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The announcement of two new principals in the Butler County School System highlighted last Thursday night’s monthly meeting of the Board of Education.

New leaders were approved for both Greenville High School and Georgiana School as the new school year quickly approaches. Jamie Howard was hired as principal of Greenville High School after Joseph Dean voluntarily transferred to Dropout Prevention Advisor, while Deedra Benson was named principal of her alma mater, Georgiana School, replacing Curtis Moorer, who resigned last month.

Following the news, Howard expressed his gratitude for his new position.

“Thank you for this amazing opportunity to serve Greenville High School,” he said. “When I go somewhere, I am invested, and I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you.”

Keeping the students in mind, Howard touched on his goals.

“I am extremely excited to work with students; that’s why I’m here,” he said. “One goal, fairly lofty, but attainable, I would like for Greenville High School to be one of the top schools in the State of Alabama.”

Benson, who has been serving as assistant principal at Greenville Middle School, was also pleased with her new role in the district, and is looking forward to the new year.

“As most of you know, I graduated from Georgiana School,” Benson said. “I am looking forward to getting back to my roots and leading by example with everyone following behind.”

Before the meeting, retired employees were recognized at a dinner and reception hosted by the BOE.

“It was an honor to have that ceremony because these people have given their life to the school system,” Superintendent Dr. John Strycker said as he thanked the teachers.

Looking forward to the new school year, Administrative Assistant of Curriculum and Instruction Donna Ash presented a positive report.

“We are not there yet, however, we are not where we were last year,” she said.

Working tirelessly alongside the educators, Ash believes that the staff is prepared for a better year.

“Just in this summer alone, our teachers and administrators, myself included, have been involved in 2,000 hours of professional development alone,” she said. “Lawyers do it, doctors do it and professional educators do it.”

Ash concluded by giving her reasoning behind the many hours devoted to the development.

“We seek out professional development because if we teach students today with the practices of yesterday, then we rob them of tomorrow,” she said. “We are not going to do that because the students of Butler County deserve better.”

In new business, a 4 percent Legislative increase of salary was approved, as well as the personnel report. As the new school year quickly approaches, a rather long list of educators will be joining the BOE for the upcoming year.

The full personnel report is as follows:

Retirement

• Greta Whiddon, Dropout Prevention Advisor, Greenville High School
• Joseph Dean, Principal, Greenville High School (Effective June 30, 2020)

Resignations

• De’Chete Gordon, Health Teacher, Greenville High School
• Mary Sims, Instructional Aide, Greenville High School
• Jihan Bradley, Science Teacher, Greenville Middle School
• Selena Brown, Elementary Teacher, McKenzie School
• Jennifer Folmer, Elementary Teacher, W.O. Parmer Elementary School
• Ryan Waters, P. E. Teacher, W.O. Parmer Elementary School
• Daniel Nowell, Driver’s Education Teacher, Greenville High School

Voluntary Transfer

• Joseph Dean, voluntary transfer from Principal, Greenville High School to Dropout Prevention Advisor, Greenville High School

Re-Employment

• Trina Curry, Custodian, Greenville High School (Effective July 1, 2019)
• Annette Lynch, CNP Worker, McKenzie School

Employment

• Deedra Benson, Principal, Georgiana School (voluntary transfer from Assistant Principal, Greenville Middle School)
• Jamie Howard, Principal, Greenville High School
• Herbert “Eddie” Dean, Health Teacher, Greenville High School
• Min Zhu, Math Teacher, Greenville High School
• Joshua Beverly, History Teacher, Greenville High School
• Carter Wilson, Industrial Maintenance Teacher, Greenville High School
• Kaitlyn Stacks, Elementary Teacher, Greenville Middle School
• Mekasa Taylor, Elementary Teacher, Greenville Middle School
• M. Keith Hocutt, Career Tech Teacher, Greenville Middle School
• Derrick Atkins, History Teacher, Greenville Middle School (voluntary transfer from Special Education Services Aide, Greenville Middle School)
• JaVarrius Cheatham, Science Teacher, Greenville Middle School
• Brian Smith, Special Education Services Aide, Greenville Middle School
• Tracey Hendrick, Elementary Teacher, W.O. Parmer Elementary School
• Elizabeth Richelle Tracy, Elementary Teacher, W.O. Parmer Elementary School
• Malcolm Buggs, Elementary Teacher, McKenzie School
• Karen Jones, Bright Beginnings Pre-K Instructional Aide, Greenville Campus
• Moneattie Pryor, Bus Driver Transportation Department
• Billy Black, Utility Worker, Transportation Department

Leave of Absence Requests

• Joseph Dean, Principal, Greenville High School (Medical Leave — Family Member effective immediately through Sept. 19)
• Charlene Godwin, Elementary Teacher, W.O. Parmer Elementary School (Leave of absence for 2019-20 school year)

Coaching Supplement

• Karen Owens, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Greenville High School

The Butler County School System will resume classes on Monday, Aug. 5.