by the board for immediate needs at Inverness Elementary and Chelsea Middle Schools. 

“Anytime further disruption or damage may result, that is what prompts to go before you and ask you to consider declaring an emergency situation,” said assistant superintendent of operations David Calhoun.  

Inverness Elementary’s boiler system that provides heat had a pipe burst and the leaking water dripped on the electrical circuit that provides power and shorted it out and fried the electrical system. With cold weather coming, Calhoun said this immediately needs to be addressed. 

The boiler system is original to the building that was built in 1982. The board approved a temporary boiler to be brought in while the work is done on a permanent solution from JAMCO for $25,995. Calhoun said he hopes to have the permanent one in place within the next few days or weeks.

The Chelsea Middle School gym roof sustained wind damage during recent storms. 

The repairs to be done include repairing a damaged brick wall, removing existing roof and insulation as needed, installing new insulation, installing new wood nailer at perimeters and new flashing and sheet metal. The work will be done by Standard Roofing at a cost of $22,300.

The work at both schools has been filed with insurance and Calhouns expects to get help with those. 

Other construction contracts approve include:

  • Replacing outdated water heaters at several schools. The bid was awarded to V&W Supply Co Inc. for $22,486.00. This will be for two commercial water heaters and four tankless water heaters and accessories. 
  • Replacement of the HVAC system in the computer room at the SCISC instructional services center. The job will be done by Seals Air for $49,950. 
  • Contract for painting of the fieldhouse and press box at Vincent Middle High school. The job will be done by PCI of Chelsea for $10,700. 
  • A change order for the reconstruction of the concession stand at Chelsea Middle School for the board to accept a credit of $9,696.72.

Facilities and maintenance coordinator Randy Reeves gave the architect and construction report in which he stated that the surgery lab at Chelsea High School is complete and the project for the restrooms and gym lobby at Vincent Middle High is back on track and scheduled for completion before the holidays and ready for use after Christmas break.

The next board meeting will be held at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center in Alabaster on Dec. 15 at noon.