Cullman High School Principal Kim Hall, from right, and Cullman City Schools Superintendent Susan Patterson present Cullman City School Board member Lee Powell with a certificate for National School Board Recognition Month, with board members Joey Orr, Chris Branham, Suzanne Harbin and Jason Neal.

January is National School Board Recognition Month, and the members of the Cullman City School Board were honored for their work for the school system during their regular meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Cullman City Schools Superintendent recognized each member of the board, while school principals presented them with a certificate to show their appreciation.

“School board members take on a difficult job and assume enormous responsibilities,” she said. “These individuals work collaboratively to set and maintain our policies that provide the framework for Cullman City Schools. As strong advocates for public education, and they provide the vision that our community desires.”

The board also presented its annual Superintendent Evaluation, and Patterson highlighted some of the areas that she has been working in over the past year.

She said she spent 2018 promoting communication and community relations, including the implementation of a weekly newsletter that is sent out through email and social media, a new smartphone app for alerts and notifications and a redesign of the district and school websites.

Patterson said she has also organized meetings with the Cullman City Council to make sure the goals of the city and its school system remain in alignment, and she is currently serving a three-year term as a board member for the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.

Neal thanked Patterson for her work in those areas over the past year, along with all of the other duties that come as superintendent.

“We appreciate the job you do as superintendent,” he said.

In other business, the board: 

Approved Dec. 13, 2018 meeting minutes.

Approved Dec. 17, 2018 meeting minutes.

Approved December 2018 payroll of $2,034,269.53, invoices paid of $681,691.67, financial statements and bank reconciliations.

Approved the following Head Start items: Expenditures report for December 2018 and Health/Nutrition/Disabilities/Enrollment Report for December 2018.

Gave permission for CHS Shotgun Team to travel to Childersburg for the 4-H State Shotgun Competition on April 11-14.

Gave permission for the CHS Cheer Team to travel to Orlando, Florida to compete in the UCA National Competition from Feb. 7-12.

Have permission for the CHS Theatre Department to travel to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska from June 23-30.

Gave permission for the CHS Fishing Team to travel to Knoxville, Tennessee for the Bassmaster Classic on March 15-17.

Approved the Cullman City Schools 2019-2020 School Year Calendar.

Approval of Change Order No. 1 for the Emergency Roof Replacement at West Elementary School.

Gave permission for CHS to contract with North Central Softball Officials for the 2019 softball season.

Gave permission for CHS to contract with North Alabama Soccer Officials Association for the 2019 soccer season.

Proposed approval of revised board policy 6.24 Student Harassment Prevention Act to 6.24 Jamari Terrelle Williams Student Bullying Prevention Act. This item will be sent out to the Policy Review Committee and brought back for consideration.

Gave permission to contract with Ken Gleaton, Kristy White and Jennifer Tidwell to facilitate Night School Credit Recovery at CHS.

Gave permission to contract with Lorene Howell to clean floors and other duties during the summer to prepare for the 2019-2020 school year (Head Start Funds).

Gave permission to contract with Ann Davis and Julie Murphree to clean floors and various duties during the summer to prepare for the 2019-2020 school year (CCPS and Head Start Funds).

Gave permission to contract with Ragan Baumheckel, Lois Bice, Karla Rodriguez, Erica Veal and Kalysha Whittle to work additional days during the summer to prepare for the 2019-2020 school year (Head Start Funds).

Gave permission for Bobbie Maury to perform system-wide nursing services on an as-needed basis at the nurse rate of pay based upon her experience and degree.

Approved the following personnel considerations:

Leave of Absence

Kristin Brown, kindergarten teacher at Cullman City Primary School, requesting family and medical leave followed by a leave of absence beginning Aug. 5 through Oct. 31.

Modification of employment

Dorinda Steele, bookkeeper/secretary for Student Services, modification of years of experience from four to 11 to include verified years of experience, effective Jan. 1.

Transfer

Debra Ball, transfer from four-hour CNP worker at West Elementary School to four-hour CNP worker at Cullman High School, effective Jan. 3.

Employments

Elizabeth Ann Wilson, temporary art teacher at Cullman High School (half day) and Cullman City Primary School (half day), beginning Jan. 3 through May 24.

Kayla Goble, four-hour CNP worker at East Elementary School, effective Jan. 7.

Phyllis Thompson, temporary science teacher (to fill a leave of absence) at Cullman Middle School, beginning approximately April 5 through May 24.

Revision to 2018-2019 Athletic and Band Supplement Schedule

Robin Cook, transfer from Tennis JV Head Coach to Tennis Varsity Assistant, effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Laura Reid, Tennis JV Head Coach, effective Oct. 1, 2018.

The Cullman City School Board will next meet on Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room.

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.