Greene County Democrat

Tag: Kaden Roberts

  • Checkout GCCC Billboard, Greensboro St. Eutaw

    School Board approves Superintendent’s two-year contract, pending salary negotiations

    GCCC Scholars L to R:  Le’Miracle Bevelle, Kenya Amerson, Quentin Walton, Jr., Kaden Roberts, Breana Lavender, Jabari Hall, Sidney Moore.

    At its November 18, 2024 meeting, the Greene County Board of Education, on a vote of 3 to 2, agreed to offer Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones an additional two year contract, pending new salary negotiations, which will be conducted by Board President Leo Branch, Board Vice-President Veronica Richardson and Attorney Hank Sanders with Dr. Jones. The new contract goes into effect July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The affirmative votes on the superintendent’s contract were given by Board members Robert Davis, Carrie Dancy and Leo Branch.The two negative votes were given by Board members Veronica Richardson and Brandon Merriweather.
    This superintendent contract is the same as the previous superintendent contract except for provisions on board relations, community relations, dates and salary increase. The additions state the following: The Superintendent shall work more effectively to keep the Board informed of developments, initiatives and issues in the District. This provision shall be specifically addressed in each evaluation. The Superintendent shall work to more effectively build relationships with the Greene County community. This provision shall be specifically addressed in each evaluation.
    The School Board agrees to notify the Superintendent in writing on or before December 30, 2027, whether or not it intends to renew the contract for an additional term commencing July 1, 2027, and the terms and conditions upon which it proposes such renewal.
    In his report to the board, given prior to the board’s action on his contract, Dr. Jones presented an update of accomplishments in the school system during his five-year tenure. Regarding facilities improvements he cited the renovations, including new roofing, flooring and facade to the Board’s Central Office; new roofing and flooring at Eutaw Primary School; new HVAC system, roofing, doors, windows, painting ting and other repairs including new Press Box, Concession Stand, and new fencing at Robert Brown Middle School.
    In financing, Dr. Jones noted that in 2019, cash balance in the General Fund Bank Account totaled $950,037.45; Cash Balance as of Nov. 18, 2024 is $6,534,608.42. He stated that the last two years of audits had no findings from the State Auditors. Under his tenure, the system developed a Bus Driver Retention Program and currently all buses in the system are air conditioned.
    Dr. Jones stated that, most significantly, for the 2023-2024 school year all schools increased in proficiency from the previous year. Once the state releases the grades, the system is expected to received a higher letter grade. That same school term, all 3rd grade scholars passed the reading proficiency test, except for two, who are special needs students. In previous reports, Superintendent Jones shared the various off-campus educational environments scholars are exposed to, including team debates at various venues in and out of state; visits to college campuses; workplace tours, museum visits, State Legislature and the National Capitol visits.
    Dr. Jones also shared his own professional development during the previous five years, including serving as a mentor for new superintendents with SSA.
    In his Positive School News Reports, superintendent Jones noted the following:
