[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6473058,"mediaKeyId","5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b","parentId",5760724,"title","Superintendent changes fall break schedule, urges caution after student struck at crosswalk","audioSeconds",130,"startMs",1924000,"endMs",2054000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b&start=1924&end=2054","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b/thumbnail_1924000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473058/Alabama/Superintendent-changes-fall-break-schedule-urges-caution-after-student-struck-at-crosswalk","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473058-282e964b0758c26de9c7be709961d1fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1773711860&Signature=by6wUwVoclCzmLMPhmaZxnghEV9WrfQpPaxzy~LXkuVGh4xoNKpGMtyAXojQO7Jqa6NQlgOYP-SXx6qRYIfomX0quV7Up~PmEwiUzWQqx3nqnoRlrJcqw1O~EB8pqTnGnNmpso2bKSuaye74uUH-3HGJ-Eu~s7EaTbEcj7MOIN9Ifnk8U9X2YboWcnP1yXGVBIG8~6P7YMvf-EzVpPQUeogy~JUTidgDy~nyhpwUbbUVyq0UQslKbNe6T3eMVUl5wIE2sBT9hyH5d~MWMPS27iPL48TDqpq-6etFuDb4f5FohUh6-m7WT-jN59O3d9YYDbe5lVZwD4~P1DSM8yZGaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cullman County Schools","date","2025-09-12T00:00:00Z","article","During the Sept. 11 meeting, Dr. Barnett announced changes to the district's fall break and recounted an incident in which a student was struck while using a campus crosswalk.

Dr. Barnett said the district shifted this year's fall break to include the Friday before the traditional Monday'Tuesday break because Friday had been one of the highest absenteeism days. \"In the past, it was Monday and Tuesday. This year, we changed it to a Friday, Monday,\" he said, adding the district coordinated the change with the county fair so students may attend the fair on the Monday without charge.

Dr. Barnett also described a recent incident in which a student was hit while crossing at a crosswalk. He said a bus had stopped and the student had started across the crosswalk when a car struck him. \"That young man is back at school. Thank god. And, and he's he's recovering well,\" Dr. Barnett said, adding the district had sent a message to principals asking staff to remind students not to assume vehicles will stop and urging the public to pay attention around campuses.

The superintendent emphasized the district's focus on student safety and called on parents and drivers to be vigilant, particularly during high-traffic morning and afternoon periods around campuses. He said the district has been publicizing bus videos and other safety measures and thanked staff and the board for supporting safety efforts.

Dr. Barnett closed the superintendent report by noting the next regular board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, with a 3:30 p.m. work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 11, 2025 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Cullman County Schools superintendent announced a change to the fall break schedule and urged drivers and school communities to exercise caution after a student was struck in a crosswalk; the student returned to school and is recovering, the superintendent said.","taxTitle","Cullman County Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",13587,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473063,"Board approves consent items including minutes, personnel, capital plan and federal program applications",639,1285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b&start=1285&end=1924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b/thumbnail_1285000.jpg","/articles/6473063/Alabama/Board-approves-consent-items-including-minutes-personnel-capital-plan-and-federal-program-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473063-a433669923c02559dbd44af4b954c5bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773711860&Signature=fbR6AJaQe5Rrni1Rdv0ZofDF-LDUPtVt~ypVDWg7k-XEvQ~0Iw3A1yPib9AkPHywsSCmjn1h~ZpxXQujd89hZX-Y1uLvvcz~H84kZt8q9sr6ZJJ8mdbIIclWfQYzKEl69qnq3UwV5a3BlM8K135Q7niosccWAy02H0~g4vu0Ann4GIcNUVApwYRu4ChPvGaI7OVgZipBOsIYypXHcAIB6VvKpLkfXzFLpM4tW6foEr8Orh6etGq9Lt5E94Y-Zc7-4wn9ILAflmNlC5N59VrXlYk65z6ijO~7xfdUayZ9nG7ASWoSpicRkqcy39M3T0HHTg-WX3QcwsHO1QFvc0SMUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After the budget adoption, the Cullman County Schools board handled a grouped slate of consent and action items and approved them by voice vote.

Dr. Barnett recommended approval of the Aug. 14 board minutes and personnel items listed as items 3 through 9; the board approved those recommendations on voice votes. The board also approved school requests items 10 through 22, academic and athletic supplements and assignments (items 23 and 24), financial items (items 25 and 26), maintenance department items (item 27), and the proposed capital plan (item 29).

