Members of the Pike County Board of Education were honored by local school principals during National School Board Appreciation Month. The recognition occurred at the board’s January meeting, where principals from various schools presented gifts to board members and Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell as a token of appreciation for their service.
Schools taking part in the celebration included the Troy-Pike Center for Technology, Banks School, Goshen Elementary School, Pike County Elementary School, Pike County High School, and Goshen High School. Following the presentations, the board transitioned into its regular meeting agenda.
The board approved multiple travel requests, totaling significant financial commitments. Among the notable approvals, the board agreed to match fundraising efforts up to $15,000 for the Goshen High School Varsity Cheerleader trip to Nationals in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for January 27-31, 2026.
Other travel requests included:
– A trip for Mike Johnson to attend the 2026 Spec Committee Meeting in Trussville, Alabama, from February 17-19, 2026, funded by General Funds.
– Attendance by Ken Wesley and Amanda Hinton at the Alabama Association of School Business Officials Program in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from February 9-12, 2026, also funded by General Funds.
– A delegation, led by Teresa Webb, to the Health Occupation Students of America State Leadership Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 26-27, 2026.
The board also approved funding for various educational trips, including a visit to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab for ninth grade biology students on April 10, 2026, and attendance at the National Future Farmers of America Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 20-23, 2026.
In terms of personnel actions, the board granted catastrophic leave for several staff members, including Sarah Garner, a Special Education Teacher, and Christie Newman, a Bus Driver. The board accepted resignations from various employees, including Lakiyah Blair, a CNP Worker at Banks, and Miranda Knight, a Cosmetology Teacher at the Troy-Pike Center for Technology.
New staff appointments were also approved, including:
– Jennifer Kurtz as a Teacher at Goshen Elementary School
– Justin Cope as a Physical Education Teacher at Pike County High School
– Jimmy Godwin as a SPED Instructional Aide at Pike County High School
The board allocated a $2,500 stipend for Daniel Phillips to maintain the athletic complex at Pike County High School for the first operational year, running from January to May 2026.
These actions reflect the board’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives and recognizing the contributions of its members, ensuring that the needs of students and staff are prioritized.