    EPS – Scholars caught Being Good and Scholars of the Month were rewarded with books.
    K-3 educators participated in Aimsweb Data meetings (Reading). They also participated in professional development hosted by the Alabama Best Practices Network.
    RBMS – PTA meeting was held Nov. 4. Peer Helpers Kindness Campaign held Nov. 11. Recognition of local retired educators held Nov. 19.
    GCHS – College Application week held Oct. 7-11. Scholars attended Open House at Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. Scholars. Celebrated Red Ribbon 
Week. Scholars were inducted into Honor Societies including: Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Technical honor Society, Historia Vitae. Superintendent Jones held Scholars Round Table.
    GCCC – Greene County Career Center Billboard on Greensboro St, / State Hwy 14, Eutaw. Tiger Spirit Shop held grand opening. Scholars participated in Tuskegee Youth Summit. Scholars participated in FBLA District 2 workshop. Scholars held Tech or Treat with EPS 3rd graders. JAG scholars held initiation and installation. GCCC awarded $200,000 College & Career Readiness grant.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent.
    * Retention bonus in the amount of $750 for bus driver Jerdin Grays to remain a bus driver for the system for a period of one year.
    * Resignation of David Taylor, History teacher at RBMS, effective November 18, 2024.
    The Board approved the following administrative service items recommended by Superintendent Jones.
    * MOA between Greene County Board of Education and Black Belt Regional Child Advocacy Center to provide counseling services BBRCAC clients in the Greene County School System on the first Tuesday of every month.
    * Contract between the Greene County Board of Education and West Central Officials Association for basketball officials for the 2024 – 2025 school year at RBMS.
    * 2.5% pay raise for all support staff, effective the 2024-2025 contract year. (This supersedes the original effective date of October 1, 2024, approved October 21, 2024).
    * Supplement in the amount of $750.00 for the AASBO certification that corresponds to job title and classification for secretaries and bookkeepers.
    * 3% raise for clerical staff to be effective November 1, 2024.
    * Permission for CNP Department to dispose of and sell for salvage six (6) stands that were removed from Robert Brown Middle School walk-in cooler.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    * Raise pay of Greene County School Board members to $900 per month pursuant to new Alabama law upon the election of the next board member.
    CSFO Marquita Lennon presented Financial Snapshots for September 30,2024 end of fiscal year and for October 30,2024 first month of new fiscal year. As of September 30, the combined general fund reserve totaled 7.59 months; cash reserve totaled 7.27 months. All bank accounts reconciled. General fund bank balance totaled $6,945,866.68; accounts payable check register -$1,119,444.61; combined ending fund balance – $7,252,327.11. Local Revenue: Property Taxes – $64,149.89; Sales Taxes – $201,172.06; Other Taxes v- $20,904.55; Amendment 743 – $60,000. Total: $346,227.20.
    Financial Snapshot as of October 30: Combined general fund reserve totaled $6.04 months. Cash reserve totaled 5.31 months. All bank accounts reconciled. General fund Bank balance totaled $5,943,900.27. Accounts payable check register totaled $613,831.91. Payroll register totaled $974,176.05. Combined Ending Fund Balance totaled $6,758,944.08. No taxes collected. Amendment 743 totaled $60,000.

