Photo: Vicki Miller, a fifth-grade science teacher at West Elementary School, was recognized by the board as one of three Alabama finalists for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
CULLMAN – Cullman Mayor Max Townson and members of the city council presented the Cullman City School Board Tuesday night a check for $25,000 to assist with the training of teachers and educational staff in specialized teaching methods for students who have dyslexia.
This was part of the meeting one week before potential changes in the school board. Board members Brenda Howell and Kim Addison chose not to seek re-election. Jason Neal is running unopposed in Place 4.
Incumbents Steve Sides and Suzanne Harbin have challengers. Sides will face off against Lee Powell for Place 3 with Harbin to seek another term in Place 5, taking on Julie Fillinger in the Aug. 23 election. Place 1 is a contest between Mary Hovater and Joey Orr, while Place 2 will be a three-way race between Susan Martin Hauk, Kevin Binkowski and Chris Branham.
A public forum for all board candidates will be Thursday at 6 p.m. inside the Cullman High School Auditorium.
From Tuesday's meeting, the board recognized Principal Tricia Culpepper of Cullman City Primary School with a Beautification Award. Culpepper was the first place winner in the People Against a Littered State Clean Campus competition and was recognized for appearing in the May/June edition of Principal Magazine.
Vicki Miller, a fifth-grade science teacher at West Elementary School, was recognized by the board as one of three Alabama finalists for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
“PAEMST seeks to recognize awardees who serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in science and math instruction,” said West Elementary Principal Dr. Jay Page in a posting online. “Mrs. Miller excels in all these areas, and she would be such a worthy recipient of the award. We are fortunate to have her at West Elementary and Cullman City Schools.”
Among new business was the approval of the 2017 original budget, approval of the City Schools Educator Effectiveness Plan and a contract with Encore Rehabilitation for occupational therapy from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
Among permissions granted were:
- Permission to build a structure to house scholarship signs beyond the right field fence at Bill Shelton Field on the campus of Cullman High School. This will be handled by funds from the baseball boosters club.
- Permission to enter an inter-agency agreement with Cullman Area Mental Health Authority, Inc. from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
- Permission to contract with ENT Associates to provide special education audiological services from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
- Permission to contract with Bridges Behavior Therapy and Consulting to provide mental health services for Cullman High School Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
- Permission to contract with Dr. Bryan Boozer to provide special education vision services from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
- Permission to contract with Brooks' Place to provide mental health services for Cullman High School from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
- Permission to contract with Brooks' Place to provide services to long-term alternative school, Turning Point, from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2017.
Lastly, Aaron Sparks, who has been working in the Cullman City Schools central office coordinating Turning Point and In-School Suspension (ISS), will now be based out of the high school and will be the CHS Assistant Principal on staff coordinating Turning Point and ISS placement, along with school safety, transportation and technology.
The next regular meeting of the Cullman City School will be Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. in the central office board room. The public is invited to attend.
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