1 teacher/coach hired, 1 resigns

By Melinda L. Lucas

One new teacher was hired and a resignation accepted during a special early morning meeting of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Thursday, May 9.

The session was initially planned to canvass the board election held May 4 that seated two new trustees and one incumbent.

The election figures were approved, confirming that Kelly Head retained his Place 5 seat, while Joe Tidwell will assume Place 6 and Kim Neece Place 7.

The trustees will be sworn in for the regular May 20 meeting.

Teacher/Coach Hired

A probationary contract was approved for MJ Vickers Reneau, who will be returning to Albany next fall, according to superintendent Jonathan Scott.

She will again teach junior high math, as well as serving as head volleyball coach.

Other Changes

Scott also reported that there will be a number of changes in staff assignments for the next school year.

With Reneau taking over as junior high math instructor, Richard Sullivan will move to high school technology classes and will also teach a personal finance class.

Kimberly Hill will take over as head girls track coach, a role being vacated by Lauren Peacock, who is moving to a sixth grade English/language arts and social studies position.

Ryder Peacock will continue as athletic director and will also serve as the district’s maintenance director, as well as continuing to coach.

Sarah Moore will move from sixth grade to a second grade classroom to replace Lindsey Edgar, who resigned earlier in the semester.

Lori Warren was hired recently for retiring educator Karen Martin’s spot, but with the resignation of Savannah Maberry, which was accepted last week, Warren will teach first grade instead.

The superintendent said that the role of district librarian and high school counselor is being combined with Jenny Scott serving in that role.

In turn, DeeDee Waggoner will transition to the elementary campus as the school counselor there.

Leigh Lowe is shifting to a district position to manage 504, accelerated instruction, federal programs, counseling, and testing.

“We are still looking for an ELA/theater arts teacher for the secondary campus, a band director, and teachers for the third and fourth grades,” said Scott.