Greene County Democrat

Author: greenecodemocratcom

  • Newswire : A Black Friday of resistance as Americans push back

    Young Black women shopping in mall

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

    Black Friday arrives this year in a country wrestling with the weight of policies that have stripped stability from millions of Americans and placed Black communities at the edge of economic ruin.
    Storefront lights shine as if the nation were whole, yet in living rooms across the country, families count the losses of a political agenda that has torn apart the federal workforce and shattered the financial security of those who once depended on it. Hundreds of thousands of Black federal workers have been removed from their positions since Trump returned to office, and the effect on neighborhoods, schools, and generational wealth has been immediate.
    The crisis facing Black women is even deeper. The National Partnership for Women and Families reports that 265,000 Black women have been pushed out of the labor market since January, and the unemployment rate for Black women has climbed to 7.5 percent, which is the highest in years.  “These numbers are damning and confirm what we’ve long known to be true,” said Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.  “Under Donald J. Trump, Black women continue to face a crisis of disproportionately high unemployment. Their systematic pushout not only has dangerous consequences for Black women, Black families, and Black futures. It is also a glaring red flag for the entire U.S. economy.”

    This is the country entering Black Friday. It is why the Mass Blackout movement and the We Ain’t Buying It coalition have stepped forward to reclaim the weekend that once symbolized celebration. Their message calls for shoppers to keep their money, their labor, and their attention away from the companies they believe profit from silence while Black households are battered by economic loss. “No spending. No work. No surrender,” the Mass Blackout coalition announced in its call to action, which accuses the nation’s corporate power structure of thriving while ordinary people struggle to survive.

    The second coalition focuses its attention on retailers like Amazon, Target and Home Depot. Activists accuse these companies of cooperating with or benefiting from Trump’s political agenda. LaTosha Brown, cofounder of Black Voters Matter and a member of the We Ain’t Buying It coalition, delivered her remarks in the coalition’s public statement. “We ain’t buying this foolishness. We’re not buying this racism. We’re not buying the abandonment of DEI. We’re not buying that the wealthiest country in the world cannot take care of its own citizens,” she stated. “If they want to call it Black Friday, let’s show them what a Black Friday really looks like.”

    Home Depot issued its response after activists accused the retailer of working with immigration authorities during enforcement actions. The company stated that it is not notified before such actions occur and that it is not involved in them. Organizers remain unconvinced and continue to include the retailer in holiday boycott plans.
    Amazon has faced scrutiny for working conditions and for the $1 million it contributed to Trump’s inauguration, which boycott leaders cite as evidence of political alignment. The coalition argues that Amazon has benefited from federal policy while workers across the country face tightening hours and declining wages, and its owner, Jeff Bezos, has fully capitulated to Trump.
    Behind all these confrontations sits a larger truth. Black Americans are living through an economic emergency that has been shaped by federal policy decisions targeting the jobs, protections, and historical pathways that built the Black middle class. Analysts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report that Trump’s agenda has attacked food assistance, health care, and family income supports at the very moment when unemployment among Black women is rising, and Black communities are losing stable federal careers that once offered a route out of poverty.

    Organizers say this Black Friday is not about discounts. It is a line drawn by people who are tired of being told to spend in a country that is stripping away their ability to live. It is a refusal to pretend that holiday lights can hide the harm done to families who have been pushed to the margins of the economy.
    The final word from organizers cut through the noise of the season. “We’re not buying from companies that won’t stand with us,” LaTosha Brown stated. “Our dollars will go elsewhere.”

  • Newswire : Trump’s death threat against six Congress members, for video that explains service-peoples’ right to disobey “illegal orders”, sends Nation into crisis

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

    President Donald Trump has again shocked the conscience of the nation with his latest outburst. This time, the president accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition and declared their conduct “punishable by DEATH” as he reposted calls on social media to “hang them” and demanded their arrest.
    The president’s words landed with a violent weight, particularly as he continues to publicly support and pardon individuals convicted of attacking the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump himself has long faced allegations of encouraging sedition by praising the rioters who erected gallows and hunted his own vice president.
    The president escalated his attacks after the lawmakers, all veterans or former intelligence officers, released a video urging members of the military to refuse unlawful orders. Trump responded with a barrage of posts accusing them of treason and sedition and sharing messages declaring “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.” In one post, Trump wrote that their behavior was “punishable by DEATH,” calling their message “really bad, and Dangerous to our Country.”
    The six Democratic lawmakers at the center of Trump’s attacks include Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Chris Deluzio. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed their oath to the Constitution. “No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation,” they stated. “This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans.”

