Calhoun County Board approves MOU with Big Brothers Big Sisters, multiple personnel actions and 365‑day student expulsion

The Calhoun County Board of Education on Monday approved a memorandum of understanding with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Alabama, a salary‑adjustment agreement related to occupational therapists, multiple personnel appointments and separations, and voted to expel a student for 365 days.

Superintendent (name not specified) introduced the items during a special called meeting and recommended approval of the Tab 1 MOU, saying, "This is an agreement we've been in for several years. They do good work. It's my recommendation that we approve that as listed under Tab 1." The board moved, seconded and the chair called for the ayes; the minutes record the motion carried.

The board approved several other items the superintendent recommended: a salary adjustment under Tab 2 (the superintendent described the change as the product of attorney and AEA review and noted it related to past changes affecting occupational therapists); a mediation agreement under Tab 3; and a multi‑page personnel list under Tab 4 that the superintendent characterized as appointments the district had posted and vetted.

On personnel, the board approved three resignations/retirements listed under Personnel Tab 4a and approved a principal contract offer under Tab 4b. The superintendent said the district would offer a two‑year probationary principal contract and that the board would approve contract details at the regular board meeting on May 15. The superintendent made the motion for the contract recommendation; Mr. George moved and Mr. Mange seconded the motion as recorded during the meeting.

Board members and staff discussed the district’s practice of posting vacancies as "at large" before a school assignment is finalized. The superintendent explained some postings are non‑school specific because the district is awaiting official nonrenewal or retirement decisions and said the district will change postings to school specific once the assignment is finalized. The superintendent described keeping positions open until filled and noted that doing so in prior years helped the district recruit candidates earlier in the cycle.

The board entered executive session to discuss the "good name and character of certain board employees or students," reconvened, and the superintendent recommended expelling a student for 365 days. A motion and second followed and the chair called for the ayes; the minutes record the motion carried.

Votes at a glance • Motion: Approve MOU with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Alabama (Tab 1). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: not specified in minutes. Vote tally: not specified; the board called for ayes and the motion carried. • Motion: Approve salary adjustment agreement relating to occupational therapists (Tab 2). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: not specified. Vote tally: not specified. • Motion: Approve mediation agreement (Tab 3). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: not specified. Vote tally: not specified. • Motion: Approve personnel list (Tab 4). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: not specified. Vote tally: not specified. • Motion: Approve personnel resignations/retirements (Tab 4a). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: Mr. Mange (mover) and second (recorded but name not specified). Vote tally: not specified. • Motion: Approve principal contract recommendation (Tab 4b) to offer a two‑year probationary principal contract and ratify details at the May 15 general meeting. Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover: Mr. George. Second: Mr. Mange. Vote tally: not specified. • Motion: Enter executive session to discuss character/good name of employees or students. Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: not specified. Vote tally: not specified. • Motion: Expel a student for 365 days. Outcome: approved (motion carried). Mover/second: not specified. Vote tally: not specified.

Context and next steps The superintendent told the board the salary adjustment reflected negotiations with the district’s attorneys and the Alabama Education Association; the transcript records that attorneys and AEA reached the agreement but does not provide the dollar amounts or individual salary figures. The superintendent also explained the district’s practice of posting vacancies "at large" when retirements or nonrenewals are anticipated and converting postings to school‑specific once the assignment is final. The principal contract’s details will be posted to the agenda and acted on at the May 15 general board meeting, per the superintendent.

The board president and members also distributed a community brochure the district developed; the superintendent said staff and community partners contributed photos and content and the packet will be made available to the public. The meeting adjourned following routine closing business.

Direct quotes in this story are drawn from the meeting transcript and are attributed to speakers listed in the board minutes. Vote tallies were not read into the record in the transcript; where the transcript records only a voice vote the minutes record "All in favor, aye" and "Motion carries."