The Troy City Schools Board of Education approved two dozen personnel actions, including three non-renewals of contracts, during a called meeting on Thursday morning.

“It looks like the Drop finally caught up with us,” said Wally Lowery, board president. “We’re losing a lot of folks to retirement this year … hopefully we’ll be able to get new teachers in here – good teachers in here – for the kids.”

Retirements included Walter Childs, JROTC instructor; Pam Smith, CHHS art teacher; Mitzi Woodall, CHHS special education teacher; Tammy Wright, CHHS special education teacher; Yvon Brantley, CHMS gifted teacher; Janice Knox, CHMS special education teacher; Bari Rasbury, CHMS special education teacher; Randy Grant, TES vice principal; Gloria Blackmon, TES special education teacher; Kay Pierce, TES physical education teacher; and Joy West, TES guidance counselor.

Resignations include Dr. Boyd English, CHHS principal; William Pouncey, CHMS physical education teacher; Travis Rogers, CHMS special education aide; Shanna Boothe, TES kindergarten teacher; Lauren Bolger, TES first-grade teacher; Brittany Smith, TES third-grade teacher; Sybil Allen, TES library media aide; and Erma Hamm, TES child nutrition program.

Non-renewals of contracts include Stephen Bradley, CHHS career prep teacher; Julie Brown, CHMS science teacher; and Mallory Rhodes, TES second-grade teacher.

Leaves of absence were granted to Nikki Allen, ALC teacher; Donny Barron CHHS in-school support aide; and Dana Sanders, TES second grade teachers.

All personnel actions were approved unanimously by the board members present at the meeting: Lowery, Mark Salmon, Roxie Kitchens and Eva Green.

Dr. Lee Hicks, superintendent, said the district began advertising for several of the positions. “We can go ahead and hire for the principals and the units we already have in our budget,” he said. “But as for the rest, we have to wait until the Legislature approves the ETF budget.”