    House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released a statement that said political violence must never be normalized. “Political violence has no place in America,” they stated. “Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.”
    Members of Congress across the country denounced Trump’s language. Representative Norma Torres said the president’s words represented a direct threat to democracy. “The President of the United States is calling for Members of Congress to be executed,” Torres stated. “We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced.”
    Trump’s accusations arrive as concerns grow about his willingness to issue illegal orders and expand the use of military force both abroad and domestically. A CNN analysis noted that Democrats are responding to a pattern in which Trump has repeatedly floated illegal military actions. The analysis cited his past suggestions involving torture, shooting protesters in the legs, and ordering strikes that violated international law.
    Lawmakers who served in uniform said the president’s charges distort the law. Maine Senator Angus King said the Democratic lawmakers simply reminded service members of a basic principle. “All these people said was common knowledge,” King stated. “Military officers are not required to follow illegal orders. That is simply a statement of fact.”
    The reaction among members of Congress has been swift, wide, and unusually unified. Even Republican Senator Susan Collins condemned Trump’s words. “The president should not be calling for the death of members of Congress because of what they say,” Collins stated. “Such incendiary comments risk sparking political violence.”
    Texas Democrat Al Green, who has repeatedly sought Trump’s impeachment, said allowing this rhetoric to stand threatens constitutional order. “On our watch, we refuse to allow the demise of our democracy,” Green said on the House floor as he renewed his call for impeachment proceedings.
    As the warnings mount, the six lawmakers targeted by the president said they will not retreat from their oath. “In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage,” they stated. “We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated. Don’t Give Up the Ship.”

  • Eutaw City Council meets on Nov. 12 handles routine business

    The Mayor and the Eutaw City Council met for their first regular meeting since being installed and holding their organizational meeting, to consider regular business of the city. All Council members were present except for Carrie Logan, who was attending a training session for new council members.
    The Council heard from Jimmie Moore of Meridian Waste Company, which has the contract for garbage collection and disposal in Eutaw and some surrounding jurisdictions. Moore explained the cost per customer has increased by a small account. The Eutaw City Council approved the contract with Meridian Waste and will absorb the increase within the current monthly charge for residents and businesses in the city.
    The Council approved the creation of a new position of Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and City Council of Eutaw, which is Ordinance 2025-6. This Ordinance also names Joe Powell to the position of Administrative Assistant. His duties and responsibilities will be to assist the City Clerk in her administrative duties; also, to assist the Mayor and Council in preparing meeting agendas, notices, and correspondence; assist with public record and resident inquiries; and otherwise assist the Mayor and Council in other tasks as assigned. His rate of pay will be $16 per hour and benefits.
    The Council approved the salary of Kendrick Howell as Chief of Police at $60,000 annually, which is $5,000 less that the previous Chief Tommy Johnson was being paid. The Council also agreed to a $3.00 an hour increase for SheKelvia Spencer, City Clerk.
    An approval of the 2025-26 Annual Budget was tabled, to give the new Mayor and his staff a chance to review and perhaps change some of the staffing, expenses and revenues projected for the year that started on October 1, 2025, and running through September 30, 2026. A Council Work Session on the budget was scheduled for November 18, 2025. A request to purchase a new 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicle was also tabled pending the budget review.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved a request from Mayor Cockrell to enter an agreement with Diversified Computer Software to purchase trackers for all city vehicles and equipment.
    • Approved travel, registration and per diem for staff to attend training.
    • Approved for Mayor Cockrell to hold a Thanksgiving Dinner for staff and residents.
    • Approved reimbursements to staff for necessary small purchases to continue operations.
    • Approved Resolution No. 2025-27 for “Use of Social Media” by staff to carry out work requirements.
    • Approved rental of city property at $150 a day for K & S Southern Midways to hold a fair in the city at the park adjoining the Robert H. Young Community Center in Eutaw on November 14-17, 2025.
    • Approved payment of bills for the city.
    At the end of the meeting, Mayor Corey Cockrell said he had received a report from the Water Department Clerk that over $300,000 in late and unpaid water accounts were in the records. The Mayor said, “All residents and businesses in the city must get their water bills in order and paid, including city staff and council members. We should not have to carry so many late and overdue accounts, if we want to improve our city – streets, water and other infrastructure.”

