By Maya Quinn

The Greene County Board of Education recently met for a capital planning meeting on Thursday, October 15th, and a regular session on Monday, October 19th. President Leo Branch and Carrie Dancy were the only board members present at the capital planning meeting. All board members were present for the regular session. Board member Veronica Richardson requested an executive session be added to the agenda after the Superintendent’s report.

The board approved the minutes from the September meeting and had no old business to address. Before Dr. Timothy Thurman’s Superintendent’s report, CSFO Marquita Lennon addressed the board regarding a CD currently open at Merchant and Farmer’s. The board received a competing offer from Synovus Bank with a 4.11% rate for 12 months, and a 4.34% rate for 24 months. Mrs. Lennon recommended that the board take into consideration how they would fund the proposed projects from the capital planning session. She also cautioned that transferring the CD before its maturity date would incur a penalty of 6 months interest.The board voted to move the CD to Synovus for the 24 month interest rate, with an estimated growth of $250,000.

Following the CD discussion, Dr. Thurman stated that the overall district enrollment was 857 students with a total of 824 students counting toward district funding (Pre-k students do not earn funding). Over 300 of the district’s students are enrolled at Robert Brown Middle School. This increase from last year’s 807 enrolled students granted the district an additional $133,000. The district will receive their Federal Report Card Score on Monday, October 26th.

Dr. Thurman also summarized the points of interest for the capital planning meeting. He explained that the district was required to submit an annual 5 year capital planning proposal to the Alabama State Department of Education. Staff present for the capital meeting suggested the following projects for the plan, listed from highest to lowest priority: stabilizing the foundation at Greene County High School, construction of a new transportation shop, renovations and a multipurpose room at Eutaw Primary, and plumbing maintenance at Robert Brown Middle School.

Before concluding his report, Dr.Thurman revealed that the school system established a new fund called the Miles Family Caring Neighbor Fund at Eutaw Primary School. The fund was created in honor of the district’s newest supporter, Michael Corey Miles. Miles, who goes by Corey, has committed to donate $150 monthly to the district, with $25 designated for the fund.

The Board approved the following action items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Thurman:

1. Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and Dr. Rhonda Moore for external evaluation services for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program at Greene County High School, effective September 25, 2026
2. Five Year Capital Planning Projects for the Greene County School System
3. Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll
4. Out of state travel for GCCC Career Coach, Lamonica Little and Guidance Counselor, Lorissa Holder to attend the 2026 ACTE Career Tech VISION Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana December 1 – 5, 2026

The Board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Thurman:

1. Retirement
   1. Jerome Jackson, Custodian, effective July 31, 2026 
2. Resignation
   1. Samon Sanders, Mental Health Coordinator – RBMS, effective October 9, 2026
   2. Shirleria Willaims, Cook – RBMS, effective September 18, 2026
   3. Camren Parker, Cook – GCHS, effective September 22, 2026
3. Employment for the 2026 – 2027 school term:
   1. Alexus Cooper – Custodian – GCHS
   2. Charmaine Spencer – Cook – RBMS
4. Additional Personnel for Saturday School sessions at Robert Brown Middle School
   1. Jacqueline Raby – Nurse
   2. Rosalyn Griffin – ACCESS Instructor
5. Additional Personnel for After-school tutorial programs for Eutaw Primary School and Robert Brown Middle School, effective Oct 1, 2026
   1. Jacqueline Raby – Substitute Nurse
6. Rate increase for approved athletic event workers at Greene County High School from $125 to $150 per event, effective October 19, 2026; Carrie Dancy opposed
7. Three Year Principal Contract for Dr. Brittany Harris
8. Three Year Principal Contract for Ms. Andrea Perry

Featured Image: Superintendent Dr. Timothy Thurman and President Leo Branch