By Maya Quinn, managing editor

The Greene County Board of Education met for a regular session on Thursday, July 23rd at 4:30 p.m. All board members and the attorney were present, but the chief financial officer, Mrs. Marquita Lennon, was absent. Minutes from the July 15th session were approved, with no old business being addressed.  

Superintendent Dr. Thurman presented the board’s financial standings before his own report. The board’s combined ending funding balance was $9,025,592.12. Local revenue from the month was $116,436.70: $97,478.00 from sales tax, $11,789.64 from property tax, and $7,168.85 from the other category. All accounts were reconciled, and no fraudulent activity was reported.

Dr. Thurman then reported that school buildings were almost ready for scholars to return, and the mold issue in Greene County High School has been completely eradicated. He also reported that the district’s CTE partners met this week for the workforce academy with everyone “being committed to moving forward with great ideas.” On August 3rd, the board of education building will host a welcome orientation for new employees at 9:00 a.m.  On August 5th, an employee institute will be hosted at the high school at 7:30 a.m. Dr. Thurman stated that these sessions will ensure that staff is ready to “climb higher together” and support this year’s district motto “Greene County to the top.”

Attendees were also informed of new security measures, including a device called Open Gate. The lightweight, portable detection technology can be programmed to detect everything from cell phones to weaponry through an administrator’s phone application. School safety officers will also be instructed to patrol more frequently during transitions to deter unwanted behavior. 

The following action items were approved as a blanket:

1. Housing the Greene County Schools In-School Suspension (ISS) at Peter J. Kirksey facility
2. Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and West Central Officials Association for football officials for the 2026 – 2027 school year at GCHS and RBMS
3. Extension of two summer workers to assist the maintenance department until July 31, 2026
4. Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll
5. Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO  
6. Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and West Central Volleyball Officials Association for volleyball officials for the 2026 – 2027 school year at GCHS
7. Agreement between the Greene County Board of Education and Greene County Ambulance Service to provide ambulance services during home football games for the 2026 – 2027 season

 

The following personnel agenda items were approved:

Voluntary Transfer

1. 1. Keisha Williams from 3rd grade teacher at EPS to Collaborative Teacher at EPS

 Reassignment

1. 1. Lashonna Thurman from Second grade teacher at EPS to Third grade teacher at EPS 
   2. Vanessa Bryant from 4th grade teacher at RBMS to Intervention Teacher at RMBS
   3. Kavalyn Bryant from 1st grade teacher at EPS to 4th grade teacher at RBMS

Resignation

1. 1. Shamyra Jones, JAG Specialist – GCCC

Employment for the 2026 – 2027 school term:

1. 1. Destiny Taylor, Pre-K teacher – EPS
   2. Josephus Patrick, Second grade teacher – EPS
   3. Betty McCollum, Pre-K Auxiliary teacher – EPS
   4. Justine Hamilton, Second grade teacher – EPS
   5. Michelle Head, Custodian (12-month) – EPS (Pending background check)
   6. Clayton Shumate, Social Studies – GCHS
   7. Annette Story, Fifth grade teacher – RBMS
   8. Alton James – Fifth grade teacher – RBMS
   9. Billy Woods – Collaborative teacher – GCHS

Additional Service Contracts 2026 – 2027 for the following employees at Robert Brown Middle School: (Separate Contract)

1. 1. 1. Henry Miles – Head Football
      2. Felicia Smith – Cheerleader Sponsor

Additional Service Contracts 2026 – 2027 for the following employees at Greene County High School: (Separate Contract)

1. 1. Corey Cockrell – Head Football 
   2. James Sewell – Defensive Coordinator
   3. Dequandra Lyles – Head Volleyball
   4. Kendra Payne – Assistant Volleyball
   5. Tracey Hunter – Head Flag Football 
   6. Howard Crawford – Asst. Flag Football
   7. Kiren Greene – Band Director 
   8. Paula Calligan-Leftwich – Dance Coach 
   9. Drenda Morton – Cheerleader Sponsor
   10. Janice Jeames-Askew – Athletic Director

Probationary Principal Contract for Alphonzo Morton, effective July 1, 2026. (1Year)

Probationary Principal Contract for JoAnn Smoot-Bryant, effective July 1, 2026 (1 year)

TEAMS Contracts 2026 – 27 for the following: Funding: ALSDE

1. 1. Dutchess Jones – GCHS, Math (1 Year Contract)
   2. Nashondra Ruffin – RBMS, Science (1 Year Contract)
   3. Talicia Williams – RBMS, Math (1 Year Contract)
   4. Jennifer Smith – RBMS, Math (1 Year Contract)
   5. Victoria Moore – GCHS, Science (1 Year Contract)
   6. Kaneeda Coleman – GCHS, Math (Year 5 – Expires June 30, 2027)

Employment (Summer)

1. 1. Alicia McMillian, Custodian – As needed (Retroactive to June 16, 2026)

Rescind employment of David Peterson III, Mechanic Helper – Transportation Department