CCBOE unveils ‘first of its kind’ ag barn at West Point

Rather than holding to its standard procedure of conducting its monthly meeting at the Cullman County Schools’ central office Monday, Nov. 4, the CCBOE opted for a more rustic approach and conducted business in the newly completed West Point Agriculture Barn.

Bleats and Baas may not be the usual public comments fielded by board members, but West Point High School Principal Wes Black said the barn was a big deal for the school, which has become known for its robust agriscience programs.

“It was a dream of trying to get us back into the realm of animal science which led us to coming up with the idea of trying to get a livestock barn,” Black said.

Black said a combination of community donors and grant funding allowed the school to purchase an adjacent property and make the dream a reality. He said the climate-controlled barn has been designed to house sheep, goats and cattle and has been discussing future projects with the Cullman County Cattleman’s Association.

In other business the board:

Accepted the resignation of Central Office technology coordinator Bradley Williams.

Accepted the resignation of Good Hope High School secretary Gidgett Overton.

Approved the conditional employment of the following personnel:

— Rebecca Pearl: Temporary bus aide for the Child Development Center.

— Dusten Johnson: Good Hope High School child nutrition program worker.

— Karen Wilhite: Temporary, part-time intervention teacher at Vinemont Elementary.

— Kalika Owens: Vinemont High School child nutrition program worker.

— Armanda Wagoner: Vinemont High School child nutrition program worker.

— Margaret Barnett: Temporary, part-time intervention teacher at Welti Elementary.

Approved Kevin Brown as a volunteer, non-faculty coach for the Fairview High School bowling team.

Approved Seth Glasscock as a volunteer, non-faculty coach for the Holly Pond High School baseball team.

Approved to pay Bradley Williams for up to five unused annual leave days.

Approved a request from Fairview Middle School to pay Kenneth Griffin $1,500 for his extra duties as Athletic Director.

Approve a request from Good Hope Middle School to pay Elizabeth Taylor $1,500 for her extra duties as Athletic Director.

Approved a request from Good Hope Middle School to pay Lacie Burks $150 per cleaning of the middle school gym after middle school basketball games.

Approved a request from Holly Pond K-8 school to pay Mason Black $500 for assisting with the boys basketball team.

Approved a request from Vinemont High School to pay the following for extra summer and fall duties:

— Cody Harris: $1,200.

— Anthony Pace: $1,000.

— Derick Ransom: $1,000.

— Phillip Robinson: $1,000.

— David Stokes: $1,000.

— Charles Travis: $1,800.

— Michael Williams: $500.

Approved the following personnel be paid $25 per hour for Before and After School Tutoring Program at Vinemont Elementary:

— Kinslee Borden.

— Hayley Drake.

— Amy Page.

— Destiny Marsh (substitute.)

— Kendra Richard (substitute).

— Machiela Richard (substitute).

Approved a request from Kevin Sullins with Harmony School to sell or trade a Gravely zero-turn lawn mower and a 1988 Massey Ferguason tractor.

Approved the compensation for CCBOE member be increased from $600 to $900 per month as permitted by Alabama Code 16-1-26.

Elected board member Mike Graves, representing Vinemont, to serve as the CCBOE President.

Elected board member Wayne Myrex, representing Cold Springs to serve as the CCBOE Vice President.

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