School board holds special called meeting

By Haley Mitchell Godwin

The Crenshaw County Board of Education convened for a special called meeting early Tuesday morning. The purpose of the meeting was to address personnel changes, including three resignations and several new hires, and to discuss a paving project at the central office.

Superintendent Dodd Hawthorne expressed enthusiasm about the new hires.

“We are excited about our new employees and I feel confident they will make a difference in the lives of the students of Crenshaw County Schools,” said Hawthorne.

At the July 30 meeting, the board accepted the resignations of three educators: Amy Womble, business teacher at Highland Home High School (HHS); Derri Andress, English teacher at Luverne High School (LHS) and Xavius Burden, ACCESS Facilitator at HHS.

Several new hires were approved during the meeting. Jackson Joyner was appointed as a special education paraprofessional at Brantley. Crystal Jenson will join the district as a bus driver for Luverne. Highland Home High School welcomed two new secondary business teachers, Alainna Del Rosario and Bailey Kilpatrick, along with Molli Wallace as a special education paraprofessional.

“Each individual brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that will undoubtedly enrich the school system,” Hawthorne said.

Additionally, Heather Denardo was hired as a secondary English teacher at Luverne High School.

The board approved a $75,750 bid from Lewis Incorporated for a paving project at the central office. Kenneth Wesley, Chief School Finance Officer, emphasized the importance of this long-needed project.

“We are in a good financial position and this project has been needing to be done for a long time now,” Wesley said. “The school system is in a good spot financially and we are looking forward to a great school year.”

The board has yet to appoint an interim superintendent, after accepting the resignation of Dodd Hawthorne, who transitions to a new role as the Assistant State Superintendent for Career and Technical Education (CTE) with the Alabama Department of Education.

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