by Perry Lewter

The Limestone County School Board is looking at revising its policy concerning the use of cell phones. Following the lead of neighboring school systems, the policy will allow students and teachers to have cell phones but use them only in emergency situations before or after school. The board was in agreement the policy is in place for those involved in extracurricular activities after school.

The policy, which was approved, will be studied by the review committee for revisions and modification.

The Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority has made several options available for the local school board concerning the wastewater treatment plants at each school. Even though Ardmore, Cedar Hill and the Tech School are in good shape, proposed changes have been projected for the nine other schools in the system. According to one plan, for a yearly fee the water and sewer authority would maintain the wastewater system at each school. Members of that authority presented their plans to the school board at the regular monthly meeting held Monday, August 7, at Clements High School.

New personnel approved at Monday's meeting included: Jody Brown, elementary teacher and Michael Brown, science and physical education teacher, at Clements. Mark Newsom was approved as a physical education teacher at Elkmont while Brenda Carter will be a guidance counselor at Piney Chapel and the Best Academy. Rachel Wright was approved as an elementary teacher at Owens, while John Adams will be an itinerant physical education teacher at Reid and Toney. Haley Colvard will be a new elementary teacher at Reid. April Carter will be a special education inclusion assistant at Tanner while Leah Taylor will serve in that position at West Limestone. Samantha Fleming will be the healthcare science teacher at the Career Technical Center. Tammy Nichols will be a payroll clerk at the central office while Donna Bridges and Luther Dugger will be full-time bus utility workers at the bus garage. Neil Rice will be a bus driver at East Limestone.

Transfers approved at the most recent school board meeting include: Stephanie Coffey from a bus driver at Piney Chapel to a bus driver at Clements; Carla Daws from an elementary teacher at Owens to an intinerant librarian at Elkmont and West Limestone; Linda Hogan from a CNP assistant manager at Elkmont to the CNP manager at Elkmont; and Debbie Moore from a custodian at Cedar Hill to a special education inclusion assistant at Tanner.

Freda Mullins' request for a leave of absence as a CNP worker/assistant at Ardmore School for the entire school year was granted. The retirement of Nancy Childers, a Title I elementary teacher at Tanner, was also approved.

Stacy Robinson and Hannah Shadden were approved to substitute at Piney Chapel and Tanner, respectively.

The board also accepted the resignations of: Jimmy Don Nave, science teacher at Clements; Rudy Griffin, physical education teacher at Elkmont; Susan Pylant, CNP manager at Elkmont; Amanda Farris, special education inclusion assistant at Tanner; Ruth Brewer, bus driver at Tanner; and Cindy Payne, LPN/assistant at Creekside.

Designated assistant principals for the school year are Roger Cobb at Cedar Hill, Rebecca Valenzuela at Johnson, Janice Sutton at Owens, Angie Barnes at Piney Chapel, Brenda Durham at Reid and Gayle Black at the Career Technical Center.

Carol Fields was approved as coordinator and teacher and Terry Holder as teacher with the extended day program at Clements. Terri Black and Sue White will coordinate that program at Creekside with Paulette Hardy serving as an instructional assistant. Lori Hobbs will be extended day staff at Owens.

After school detention teachers are: Thomas Stevenson, Ardmore; David Wilbanks and Terry Holder at Clements; Sharon Daly and Donnie Story at East Limestone; Joey Thompson at Elkmont; Linda Cole, Sharon Garrison and Pasty Poole at Tanner; and Connie Shelton and Riley Wade at West Limestone.

Supplements were approved for the following: Ardmore - Gary Pressley, varsity football assistant and junior girls basketball coach and Anthony Oliver, a junior football coach to be paid by the school; Cedar Hill - Renee Wales, Elementary Scholar's Bowl sponsor; Clements -Michael Brown, varsity football assistant, Junior girls basketball coach and baseball coach; Zach Campbell, varsity boys assistant coach and softball coach; Scott McCormick, varsity girls assistant basketball coach; Josh Davis - junior boys basketball coach, varsity girls track coach, middle school boys basketball coach; Kevin Davis, junior football coach; Dale Welborn, varsity baseball assistant coach to be paid by school; Tammy Gafford, junior girls track coach; Myra Pinson, Junior Beta Club sponsor; Tanya Sockwell, Senior Scholar Bowl coach; Dana Jackson, Junior Scholar Bowl sponsor; Jennifer Mosteller, certified band assistant; Creekside -Leigh Pettus, Elementary Scholar Bowl sponsor; Johnson - LeeAnn Matsos and Nona Adams, 4th/5th Grade Scholar Bowl sponsor; Owens - Kerry Gowan, 4th and 5th Grade Scholar Bowl sponsor; Wesley Kennedy, 6th Grade Scholar Bowl sponsor; Piney Chapel - Angie Barnes, 6th Grade Scholar's Bowl sponsor; Tina Murphy, 6th Grade Scholar Bowl sponsor.

Volunteer assistants for the 2006-2007 school year only are: Ardmore -Mike Emerson and Lucas Beaty, assistant football coaches and Jackie Hodges, assistant volleyball coach; Clements - Brad Bachelor and Jeff Bridges, assistant football coach; Heath Marks, assistant girls basketball coach; Julian Owens, assistant track coach; Mike Van Kirk, assistant softball coach; Elkmont- Brad Brazeal, assistant football coach; Tanner - Jimmy McCrary, Tim Townsend, Richard Adams and Michael Shoulders, assistant football coaches; West Limestone - Don Hughes and Chris Sherrill, assistant baseball coaches; Brandon Wallace, assistant football coach.

The next meeting of the Limestone County School Board will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September