Members of the Pike County Board of Education received recognition from local school principals during National School Board Appreciation Month. In a heartfelt ceremony, principals from various schools presented gifts to the board members and Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell, expressing gratitude for their leadership and commitment to education.
Participating institutions included the Troy-Pike Center for Technology, Banks School, Goshen Elementary School, Pike County Elementary School, Pike County High School, and Goshen High School. After the presentations, the board convened for its regularly scheduled January meeting.
Travel Requests Approved for Upcoming Events
During the meeting, the board approved several travel requests aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students and staff. Notable approvals included a matching fund request of up to $15,000 for the Goshen High School Varsity Cheerleaders’ trip to the Nationals in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for January 27-31, 2026.
Additionally, various staff members were granted permission to attend significant conferences and meetings. For instance, Mike Johnson will attend the 2026 Spec Committee Meeting in Trussville, Alabama, from February 17-19, 2026. The funding for this travel comes from the General Funds.
Other travel requests included participation in the following events:
– The Alabama Association of School Business Officials Program in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from February 9-12, 2026.
– The Health Occupation Students of America State Leadership Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, scheduled for February 26-27, 2026.
– The Alabama VEX V5 Robotics Competition in Auburn, Alabama, on February 20-21, 2026.
Personnel Changes and Approvals
The board also addressed personnel matters during the meeting. They approved Catastrophic Leave for two staff members: Sarah Garner, a Special Education Teacher at Goshen High School, and Christie Newman, a Bus Driver. Garner’s leave is retroactive to December 17, 2025, while Newman’s leave will begin on January 12, 2026 for a duration of 30 days.
Resignations were accepted from several staff members, including Lakiyah Blair, a CNP Worker at Banks, effective January 8, 2026, and Miranda Knight, a Cosmetology Teacher at the Troy-Pike Center for Technology, effective December 31, 2025.
New hires were also announced, including Amira Vinson as a Bus Driver and Jennifer Kurtz as a Teacher at Goshen Elementary School. Other new positions included Justin Cope, a Physical Education Teacher at Pike County High School, and Lara Lea Jones, a Science Teacher at Goshen High School.
The meeting concluded with discussions on funding for various programs, including a $2,500 stipend for Daniel Phillips to maintain the athletic complex at Pike County High School from January to May 2026.
The board’s actions reflect a commitment to supporting both the educational framework and the well-being of its students and staff as they prepare for a busy and enriching year ahead.
