By By SHERRY DIGMON
Advance Staff Writer
Nine people formed a picket line in front of Escambia County Middle School Thursday prior to the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education meeting.
The group was holding signs that read "We'll remember your vote when we vote," "Why sacrifice our children's education," "We got the shaft" and "We want progress, not this racist mess."
Between 90 and 100 people attended the meeting in the ECMS cafeteria. The meeting proceeded without interruption.
Board members Jimmy Dukes and Mike Goolsby, who along with Danny Benjamin, make up the superintendent selection steering committee, met in private for a few minutes with board attorney Broox Garrett. Benjamin did not arrive until almost 4:30. The board usually meets at that hour.
The following items were passed without discussion:
* Randall K. Littles resigned on July 31 and rescinded his resignation on Aug. 4.
* Karen Yuhasz, office aide at Turtle Point Science Center, will be compensated for a total of 23 hours at $8 per hour, for work performed on July 14, 15, 21 and 28. The funding for Yuhasz will come from the Turtle Point Foundation.
* The board voted to accept funding in the amount of $1,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation, to be used exclusively for the Enrichment Program.
* Terrence Mixon will be compensated for service rendered on July 8 at Escambia County High School in preparation for school opening.
No amount was given.
Personnel items included:
Leave of absence
* Mellonie Davis, teacher at Escambia County High School, effective Aug. 16 through Sept. 5.
* Shiren L. McGlothen, seventh grade science teacher at Escambia County Middle School, 2000-2001 school year.
Resignation
* Mary Turk, bus driver, the extra bus trip transporting band students from McCall School to Flomaton, effective 2000-2001 school year.
Employment
* Carolyn Adams, mathematics teacher, W.S. Neal High School, effective Aug. 16, through Jan. 11, replacing Amy Hatfield.
Employment change
* Jane Franklin, bus driver, hired for the extra bus trip transporting band students from McCall School to Flomaton, effective 2000-2001 school year, replacing Mary Turk.
* Linda Pettway, from English teacher to literacy specialist, Escambia County Middle School, effective 2000-2001 school year.
The next meeting was set for Thursday, Sept. 21, 4:30 p.m., at the central office in Brewton.
At the time the meeting was adjourned, Lillie Johnson asked the board when a principal would be hired for Escambia County High School.
Dukes said that "has to come from a recommendation by the superintendent."