The Greene County Democrat

Category: School

  • Greene County Board of Education celebrates ‘School Board Recognition Month’

    Board members receive recognition from schools and Central Office

    The Greene County Board of Education held its regular meeting on January 20, 2026, in the Central Office auditorium. All five school board members were present.
    It was National School Board Recognition Month, so each of the Board member was honored with gifts from the schools and Central Office staff. This included a healthy edible bouquet of flowers, composed of fruits, from Acting Superintendent Darryl Aikerson, a globe and other gifts.
    In addition to the gifts, the Board also heard reports from the acting Superintendent, CFO on finances and other staff on curriculum and programmatic matters. The Board also approved minutes of its recent meetings on December 15, 18, 30 and January 5, which involved selecting a new Superintendent.
    Ms. Martin, Curriculum Coordinator reported on the Alabama Numeracy Act which requires that all students from K to 5th grade learn basic math skills and are able to do and solve basic math problems. The act, which is similar to the Alabama Literacy Act, requires students to have basic math skills and understanding by 5th. Grade. The act provides math coaches and summer math camps for students who need additional assistance and support in math. There are math coaches assigned to Eutaw Primary School and Robert Brown Middle School, with financing from the State of Alabama, under the Numeracy Act to assist students in Greene County meet these requirements.
    The Board held an Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters. The Board made the following Personnel changes:
    • EMPLOYMENTS (CLASSIFIED)
 Williams, Shirleria RBMS CNP 

    • RESIGNATION(S)
 Eubanks, Brandi RBMS Teacher Elementary 
    
• VOLUNTARY TRANSFER
 Davis, Linda RBMS to GCHS CNP Cook 
    
• RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION STIPENDS (RTI)
 McGee, Pamela EPS Teacher PK-3 
 Durrett, Carla EPS ARI Reading Coach.

    The Board also approved these Administrative Service items, as recommended by the Acting Superintendent:
    Quote from RJ Young (Sophos Antivirus License Renewal) $45,356.68

    Quote from Renaissance for Nearpod, Flocabulary and services (Learning License, 1 year) $19,530.00

    Renewal of Service and Support Agreement with Albireo Energy to continue maintenance and support of the Building Management System (BMS) and access control systems, including cameras and HVAC, at Greene County High School (GCHS) and Greene County Career Center (GCCC)

    Proposal from Bailey Group to provide Instructional coaching (ELA English Language Arts) at Robert Brown Middle for 5th & 6th grade in the amount of $15,000

    Proposal from Bailey Group to provide Instructional coaching (Math) at Robert Brown Middle for 5th & 6th grade in the amount of $15,000

    Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll

    Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO

    The Board received a financial report from CFO, Marquita Lennon, on the months of November and December 2025. For December 2025, she summarized the results saying:
    *General Fund Bank Balance $5,841,722.47
    reconciles to the Summary Cash Report
    * Accounts Payable Check Register $231,756.27
    *  Payroll Register $929,427.21*Total gross pay, to include employer match items
    * Combined Ending Fund Balance: $7,414,733.33

    Leo Branch, Board Chair announced that the Board Committee had met with Dr. Timothy Thurmond and worked out the details of his contract to be the new Superintendent beginning February 1, 2026.

     

     

  • Newswire : Claudette Colvin, who refused to move before the nation was ready, dies at 86

