Schools hire new administrators
A marathon meeting for the Madison Board of Education on July 17 covered policy changes, introduction of new hires in administration and coaching, along with step increases for Madison City Schools employees.
The board approved step increases for district employees for 2012-2013. “An average increase is approximately one percent of salary,” chief school finance officer Mike Weaver said.
In personnel actions, Mark McCrory was introduced as the new principal at Columbia Elementary School. New assistant principals are Georgina Nelson, Madison Elementary School and Dr. Travis Schrimsher, James Clemens High School. A.J. Daugherty has been hired as head softball coach at James Clemens and Leigh Thomas as assistant band director at Bob Jones High School.
Bids were accepted for a floor scrubber at $35,830 from Banks Industries; basketball, baseball and softball uniforms, $24,446.44, Titan Team Sports; basketball, cross country, soccer, track, volleyball and wrestling uniforms, $23,076.35, BSN Sports; cafeteria chemicals, $33,590, Central Paper; and James Clemens track items, $50,544, Gill Athletics.
The state is requiring school districts to define policy for physical restraint of students. Madison will not use mechanical or physical restraints. Personnel coordinator John Jones read the local policy: “Physical restraint is allowed when the student is in immediate danger to himself or others and does not respond to verbal directives. The policy’s intent is to use techniques for prevention de-escalation of inappropriate behavior, thus reducing risk of injury to students and staff.”
The policy does not apply “to breaking up a fight but in more severe situations,” board member Ranae Bartlett said.
Also concerning policy, political candidates cannot distribute political literature at board-sponsored or -sanctioned events. Policy already prohibited signs on school property and distribution at schools.
The board approved an agreement to service 11 buses and one truck owned by Alabama A&M University from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.
Superintendent Dee Fowler briefed the board on his work to implement self-imposed goals for the 2011-2012 school year.
During presentations, the Bob Jones High School Robotics Team showed off the robot that they designed and constructed.
The school board’s next meeting will be July 31.