The Escambia County Board of Education approved personnel recommendations, including Escambia County High School’s new football coach and athletic director at its meeting on Feb. 23.

The following personnel recommendations were approved:

Leave of absence

• Andrea Salter, teacher at W.S. Neal Middle, effective Jan. 3-Feb. 10;

• Megan Moye, teacher at W.S. Neal Elementary, effective a half day on Jan. 17;

• Cheyanne Wilson, teacher at Rachel Patterson Elementary, for maternity leave effective Jan. 27;

• Kathryn Ward, teacher at Flomaton Elementary, for maternity leave effective Feb. 10;

• Karla Maxwell, teacher at RPES, for leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act, effective Feb. 8;

Resignation

• Andrew Tranchina, teacher at Escambia County High School, effective Jan. 27;

• Katherine Reid, teacher’s aide at RPES, effective Feb. 28;

Employment

• Richard Robinson, bus driver at Brewton Bus Shop, effective Jan. 30;

• Buffie Partain, bus driver Brewton Bus Shop, effective Feb. 27;

• Ryan McGraw, teacher at A.C. Moore Elementary, effective Feb. 6;

• Rico Jackson, teacher and head football coach at ECHS, effective March 1;

• Lora Matheny, substitute teacher, after-school program at RPES, effective Jan. 31;

• Elizabeth Tucker, teacher, after-school program at Huxford Elementary, effective Feb. 27; and,

• Rachel Mooney, teacher aide at RPES, effective March 1.

In other business, the board,

• received an update on construction projects in regard to WSN’s auditorium, athletic field house and girls athletic facility. Knott said the field house is expected to be complete by the end of March, and the auditorium by the end of April. WSN’s gym construction is going well with the floor having been completed Thursday, Knott said.

• updated the board on the progress of the auditorium renovation at ECHS. Construction has underway, Knott said, and completion of both the auditorium and front entrance is expected to be by the end of September.

• heard from the principals at A.C. Moore Elementary, Escambia County Alternative School, Huxford Elementary and Pollard McCall Jr. High School on their recent successes.

John Brantley at A.C. Moore, talked about the Leader in Me process, which the school started this year. The process is a three-year program that teaches students about leadership and other areas of academic improvement. Dr. Anthony Morris at ECAS, spoke about the alternative school itself, what it’s made of in regard to staff and how many students the school sees a day. Morris said there are 29 students enrolled at the school, and the grade level ranges from gifted to special needs. Leigh Ann Rowland at HES spoke about the different programs and activities the school has done this year. There are six student ambassadors, the school will hold a National Junior Honor Society induction in April and parent involvement is a big part of the school’s success, she said; and,

• the board approved the 2017-18 school calendar.