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The Butler County Board of Education held a regular scheduled meeting on June 29 at 6:00 p.m. and began with a discussion of the State’s Audit Exit Report.

Miranda Bonner, Chief Financial Executive (CFE) with the State of Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, summarized the results of the agency’s audit of the school system’s fiscal period ending Sept. 30, 2022 to the board. According to Bonner, the audit aimed  to determine whether the system’s financial statements accurately represent the Greenville schools’ financial position and results of financial operations, and whether the board complied with applicable laws and regulations, including those pertaining to its major federal financial assistance programs.

Bonner said the board’s financial statements did fairly portray the system’s operations but noted an instance of noncompliance with state and local laws was found. According to the Schedule of State and Local Compliance, “The Board failed to comply with all the requirements of the Code of Alabama 1975, Title 39, commonly known as the Public Works Law, which includes construction, repairs, and renovations.”

The results of these findings can be found on the State of Alabama’s website at  www.examiners.alabama.gov. 

In other school news, the board discussed its search for qualified educators to fill vacant positions. According to Superintendent Joseph Eiland, Butler County is in great need of teachers. 

“We have no control over resignations and retirements, but we are feeling these losses tremendously,” he said. 

Eiland described the Alabama Teacher Apprenticeship program that is still in the works. The program is designed to help future teachers begin their career early. With enough college credit hours taken, an aspiring teacher can start teaching before college graduation. The program is set to begin in August of 2024. 

Board member Michael Nimmer also shared his thoughts on the retirement of Coach Carlton Edwards from Georgiana School. 

“This one really hurts,” he said. “Words can’t explain what an asset Coach Edwards has been to our school system, and we wish him all the best. Some people are not replaceable.” 

Board member Wayne Boswell added, “Even with a $7,500 signing bonus offered by Selma City Schools, they are still unable to fill over 20 positions that they have open.   We’re asking the community to help us in finding qualified applicants to teach our children.”

For employment inquiries, questions, or concerns, citizens can visit the Butler County Board of Education at 211 School Highland Road, call (334) 382-2665, or visit the website at www.butlerco.k12.al.us.