  • GCHS students register to vote

    Diamond White, Kaden Roberts, Brianna Jackson, Kayla Nickson and La’Dasia Hutton are among the seniors who registered to vote at GCHS.

    Greene County High School students who will be 18 in time for the 2024 election are registering to vote in Mr. Burnette’s American Government class, or in the library with the assistance of Ms. Drenda Morton. Nine seniors have registered at the school, in addition to two others who registered elsewhere.

    Seniors who are now registered voters: Brianna Jackson, Diamond White, Kaden Roberts, Kayla Nickson, La’Daisa Hutton, Sanaa Braxton, Destiny Bryant, Zo’Torria Petty, Terrianna Benison, Devin Woods and  Aniya McMillian
    Seniors are also preparing for the Alabama Civics Test, required for graduation, which will be given at GCHS on October 10-11.

  • Newswire : Greene County Career Center scholars highlight course achievements

    L to R: Keyora Cross, Kaden Roberts, Quentin Walton, Jr., Brianna Powell, Marlene Lee, Kayla Nickson, and Jeremiah Bullock

    The Greene County Board of Education held its monthly meeting, Monday, February 26, 2024, with all members present. The board held a student hearing prior to the official meeting, which progressed one hour past the scheduled time for the opening of the Board meeting,
    A highlight of the meeting included presentations from Greene County Career Center scholars. Each student presented a brief summary of a Career Center course in which they are engaged. Keyora Cross presented from Health Science; Kaden Roberts presented from Modern Manufacturing; Quentin Walton, Jr. presented from Marketing, Brianna Powell presented from Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG), Marlene Lee presented from Cosmetology and Jeremiah Bullock presented from Welding.
    Ms. Teresa Atkins, Greene County Career Center Director, asked students to introduce themselves and give a brief statement of their work, since the time allotted for them was very short. Other Career Center instructors and staff present in support of the students included Angela White, Counselor; LaMonica Little, Career Coach; Nicole Henley, Health Science; Patricia Rhone, Business Administration; Shamyra Jones, JAG Specialist; and Dexter Hinton, Modern Manufacturing.
    Instructors and staff not able to attend with the students included: Tomora Morris (Marketing); Paula Calligan (Cosmetology); Zachary Rutledge (Welding); Jackie Clark (HVAC) and Tweila Morris (Secretary).
    The Board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones.
    Employment: Jimirriam Roscoe – CNP Cook at Greene County High, effective January 29, 2024; Antonique Wilder – Long Term Sub, 7th/8th Grade Math at Robert Brown Middle; Linda Davis – Substitute CNP Cook.
    Catastrophic Sick Leave for Cindy Taylor, Attendance/Truancy Officer for the Greene County School System.
    Supplement for La Tanya Cockrell to serve as Superintendent’s Secretary, effective January 2024.
    Supplement Contracts – Rodney Wesley, Assistant Boys Track Coach; Victoria Moore, Head Girls Track Coach; Torethia Mitchel, Assistant Girls Track Coach; Denzel Davis, Assistant Baseball Coach.
    The board approved the following administrative items recommended by Superintendent Jones.
    * Change order to replace ceramic tile in 5 locations at Eutaw Primary School by Floors and More, LLC in the amount of $6,564.
    * Lowest responsible bid from Stateline Mechanical to install HVAC equipment at Robert Brown Middle School in the amount of $1,499,000.
    * Travel for Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones to attend NSBA Conference and Exposition in New Orleans, LA on July 5 – 8, 2024.
    * Travel for Board member Robert Davis to attend NSBA Conference and Exposition in New Orleans, LA on July 5 – 8, 2024.
    * Out of state field trip request for Lamonica Little and 11th grade students to tour Jackson State University and Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi on April 10, 2024.
    * Travel to attend SREB Making Schools Work Conference – Nashville, TN – July 8 – 12, 2024 -Dr. Corey Jones, Dr. Charlayne Jordan and Garry Rice.
    * Lowest quote from Joe Hurst, JAZJ Painting in the amount of $8,380 to paint the kitchen area at each school.
    * MOA between the Greene County Board of Education and The University of Alabama at Birmingham for Robert Brown Middle and Greene County High School to participate in the Alabama Rural Learning Accelerator Program.
    * Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Tammy W. Lewis MSCCC-SLP to provide virtual speech-language services to students in Greene County Schools as indicated in their IEP.
    * LEA Consolidated and Parent Engagement Plan for FY 2024.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    Proposed 2024-2025 Academic Calendar Option 1.
    CSFO, Marquita Lennon, presented the following monthly financials as of January 31, 2024.
    Operating Reserve: 5.94 (months) combined general fund reserve; 4.87 (months) cash reserve. All bank accounts have been reconciled. General Fund Bank Balance – $5,989,902.60 (Reconciles to the Summary Cash Report). Payroll Check Register – $285,784.90; Payroll Register – $945,182.32 (Total gross pay to include employer match items). Combined Ending Fund Balance – $7,307,781.28. Local Revenue: Property Taxes – $1,948,298; Sales Taxes – $98,226; Other Taxes – $4,095; Total – $2,050,619.
    Dr. Daniel Boyd, consultant who is leading Superintendent Jones annual evaluation, presented the evaluation process to the board which utilizes eight standards and five indicators, including various surveys/questionnaires. Through these he will collect data from board members and school personnel that the superintendent supervises directly and who report directly to the superintendent and make his report to the board between March and April. The superintendent’s self-assessment will also be included in the summary findings.
    Dr. Boyd stated that the areas of improvement noted in Dr. Jones previous year’s evaluation included leadership, communication and community affairs. For the current evaluation, Dr. Jones must provide internal data sources, 16 artifacts documenting various areas of his performance.
    .