Rick Patrick, rick@greenepublishing.com
During the regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board on Monday, March 7, the board voted to expand Greenville Elementary School, Lee Elementary School and Pinetta Elementary School to include sixth grade at each school. The change will take place beginning in the fall with the 2022-23 school year. One issue raised was the possibility of fifth grade and sixth grade classes meeting in the same classroom. Superintendent of Schools Shirley Joseph said each school's principal was in charge of configuring the classes, so it would be a possibility. The move was passed on a 3-2 vote, with board members Suretta Bell and Frankie Carroll casting the dissenting votes. “I'm satisfied that our sixth grade parents now have a choice within the school system,” said Board Member Carol Gibson.
There was some discussion on the job description of the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Madison County High School (MCHS). The posted job description stated that five years of head coaching experience with a proven track record was required. It was decided to alter the job description to state that five years of head coaching experience was preferred, rather than required.
At the conclusion of the meeting, each board member spoke on any items they wished. Board Member Frankie Carroll took the opportunity to thank outgoing MCHS football coach Mike Coe for all the work he did over the years. He also thanked Coach Coe's wife, Amanda, who worked as a teacher at Lee Elementary School and Coach Coe's son, Zac, who worked at Madison County Central School. Carroll also brought up the fact that an alarming number of teachers and other district personnel are resigning. “It's alarming to me that so many teachers have resigned,” said Carroll. “We can't find teachers and we have so many leave. We're going to have to think outside the box to be able to keep folks, somehow or another.”
The next regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 28. The meeting will take place in the district office, located at 210 NE Duval Ave., in Madison. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.