Vinemont High School Principal Ferrell Runge, CCBOE Superintendent Shane Barnette, VHS Salutatorian Alex Millwood, VHS Valedictorian Landen Ballew and CCBOE member Mike Graves
CULLMAN – It was standing room only at the Cullman County Board of Education Monday evening, as the board recognized the achievements of students from all county high schools.
2017 valedictorians and salutatorians
- Cold Springs: Jesse Lee, valedictorian; Tucker Kilgo, salutatorian
- Fairview: Taylor Dover, valedictorian; Allison Grund, salutatorian
- Good Hope: Jacob Smith, valedictorian; Madison Lowery, salutatorian
- Hanceville: Joshua Conway, valedictorian; Erin Wise, salutatorian
- Holly Pond: Allie Smith, valedictorian; Bonnie Heather Mann, salutatorian
- Vinemont: Landen Ballew, valedictorian; Alex Millwood, salutatorian
- West Point: Brantley Rogers, valedictorian; Lucas Suits, salutatorian
Other honors
The board recognized the West Point High School Scholar’s Bowl team as 5A state champions. Four members, Will Parker, Tom Parker, Austin Frederick and Kohan Lovett, will compete at the National All-Star Academic Tournament as members of the Alabama All-Star Team.
The Good Hope High School student government association took first place honors in leadership, third in service, and received a Gold Honor Council Award for its student council.
The Cold Springs Boys’ track team was recognized for its state championship victory.
Cold Springs High School FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) members were honored for achievements at state STAR events: Rachel Haynes, Matthew Blair, Reagan Lindsey, Stormy Schmidt, Jessica Roden, Kylie Gann and Samantha Wilcutt. Blair has also been chosen as the 2017-18 FCCLA State Executive Council vice president of membership.
The Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA) recognized 17 students who received their certifications as Nurse Aides while still in school: Braelynn Echelbarger, Megan Giles, Cassity Humes, Brenda Thornton, Elizabeth Hill, Kara Prudmore, Alexandria Mooney, Andrea Diemert, Sydney Dodson, Emily James, Brillit Landa, Haley Parrott, Amber Rodgers, Fancie Boatwright, Jarret Griffin, Diana Tepetate and Lexus White. With certification, these students can pursue further education at Wallace State, or can go straight to work in the field with an average starting pay of $10.20 an hour in the Cullman area.
The board also recognized Cold Springs High School Cafeteria Manager Deborah Crumbley as Manager of the Year, and the Cold Springs cafeteria received the Most Increased Participation Award for the number of students it served.
In other business
Hanceville Elementary School received approval to offer a summer reading and math enrichment program.
The board approved a request to rename the Cold Springs Library as the Pam Bailey Library in honor of a former teacher and librarian.
The Child Nutrition Program was given approval for a 10-cent increase in paid lunch prices. New prices will be:
- Student – $2.35
- CCBOE Employee – $3.35
- Visitor – $3.60
The use of CCBOE school buses by Good Hope Boy Scout Troop 241 and the Cullman County Extension Office was approved for transportation of students to summer camps.
Three out-of-state field trip requests were approved for West Point High School:
- Louisville, Kentucky for the National Archery Tournament
- Atlanta, Georgia for the Broadway musical “Finding Neverland”
- Starkville, Mississippi for a baseball team camp
CATA was given approval to travel to Nashville, Tennessee for the National FCCLA Conference and Competition.
Superintendent Shane Barnette reported that Thursday, May 25 will be the last day of school, and that the last two days will be half days. During June and July, the CCBOE office will be open four days per week, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The board temporarily adjourned for a student reception before returning for a private executive session to approve the non-renewal of contracts of certain unnamed certified and support personnel, and non-extension of certain supplements for the 2017-18 school year.
The Cullman County School Board’s next meeting will be Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m., with a work session at 5:30. The public is invited to attend.
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