  • Greene Co. Commission approves joining lawsuit on Simplified Seller Use Tax (SSUT) litigation

    In a special called meeting on November 20, 2025, the Greene County Commission voted 5-0 to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the City of Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa City Schools, and the City of Mountain Brook against the Alabama Department of Revenue, concerning revenues from the Simplified Seller Use Tax (SSUT).
    County Attorney Mark Parnell recommended to the Commission that they join this lawsuit in conjunction with the Alabama Association of County Commissioners. This will make sure Greene County gets a fair share of the flat 8% simplified seller use tax (SSUT) currently being levied on out of state shippers into Alabama.
    The lawsuit seeks to deal with loopholes in the law that provide some delivery services, based out of state, like Door-Dash and Instacart, to receive special savings not available to local retailers. The lawsuit would more equitably distribute the proceeds of this seller use tax to rural counties and city jurisdictions as the revenues from Internet purchasers grows.
    The Montgomery Circuit Judge hearing the case set December 10, 2025, as the deadline for other interested parties to join this litigation. This deadline is very close to the Greene County Commission’s next regular meeting date, which necessitated a special called meeting to allow Greene County to join the case.
    The Commission also accepted the resignation of the current Greenthumb Development Board member from District 4 and appointed Para Davis to this position at the recommendation of Commissioner Allen Turner Jr. The Greenthumb board is considering ways to help finance a medical marijuana operation in the Knoxville community of Greene County.
    The Commission also voted to spend up to $1,500 on shirts and other apparel for Commission members and staff which would help identify them as members of a team serving the county.
    In lieu of an Executive Session, Attorney Parnell reported that he was continuing negotiations and communications with Mr. Gomez, concerning his non-compliance with a lease on the former Greenetrack building, owned by the County. Gomez has not fulfilled his commitments under the lease and is now out of compliance and in danger of losing the lease.

  • Newswire :Rep. Shomari Figures files bill to name post office in honor of Tuskegee Airmen

    By Wesley Walter, Alabama Political Reporters

     

    U.S. Representative Shomari Figures, D-Ala., introduced bipartisan legislation today to recognize the Tuskegee Airmen in honor of Veterans Day.
    The bill introduced by Figures would designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 401 North Elm Street in Tuskegee as the “Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office.”
    “Today, on my first Veterans Day in Congress, I want to wish a happy Veterans Day to all the men and women who have ever put on the uniform in defense and protection of the United States of America,” Figures said in a written statement.
    “You are the reason we enjoy the rights, privileges, and freedoms that we do in this country. On today and every day, I want to thank you for the commitment and courage you have shown throughout your careers to make this a better nation,” the representative continued. “I also want to thank your families, because I know when servicemembers serve, their families do too.”
    The legislation has received endorsements from each of Alabama’s seven representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated.
    Figures expressed hope that the bill would bring attention to the legacy and impact of the first group of African American pilots and support crews to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, who trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield.
    “Every person who enters the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office will be reminded of their courage, sacrifice, and service to our country,” Figures’ office wrote.2

     

  • Newswires : Rep. Sewell secures $3.2M for four local projects in Alabama’s Black Belt

    By Alabama Political Reporters staff

    U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, announced Monday that she secured $3,265,000 for four local projects in Alabama’s Black Belt as a part of the annual appropriations process.
    “Each year, my office works to secure funding for local projects that will make a tangible difference in the lives of our constituents,” Sewell said. “I am thrilled that this year, we are delivering at least $3.2 million worth of investments in the Black Belt. These four projects will expand access to health care, support our first responders, increase public safety, and improve our infrastructure. I will continue advocating for additional projects in our district as Congress finalizes the remaining nine spending bills for FY26.”

    The four local projects include:

    Perry County

    $500,000 to renovate the Marion National Guard Armory, transforming an abandoned building into a multi-purpose community center. The renovated facility will serve as a hub for workforce development training, a temporary shelter for families during emergencies, and a community hub for the deployment and distribution of essential supplies.

