Morgan County Board of Education took on another formidable challenge to resolve its financial difficulties by adopting a multi-million local education Improvement Plan (LEA) at its regular meeting Thursday night.

The plan, which was presented by chief schools financial officer John Godwin, calls

for operational expenditure cuts totaling $3.4 million in fiscal 2012. Of this amount, $1.8 would be added to the reserve fund and the remainder would be used to offset a year-to-year anticipated loss of $1.5 million.

The move is in keeping with a State Board of Education requirement that school systems have enough money in reserve equal to one month’s operating expenses. School systems not meeting the requirement are mandated to submit an LEA Improvement Plan.

Morgan County Schools have a current reserve balance of about $1 million, or $4 million less that the required amount, according to Godwin.

The LEA plan consists of eight parts, as follows: Consolidation of Ryan School ($500,000), staff reductions ($1.8 million), use of capital outlay money to pay debt service ($500,000), recover indirect costs from federal funds and Child Nutrition Program ($316,000), use federal funding for salaries whenever possible, delay large expenditures for building repairs and maintenance, reduce money from general fund to pay for CNP labor and benefits, and reduce utility usage by 10 percent ($218,000).

“These are things we can do and have done in the past, partially,” Godwin said, “and we’ll look at other ways as to reduce costs.”

“This will add about $1.8 million to the reserve and is a step in the right direction,” he added, “but we still have a long way to go.”

Board member Jimmy Dobbs said he believes the plan is attainable but getting the reserve back up to $5 million is going to take some time.

“The forecasts I’m hearing indicates that the economy is not going to get much better for three more years,” he said.

“Utility costs today are 20 percent higher than they were at the beginning of last fiscal year,” pointed out board member Jeff McLemore. “That means utility costs will have to be lowered 30 percent in order to meet the plan’s 10 percent goal. That’s going to be very difficult.”

The school boards acted on other matters as follows:

• Approved a request from Brewer High School to allow out-of-state travel for 80 ROTC students. They will travel to Topten, N.C.  for a whitewater rafting trip designed to enhance teamwork and water skills Sept. 1-2.

•Approved revised and/or new school board policies as follows: DJCA (payroll schedule), EBH/KG (use of school facilities by Morgan County Parks and Recreation), GBD (professional staff hiring), GBRIE (leave of absence) JCDD (electronic devices), and KG/EBH (use of school facilities).

•Approved the annual Morgan County 7-on-7 competition, hosted by Brewer High School on July 30.

• Adopted a resolution to certify listed private roads and driveways as transportation routes, in meeting with the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Act criteria.

• Approved the 2011-2012 salary schedule for Morgan County Schools.

• Approved payment of $11,500 to the Alabama Association of School Boards for 2011-2012 membership dues.

• Approved a request form Kari Dunn to conduct a cheer clinic at Priceville High School July 19-22.

• Approved the 2011-2012 LEA Improvement Plan for Morgan County Schools.

• Approved a request from Doug Oldacre to contuct the 2011 Hawks Basketball Camp at Danville High School July 18-22.

The following personnel items were approved on the recommendation of the superintendent:

• Approved revision of the Brewer High School supplement listing to read Jonathon Lacy as receiving $1,600 supplement and Richard Stewart as receiving an $800 supplement for football coaching duties performed at Lacey’s Spring School during the 2010-2011 season.

• Approved the listing of 2011 Title I summer program teachers/bus drivers and 2011 summer Title I and Title III tutors.

• Approved request for catastrophic leave of absence as needed for Janice Turney, secretary at the Central Office, effective July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012.

• Approved the reassignment of Joan Sinclair from countywide speech teacher at West Morgan Elementary School to Priceville Elementary School, effective Aug. 9. This is a reassignment of school served.

• Approved the reassignment of Susie Crow from countrywide SPE aide to countywide pre-school aide at Danville-Neel Elementary School, effective Aug. 9. She will be replacing Marcie Vest who was non-renewed.

• Approved the re-employment of Frankie Flack as countywide bus driver for Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9. He is replacing Marcie Vest who was non-renewed.

• Approved a request for leave of absence without pay from Jessica Bankester, countywide SLP, effective Aug. 9 through Nov. 22.

• Approved a nurse contract, effective June 21-23, July 12-14 and 19-21, between the Morgan County Board of Education and Anita Fisher. She will serve as a nurse during the 2011 extended year program at Sparkman School.

