CCBOE recognizes community barbers

Nov. 14—The Cullman County Board of Education has made exceptions to its general rule of reserving the district's E5 Exceptional Award for employees, but, on Thursday, Nov. 9, it presented the award to a pair of local barbers.

The award, which is typically reserved for CCBOE staff who have been observed going above and beyond their normal duties — was given to Isaac Ludwig and Dustin Moore from the local LudaBlends Barber Studio. Superintendent Shane Barnette explained the decision based upon the pair's recent efforts visiting the district's high schools offering free hair cuts to students.

"When I talk to them, they just want to give back and make a difference for young people. They come in and they donate haircuts and things, but they're taking that opportunity to talk to kids and encourage them. I just want to say thank you to them," Barnette said.

Good Hope board representative Kerry Neighbors also offered his personal observation of another E5 recipient, Good Hope Primary School custodian Sherry Rainwater. Neighbors said he witnessed Rainwater and her husband treating the primary school grounds for weeds several months ago after he left a board meeting.

"She was just doing things that are just extra that nobody really sees or recognizes. Not only you [Rainwater] but everybody who is up here today, we couldn't do this thing without people like you," Neighbors said.

Other E5 recipients recognized on Thursday were: Vinemont Elementary Counselor Lanza Willoughby, Fairview Elementary Assistant Principal Robert Strane and Cold Spring High School Teacher Stephanie Blair.

In other business the board:

Approved the following resignations: Edward Sandlin, Child Development Center bus driver; Kathy Davis, Fairview bus driver; and Jen

* nifer Pendley, West Point Middle School teacher.

* Approved the following voluntary transfers: Cathi Bradford from Hanceville Middle School english teacher to sixth grade reading/social science teacher and Corrine Whisenant from from Holly Pond child nutrition program worker to Welti child nutrition program worker.

* Approved the conditional employment of Tracie White as a Holly Pond child nutrition program worker.

* Approved the following substitutes: Cherri Gregory, Elizabeth Hauk, Ramona Hurst, Cynthia Moody, Tonya Parker, Katie Townsel and Monica Williams.

* Approved contract/salary changes for the following employees: Rachel Campbell — upgrade to Master's; Amanda Swann — Add elementary archery supplement; Carrie Morrow — Remove middle school scholar's bowl supplement; Joshua Lambert — Add middle school scholar's bowl supplement; and Anthony Pace — add ninth grade basketball supplement.

* Approved the request from the Cullman Area Technology Academy to pay a $1,500 stipend to Kayla Manning for marketing/social media additional duties.

* Approved the request from Hanceville High School to pay Teri Weaver $1,000 for her role as National Honor Society Sponsor.

* Approved the request from Vinemont High School to pay the following coaches for additional summer coaching duties: Cody Harris — $1,500; Anthony Pace — $1,500; Phillip Robinson — $1,500; David Stokes — $1,000' and Michael Williams — $1,000.

* Approved the request from West Point Middle School to pay the following coached for additional summer duties: William Tidwell — $1,000; Nathan Appling — $750; Tyler Morgan — $500; and Paul Quattlebaum — $500.

* Approved a out-of-state field trip request from Good Hope High School cheer team to attend the UCA competition Dec. 2 in Jackson, Miss. and the National Competition in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 8, 2024.

* Approved the out-of-state field trip request from Vinemont Elementary School third-graders to visit the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga Dec. 1.

* Approved to surplus two 2006 Ford F350 vans and to donate a Ford F250 van to the Cullman Area Technology Academy.

* Approved to enter an agreement with Living Water Utilities to manage the district's wastewater plants and lift station for $6,892 per month.

* Elected board member Gene Sullins as the 2024 board president and board member Mike Graves as the 2024 vice president.