    $1,015,000 for Rural Health Medical Program, Inc., RHMPI, to renovate the Uniontown Health Center in Uniontown, Alabama. The proposed project will transform the existing facility into a modern, fully equipped medical center. The renovation will address critical gaps in medical infrastructure by upgrading clinical equipment, labs, X-ray capabilities, and IT systems, and by enhancing the roads and parking facilities around the center

    Pickens County

    $1,000,000 to construct a new joint police and volunteer fire station in Aliceville, helping first responders better serve the residents of Pickens County and West Alabama.

    Sumter County

    $750,000 for the Sumter County Commission for a new community center where residents of all ages can gather, connect and engage in activities that promote community empowerment and resilience. The community center will offer educational programs, workshops and skill-building sessions to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of community members, particularly youth and adults.

  • Newswire: Ag Sec: Every SNAP recipient is going to have to reapply

    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins speaks alongside Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., at a news conference to talk about SNAP benefits on day 31 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

    Move aims to remove alleged 186K dead people who are receiving aid

    By Polly Davis Doing, Newser AI

    The Trump administration is planning to require all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to reapply for benefits, citing concerns about widespread fraud, reports the Hill.

    Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the move on Newsmax, saying the administration discovered that 186,000 deceased people were still receiving benefits, based on data from 29 Republican-led states. “Can you imagine when we get our hands on the blue state data what we’re going to find?” Rollins said. “It’s going to give us … a trajectory to fundamentally rebuild this program, have everyone reapply for their benefit, make sure that everyone that’s taking a taxpayer-funded benefit through SNAP or food stamps, that they literally are vulnerable, and they can’t survive without it.”

    Rollins described the program as “corrupt” and claimed that “for years, no one has really ever dug into” the issue, but that the Trump administration now has the tools to do so. She also said that 120 people have been arrested for SNAP fraud so far. There is already a recertification process in place in every state that requires SNAP recipients to update their information, typically every six to 12 months.

    Federal officials did not clarify how the new testing would sync with that, notes Politico. A USDA spokesperson said the administration is simply using standard recertification processes to crack down on “fraud, waste, and incessant abuse” of the program. More than 41 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

    The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) has not issued a specific, direct public comment solely on the recent USDA claims that deceased individuals are receiving SNAP benefits. Instead, FRAC’s recent public statements focus on broader issues of program integrity versus access, particularly in the context of recent government actions and proposals to overhaul the program. 

    FRAC and other advocates have raised “real questions about how they’ve arrived at these numbers,” arguing that statistics regarding fraud need more detail and context to be properly evaluated.

     

  • Newswire : Former President Obama has spoken with Rev. Jesse Jackson, who remains in a Chicago hospital

    President Obama and  Rev. Jesse Jackson

    By April Ryan, NNPA White House Correspondent

     

    Several sources have confirmed that former President Barack Obama phoned Reverend Jesse Jackson over the weekend, who is in Stable Condition at a Chicago Hospital. President Obama is said to have been coordinating with the family for several days before the 44th president reached the civil rights icon.
    There have been family connections spanning decades between the Jackson family and the Obamas. In 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr. served as the national co-chair of the Obama Presidential campaign.
    On Sunday, Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. also received a FaceTime call from Rev. Amos Brown, another Civil Rights pioneer who worked with Jackson. In the 1950s and 1960s, they marched and labored alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for first-class citizenship for African Americans. In the 1970s, the two lieutenants of Dr. King separated and served in different parts of the country.
    Brown told this reporter that Jackson recognized him during the FaceTime communication “by his expression and countenance.” The San Francisco Pastor of former Vice President Kamala Harris also says the elder Jackson did not speak, but Brown “encouraged him to fight on as we had fought in the struggle as friends and freedom fighters.”
    In a matter of days, politicians, former staffers, and others have also gone to Jackson’s bedside to encourage him during his illness. Some of those include Reverend Al Sharpton.
    In a recent written statement, the Jackson family said that Reverend Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 2013. In April, the diagnosis changed to supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurological disorder.
    The family that is constantly by Reverend Jackson’s side in the hospital says, “We believe in the power of prayer, and we are grateful for the overwhelming outreach and prayers of the faithful.
    Our father is alert and continues to share his vision for churches and pastors to come together and reduce malnutrition during this period. He is enlisting 2,000 churches and pastors to distribute 2,000 baskets of food, to feed four million families this season,” said son and family spokesperson, Yusef Jackson.

  • Newswire : America’s Maternal and Infant Health crisis deepens 

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

     

    The March of Dimes has released its 2025 Report Card, and across the United States, the findings tell a story of mothers and infants facing preventable risks that too often lead to tragedy. The national preterm birth rate remains at 10.4 percent.