Board members approved the 2025\t6 grade 6\t12 social studies textbook adoption committee (item 30), out-of-state field trips (item 31), the Cullman County Education Association leave with substitute pay arrangement (item 32), and the district's federal programs applications for the 2025\t6 school year (item 33). The presenter noted that subs for the association leave would be paid by the association.

All of those items were approved by voice vote during the meeting; no roll-call tallies were read into the record. Where motions were recorded, the transcript shows only generic \"so moved\" and \"second\" responses rather than named movers or recorded vote counts.

Items approved under the consent/action slate included routine operational and fiscal matters; the board packet provided itemized lists and supporting documents for each numbered agenda item.","Following the budget vote, the Cullman County Schools board approved a series of consent and action items by voice vote, including minutes, personnel items, school requests, supplements, financial and maintenance items, the capital plan, textbook adoption committee membership, field trips and federal program applications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473068,"Board approves athletic-training contract after discussion over rising costs",250,1491000,1741000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b&start=1491&end=1741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","/articles/6473068/Alabama/Board-approves-athletic-training-contract-after-discussion-over-rising-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473068-635a41abb05a268c506b5929d787e39a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773711860&Signature=TkIIA-hKSIq956ubVy45cNalBvQJcvUMuy1OxmXRW3pPYMzjBtcdoMhdfTXHOKbwxAt4awEwK4uCOK6kCHK087pVikp-tIbxPiYqoBivuTrrvbZ9WkZMYpg5-dxAEPsr3WVNDwwXc-rnLfy7Tfx9tPTB4G8fvoGS84~z27~O-~Y3ZSsYoWurXDmgkFOH965s82Fdc8aspcggsr7xCMYliJ7~J8R4LmixCHfXjSOWg7dESm5-jnCa4muSu9YkXpPW~-SsUM6uIyWlMIyRnuODULR0-7IKZr6Azgm7v-NtVdFy9ebPYQ-OiT~hKJ4ArlEhuC3T2RUmxisffkqxQkD9qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cullman County Schools Board of Education voted Sept. 11 to approve a request-for-proposal award for athletic-training services following board discussion about rising vendor costs and limited competition for bids.

Dr. Barnett recommended approval of the contract; the agenda summary and subsequent remarks said the district has used Encore (Encore Rehabilitation) for several years. District staff told the board that Encore informed the district it would charge roughly $20,000 per athletic trainer assigned to a campus for the upcoming period.

During discussion, a staff member explained the district had two other companies express interest but that they did not submit bids. The staff member said the recommended contract term was two years and that the district must weigh the importance of athletic trainers against rising costs: \"athletic trainers are extremely important to our for our sports,\" the staff member said, \"But at the same time, we can't allow that cost just to continue to rise.\"

The presenter also noted Encore holds separate contracts to provide physical and occupational therapy services for special-needs students, and that the district paid more than a quarter of a million dollars last year for those therapy contracts. \"We paid them over a quarter of a million dollars on those contracts,\" the presenter said.

A motion to approve the athletic-training RFP passed on a voice vote after the discussion; board members did not read a roll-call tally into the record.

The contract is expected to take effect immediately after signing and cover the current school year; the presenter said the original contract suggested an August 1 start and would run through July 31 of the following year. Board members said they would monitor costs and consider alternatives if prices continue to rise.","Cullman County Schools approved a contract to continue athletic trainer services with Encore; the district expects to pay about $20,000 per trainer on campus and discussed concerns about rising vendor costs and contract duration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473072,"Cullman County Schools board adopts $140 million 2025–26 budget after final public hearing",985,313000,1298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b&start=313&end=1298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760724-fc85fa00bbe878579833823d50e8810b/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6473072/Alabama/Cullman-County-Schools-board-adopts-140-million-202526-budget-after-final-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473072-8e6f6c578930999232265271d93c598f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773711860&Signature=gWa0IUwIBmi5aogDP9HDo9b5rEYDz9M~QA0QuGxFr0n2Xyc8PrEbngRKvduzKvEANMOdN0Pf9wzWD6YHKgFZ2ERtEfeZg~CZqCkaAY2Yec-xugi9XXFJ4yn~6uHRCe0DTsB31YCmkLPwWlRj4UAlV6~aOrMXfpylcPPunaR23wh3uBs-jvgaypJXnPx9OdpmRRJYLKrD0weE2h~kxPOpEKr~FFFNJ-iev6Beh6xq~C1jtgzr06elfJnxduXmVRMMnIlbmuRschmWOvAO5HPJTW1KQm0OTefXCJme54Kmro~DboLCEaAUp4GSJMBF3NwBvL5HBcZOayabqzsD3pGnzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a final public budget hearing Sept. 11, the Cullman County Schools Board of Education approved the district's 2025–26 budget, with the board voting to adopt the plan after a presentation on revenue and expenditure changes.

