By By MaryClaire Foster
State education payroll concerns were addressed during Thursday’s monthly Board of Education meeting when Chief Financial Officer Julie Madden gave the monthly financial statement review and updated the Board on payroll matters.
More than 32 school systems in the state are having trouble making payroll, but Escambia County Board of Education Superintendent Billy Hines said there is no need for employees or vendors in this county to be concerned.
Hines said the Escambia County Board of Education has approximately two and a half months of fund reserves to cover expenses, including payroll.
Speaking about the payroll, Madden said that November’s payroll would be handled the same way as October’s, being split into two payments, with the first being paid at the end of November and the second sometime in December.
According to a memo from State Board of Education Superintendent Joseph Morton, Gov. Riley is expected to make a proration declaration during the week of Dec. 1.
He also added that Amendment 1 does not erase the problems, it only helps them to be managed and encouraged school boards to continue working on cost-saving plans.
The BOE also swore in the recently re-elected Mike Goolsby and W. J. Grissett and selected them Board chairman and vice-chairman respectively.
Hines expressed his congratulations to the men and commended them.
In other business, the board:
Retirement for Veecher Thames, bus driver for Atmore Bus Shop effective Dec. 1; retirement of Janie P. Godwin, bus driver for Atmore Bus Shop effective Jan. 1, 2009; employment of Cedric Odom, bus driver and utility worker for Brewton Bus Shop effective Nov. 3; employment of Jennifer Ray, student worker Flomaton High School; employment for 21st Century Smart Links Personnel for Huxford Elementary School: Lead Teacher Carol Middleton; certified teachers, Holly Dellacio Gail Bell Dawn Malone; Music Teacher Gilda Stubben; community educator, Margie Harper; high school student aides, Cheyenne Buckhault, Trey Hayles; substitutes, Kim Caraway, Scarlet Strom, Ashley Trawick, Michelle Caraway and Sharon Caraway; leave of absence for Jacquelyn Carlee, secretary, Escambia County High School, for one year effective Jan. 5, 2009; leave of absence for Kenny Revel, teacher, Escambia County High School, effective one-half day on Nov. 21 through Dec. 19, 2009; employment of June Kent, extended day teacher, Children First grant for Flomaton Elementary School effective Dec. 1; employment, Frankie Samuel, extended day teacher, Children First grant for Flomaton Elementary School effective Dec. 1.
Employment for Project Made – 21st Century Community Learning Center Personnel for W.S. Neal Elementary School beginning Nov. 21 through May 15, 2009 with a rate of pay for: Coordinator $25 per hour, Teacher, $22.50 per hour, Community Educator $15 per hour, Student Workers, $7.25 per hour; site coordinator, Sandra Reid; Academic Teachers, Allison Nalty, Sheila Fountain, Linda Langham and Hilary Shell; Visual Arts Teacher, Holli Hawsey; Music Teacher, Kenneth Meadows; Audio/Visual Teacher, Connie Reeves; College Student Workers, Jared Roberson and Douglas Revel; High School Student Workers, Constance Ward, Shelby Wiggins, Erica Morris and Brittany McGhee; Community Educators, Ashley Fore and Tracy Jernigan; Substitute, Laurie Smith.
The next meeting is set for Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m.