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The Escambia County School Board met last week and approved the expulsion of a student at W.S. Neal High School.
Superintendent Michel McClung confirmed the expulsion was the result of a school lock-down event on Aug. 19 in East Brewton.
At the time of the event, officials released the following information:
“A potential safety threat from a student of W.S. Neal High was posted to social media, August 19, 2022. For that reason, W.S. Neal High and the Escambia Career Readiness Center were placed on lock-down. The situation has been investigated and determined not to be a threat. Both schools have returned to normal operation.”
According to reports, a threatening photo of a student with what appeared to be a firearm was posted on social media from an off-campus location. A complete investigation was conducted and no firearm was discovered on either campus.”
McClung told board members Thursday that the student would be issued a lap top and would complete the remainder of the school year in a “virtual learning” situation. She further stated that the student will not be allowed on campus for any reason and would prohibited from attending any school events.
Neither the parents of the student nor the student attended Thursday’s meeting. McClung said the student has expressed remorse for actions resulting in the disciplinary action.
“We take all threats seriously. Student and faculty safety is our highest priority,” McClung said. “We would like to thank everyone for their response and understanding.”
W.S. Neal High School remained in conversations as the board approved the demolition of the school’s auditorium.
The auditorium was deemed a complete loss following a tornado that ripped through the county in June 2021. The building had major damage and will be replaced with a new construction in the coming months. Ingle Demolition will be handling the demolition of the facility at a cost of $126,000 according to a board approved item.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, McClung offered congratulations to board members who completed required training hours by the Alabama Association of School Boards. All of the members were honored with a certificate commemorating their accomplishment. Those receiving the commendation from McClung were Coleman Wallace, Danny Benjamin, Kevin Hoomes, Mike Edwards Cindy Jackson, Loumeek White and Sherry Digmon.
The following personnel recommendations were also approved by the board:
Leave of Absence:
Elisabeth Harrison, Instructional Aide, Turtle Point Science Center, leave of absence, effective August 22, 2022 through December 16, 2022;
Resignations:
Tawana Jones, English/ Language Arts Teacher, Escambia County High School, effective August 31, 2022;
Keyon Thompson, Math Teacher, Escambia County High School, effective August 24, 2022;
Latonia Brooks, Instuctional Aide, Escambia County High School, effective August 26, 2022;
Amber Carpenter, Custodian, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective July 19, 2022;
Scotty Benton, Elementary Teacher, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective August 24, 2022;
Vernice Dailey, Special Needs Bus Aide, Atmore Bus Shop, effective August 16, 2022;
June Kent, Temporary/Part-Time, Special Education Services, Office of Special Education and Student Services, effective May 26, 2022;
Employment:
Kara Bradley, Accountant, Escambia County Board of Education, effective September 1, 2022;
Tracy Hudson, School Improvement Supervisor, Escambia County Board of Education, effective September 6, 2022 (Replacing Valarie Smith);
Maranda Johnson, Office Aide, Escambia County High School, effective August 26, 2022 (Replacing Emily Harrison;
Joel Gonzalez, Teacher Aide, Escambia County High School, effective August 26, 2022;
Cara Beyette,  6-Hour Lunchroom Worker, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective September 1, 2022 (Replacing Sabrina Dialey);
Ashlyn Ward, Custodian, WS Neal Elementary School, effective August 26, 2022 (Replacing Kimberly Price);
Kelly Mitchell, Counselor, WS Neal Elementary School, effective August 23, 2022 (Replacing Levon Wright)(Amended Date);
Marty Stringer, Part Time Gifted Education Teacher/ Specialist, Office of Special Education and Student Services, effective August 29, 2022;
Preston Hassell, Custodian, Escambia Career Readiness Center, effective September 1, 2022 (Replacing Sandra Floyd);
Tranfser:
Tawana Jones, English/Language Arts Teacher, WS Neal High School, to English/Language Arts Teacher, Escambia County High School, effective April 18, 2022 (Replacing Levon Wright);
Employment Change:
Kelli Stuckey, Business Office Clerk, Escambia County Board of Education, Brewton Central Office, to Accountant, Escambia County Board of Education, effective September 1, 2022;
Andrea Godbolt, Central Operations Clerk, Brewton Central Office, to Accountant, Escambia County Board of Education, effective September 1, 2022;
Felicia Bishop, Office Aide, Escambia County High School, to Secretary/ Registrar, Escambia County High School, effective August 26, 2022;
April Dunsford, Office Aide, Flomaton Elementary School, to Secretary/ Registrar, Flomaton Elementary School, effective August 26, 2022;
Jaye Jaye Hagan, Office Aide, Flomaton High School, to Secretary/Registrar, Flomaton High School, effective August 26, 2022;
Kathleen Allen, Office Aide, Huxford Elementary School, to Secretary/ Registrar, Huxford Elementary School, effective August 26, 2022;
Melissa Cosey, Special Education Instructional Aide, Pollard McCall Junior High School, to Elementary Teacher, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective August 26, 2022 (Replacing Rebecca Green);
Jacqueline Gresham, Office Aide, Pollard McCall Junior High School, to Secretary/ Registrar, Pollard McCall Junior High School, effective August 26, 2022;
Vonda Bynum, Office Aide, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, to Secretary/ Registrar, Rachel Patterson Elementary School, effective August 26, 2022;
Peggy Nelson, Office Aide, WS Neal Elementary School, to Secretary/ Registrar, WS Neal Elementary School, effective August 26, 2022;
Rehires:
Deborah Silcox, Temporary/Part-Time, Special Education Services, Office of Special Education and Student Services, effective August 26, 2022;
June Kent, Temporary/Part-Time, Special Education Services, Office of Special Education and Student Services, effective August 26, 2022.