Miss Barriman, the district's finance presenter, told the board that average daily membership had fallen and that \"units went down about 3.6,\" while ADM declined about 4.8 students. She said the district's total state foundation funds rose by about $159,000 but that a change in the state funding model moved previously separate allocations for gifted, English-language learners and at-risk students into the RAISE program. \"So something important to say, even though the revenue is up, that's earmarked,\" Barriman said.

Barriman said the district is budgeting roughly $140,000,000 in total revenues for all funds — general, special revenues, capital projects and debt service — an increase of about $7,500,000 from the prior year. She described the composition of the increase: state revenues up about $3,600,000 and local revenues up about $2,100,000, driven in part by higher ad valorem assessments and slightly stronger sales-tax collections.

The district expects a $1,400,000 increase in the overall foundation program, but Barriman said much of that reflects the district's local match: \"the actual total amount we're actually getting from the state is only up 159,000.\" She also described changes to targeted programs: the district will have more reading and math coaches (12 reading coaches, eight math coaches this year compared with one math coach last year) and will expand OSR pre-K slots (18 vs. 13 last year).

On capital and fleet funding, Barriman said state fleet-renewal funding covers $7,581 per bus for 10 years (about $75,000), which is only about half the cost of a bus. For that reason, the district plans to pay for upcoming buses with A&T (Appropriation and Transfer) funds rather than financing them: \"we're actually paying for those instead of financing them because we're not getting enough fleet renewal funds as it is to pay for the financing we already have,\" she said.

Barriman provided a breakdown of the district's local half-cent sales tax projection of $6,100,000, noting that about 60% of that would fund instruction and technology and roughly 20% would be sent to schools and 20% used for facilities and maintenance. She also explained that some recently received supplemental appropriations (including about $10.6 million in A&T funds for textbooks, pre-K and summer/after-school programs) are already in the district's accounts and will make beginning balances higher in the coming fiscal year.

On expenditures, Barriman said the proposed general fund spending increased by about 11.9 percent year over year. She told the board that salaries increased roughly 3 percent because employees moved up step increases, while benefits rose about 10 percent largely because PHIP health insurance contributions and retirement rates increased. \"PHIP went up from, $800 a month, $9,600 a year per employee to $10,008.48 per employee,\" she said.

Barriman said the district plans to end the year with roughly $33,000,000 in the general fund (about 91 days of operating reserves). \"I tried to be very conservative with revenues and a little high on expenditures,\" she told the board, noting that many new funds are earmarked for specific uses.

Dr. Barnett, superintendent, recommended adoption of the budget; a board member moved to approve, another seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote.

The board packet included school-by-school allocation reports, personnel counts by funding source and lists of projects to be funded from capital and A&T monies. Barriman identified those materials as available to board members for review and said the packet included a narrative and the actual budget with definitions.

The board did not attach new conditions to the budget approval at the meeting. Barriman and other speakers noted the district will revisit earmarks with legislators: \"We'll talk to the state legislator,\" one board member said during discussion of restricted funds.

Votes at the meeting were taken by voice; no roll-call tallies were read into the record.

The board approved the 2025–26 budget and then moved on to a series of consent and action items later in the meeting.","At a Sept. 11 meeting, the Cullman County Schools Board of Education approved the 2025–26 budget after a final public hearing. The budget reflects a $7.5 million increase in total revenues to about $140 million, with most new state funds earmarked for specific programs and an expected general fund ending balance of about $33 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent changes fall break schedule, urges caution after student struck at crosswalk

Board approves consent items including minutes, personnel, capital plan and federal program applications

Board approves athletic-training contract after discussion over rising costs

Cullman County Schools board adopts $140 million 2025–26 budget after final public hearing