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The Escambia County Schools System approved the purchase of a piece of property in Flomaton for extra parking at the high school during its meeting on Jan. 23.

The purchased property is at 1649 Poplar St., in Flomaton, and was purchased for $22,000 from local funds. The property is adjacent to FHS, and one side backs up to the field house. The back of the property backs up to the stadium is across the street from Flomaton Elementary School.

Additionally, the board approved Creamer Dozer Service to demolition the house, remove trees and haul debris at 1649 Poplar St., for a cost of $12,000.

In other business, the board:

• awarded bid No. 2020-2 to Outdoor Electronic Marquee Signage to Signs Plus/Optec for $16,880. The purpose of this bid was to obtain pricing for an outdoor electronic Marquee sign for Pollard McCall Junior High School. The Escambia County School System may choose to purchase signs  for other schools during the length of the contract period utilizing this bid award. Future purchase(s) may result in site specific variations. The award of this bid or any resulting contract does not guarantee any future purchase.

• heard a financial report from Madden. Madden said the system had a unreserved balance of $10.15 million in December, and ended the month with 3.15 months of operating reserve. Madden said that’s unusual for the system, but expects the operating reserve number to increase this month because of the ad valorem tax. Madden said the debt service on the bonds to Regions will be paid; and the decrease in ad valorem tax received last year compared to this year was because people held onto their money longer, and didn’t pay their property taxes in time.

• approved the following personnel recommendations –

Resignation

• Haley Boutwell, a six-hour lunchroom worker at Rachel Patterson Elementary, effective Jan. 17, 2020; and,

• Lizette Perez de Lopez, a seven-hour custodian at FHS, effective Feb. 6, 2020;

Retirement

• Tina Hunt, elementary teacher at FES, effective Feb. 1, 2020;

Employment

• Mandy Murphy, as an elementary teacher at FES, effective Feb. 3;

• Samuel McNeil, as a mechanic at the Brewton Bus Shop, effective Feb. 3;

• Ashley Trawick, as a graduation coach at Escambia County High School, effective Jan. 27, 2020;

• Stephanie Spicer, as a teacher, at Title I After School Program at ECMS, effective Jan. 28, 2020;

• Amanda Crowder, as a math teacher, at Title I After School Program at ECMS, effective Jan. 28, 2020;

• Tyler Parker, as a math teacher, at Title I After School Program at ECMS, effective Jan. 28, 2020;

• Marcia Adams, as a math teacher, at Title I After School Program at ECMS, effective Jan. 28, 2020;

• Leviticus Wilson, as a math teacher, at Title I After School Program at ECMS, effective Jan. 28, 2020;

• Annette McKey, as a math teacher, at Title I After School Program at ECMS, effective Jan. 28, 2020;

Temporary Employment

• Myra Tatano, as a temporary and part time math teacher, at W.S. Neal Middle School, effective Jan. 23, 2020;

• Lois Miller, as a temporary and part time math teacher at WSNMS, effective Jan. 23, both replacing Shelby McCrory;

• Superintendent John Knott recognized the following ECHS band students who were accepted to the Southeastern United States Honor Band at Troy University. They will represent ECHS in Troy this Thursday and Friday. The students include Tristan Ford, saxophone; Nakieyah Robinson, oboe; Ray Williams, tuba; Judah Dennis, french horn; Madison Simmons, flute; Jaelon Wilson, tuba; Tyquan Valcourt, percussion; and Jamarcus Leslie, clarinet.;

• Simmons was selected as a Montgomery Youth Tour Winner through the South Alabama Electric Cooperative. Madison will visit Montgomery at the state capital, where she will learn about the workings of state government and the part cooperatives play in shaping important policy. The 2020 Montgomery Youth Tour is March 10-12, 2020.

• The board of education was recognized for their efforts as January serves as board recognition month; and,

• The Escambia County Schools Spelling Bee was held on January 21, 2020. The spelling bee was divided into two groups, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. All students were well prepared and enjoyed participating in the event.

Winners for the grade division 3-5

Lilyanna Hammonds – PMJH – 1st Place

Bryson Stanley – WSNES – 2nd Place

James Bell – PMJH – 3rd Place

Winners for the grade division 6-8:

Jacob Page – ECMS – 1st Place

Jordan Jolly – WSNMS – 2nd Place

Jay Armstrong – PMJH – 3rd Place

The board also paused for a moment of silence for the former mayor of Brewton, Ted Jennings