Increased enrollment in the Pike County School System resulted in the Board of Education’s approval of several additional teacher units at the board’s Monday meeting.

The board approved a pre-k unit at Pike County Elementary School, a kindergarten unit at Goshen Elementary and a special education unit and a kindergarten unit at Pike County Elementary and also a School Resource Officer.

The units were approved by the Pike County Board of Education following the recommendation of Pike County Superintendent of Education Dr. Mark Bazzell.

Bazzell said the increased enrollment necessitated the additional units.

“I was contacted by Montgomery (state board) and informed that units were available,” Bazzell told the board. “With the enrollment issues we have, the teaching units were needed in the kindergartens at Pike County and Goshen.”

Bazzell said a School Resource Officer is also needed due to the increase in enrollment.

The board also approved the request for all Pike County Elementary schools to offer a Summer Literacy Program for first grade students not proficient in reading.

“This is for all elementary schools,” Bazzell said. “That’s Pike County, Banks and Goshen.”

Working from the board agenda’s new business, the board:

• Approved the 2019-2020 Capital Five Year Plan.
• Approved the 2019-2020 Budget.
• Approved the request for an additional Pre-k unit at Pike County Elementary School.
• Approve request for all Pike County Elementary schools to offer a Summer Literacy Program for first grade students not proficient in reading.
• Approve permission for Abigail Brooks to participate in flight training associated with SkyWarrior with the Board covering cost of flight training.
• Approve request of the local textbook committee to purchase Nav2Premier as the textbook to be used in the Emergency Management Services Program.
• Approve request for Deana Elmore and Jessica Walker to attend and present at the Alabama Conference on Grading Assessment and Learning.
• Approved the request for FFA members, teachers and chaperones to attend the annual Sunbelt Ag Expo, October 16, 2019, in Moultrie, Georgia. Expenses are to be paid by students and chaperones.

In personnel action, the board:

• Accepted the resignation of Elizabeth Nash, interventionist aide at Pike County High School.
• Accepted the resignation of Ryan Waters, physical education teacher at Banks School.
• Approved the request to employ Frankie Ray, adjunct EMS Instructor, Troy-Pike Center for Technology, retroactive.
• Approved the request to employ Courtland Stowe, physical education teacher at Banks School.
• Approved the request to transfer Ranita DeJesus, bookkeeper at the Central Office.
• Approved the request to employ Anthony Pintaro, special education teacher at Goshen       Elementary School.
• Approved the request to employ Terrance Cochran, interventionist aide at Pike County High School.
• Approved the request to hire additional staff due to enrollment issues: Kindergarten teacher at Goshen Elementary School; Special education teacher, kindergarten teacher at Pike County Elementary School and SRO. GES, SPED Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher – Pike County Elementary School and School Resource Officer.
• Approved the request to add Courtland Stowe to the coaching supplements for Pike County High School. He will be assistant football coach and assistant baseball coach.
• Approved restoring half-day sick leave to JoAnn Perdue for an on-the-job injury.
• Approved volunteer status for Alexa Suell, track Goshen High School.
• Approved volunteer status for William Love, mentor, Goshen Elementary School.
• Approved volunteer status for Talon O’Feaghail, archery at Banks School.
• Approved the request of Sandra Trotter for family medical leave to being October 1, 2019.