By By Adrienne McKenzie
The hot topic of discussion at the Escambia County School Board meeting Thursday afternoon at Rachel Patterson Elementary School was the 3 mill tax for school districts one, two and three.
According to Escambia County schools superintendent Billy Hines, the county commission has to approve to put the tax back on the ballot for the June 5 election. He said a great deal of money could be lost if the tax is not passed.
"It's an opportune time to put it on the ballot," Hines said. "We could lose $500,000 to $600,000 if the bill isn't passed."
Hines suggested having the tax divided by districts.
"I like the idea that if the district votes it in, it goes to the district area," Hines said. "The millage will be applied to districts."
If the 3 mill tax for the three districts is passed, it means better educational and environmental changes for Escambia County schools.
"This money could be used for extra teacher units or building improvements," Hines said.
Hines plans to meet with the principals of each school within the next two weeks to discuss the needs for next year.
"We have to make plans now for what we will do in the future," Hines said.
The board members accepted the motion to bring forth to the county commissioners Hines' request to have the tax placed on the ballot.
In other business:
"On March 2 we visited Alabama State University," Simmons said. "We made 48 contacts with applicants wishing to come to this region. We are now using an online tool to recruit for applicants."
The contracts will each be for a three-year period effective July 1 of this year until June 30, 2010.
Flomaton High School will meet June 4 through June 22 for the first three-week term and for the second three-week term June 25 through July 25. There is a $100 fee per term for students enrolled in the Escambia County School System and a $150 fee per term for non-public school students who reside in the Escambia County School System.
Leave of Absence: Elaine Swilley, Teacher, A.C. Moore Elementary School, leave of absence effective Feb. 22 through May 25.
Resignation: Kristal Tucker, Federal Programs Bookkeeper, Brewton Central Office, effective April 1.
Retirement: Robert Zarahn, Teacher, Pollard-McCall Junior High School, effective June 1 and Maxine Lassiter, Bus Driver, Atmore Bus Shop, effective April 1.
Employment: Adam C. Young, General Maintenance, Atmore Maintenance Shop, effective April 1 and John Steadham, Bus Driver, Atmore Bus Shop, effective April 1.
Employment Change: Willie Ferrell, Maintenance Assistant, Atmore Maintenance Shop, to General Maintenance, Atmore Maintenance Shop, effective April 1; Holly Dellaccio, Special Education Teacher, A.C. Moore Elementary School, to Third Grade Teacher, A.C. Moore Elementary School, effective Feb. 22 and Kristal Tucker, Federal Programs Bookkeeper, Brewton Central Office, rescinding of resignation, effective April 1.
Temporary Employment: George Gilbert Gorum, Temporary Part-time Grass Cutter, Atmore Maintenance Shop, effective April 1.