• Approved the reassignment of Mica Rabb from countywide TAG teacher at West Morgan Elementary School to countywide TAG teacher at Priceville Elementary School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the following contracts for the Extended Year Program at Sparkman School, effective June 14-16, June 21-23, July 12-14 and July 19-21: Saundra Cobb and Marian Anderson, both teacher contracts; Diana Mason, Rhonda Smith and Cynthia Hill, all aide contracts; and Rhonda Morrow, nurse contract.

• Approved transfer of Charlotte King from secretary at the Central Office to secretary (11 month) at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 1. She is replacing Del Cooper who resigned.

• Accepted notice of retirement from Kim Beck, auto body instructor at Brewer High School, effective July 6.

• Approved a request for a leave of absence without pay for Lori Pinkerton, SPE support staff at Brewer High School, effective March 15-25, and March 30-May 20.

• Approved the reassignment of Michael Drinkard from world history teacher to world history/environmental science teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 8.

• Approved the reassignment of Rhonda Slater from environmental science/human anatomy teacher  to chemistry teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Allodia Brown from advanced geometry/geometry teacher to advanced geometry/algebra II and ACCESS teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approve the reassignment of Margaret Willis from resource and English teacher to English 10, 12 and AOD teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Carole Sharp from French and English teacher to English II teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Derrick Garrison from ACCESS/U.S. history I and world history teacher to U.S. history/world history teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

•  Approved the reassignment of Tim Sharp from geometry/algebra II and algebraic connections teacher to algebraic connections/robotics teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Rhonda Booth from English II PRE-AP/English II teacher to English 12 AP/English 12/DE English teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Gary Linderman from geometryB/geometry teacher to geometry/algebra IB teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Julie Thrasher from pre-calculus/algebra IA/calculus teacher to pre-calculus/DE calculus/ACCESS teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Johnnia Linderman from English 10/environmental science teacher to zoology/environmental science teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Lori Oden from English 12 AP/English 10 teacher to English 10/ English II PRE-AP teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Nelda Coker from driver’s education/zoology teacher to driver’s education/environmental science teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Kathleen Larsen from English 9/English 12/English 12 Adv. teacher to English 9/English 10 teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of David Estes as assistant principal half-time at Cotaco School and half-time at Union Hill School, effective July 1. This relocates Estes due to the closure of Ryan School.

•Approved the transfer of Heather Stidham from countywide SPE teacher to counselor at Cotaco School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Donna Roberts who retired.

• Approved the reassignment of Sandy Sharp from fourth grade teacher to  kindergarten teacher at Cotaco School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the re-employment of Wendy Pike as countywide bus driver for Danville-Neel Elementary School, effective Aug. 9. She will reassume her duties from the 2010-2011 school year.

•Approved the re-employment of Shelly Holmes as half-time Spanish teacher at Danville High School, effective Aug. 9. She will reassume her duties from the 2010-2011 school year.

• Approved the re-employment of Polly Little as SPE teacher to U.S. history teacher at Danville High School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the re-employment of Brandon “Bo” Ozbolt as countywide SPE support staff at Danville High School, effective Aug. 9. He is replacing Tony Nicolas who was non-renewed.

• Approved the transfer of Dawn Stiles from reading coach at Falkville Elementary School to SPE teacher at Falkville High School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Larry Raper who transferred.

• Approved the transfer of Pat Simpson from math resource teacher at Eva and Falkville Elementary Schools to countywide reading coach at Falkville Elementary School, Effective Aug. 9, 2011. She is replacing Dawn Stiles who is transferring.

• Approved Kim Woods as a fourth grade teacher at Eva School, effective Aug. 9. She was transferred to Eva on June 1 as unassigned.

• Accepted notice of resignation from Ginger Hume as technology representative at Falkville High School, effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

• Approved the reassignment of Amelia Canon from ESL teacher at Lacey’s Spring School to ESL teacher at Lacey’ Spring School and Brewer High School (two afternoons per week), effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the transfer of Michelle Johnson from CNP worker at Priceville Elementary School to CNP assistant manager at Priceville High School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Susan Holloway who transferred.

• Accepted notice of retirement from Jerry Nelms, bus driver at Priceville Elementary School, effective Aug. 1.

