CULLMAN – In addition to what was arguably the biggest news of this morning’s Cullman City School Board meeting- the transfer of Cullman High School Principal Dr. Elton Bouldin to the new Virtual School– 21 new business items were also on the table.
The board approved the aforementioned Virtual School for the 2016-17 school year.
"We are excited to see our Virtual School launch as a program for the 2016-2017 school year. The program will be the transition we utilize as we bring the Cullman Innovation Academy together for the future of collaborative learning in Cullman City Schools," said Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson in a prepared statement. "The legislature passed a law requiring all districts to offer virtual education to students in grades 9-12 beginning in August 2016, from which the board and myself determined to strive to go above the law's minimum to equal the standard of excellence Cullman City Schools has in its rich tradition. We have adopted local board policies outlining the Virtual School program, designed procedures for students to participate in virtual learning from one class to full day, and began working to develop partnerships with businesses and colleges to further expand the rigorous learning opportunities we provide."
The remaining new business items were as follows:
- An approval of a service agreement with ATC Healthcare Services, Inc. to provide nurse staffing as needed
- Proposed approval of the 2016-17 salary schedules. Schedules will be sent to the policy review committee and brought back to the board for consideration.
- Permission to bid #07-19-16-01 and accept lowest bidder for occupational and therapy services
- Permission to contract with Greengate School to provide Dyslexia-specific training to teachers during the week of July 11-15 at the central office
- Permission to provide stipends in the amount of $100 per day for each Dyslexia training July 11-15
- Permission to provide stipends in the amount of $100 per day for new teacher induction July 15-19
- Permission to contract with 2016-17 mentor teachers
- Permission for Cullman Middle School to adopt Pearson Interactive Science textbooks for grades 7 & 8 as requested by textbook committee
- Permission for East Elementary to adopt Fountas & Pinnell level literacy program for all grades
- Permission to provide stipends for teachers Jessica Posey and Erin Williams to attend AMSTI training. Each will receive $50 for additional days if needed.
- Permission to contract Michele Wallace to provide remedial reading at Cullman City Primary School during the 2016-17 school year
- Permission to contract Kyle Rainey, Jonathan Peyton and Andrew Smith to provide network support, computer/technology support and maintenance from May 26, 2016 to August 31, 2016
- Permission to contract Sharon Drake to assist the Technological Coordinator with technology projects, beginning June 1, 2016 and ending May 31, 2017
- Permission to contract with Molly Baker and Emma Hicks to provide summer school teaching aide services for Cullman High School
- Permission to contract with Annette Barnette to provide clerical service for Student Services, beginning June 23, 2016 and ending August 3, 2016
- Permission to contract with Vicki Waldrep to provide special education services for the 2016 extended school year
- Approval of the Health Services and Advisor Agreement between Cullman City Head Start and the Cullman County Health Department
- Approval of the 2016-17 Head Start Application Budget
The next Cullman City School Board meeting will be July 19 at noon inside the central office board room.