    Babies born to Medicaid-insured mothers experienced an 11.7 percent preterm birth rate, while babies born to mothers with private insurance recorded a 9.6 percent rate. For Black mothers, the rate climbed to 14.7 percent, the highest of any group in the country.

    “Behind every statistic is a mom, a baby, and a family that deserves their best chance at a healthy start,” Dr. Elizabeth Kielb, Director of Maternal and Infant Health at the March of Dimes, stated.
    Those numbers speak to families whose lives can change in an instant. Preterm birth remains one of the leading causes of infant death and long-term health complications. For many mothers, the first signs of a problem appear months before delivery, yet too often they cannot secure the early prenatal care that could help keep a pregnancy safe. The United States now has hundreds of counties with no obstetric providers or birthing facilities. Some families travel for hours for a basic checkup. Others miss appointments because clinics are full or insurance does not cover the visit.
    The Commonwealth Fund’s 2025 national analysis found that the United States continues to have the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations. American women die from pregnancy-related causes at rates far beyond those of peer countries. The Fund reported that Black women face the greatest danger, in part because of delays in care, long-standing gaps in coverage, unaddressed chronic conditions, and limited access to trusted providers. These findings match the patterns documented by the March of Dimes.

    The March of Dimes identifies several reasons behind the country’s performance. Many women enter pregnancy with unmanaged hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Large portions of the country are considered maternity care deserts, with no birthing hospitals and few clinicians trained in maternal health.
    Millions of women lose health insurance shortly after childbirth, leaving complications untreated. Black and Native mothers often report that their concerns are dismissed during prenatal and postpartum appointments, which can lead to dangerous complications that go unnoticed until they become life-threatening. These conditions place families at greater risk, no matter where they live.
    The states struggling the most sit in every region of the country. Mississippi recorded a preterm birth rate of 14.8 percent. Alabama stood at 13.6 percent. Louisiana recorded 13.2 percent. South Carolina reached 12.7 percent. Georgia reported 12.4 percent. These states received failing grades from the March of Dimes. Each has large rural regions with few maternity care providers, high rates of chronic medical conditions, and long-standing racial gaps that make pregnancy more dangerous for families of color.
    Cities face their own challenges. Memphis recorded one of the highest preterm birth rates among major metro areas. Detroit continued to see some of the largest racial gaps in infant outcomes. In Fresno and Bakersfield, mothers face long waits for prenatal care and limited access to specialists. In Washington, D.C., the preterm birth rate rose to 11.8 percent, the largest one-year increase in the country.
    Maryland and Virginia show mixed signs of progress. Maryland received a D+ with a 10.5 percent preterm birth rate. Virginia earned a C minus at 10.1 percent. Both states continue to wrestle with racial gaps and shortages in maternity care providers across rural communities and urban neighborhoods.
    The March of Dimes notes that these conditions are not distributed evenly. Families with higher incomes and stable private insurance can often secure early prenatal care, while families with low incomes or public insurance face delays that increase the risk of complications. Many women do not receive postpartum care beyond the immediate weeks after childbirth, even when ongoing monitoring is needed.
    The organization is trying to address these gaps through mobile health centers, NICU Family Support programs, and partnerships with hospitals aimed at improving maternal and infant care. On the national level, the March of Dimes is calling for investment in maternal mortality review committees, research funding through the PREEMIE Act, and nationwide adoption of extended Medicaid postpartum coverage.

    Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at the March of Dimes, said the findings show how much is at stake. “As a clinician who has seen how much is possible when we get it right, the data is deeply frustrating,” Dr. Warren said. “We have known about risk factors for preterm birth, including a history of prior preterm birth, chronic disease, and unequal access to care for years.”