• Approved the employment of Kelly Gates as counselor at Priceville Junior High School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Terry White who is deceased.

• Approved the reassignment of Dennis Morris from assistant principal at Priceville High School to half-time assistant principal at Priceville High School and half-time assistant principal at Priceville Junior High School, effective July 15. He is replacing Mark Nelson who transferred.

• Approved the reassignment of Melissa Ozbolt from unassigned to first grade teacher at Sparkman School, effective Aug 9. She was transferred to Sparkman School on June 2, 2011, as unassigned.

• Accepted notice of resignation from Charleston Wilson as a special education teacher at Sparkman School, effective Aug. 1.

• Accepted notice of resignation from Phyllis Crawford as yearbook sponsor at Union Hill School, effective June 1, 2011.

• Accepted notice of resignation from Amber Robinson as cheerleading sponsor at Union Hill School, effective June 2.

• Approved Celisa Dooley as a fourth/fifth grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9. She was transferred to Union Hill School as unassigned on June 1.

• Approved the reassignment of Margaret Laughmiller from fifth grade to fourth grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Amber Robinson from sixth grade teacher to first grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Kelley Smith from third grade teacher to first grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Beverly Stephens from kindergarten teacher to third grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved the reassignment of Annette Hamilton from countywide SPE support staff at Sparkman School to countywide SPE support staff at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved Christi Day as a sixth grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year. She is filling in for Tara Forrest who is on leave.

• Approved Kristy Oldacre as a kindergarten teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9. This is a new position.

• Approved Jennifer Blocker as a third grade teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9. This is a new position.

• Approved the reassignment of Jessica Wheeler from countywide TAG teacher to kindergarten teacher at Union Hill School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Beverly Stephens who is transferring.

• Approved the re-employment of Melissa Baxter as office/ISSD aide at West Morgan Elementary School, effective July 1, 2011. She is reassuming her duties from the 2010-2011 school year.

• Accepted notice of resignation from Jimmy Parker as head basketball coach at West Morgan Middle School, effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

• Approved the employment of Brett Mooneyham as a fifth/sixth grade teacher at West Morgan Middle School, effective Aug. 9. He is replacing Annie Estes who resigned.

• Approved Diane King and Melanie Dickerson as High Hopes tutors at West Morgan High School, effective June 29 through July 8. Their salaries will come from the school’s High Hopes funds.

• Approved the transfer of Natosha Banks from counselor at West Morgan Middle School to counselor at West Morgan High School, effective Sept. 1. She is replacing Rita Jackson who was non-renewed.

• Approved the reassignment of Melonie Stinson from countywide SEDA worker to countywide SPE support staff at Cotaco School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Cheryl Lecroy who retired.

• Approved the reassignment of Cam Harris from countywide SEDA worker to countywide SPE support staff at Sparkman School, effective Aug. 9.

• Approved Cristen Black as a first grade teacher at Union Hill School for the 2011-2012 school year. She is filling in for Carrie Warden who is on leave.

• Accepted notice of resignation from Angela Tucker, secretary/bookkeeper at Sparkman School, effective July 1.

• Approved Melea Garner as a sixth grade teacher at Falkville High School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Pamelia Holmes who retired.

• Approved Julianne Moore as a half-time seventh and eighth grade English teacher at Falkville High School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing June Evans who retired.

• Accepted the resignation of Debra Harvel as counselor at Priceville Elementary School, effective July 5.

• Approved Jared Miner as a general science teacher at Brewer High School, effective Aug. 9, 2011.  He is replacing Chad Kelsoe who transferred.

• Approved the reassignment of Kim Colwell to ACCESS/Stars teacher at the Learning Center, effective Aug. 9, 2011.

• Approved Ben Estes as a history teacher at Priceville High School, effective Aug. 9, 2011. He is replacing Phillip Banks who transferred.

• Approved Josh Sawyer as a general science teacher at Priceville High School, effective Aug. 9. He is replacing Clint Putman who was non-renewed.

• Approved Shannon Hulse as a kindergarten teacher at Sparkman School, effective for the 2011-2012 school year. She is filling in for Jana Byrd who is on leave.

• Approved Monica Doherty as a half-time computer teacher at Danville Middle School, effective Aug. 9. She is replacing Len Williamson who retired