City school board approves administrative staff

The New Albany school board has approved administrative staff for the 2020-2021 school year with few changes.

Those approved include:

• John Ferrell, Principal, New Albany High School.
• Luke Tentoni, Assistant Principal, New Albany High School.
• Rodney Spears, Director, Career & Technical School.
• Paul Henry, Principal, New Albany Middle School.
• Anna Kathryn Sloan, Assistant Principal, New Albany Middle School.
• Gwyn Russell, Principal, New Albany Elementary School.
• Wesley McCullough, Assistant Principal, New Albany Elementary School.
• Dr. Christopher Hill, Assistant Principal, New Albany Elementary School.
• Troy Trout, Director, NASTUC.
• Kristen Richey, Director of Special Services, Central Office.
• Sabrina Hall, Case Manager, Special Services.
• Margaret Floyd, Child Nutrition Director, Special Services.
• Lecia Stubblefield, Director of Professional and Support Services, Central Office.
• Robert Garrett, Technology Director, Central Office.
• Suzanne Coffey, Director of Accounting Services, Central Office.
• Terry Stidham, Maintenance Director’ Central Office.
• Melanie Shannon, Coordinator of Public Relations/Special Grants Coordinator, Central Office.
• Larry Pannell, Assistant Transportation Director, Central Office.
• Josh Curbow, Head Softball Coach, New Albany Middle School.
• Christy Plunkett, Teacher, New Albany Middle School replacing Meghan Besaw.
• Curt Sparks, Assistant Golf Coach, New Albany High School.
• Jeffrey King, Volunteer Assistant Golf Coach, New Albany High School.

The board also accepted several staff resignations, mostly due to retirement. Those include:

• Nicholas McGuirk, Bus Driver, Central Office effective February 7.
• Lee Ann Thompson, Teacher, New Albany High School effective at the end of the school year due to retirement.
• Lisa Skinner, Teacher, Career & Technical School effective at the end of the school year.
• Jonathan Ridgeway, Teacher, Career & Technical School effective at the end of the school year due to retirement.
• Barbara Crotts, Teacher, New Albany Elementary School effective at the end of the school year due to retirement.
• Dianne Simmons, Teacher Assistant, New Albany Elementary School effective at the end of the school year due to retirement.
• Grace Siegert, Teacher, New Albany Elementary School effective at the end of the school year.
• Suzanne Hubbard, Teacher Assistant, New Albany Elementary School effective at the end of the school year due to retirement.
• Sarah McKee, Teacher, New Albany Middle School effective at the end of the school year.

In usual business, construction manager Kelly Howard gave an update on behalf of contractors Martin and Cobey concerning the status of renovation at the various schools.

He said work is finally down to the “punch list” stage generally with only relatively minor fixes to be made. There is a delay in getting new windows for the high school due to miscommunication concerning the architect, but they can be done after school and on weekends.

Most of the work otherwise should be done in two weeks.

Superintendent Dr. Lance Evans reported that revenue and expenses continue to be in line with budgeting and about 80 percent of the expected tax revenue has been collected.

In action items, the board approved a technology contract with Howard Technology, which the school has been working with in the past, and accepted a $30,000 Mississippi Department of Education K-8 STEM grant for the middle school.

They also accepted a bid from Hotel and Restaurant Supply Inc, in the amount of $100,641 for new cafeteria equipment. The cost will come out of child nutrition funds, not local.

Three field trips gained approval from school trustees.

The New Albany Middle School Gifted class will travel to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 6-9.

The New Albany High School Anchor Club will travel to Jackson on April 5-6 to volunteer at Horses for Handicapped Event.

The New Albany High School Cheerleaders will travel to Panama City, Fla. on May 30-June 3 to attend UCA Cheer Camp.

The board also once again approved the Child Nutrition Department Summer Feeding Program to provide breakfast and lunch to students that would be attending the Pre-K Academy program in July 2020.

The next meeting of the city school board will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, in the boardroom at the administrative office.