    Claudette Colvin

    By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    History often remembers movements by their most recognizable moments. It less often remembers the teenagers who moved first.
    Claudette Colvin, whose refusal to surrender her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus came months before the moment that would enter textbooks, died Tuesday at 86. Her death was confirmed by the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation, which said she died of natural causes in Texas.
    On March 2, 1955, Colvin was 15 years old and riding home from school when the bus driver ordered Black passengers to give up their seats to white riders. Three students stood. Colvin did not. Police arrested her, charged her under segregation laws, and placed her on probation. She later said she was thinking about the Constitution and the rights she believed belonged to her.
    Colvin’s arrest came at a time when Montgomery’s Black community was already pressing against the daily restraints of Jim Crow. Her stand did not ignite a boycott that day, but it did register. It landed in conversations, church meetings, and legal strategy sessions that would soon follow.
    “This nation lost a civil rights giant today,” Tafeni English-Relf, Alabama state director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said. “Claudette Colvin’s courage lit the fire for a movement that would free all Alabamians and Americans from the woes of southern segregation.”
    Unlike others whose names became shorthand for the era, Colvin paid a quieter price. She was young and outspoken and was later judged by standards that did not apply to older leaders. She was never elevated as the public face of the movement. Her life unfolded mostly outside the spotlight she helped create.
    Yet Colvin’s role proved decisive.
    She became one of four plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the federal lawsuit that reached the Supreme Court and ended bus segregation in Montgomery and across Alabama. The case dismantled the legal framework that made her arrest possible.
    “At age 15, Ms. Colvin was arrested on March 2, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, for violating bus segregation ordinances, nine months before Rosa Parks,” Phillip Ensler wrote. “In 2021, it was the privilege of a lifetime to serve on the legal team that helped Ms. Colvin clear her record from the conviction.”
    “As we worked on the court motion, I had the honor of spending time with Ms. Colvin to hear her story and get to know her,” Ensler wrote.
    “Today we lost an unsung yet significant hero of the civil rights movement,” Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock said. “Her courage paved the way for Rosa Parks’ decision and the launching of a movement that would end segregation.”
    “History did not always give Claudette Colvin the credit she deserved, but her impact is undeniable,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
    “Her life reminds us that progress is shaped not only by moments, but by sustained courage and truth,” Bernice King said.

     

  • DeAngelo Hall Qualifies for Sheriff of Greene County

    DeAngelo Hall has officially qualified to run for Sheriff of Greene County.

    “The journey continues,” Hall said. “I ask the citizens of Greene County to keep me in their prayers as we move forward with a safe, respectful, and clean campaign.”

    Hall also reflected on the personal significance of the moment, noting that he wished his grandmother, Velma Robinson, were present to witness the occasion. “I can still hear her saying, ‘Praise the Lord,’” he said.

    Hall currently serves as Constable and remains committed to public service, accountability, and community safety.

    — DeAngelo Hall

    Constable, Greene County

    Candidate for Sheriff

     

  • Newswire : 10 Meaningful ways to observe Martin Luther King Day Of Service and make an impact

    Source: Universal History Archive / Getty

    As the holiday quickly approaches, tap in to some ways that you can make a difference, whether big or small, to honor a legend’s dream.

    By Davonta Herring, NewsOne

    Martin Luther King Day—more specifically, Martin Luther King Day of Service—is right around the corner. Every year, the holiday gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and tap back into the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders this country has ever known. Dr. King wasn’t just about powerful speeches and historic marches; he was about action, community, and showing up for one another in real, tangible ways.
    Dr. King’s birthday became a federal holiday in 1983, with the first official observance taking place in 1986. Years later, Congress designated it as a “Day of Service,” shifting the focus from a day off to a day on. The idea is simple but powerful: instead of just honoring Dr. King with words, we honor him through service. By giving back, helping others, and strengthening our communities, we live out the values he fought for.
    On MLK Day of Service, communities across the country come together to volunteer, organize, donate, and uplift. From food drives and marches to teach-ins and mentorship programs, the day is all about collective impact. It’s one of the few holidays rooted in the idea that change doesn’t just come from the top – it comes from everyday people doing what they can, where they are. 
    What makes this day especially meaningful is that anyone can participate. You don’t need a big platform, a lot of money, or a large group to make a difference. Whether you’re moving solo, with friends, or as part of an organization, there are countless ways to show up and serve with purpose. Even small actions can ripple outward and create real change. 
    If you’re looking for ways to get involved this year, here are 10 meaningful ways to observe MLK Day of Service and make an impact – all rooted in community, intention, and love for the people
    1. Volunteer At Local Shelters & Food Banks
    Spend the day serving meals, organizing donations, or helping families in need. It’s one of the most direct ways to support your community and meet people where they are. 
    2. Organize A Community Clean-Up
    Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends to clean up a park, a block, or a neighborhood. A cleaner environment shows care, pride, and respect for where we live.
    3. Mentor A Youth Or Student
    Offer guidance, encouragement, or academic support to a young person. Your lived experience and advice could be exactly what they need to stay motivated and focused. 
    4. Donate To Civil Rights Or Social Justice Organizations
    Even with limited time, giving financially is still impactful. Supporting organizations that fight for equity helps sustain long-term change beyond one day.
    5. Host Educational Events Or Discussions
    Create space for conversation around Dr. King’s legacy, civil rights history, or current social issues. Knowledge-sharing keeps the movement alive and evolving. 
    6. Support Black-Owned Businesses
    Put your dollars where your values are. Shopping Black helps circulate money within the community and supports entrepreneurs building generational wealth. 
    7. Create Care Packages For Essential Workers
    Assemble bags with snacks, hygiene items, or thank you notes for healthcare workers, teachers, or first responders. A small gesture can go a long way.
    8. Advocate For Policy Change Or Attend Rallies
    Use your voice by calling representatives, signing petitions, or attending peaceful demonstrations. Civic engagement is a key way to honor Dr. King’s work.
    9. Use Social Media To Spread Awareness & Inspire Action 
    Share resources, volunteer opportunities, or educational content. Your post might motivate someone else to get involved or think differently. 
    10. Commit To A Year-Round Service Plan
    Martin Luther King Day is a starting point, not the finish line. Choose one cause you care about and find ways to serve consistently throughout the year.
    MLK Day of Service reminds us that change isn’t seasonal – it’s a lifestyle. However you choose to participate, the goal is to move with intention, compassion, and community at the center. That’s how we truly honor the dream!

