CULLMAN — When the state education budget was cut in recent years, one of the first categories to go was technology funding for public schools. For the Cullman County Board of Education, that took away essentially the only consistent funding source to update and replace old computers and equipment.

But, school officials — and especially the local technology department — hope the proposed countywide half-cent sales tax can help change that. A referendum on the tax will be included on the ballot for the upcoming March 13 primary.

“State funding for that is zero, and the technology department is struggling to support what we have,” Superintendent Billy Coleman said.

The school board has already noted how the potential funding would be used, with 60 percent going to curriculum, 20 percent to local schools and 20 percent to maintenance. Technology would come under the umbrella of curriculum.

If the tax does pass, the technology department wants to be ready.

Bruce Ellard, director of technology for the system, is putting a plan in place now that could be implemented if the tax passes.

“We’re not spending any money or anything like that, but we’re trying to lay the groundwork so that, if there is an increase in local funding, we can hit the ground running,” he said. “We know what the teachers need in their classrooms, and where to go from here.”

The plan focuses on issues such as infrastructure, computer upgrades, and classroom technology teachers are interested in adding.



The board also:

•  Viewed a presentation about the Shakespeare Festival performance, from Alex Stephens & Willie Tello, Hanceville Middle School.
•  Recognized InSPIRESS program awards:

— Vinemont High team 2 won “Best Proposal” for the Orbiter 2 team.

— Vinemont High team 3 won “Best Proposal” for the Lander 2 team.

— Holly Pond High team 5 won overall “Best Display” at the open house.

— Holly Pond High team 4 won overall competition for the Lander 2 team.

— They received a trophy for the school & individual medals.

•  Recognized school board members.
•  Approved minutes.
•  Approved resignations:

— Sheila Whitlock, 2nd grade Teacher, West Point Elementary (Retirement).

— Judy F. Brown, English Teacher, Good Hope High (Retirement).

— Chris Freeman, Teacher & Math Team Sponsor, Cold Springs High.

•  Approved leaves of absence for:

— Kristy Harris, Writing to Read Lab Aide, Fairview Elementary (Student Teaching).

•  Approved voluntary transfers:

— Brent Barnett, from teacher (9 months), Hanceville High; to Assistant Principal/Teacher (9.5 months) Hanceville High (Replace: Kerry Henderson).

•  Approved appointments:

— Donna Thomas, Teacher, Fairview Elementary (Retired rehire).

— Heather Carter, Gifted Specialist, Child Development (homebase).

— Bryon Holland Smith, Math Teacher, Cold Springs High.

— Alan Sinclair, Custodian, Hanceville.

— Daniel Johnson, Network Systems Administrator, Central Office.

— Carrie Bookout, Special Education Teacher Aide, Cold Springs Elementary.

— Rhonda Hogan, Writing to Read Lab Aide, Fairview Elementary.

— Corey Smith, Part-time Custodian, Vinemont Middle.

•  Approved substitutes:

— April Hogan, custodian (eff. December 1, 2011).

— Christie Thomas, teacher.

— Cassie Briggs, teacher.

— Catherine E. Pruett, teacher.

— Sandra Sandlin, Afterschool Program at Vinemont Elementary ($15 per hour, local school funds, effective December 8, 2011).

•  Approved 2011-2012 High Hopes and/or At-Risk Instructors, Fairview High part-time, as needed. Funding Source: High Hopes and/or ISS Funds: Sheila Mitchell, Elaine Johnson, Selena Skipper, Kim Crumbley, Cheryl Mangum, Jean Rausch.
•  Approved contract salary changes:

— Keri Beth Briscoe, Upgrade to Class AA.

— Meagan Holt, Upgrade to Master’s.

— Cheryl Mangum, Upgrade to Master’s.

— Rod Elliott, Head Football Coach, Cold Springs High.

— Byron Holland Smith, add Math Team Sponsor Supplement, Cold Springs High.

•  Approved out-of-state field trip requests:

— Fairview High School, May 9-13, 2012 (Wednesday-Sunday), to Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida. The band will perform in a parade at Universal Studios.

— Hanceville High School, April 19-20, 2012 (Thursday-Friday) to Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida. The band will perform at Universal Studios in Florida.

— Parkside School, April 27, 2012 (Friday), to Six Flags, Atlanta, Georgia for Math and Science Days.

— Parkside School, May 4, 2012 (Friday), to Atlanta, Georgia, to tour aquarium, World of Coke and CNN.

•  Approved October and November bills and salaries and financial statements.
•  Approved non-faculty coaches at Vinemont High School: Brent Davis, Josh Bell, Keith Graves and Jason Echols.
•  Approved a request from Hanceville High to dispose of an old copier stored in the guidance office.
•  Approved a request from Good Hope High  ag department to surplus equipment being replaced.
•  Approved a request from Fairview High to pay Brian Simmons $1,000 for assisting athletic director in monitoring and verifying athletic eligibility. To be paid from athletic funds.
•  Approved a request from Fairview High for a credit recovery program at Fairview High, beginning on February 1, 2012.
•  Approved a plan to compensate Judy Raburn for assisting in the transition and training of her successor.
•  Approved revisions to board policy D.004.5 student acceptable use policy for technology.
•  Announced the next meeting for: Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the central office.

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