During the Tuesday, Nov. 19, Cullman City School Board meeting, superintendent Kyle Kallhoff announced the retirement of CHS assistant principal and the district’s athletic director, Mark Stephens, would become effective Jan. 1, 2025. Stephens was appointed to the district’s newly created role of Coordinator of Student Affairs in September. The role primarily focused on school safety and transportation in addition to athletics.

“Mr. Stephens has been a great leader in our school system for many years. He has served our students, coaches, programs and our community well. We appreciate that service and he will be missed,” Kallhoff said.

Kallhoff said an interim athletic director would be named as he consults with CHS Principal Allison Tuggle and the district’s stakeholders to find a permanent replacement. Kallhoff said he would be assuming Stephens’ responsibilities regarding safety for the remainder of the year.

The board’s long-standing tradition continued of celebrating a teacher, student and support staff member from the school hosting the meeting. First grade teacher, Laurel Waddle; instructional assistant, Emily Steele; and second grade student, Ingram Easterwood — all from Cullman City Primary School — were recognized by the board.

The board also recognized the following 10 students for receiving a score of 30 or higher on their ACT exam:

— Aaron Byrd

— Cole Carden

— Christian Edmondson

— Jason Frodge

— Price Hall

— Cole Harrison

— Elizabeth Phillips

— Parker Powell

— Ava Ray

— Lam Nguyen

Kallhoff also recognized the Cullman High School varsity volleyball team on what he described as a “historic” season. Kallhoff said this year’s team, which included four All-State players, was the first in the school’s history to make it to the state finals. The 2024 CHS FFA Forestry Judging Team was also recognized for their state championship victory.

In other business the board:

— Approved a contract with Behavioral Pediatric Institute of Alabama for School Consultation and Evaluation.

— Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation.

— Approved the job description for the administrative assistant to student services.

— Approved for the 5th and 6th grade classes at East and West Elementary Schools to travel to Nashville, Tennessee on March 13 and 14.

— Accepted the resignation of East Elementary special education teacher Monica Cates.

— Approved the conditional employment of Shalea Bone as a districtwide special education instructional assistant-itinerant.

— Approved the conditional employment of Abbie Martin as a districtwide instructional assistant-itinerant.

— Approved the following contracts:

– Kelli Hughes: Revised SPED Homebound contract through May 31, 2025.

– Amy Sessions: Revised parent training/listen spoken language contract through July 31, 2025.

– Alli Hesterly: SPED Homebound contract through May, 31 2025.

– McKenzie Kennedy: Revised parent training/listen spoken language contract through May 22, 2025.

– Victoria Aldridge, Daniel Flores and Walker Jones: Extended day program contract through May 23, 2025.

Patrick Camp can be reached pcamp@cullmantimes.com or at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.