When Russellville Middle School science and robotics teacher Lee Brownell was recognized last year as the South's BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Teacher of the Year, that accolade did not go unnoticed.
Brownell caught the eye of University of North Alabama officials who were looking to hire an additional specialist for the school's AMSTI (Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Initiative) program.
So when Brownell was recognized by the Russellville City Board of Education last Thursday, it was as 'former' RMS teacher Lee Brownell. The board accepted Brownell's resignation in position, effective January 25, 2015, as he will become part of UNA's AMSTI program.
“We're proud of him for getting this great opportunity to work at UNA with AMSTI but we certainly hate to lose him,” RCS Superintendent Rex Mayfield said. “We look forward to his continued involvement with our system through his new job as facilitator for that program.”
Brownell's resignation was one of several personnel moves approved by the board, including Mayfield's resignation, effective July 31, 2015. A leave of absence request was approved for Nicole Henderson, special education teacher at RMS, from March 5-April 10, 2015.
The board approved a resignation in supplement from John J. Dugan as RMS girls and boys tennis coach, effective January 7, 2015, and approved employment in supplement for Kevin England in the same position.
The board approved temporary employment in position for Casey Fuller Guynn as RMS science teacher, from January 26-May 22, 2015.
Rose Mary Beard and Janice Pennington were approved as substitutes.
The board approved two paid athletic consultants for this spring, including Torey Baird for junior varsity baseball and Sander Tverberg for RMS baseball. Maximm payment for Baird will be $2,800 and for Tverberg, $1,500, which shall be paid by the baseball booster club.
Cam DeArman was approved as a volunteer for the RHS golf program.
In other action, the board:
--recognized RMS choral students Patrick Crummie, Elizabeth Pierce, Haylee Hamilton, Lexie Glass, Sarah Grace Kimbrough and Ashton Shipley for All-State Choral honors.
--approved facility use requests for RHS Auditorium for Addie's Flip, Tip & Tap on May 16, 2015, and RHS Field House for FBLA-sponsored Ronnie McDowell Fan Club event on March 21, 2015.
--approved a resolution to present to the Russellville City Council to urge them to call and conduct an election on the renewal and continuation of the 7.8 mill special ad valorem school tax currently levied and collected by the City of Russellville.
“We get 17.8 mill for the school system, but 10 mill of that doesn't expire until 2027. The 7.8 mill expires in 2016, so it's up for renewal and will be voted on by City of Russellville residents,” Mayfield said.
