CULLMAN — It seems Billy Coleman is doing a pretty good job in his first term as superintendent of the Cullman County Board of Education.

Coleman has been on the job for nearly two years, and this week he received a state-mandated evaluation looking into his performance in the system’s top spot.

The former principal received near-perfect ratings, and state evaluator Neil Hyche said those surveyed had only good things to say.

“He received very high marks, and had a very positive evaluation,” Hyche said. “Overall, he received a grade of 51 — on a scale of 52. This is someone doing a very good job, undoubtedly.”

The entire school board and 50 system administrators were surveyed on Coleman’s performance skills, and on a scale of 1-4, he placed “4” in every category, except one. He received a grade of “3” in the area of technology.

“I expected a -2 on that,” Coleman joked of his technical savvy as the results were announced.

In two years at the helm, Coleman has helped convince voters to approve a countywide half-cent sales tax for the system; and has pushed for a vote coming in November that could give the system control of some very valuable property on Smith Lake that had been set aside decades ago by the state for educational use.

The system was within a few weeks of going into the red financially when he entered office, and it is now on track to reach the state-required one-month fund balance by 2013.

Regardless, Coleman remained humble about his accomplishments, as well as the high marks on his evaluation.

“I’m very appreciative of the evaluation, but the things that have happened in our system is a collective effort of everyone working together,” he said. “It’s an honor to work with so many wonderful people. It’s great that people think you’re doing a good job, but in the end, I give Christ all the glory for it, absolutely.”



The board also:

* Recognized:

— Thomas Hays, Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference Buster Bynum Scholarship (one of two selected statewide).

— CAWS Educator Exchange: Sherry Bailey, Fairview High; Jennifer Carmack, Vinemont High; Glenda Gay, Vinemont Elementary; Marlene Hancock, Good Hope Middle;Shelia Mitchell, Fairview High; Cantrice Voce, Cold Springs High; Tammy Whittle, Vinemont High; Amy Chambers, Hanceville High; Benny Guthrie, Fairview High; Patricia Laney, Hanceville Middle; Byron Smith, Cold Springs High; Wilma Whateley, Holly Pond High; Elaine Wren, Harmony.

* Approved minutes.

* Approved resignations:

— Patrick Lemons; Special Education Aide, Hanceville High.

— Patrick Lemons; Assistant Football Coach #1 & Track, Holly Pond High.

— Jay Huddleston; Varsity Baseball Assistant Coach, Holly Pond High.

— John Wesley McSwain; Special Education Aide, Good Hope High.

— John Wesley McSwain; Softball Assistant Coach, Good Hope High.

— Amanda Allen; Softball Assistant Coach, Fairview High.

* Approved leaves of absence:

— Maria G. Wren; Special Education Aide, West Point Elementary.

— Tina Yovino; Teacher, West Point Elementary.

— June Wright; CNP, West Point Middle.

— Brittany Sams; Teacher, West Point High.

* Approved voluntary transfers.

* Approved appointments.

* Approved contract salary changes:

— Roxie Graham; CNP worker, Child Development Center.

* Approved June bills and salaries.

* Approval of maintenance departments bids:

— Standing one year bid for LP Gas; $.246 per gallon.

— Printing of Cullman County Student Handbook; $7,193; Alabama Web Press.

—New Hanceville High School Gymnasium; $2,876,675; Woodward Construction & Design.

* Approved personnel to work past age 70:

— Moye Drake, CNP.

— Gloria Bean, Bus Driver.

* Authorization for superintendent to contract with qualified personnel for various short-term services.

* Approved the 2012-2013 salary schedule.

‰ Authorized superintendent to submit applications for various programs for the 2012-2013 school year.

* Approved a request from CNP for child development center cafeteria to supply meals, $2.75 per lunch, to Temple Baptist Church, meals will be picked up at the cafeteria.

* Approved a request from CNP to participate in the purchasing cooperative to purchase milk, break and chemicals.

* Approved a request from Vinemont High to implement a pilot project to evaluate the use of personal digital devices during school hours for educational purposes.

* Approved a request from transportation director to perform Shuttle Route duties “as needed”, August 20, 2012 through November 2, 2012 for Parkside. Also Michael Gay to perform Shuttle Route duties “as needed”, November 5, 2012 through the end of the 2012-2013 school year for Parkside.

* Approved a request from Cold Springs High School to pay Bruce Parker $30 per week to administer detention, to be paid by local funds. Every Thursday.

* Approved for assistant principal to serve as academic coach:

— Brent Barnett, High School Science Team, Hanceville High.

* Approved academic coaching supplements.

* Approved for assistant principals to be athletic coaches:

— Tim Burleson, Sr. High Boys Basketball, Cold Springs High

— Brent Barnett, Cross Country-boys & girls, Hanceville High

— Steve Miller, Sr. High Girls Softball, Holly Pond High

— Chad Shannon, Sr. High Boys Baseball, Vinemont High

— Chad Shannon, Sr. High Boys Basketball Assistant, Vinemont High

— Kevin Sullins, Sr. High Girls Softball, West Point High

* Approved coaching assignments and supplements.

* Announced next meeting Thursday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. at central board office; with work session 5:30 p.m.

* Announced board workshop, Tuesday, August 21, 2012, 5:30 p.m., central office board room.

* Announced Capital Planning Committee Meeting, Thursday, August 30, 2012, 3:30 p.m., central office.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.