  • Greene County BOE selects Dr. Timothy Thurman to be next Superintendent of Schools

    Dr. Timothy Thurman

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    After a second interview with the top two candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools, the Greene County Board of Education selected Dr. Timothy Thurman for the position.
    After a lengthy discussion, the Board made the selection of Thurman a unanimous decision of the five board members to show unity and support for the selection of Dr. Thurman to be the next leader of the educational system in Greene County.
    In a separate motion, the Board designated a committee of the Board Chair (Leo Branch), Vice Chair (Robert Davis) and Legal Counsel (Attorney Hank Sanders) to negotiate a contract with Dr. Thurman, setting his compensation, benefits and other requirements, which will be reviewed and approved by the Board at its next meeting.
    Dr. Timothy Thurman comes to Greene County after serving as the Superintendent of the City of Linden School System in Marengo, County. Thurman’s experience also included serving as Assistant Superintendent Linden City Schools; Principal Linden High School; Teacher and Coach Perry County Schools; Director Perry County Alternative School.  Education: Doctorate Educational Leadership; Master’s Education Administration; Bachelor’s Elementary Education. He also serves as the pastor of two Baptist churches in Marengo County.

    The Linden City School system is the smallest in the state with 400 to 500 students and is about half the size of Greene County’s school population. They have three schools – primary, middle and high school – like Greene County.

    In the interview, when asked about whether Greene County was robbing Linden by offering him the Superintendent’s position, Thurman responded by saying that he was leaving the system in “good shape” and that all his goals for the system had been met over the decade that he had been Superintendent.
    “I have done what I wanted to do in Linden,” he said.

    At the start of the interview, Dr. Thurman distributed a written plan to the Board on how he would tackle his first 90 days as Superintendent. The plan includes meeting with the Board to clarify goals and then meeting with staff to listen to their concerns, build relationships and develop a very specific implementation plan to reach the system goals. He said based on his experience; he could move “relatively fast to improve the conditions in under-performing schools.”

    When asked what it would take to improve parent and teacher morale in the schools, he said regular communications with Board, schools and the community, as well as a winning football team. He said, “ In Linden, we were a 1A school, but no-one wanted to challenge us in football, which really helped people in the community and the schools to appreciate what Linden was doing within its school system.

    Dr. Thurman said he was ready to go to work, as soon as the Board agreed on a contract and wanted him to start.

  • Qualifying date for 2026 Primary Election start January 5 to 23, 2026


    The Greene County Democratic Executive Committee qualifying dates for the 2026 Primary Election will begin January 5, 2026 and end January 23, 2026.
    Candidates seeking a county spot on the Democratic Primary ballot must qualify with County Chairman Lorenzo French. At the Greene County Courthouse 9 a.m- 4 p.m. The County ballot positions include Sheriff, Coroner, Revenue Commissioner, County Commissioner and School Board member for District Three, Four and Five.
    Candidates seeking a county spot on the Democratic Executive Committee also qualify locally.
    To qualify…. “ a person’s domicile is that place in which his habitation is fixed, without any present intention of removing, and it embraces (1) the fact of residence and (2) the intention to remain. As a general proposition, a person can have but one domicile, [which] once acquired is presumed to continue until a new one is gained…”

  • Greene County Alumnae Chapter Members host annual Adopt-A-Family in Greene and Hale

    Members of the Greene County, Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta sorority Inc. present gifts to families for the chapters annual adoptive family event 2025 in Greene County, Alabama.