  • Board receives school system scores for FY 2024-2025

    Leo Branch re-elected as School Board President, Robert Davis elected as Vice President

    The Greene County Board of Education met in regular session, Monday November 17, 2025 with all board members in attendance, as well as Interim Superintendent Mr. Darryl Aikerson and Attorney Hank Sanders. The annual reorganization of the board was conducted by Attorney Hank Sanders, who declared the offices of President and Vice President vacant and opened the floor for nominations. Ms. Veronica Richardson was nominated for Board President by Mr. Brandon Merriweather; Mr. Leo Branch was nominated for President by Ms. Carrie Dancy. Branch was elected Board President for another year on a 3-2 vote.
    Attorney Sanders noted that the election needed to be confirmed with a motion and vote. Dancy moved to elect Branch as Board President, Davis seconded. The motion carried with Dancy, Davis and Branch voting yes; Merriweather and Richardson voted no.
    Leo Branch nominated Robert Davis for Vice President; Brandon Merriweather nominated Veronica Richardson for Vice President. The vote was 3 for Davis and 2 for Richardson.
    The motion to confirm was offered by Branch with a second by Dancy. Branch, Dancy and Davis voted for Robert Davis for Board Vic President; Richardson received 2 votes. Branch and Davis expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in them and vowed to do their best.
    For his report, Interim Superintendent Aikerson designated presentations by the Curriculum Coordinator, Ms. Barbara Martin; Maintenance Supervisor, Ms. Sharon Hardwick; Federal Programs Coordinator, Dr. Charlayne Jordan-Riley.
    Mrs. Martin shared school system scores for 2024-2025 academic year.
    Eutaw Primary: overall score B (86); academic achievement – 77.08; academic growth – 100; chronic absenteeism – 33.55.
    Robert Brown Middle: overall score 58 (F); academic achievement – 34.10; academic growth – 77.33; chronic absenteeism – 37.61.
    Greene County High: overall score C (70); academic achievement -29.85; academic growth – 95.05; chronic absenteeism – 41.06; graduation rate – 76.19; college & career readiness – 65.08.
    Maintenance updates from Ms. Hardwick included: no open projects at Eutaw Primary; elevator install at RBM should be completed by November 28; new unit at RBM needs technical and electrical engineer; fire alarm inspection completed. At GRHS, structural engineer needed to submit drawings to address flooring issue near gym and back hallway. Items to complete with Track &Field include: asphalt paving; track surfacing and track equipment. Lighting is not included in Phase I Track & Field budget.
    Dr. Riley presented a detailed breakdown of the System’s Federal Programs, including describing the components of the program, role of the coordinator, total funding received for FY 26, how spending is determined, different types of federal funds received.
    The purpose of Federal Programs is to ensure that all students have a fair and equitable opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and assessments. The role of the coordinator is to plan, develop, implement and evaluate all functions related federal programs and grant programs.
    Total funding received for FY26 is $1,520,426. Title I, Part A supports basic programs operated by the school district. Title 11, Part A supports effective instruction;Title IV, Part A provides student support and academic achievement; Title V, Part B supports rural education initiative.
    If all money is not spent, the school district is allowed to carry a percentage of these funds over.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Aikerson
    Extended Day Program Substitutes: Mack, William – Transportation Spec Services; Russel, Carla- After School Bus Driver; Hill, Teresa – After School Bus Driver; Coats, Eddie – After School Bus Driver; Carpenter, LaJeffery – After School Bus Driver; Jackson, Arleen – After School Bus Aide – Special Services.
    Resignation: Atkins, Teresa – GCCC Director, effective, Dec. 18, 2025.
    AASBO Certification Stipend: Brewer, Sarah, CO – HR Coordinator/Certification Clerk/Payroll Mgr; Cockrell, Latanya, CO – LSA Bookkeeper/Supt. Secretary; Henderson, Mary, CO – Secretary/Bookkeeper,CO & Transportation; Morrow, Makane, CO – Accounts Payable; Smith, Tabitha – EPS School Secretary/Bookkeeper; Gaitor, Wanda,- GCHS School Secretary/Bookkeeper; Hunter, Tracey, GCHS – School Secretary/Bookkeeper; Sanford, Marilyn, RBMS -School Secretary/Bookkeeper; Morris, Twelia, – GCCC School Secretary/Bookkeeper.
    Retirement: Askew, Romanda,GCHS CNP Cook.
    Employment: Walker, Jacorri – Transportation Substitute Drive.
    The board approve the following administrative items.
    * Removal and sale of five (5) scrap buses by Mr. Otis Robinson under the agreement that fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds from the sale be remitted to the Greene County Board of Education.
    * Contract between Greene County Board of Education and West Central Officials Association for basketball officials at Robert Brown Middle School for the 2025 – 2026 school.
    * Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Druid City Officials Association for basketball officials at Greene County High School for the 2025 – 2026 school.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.