Masks are no longer compulsory for students, teachers and school staff in the city of Demopolis.

The mask mandate imposed at the start of the school year officially ended on Monday, but at its Monday night meeting, the Education Council voted to reimpose the mask requirement at a school if the positive numbers pass. to 1% of the population.

Supt. Tony Willis said the DCS system had not exceeded one percent for over a month; only two students are positive now, which is a tenth of a percent. Although masks are not mandatory, he encouraged people to continue wearing them.

The four school system principals each gave a brief overview of their school’s Alabama Continuous Improvement Plan (ACIP) for the year. Required by the state and voted on by the board of directors, ACIP plans show how schools will progress during the year.

Westside Elementary principal Tisha Lewis said this year the focus will be on math and reading for all 554 students. All students have received a Chrome Book and will be exposed to the technology every day. Lewis said staff would also work to improve parent involvement.

Bridgett Powell, principal of US Jones Elementary School, called it “the best school in the state of Alabama.” Its goal is to be among the top 10% in the state by emphasizing that all students can learn. This year, the focus is on more personalized learning, aided by full-time reading and math coaches.

At Demopolis Middle School, Dr Gary Gibson said the school had “as good a faculty, if not better, than anywhere I’ve been.” The first-year principal said the learning gaps this year are larger because of Covid. “We want to take care of all the children.

Terina Gantt, principal of Demopolis High, said the school has several goals this year: improving scores on ACT and WorkKeys; classroom teaching and assessment; evening of parental involvement for aspiring first year students and the implementation of DHS Care, recognition of companies and individuals from Demopolis who have shown exceptional support to the school.

Willis recognized three members of the board of directors for their continuing education. Honored by the Alabama Association of Schools Boards were Carolyn Moore, 4th year Masters; President Conrad Murdock, 3rd year Masters, and Harris Hurst, Level 2.

In another action, the board approved:

• Additional compensation for currently assigned positions that have not previously been filled.
• Updated salary scale showing state approved two percent salary increase.
• Contracts with Kathleen Randall to help college cheerleaders; Rodney Rowser, College Athletics Assistant, and Robert Steiner, College Boys Football Assistant.
• Global purchase orders on a routine payment schedule instead of having to approve payments every month.
• Contract with The Learning Tree, Inc. for applied behavioral analysis of students when needed.
• Purchase of 1,900 headphones from Howard Technology Solutions for $ 38,000.
• Annual capital plan, as required by the state, of a wishlist of items the school system would undertake if funds became available. Willis said most of the items on the list have been included for years.
• Supplement for Rosie Tuck for additional special education duties.
• Ask the state for a rate of use of public school funds if the school system plans to borrow money for improvements.

The board also approved the field visit requests:

• DHS Girls Softball at Daphne High School February 24-25, 2022; Corinth, Mississippi, high school March 4-5, 2022; Gulf Shores Tournament March 27-30, 2022 and Saraland High School, April 2022.
• DHS science students at Dauphin Island Sea Lab November 2-3.
• The DMS football team and cheerleaders at the first annual Tornado Bowl in Laurel, Miss on October 30.

Staff changes included:

• Resignations: Andrea Miller, ACCESS Lab Facilitator, JV Softball Head Coach and DMS University Assistant Coach and Women’s Basketball Head Coach; Traci Stein, DMS PE assistant; Sarah Stanley, DMS Secretary.
• Hired: Julia P. Singleton, ACCESS Lab facilitator at DHS; Beverly Bridget Cox Ryan, DMS PE assistant.
• Leave of absence: Constance Cleveland, WES, effective August 6, and Courtney Kerby, DHS Career Prep, March 14 through May 16, 2022.
• Retired: Constance Cleveland, WES.

Willis announced that Tanya Chestnut, a member of the State Board of Education for the district that includes Demopolis, will make her first visit to the city on Friday.