    Picture left to right Johnni Strode Morning, Leisa, Gaines Means, Phillis Belcher, DHR Representative Rebecca Pendergrass, Jacqueline Allen, AAF Committee Chair and Marva Smith. Not pictured Tameshia Porter and DHR Representative Kim Tyree

    Members of the Greene County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated present gifts to families for the chapter’s annual Adopt-A-Family event 2025 in Hale County, AL

    Picture left to right Cynthia Hogue, Schiquetta Burrell, Hale County DHR Director Natasha King, Hale county DHR Representative Sandra Brown Marva Smith, Phillis Belcher, Jacqueline Allen, AAF Committee Chair. Not pictured Erika Long and Samoria Beck with Hale County.

  • Greene County Commission assists ambulance service to meet expenses and keep operating

    At a special called meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Greene County Commission responded to an urgent request from the Greene County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) for funds to pay bills, including payroll, to allow the county’s ambulance services to keep operating.
    Commission Chair Garria Spencer said, “We are responding to the Greene County Ambulance Service with an advance of $88,000 to meet back expenses. We expect GEMS to contact others, including, the county municipalities, the Sheriff, the Industrial Board, the volunteer fire departments and others for immediate support. Any money collected from other agencies should be paid to the County Commission, to reimburse for this advance. The advance will allow the ambulance service to continue operating while we seek a more permanent solution to its problems.”
    Vickie Colson, was recently chosen as Chair of the GEMS, when other members resigned. She informed the County Commission of the crisis financial problems and asked for assistance in continuing the vital work of the ambulance service in Greene County.
    Colson also informed the Commission that Chris Jones, GEMS current Executive Director, had submitted his resignation and that the board would be responsible for directing and supervising operations until a new director is found and can be placed in that position.
    Other surrounding rural counties including Sumter, Pickens and Hale have also had problems in maintaining ambulance services in a situation with isolated and aging rural populations, low reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid, and the general uncertainties of the future financial stability of rural health care, under the Trump budget cuts.
    In talking with Ms. Colson, it seems that the Greene County EMS is in need of more guaranteed revenue sources to subsidize operations and capital expenses, like maintaining and expanding the ambulance fleet. Beyond the County Commission, the municipalities, gaming, the fire departments and others will need to make annual guaranteed allocations for the ambulance services. Another possibility is to raise the advalorem milage property tax rate to support the ambulance service.
    The County Commission stepped up to the plate to assure the continuance of ambulance services in Greene County but all of us, residents of the county, businesses and industries, fire departments and others will need to stand firm in figuring a way forward for this vital and needed service.

  • Newswire : Alabama students, professors appeal ruling in lawsuit challenging anti-DEI law

    Flowers on campus

    By Chance Phillips, Alabama Political Reporters

    On Monday, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union filed an appeal in a lawsuit challenging the anti DEI law SB129 on behalf of college students and instructors at Alabama’s public universities.
    In a press release, ACLU of Alabama Legal Director Alison Mollman called the appeal a “necessary next step to ensuring that the constitutional rights of all professors and students are protected in Alabama.”
    Filed last January, the lawsuit alleges that SB129 is an unconstitutional infringement on Alabamians’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
    “SB 129 unconstitutionally abridges the First Amendment right of the students to receive information and the right of the professors to disseminate ideas without undue imposition of governmental viewpoints,” the original complaint asserts. “SB 129 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because it was enacted with intent to discriminate against Black professors and students, and those who ally with them.”
    APR reported earlier this year that documents submitted as evidence in the lawsuit showed professors concerned that their classes would be effectively banned by SB129 and describing a general “pall of distrust, anxiety, and fear.”
    “As a senior, I have watched our campus change overnight, as students are afraid to speak, opportunities for thoughtful engagement have disappeared, and students’ shared sense of belonging has eroded,” Sydney Testman, a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, stated. “With this appeal, we hope the courts will recognize the real and lasting damage that SB 129 has caused to me, my classmates, and my professors.”
    Before SB129 was enacted, Testman was the finance coordinator for UAB’s Social Justice Advocacy Council, which had received funding from the university that was terminated after UAB and other public universities closed their offices meant to encourage and help students who are members of minority groups.

