Greene County School Board presents plaque to Legal Counsel, Hank Sanders, in honor of ‘2,000 weekly Sketches columns’. L to R: Board members: Davis, Dancy, Hank Sanders, holding award, Chair Leo Branch, Superintendent Timothy Thurman and Merriweather.

When Leo Branch, Chairperson, called the February regular meeting of the Greene County Board of Education to order, four of the five members were present for a quorum – Carrie Dancy, Robert Davis, Brandon Merriweather and Branch. Veronica Richardson came late but was able to attend the meeting starting with the Executive Session.

The Board welcomed the new Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Thurman, to his first official board meeting. A “Meet and Greet Session” was held last Thursday for the Superintendent to meet the parents and the public, at the Greene County High School Gym. At this session Thurman presented some of his vision for leading the Greene County School System.

The Board presented a plaque to Attorney Hank Sanders in honor of his ‘2,000
Sketches’ columns written each week since the mid 1980’s. The column initiatively reported on his work as a State Senator but he has continued on a weekly basis since retiring from the Alabama State Senate. The Greene County Democrat is the only newspaper in the state that has published all 2018 columns to date. See the photo above.

Dr. Timothy Thurman, the new Superintendent, who has been working since the beginning of February, gave a report highlighting progress in the school system. He displayed a “Certificate of Accreditation” for all of the schools in Greene County from Cognia, an alliance of regional school accreditation which includes the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The certificate means all three schools in the Greene County system met the requirements in terms of teaching, curriculum, administration, financing and other measures to qualify for accreditation. “This certificate is the result a long process that started before I came to Greene County that shows our schools have met the requirements for accreditation,” said Thurman.

He also reported that ACAP exams were given at the schools and that the State Office of Mathematical Instruction had visited Robert Brown Middle School, since it was a school designated for specialized math instruction based on prior test results. Thurman thanked the community for turning out to Thursday’s meet and greet session. He said he was working on a 21st Century grant to support academic instruction. He also announced that the system had received three new school buses, which had been placed in service.

At Thurman’s recommendation, the Board of Education approved a list of action items including:

• •Travel to the National Council of Teachers NCTM Conference in New Orleans, LA, Mach 16 – 18, 2026 for the following: Dr. Dutchess Jones and Kaneeda Coleman

• Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Greene County Health Systems to provide Health Science Clinical Site Training for students at Greene County Career Center (GCCC) for the 2025 – 2026 school year. (This partnership will support students in gaining hands-on clinical experience and preparation for careers in health care)

• Purchase of Superintendent’s vehicle in the amount of $45,714 utilizing the Alabama State Bid Contract List

• Quote from AMBA to purchase Student Blanket Professional Liability Insurance for students at Greene County Career Center

• Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll

• Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO

• Renewal of CD with Merchants and Farmers Bank for at the rate of 4.17 percent and 4.25 APY

• Consulting Services Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and E3 Strategic Solutions, LLC for facilitation and transition services for the new Superintendent in the amount of $36,000.

The Board went to an Executive Session to consider personnel and legal matters. The Board approved the following personnel actions:

• Catherine Cistrunk, Transportation Bus Driver.
• Mary Henderson, Secretary / Bookkeeper.
• Cillia Morrow, RBMS Long-term Sub 5th grade.

The Board also received a financial report from Marquita Lennon, CFO, which indicated, as of January 31. 2026,

• The Board had an Operating Reserve of $ 7.38 million and a cash reserve of $6.42 million, with all bank accounts reconciled.
• General Fund Bank Balance of $7,815,646.89; with Accounts Payable Check Register at $385, 358.33; Payroll Register at $924,600.36; and Combined Ending Fund Balance of $8,979,258.18.
• Local revenues for January totaled $2,140,500.78, which included a strong $1,877.177.88 in Property Taxes ( a one time a year infusion) and $150,000, a quarterly distribution from the Greene County Racing Commission. The rest was revenue from Sales Taxes