Sixteen Cullman County teachers were transferred this week, which brings the grand total to 46 teachers that have been transferred this summer. The moves are needed to deal with reduced state funding and a 150 student drop in enrollment in the 2009-2010 school year.

The Cullman County Board of Education let 45 non-tenured teachers go earlier this summer, and will be down approximately 35 teachers compared to last year when the school year begins.

Superintendent Hank Allen said the teachers are being transferred to fill the holes left by the losses, which accounts for approximately six percent of the system’s certified personnel.

“We’re really just trying to meet the needs at the local schools,” he said. “Some of those (transfers) are because of enrollment, eliminated positions or re-assignment of duties.”

For students, the cuts and transfers mean larger class sizes in the upcoming school year. Lower-grade schools should remain in the mid-20s, though middle schools and high schools could see class sizes of more than 30 students.

In addition to the transfers, the board also hired nine teachers — seven of which were among the 45 let go this summer.

“Seven of those were folks that had done a good job working for us before, so we’ve brought them back where we could,” Allen said.

Including these nine, the system has now hired or re-hired 13 teachers this summer. Allen had previously said the system could hire as many as 15 teachers before the school year begins.

Considering 45 non-tenured teachers were let go, and there were a handful of retirements and resignations, Allen said it is necessary to hire for some positions.

“There had to be an element of over-compensation, because the unknown variable was still not knowing who might retire, those who would need to be transferred and those who might leave the system,” Allen said in a previous interview.

Even with the cuts and transfers being made this year, the county school system will likely still be in the red financially this year.

“We should end the year with about $2.5 - $3 million left ... which is about a 12-day reserve,” said Chief Financial Officer Randy Dunlap.

The state recommends school systems keep at least a three-month operating reserve if possible, and recommends a minimum of one month in reserve funds.

If nothing changes, Dunlap said the next year could be even worse.

“I expect next year we’ll be in the red for the budget,” he said.

Teachers being transferred include:

— Deborah Oldacre, from fifth grade math teacher at Good Hope Elementary School to fourth grade teacher at Good Hope Elementary School.

— James Washington, from fourth grade teacher at Good Hope Elementary School to fifth grade math teacher at Good Hope Elementary School.

— Magan Grigsby, from kindergarten teacher at Parkside School to first grade teacher at Parkside School.

— Chrissy Shedd, from second grade teacher at Parkside School to kindergarten teacher at Parkside School.

— Brandi Kelso, from second grade teacher at Welti School to fourth grade teacher at Welti School.

— Curtis Alexander, from math teacher at Fairview High School to special education teacher at Fairview High School.

— Breann Prince, from special education aide at Good Hope High School to special education teacher at the Child Development Center.

— Jennifer Cofer, from fourth grade teacher at West Point Intermediate School to third grade teacher at Good Hope Elementary School.

— Kyle Seymore, from credit recovery teacher at the Career Center to middle school teacher at Good Hope Middle School and Harmony School.

— Mark McKelvy, from fourth grade teacher at Fairview Elementary School to PE teacher at Fairview Elementary School

— Kimberly D. Harbison, from English (6-8) teacher at Holly Pond Middle School to librarian at West Point High School.

— Doris Mead, from school bus driver at Fairview School to school bus driver at the Child Development Center.

— Tammy Griffith, from fourth grade teacher at Hanceville Elementary School to special education and Title I teacher at Hanceville Elementary School.

— Renee’ Ryan, from special education and Title I teacher at Hanceville Elementary School to fourth grade teacher at Hanceville Elementary School.

— Shanda Moon, from fifth grade teacher at West Point Intermediate School to fourth grade teacher at West Point Intermediate School.

— Kristie Williams, from K+ teacher at Holly Pond Elementary School to PE teacher at Holly Pond Elementary School.

In other business, the school board:

‰ Approved the appointments of:

— Jeff Greer, middle school math teacher at Parkside School.

— Kelly B. Robinson, special education teacher at Fairview Middle School.

— Kim Crumbley, special education teacher at Parkside School.

— Jessica Frye, special education teacher at the Child Development Center.

— Myra Ford, third grade teacher at Vinemont Elementary School.

— Tish Jackson, science teacher at Cold Springs High School.

— Tim Garner, resource teacher at West Point High School.

— Kelly Harbison, fourth grade teacher at Hanceville Elementary School.

— Teri Pitts, fourth grade teacher at Hanceville Elementary School.

‰ Approved the resignations of:

— Lacy Heptinstall, math teacher and cheerleader coach at West Point High School.

— Linda Akin, teacher at Hanceville High School.

— Lisa Martin, special education teacher at Good Hope Primary School.

— Edith Cryer, station head at Holly Pond School.

‰ Approved the minutes from the June 11 meeting.

‰ Approved the appointments of support personnel:

— Melissa Parker, special education aide at Child Development Center.

— Connie Lawrence, vocational school bus driver at Vinemont High School.

— Tommy King, school bus driver at West Point School.

— Larry Duke, school bus driver at West Point School.

— Kimberlee Spicer, custodian at Hanceville Elementary School.

‰ Approved the appointment of summer workers:

Summer Workers

— Roger Ayers, summer maintenance at Good Hope Primary School, paid with local school funds.

— Blake Flynt, summer maintenance at Good Hope Primary School, paid with local school funds.

‰ Approved 21st Century Summer Enrichment Program bus driver substitute Connie Lawrence, Joy Peak, Todd Trucks, Joanna Sellers, Quinnon Tucker, Donnie Smith, Randy Williams and Herbert Stewart.

‰ Approved contract changes for:

— Daniel Wakefield, upgrade to Master’s degree.

— Myra Ford, upgrade to Master’s degree.

— Teri Pitts, upgrade to Master’s degree.

‰ Approved an out-of-state field trip request from the Fairview High School varsity boys basketball team to attend a camp in Tallahassee, FL. The trip was previously board approved, though the location changed from Fort Walton, FL.

‰ Approved February - April 2009 bills and salaries.

‰ Approved February - April 2009 financial statements.

‰ Approved $150 to pay the Alabama Association of School Boards legal assistance fund.

‰ Approved $100 per day during the summer for teachers and counselors for test training or test administration.

‰ Approved a request from Fairview High School to pay head football coach George Redding $1,000 from local school funds for football field mowing and maintenance during the summer months.

‰ Approved $2,880 in additional compensation for Denise Schuman, who served as interim principal at Cold Springs Elementary School.

‰ Approved plans to purchase automobile insurance coverage for the 2009-2010 school year from Virgil B. Fowler Insurance Agency.

‰ Approved plans to allow Insurance and Investment Consultants, Inc. to continue to offer students the opportunity to purchase accident insurance for school day and 24-hour athletic coverage.

‰ Announced the next school board meetings for July 16 and August 3.

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.