    Signed by Governor Kay Ivey during the 2024 legislative session, SB129 formally prohibits state agencies and public universities from sponsoring diversity, equity and inclusion programs or requiring individuals to “personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to a divisive concept.”
    In August, a federal district court judge denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction against SB129’s enforcement. He wrote that the University of Alabama Board of Trustees “clearly has an interest in regulating the type of classroom indoctrination forbidden by SB 129” and referred to the current Trump administration’s stance on “preferential treatment based on race.”
    Requesting the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit approve a preliminary injunction, the appeal filed earlier this week charges that the district court judge “committed an abuse of discretion” by ruling that the students and the Alabama NAACP lacked standing, which contributed to the denial of the request for an injunction.
    It also challenges claims that SB129 is not unconstitutionally vague and that professors’ speech affected by SB129 is not protected by the First Amendment.
    “The law continues to censor classrooms, restrict student expression, and disproportionately harm Black and LGBTQ+ students,” Legal Defense Fund Senior Counsel Antonio Ingram wrote. “We will continue to challenge SB 129 because every student in Alabama deserves an accurate, high-quality education free from discrimination, fear, or undue interference from politicians.”

  • School Board presented four finalists for superintendent’s position

    Shown above Dr. Jessica Constant, Mr. Demond Mullins,  Ms. Taurus Brown and Dr. Timothy Thurman

    At its December 15, 2025 regular meeting, the Greene County Board of Education received four applicant finalists for the position of Superintendent. Ms. Susan Salter, special consultant with the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB), led the superintendent search for Greene County School System. She presented the following finalist detailing their experiences and education: Dr. Jessica Constant, currently Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Phenix City Schools; Mr. Demond Mullins currently Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs, Lowndes County Schools; Ms. Taurus Brown Smith currently Education Administrator Alabama Department of Education, Office of School Improvement; Dr. Timothy Thurman currently Superintendent Linden City Schools.

    Ms. Salter noted that applications were received from 39 candidates with 28 completions. Applications were received from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Arizona and Missouri. AASB reviewed all applicants and a committee determined the top candidates. AASB vetted all candidates. Salter narrated to the board the credentials and work experiences of each finalist, in alphabetical order. through a public Power Point presentation. The board has scheduled interviews with each finalist for Thursday, December 18, beginning at 10: am in the Central Office. The interviews are open to the public, but only board members may participate in the interviews. Dr. Jessica Constant’s experiences include Coordinator of Student Services, Tuscaloosa City Schools; Experiences in Hale County Schools – Principal, Greensboro High School; Principal Akron Community School; Assistant Principal, Greensboro Middle School; Teacher, Greensboro East Elementary. Education – Doctorate in Education Management; Education Specialist; Master’s Education Administration and Supervision; Master’s Education Leadership; Bachelor’s Elementary Education.

    Mr. Demond Mullins’ experiences include Director of Curriculum and Federal Programs, Lowndes County Schools; Principal Johnson Elementary, Jeff Davis High School, Montgomery County Schools; Principal Hazelwood Elementary, Lawrence County Schools; Assistant Principal Bob Jones High School, Madison City Schools; Assistant Principal, Forest Avenue Magnet Elementary, Montgomery County Schools; Teacher, Seth Johnson Elementary, Montgomery County Schools; Teacher, Westwood Elementary, Tuscaloosa County schools.
    Education – Education Specialist, Master’s Education Leadership; Bachelor’s Elementary Education; currently Ph.D candidate.

    Ms. Taurus Brown Smith’s experiences include Principal Payne Elementary, Selma City Schools; Teacher, Selma City Schools. Education – National Board Certification, Early Childhood Generalist; Master’s Elementary Education; Master’s Education Administration; Bachelor’s Elementary Education.
    Dr. Timothy Thurman’s experiences include Assistant Superintendent Linden City Schools; Principal Linden High School; Teacher and Coach Perry County Schools; Director Perry County Alternative School. Education: Doctorate Educational Leadership; Master’s Education Administration; Bachelor’s Elementary Education.