Muscle Shoals school board approves personnel changes, activity and athletic supplements; sets Aug. 5 first day for students

The Muscle Shoals School Board approved a personnel report that listed retirements, resignations, new hires, transfers and contract corrections and also approved activity and athletic supplement appointments for the 2025–26 school year at its regular meeting.

The personnel report presented by Dr. Holden, superintendent, included retirements and resignations for staff such as Stacy Craft (CNP staff, McBride Middle School) and Millie Elliot (school counselor, shared position), and employment recommendations including Matthew Bonds (assistant principal, Muscle Shoals High School) and several counseling and special education hires. The board approved the personnel report by voice vote after a motion and second.

Why it matters: personnel actions change who will be working directly with students and affect school operations as the district enters a year with “30 plus retirements,” new leadership placements and extended contracts for counselors. Dr. Holden said institute for staff will be July 31 and that the first day of school for students is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Most important facts: The personnel report listed multiple categories: retirements/resignations, new hires, transfers/reassignments (including several counselors moved to extended contracts of 208 or 240 days), temporary and part-time contracts to cover leaves, and corrections to previously approved contract details. The board separately approved the 2025–26 activity and athletic supplement appointments for coaches and sponsors after the positions and amounts had been approved at a prior meeting.

Board action and votes: The superintendent recommended approval of the personnel report and the activity/athletic supplement appointments. Members made motions and seconds and the board voted to approve the agenda items by voice vote; the record shows the motions carried.

Other details noted by the superintendent: Dr. Holden congratulated Todd Meckis on an election to a technology association leadership role for the state and noted Dr. Templeton had been in Washington, D.C., advocating for special education. Dr. Holden also thanked Dr. Nichols for her service and referenced leadership changes across the district as a result of many retirements.

Discussion versus decision: The meeting record shows the personnel report and the supplement appointments were presented and approved; there is no transcripted debate or dissent about the personnel items in the record. Several contract start-date corrections and clarifications were read aloud and noted as corrections or informational items for the board’s packet.

What’s next: Institute for staff was announced as July 31 and the first day for students as Aug. 5; further administrative details and school-year operational matters were not part of the formal vote recorded in the personnel action.

(For a full listing of names, positions and contract clarifications, see the board packet referenced in the meeting.)