SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga Board of Education met Tuesday, April 21, recognizing students and staff, approving personnel changes, and handling routine financial and operational business.
The board received a Certificate of League of Innovative Schools. Assistant principals and librarians from Sylacauga City Schools were introduced and recognized. Students were also recognized for Art in the Capitol, winners in the 3rd Congressional District competition, and honorees in the Alabama 250 Schools program.
Board members approved the March 2026 payroll, accounts payable, and Child Nutrition Program accounts payable. They also approved Pinecrest Americans with Disabilities Act restroom upgrades, an outdoor canopy, and the Sylacauga High School back entry bid. In addition, the board approved the grades 6-12 social studies curriculum adoption for the 2026-27 school year and principal contracts for Gary Rivers, Monte Barron, and Dr. Paula Bruno.
The board accepted the following retirements:
Stacie Blankenship, Indian Valley Elementary School teacher, effective June 1, 2026.
Terry Lunsford, Pinecrest Elementary School gifted teacher, effective June 1, 2026.
Barry Strickland, Pinecrest Elementary School physical education teacher, effective June 1, 2026.
Brenda Durden, Nichols Lawson Middle School custodian, effective July 1, 2026.
Missy McCartney, Sylacauga High School math teacher, effective June 1, 2026.
The following resignations were accepted:
Ashley Johnson, Indian Valley Elementary School teacher, effective end of the 2025-26 school year.
Megan Santos, Indian Valley Elementary School instructional assistant, effective end of the 2025-26 school year.
Michelle Rollins, Indian Valley Elementary School Pre-K instructional assistant, effective end of the 2025-26 school year.
Ashlyn Spates, Pinecrest Elementary School teacher, effective end of the 2025-26 school year.
James Reams, Nichols Lawson Middle School visual arts teacher, effective end of the 2025-26 school year.
Jodie Hosey, Sylacauga High School CTE business education teacher, effective June 2, 2026.
April Lane, Sylacauga High School health science teacher, effective June 2, 2026.
Kaitlyn Sutton, Sylacauga High School CTE business education teacher, effective June 2, 2026.
Chris Theilacker, Sylacauga High School history teacher, effective end of the 2025-26 school year.
Jason Smith, Sylacauga City Schools bus driver, effective April 20, 2026.
The board approved the following employments:
Rachel Scott, Sylacauga High School CTE family and consumer science teacher, effective 2026-27 school year.
Alex Cunningham, Sylacauga High School instructional assistant, effective 2026-27 school year.
Isabella Baker, Sylacauga High School choral/show choir teacher, effective 2026-27 school year.
Emma Hopkins, Indian Valley Elementary School teacher, effective 2026-27 school year.
The board approved Summer 2026 literacy and math camp staff, along with additional work assignments:
Samuel Childs, Sylacauga High School band director 2026 field production, $1,500 one-time supplement paid by SHS Band Boosters.
Seth Harris, Sylacauga High School band camp assistant 2026 field production, $1,000 one-time supplement paid by SHS Band Boosters.
Wrenn Griffith, Sylacauga High School majorette sponsor 2026 field production, $1,000 one-time supplement paid by SHS Band Boosters.
Whitney Wheeler, Sylacauga High School color guard sponsor 2026 field production, $1,000 one-time supplement paid by SHS Band Boosters.
The following supplements were approved:
Additional homebound instructors for the 2025-26 school year.
Joel Jones, Sylacauga High School varsity head boys basketball coach, $1,500 supplement paid by boosters, effective immediately.
Skylar Patterson, Sylacauga High School assistant boys basketball coach, $1,500 supplement paid by boosters, effective immediately.
Christian Twymon, Sylacauga High School assistant boys basketball coach, $1,500 supplement paid by boosters, effective immediately.
Cody Martin, Sylacauga High School volunteer varsity assistant football coach for spring and summer, effective immediately. Supplement to be provided when approved for the 2026-27 school year.
The following transfers were approved:
Jackie Forbus, Pinecrest Elementary School bookkeeper to Sylacauga City Schools central office bookkeeper, effective July 1, 2026.
Lane Strickland, Nichols Lawson Middle School computer science teacher to Pinecrest Elementary School physical education teacher, effective 2026-27 school year.
Jodi Shaw, Pinecrest Elementary School principal to Pinecrest Elementary School gifted teacher, effective 2026-27 school year.
Dr. Paula Bruno, Indian Valley Elementary School principal to Pinecrest Elementary School principal.
Cindy Cleveland, Indian Valley Elementary School assistant principal to Indian Valley Elementary School principal.
The following leaves of absence were approved:
Tiffany Smith, Indian Valley Elementary School teacher, Aug. 17 through Oct. 19, 2026.
Ashley Williamson, Indian Valley Elementary School nurse, catastrophic leave effective immediately through May 29, 2026.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., with a work session at 5:00 p.m.
