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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Chilton County Board of Education appointed Diane Calloway to fill the unexpired term of Angie Sanderson.

Sanderson resigned from the board last month.

Calloway retired as principal of Jemison High School last year, a position she had held since 2015.

She worked for Chilton County Schools for 25 years before retiring.

Calloway is also a JHS graduate.

Filling the position was not on the agenda printed out prior to the meeting. However, it was added before the agenda was approved.

Board President Pam Price said she was uncertain if board members would have had enough time to review all 10 applications. Board member Jaqueline Sullivan nominated Calloway for the position.

“I’m abstaining because I had told some people that called me that we were not doing it,” board member Keith Moore said.

At a May 3 meeting of the Board of Education, Price had said a decision needed to be made within 30 days of Sanderson’s resignation date of April 30. The board had then discussed appointing someone at the special called meeting on May 25.

Numerous personnel related items were also approved during the meeting.

Contract interventionists for next school year were approved to be paid through ESSER2 funding.

Sullivan asked how their pay was determined. Ashlie Harrison, director for teaching and learning, said retired teachers were paid $35 an hour under these contracts and those who have never been a certified teacher receive $25 an hour.

Hiring high school students to work in the school system’s summer educational program for elementary students needing specific help was approved . Sullivan asked how the student workers were chosen. Harrison said students were recommended by their principals.

“I guess my concern is that more students were not given the chance to maybe be recommended,” Sullivan said.

Harrison said only 21 student workers were needed, but emails had been sent by the schools to all students 16 and older about the opportunity.

A vote to allow Blast from the Past to use Chilton County High School’s auditorium and lunch room failed. Board members Brad Carter and Chris Smith voted in favor. Price, Sullivan, Moore and Lori Patterson voted against.

Price said the organization did not provide the proper paperwork to verify it was a 501(c)3 nonprofit. There were also concerns that the rental agreement did not include a fee to cover the use of electricity and cleaning of the facility since the organization was essentially wanting to rent the facilities for the entire summer.

At the end of the meeting, Sullivan gave some personal comments to school system staff stating that if they wanted her to vote yes on requests the proper procedures need to be followed and complete information provided.

The BOE also approved:

• Special education workers for the summer.
• The town of Thorsby using Thorsby High School property for the annual fireworks show.
• Chilton Prep Academy renting the Chilton County High School football stadium.
• A CCHS volunteer for the tennis team.
• Having Alabama Power conduct a safety study on the wiring of stadium lights at each of the schools.

The June board meeting has been moved to June 10 at 5:30 p.m.