Franklin County Schools’ tri-annual asbestos report reveals no violations

A recent inspection of asbestos inside Franklin County Schools showed the system is in compliance with no violations at any campus.

Assistant Superintendent of Education Johnny Cleveland presented the results of the system’s three-year asbestos inspection to the Franklin County Schools Board of Education at its June 9th meeting. 

Cleveland, who is certified as the system’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Asbestos Coordinator, said the inspection of each school shows no existing asbestos to have been disturbed, and that all asbestos was covered with no signs of breaking off.

To remain compliant with AHERA regulations, asbestos re-inspections must be conducted at least every three years.

Both the inspection report and Franklin County Schools’ asbestos management plan are available for public inspection at the Central Office in downtown Russellville. The system is allowed up to five working days to make the report and/or plan available upon request by parents, staff or the public. 

In Alabama, school systems are supported by the University of Alabama’s Alabama Safe State program, which offers tools and resources to assist the systems in remaining AHERA compliant.

Superintendent Greg Hamilton expressed his appreciation to Cleveland for his work in making sure Franklin County Schools remains compliant on its Asbestos Management Plan.

Hamilton gave the board an update on the system’s summer education programs and the number of students participating. There are 152 students in the Summer Reading and Math program, 350 in the 21st Century Learning Program and 23 in Summer School Recovery and ACT Spanish program.

Other agenda items at the short June 9th meeting included:

—approval of $900 compensation to Sherry Leigh Smith, Yearbook Sponsor at East Franklin Junior High School as a yearbook supplement for the 2025-26 school year. EFJHS will reimburse the Franklin County Board of Education the $900 plus applicable benefits.

—approval of the following personnel moves: RETIREMENT of Donnie Hastings, teacher, Red Bay High School. EMPLOYMENT of Lindsey Kelley, teacher Tharptown Elementary, Kevin Armstrong, math teacher RBHS, Gracie Montgomery, general science teacher Tharptown High School, Brooke Williams Knight, Library/Media Specialist, Belgreen High School, Jeremy Jeffreys, social science teacher, BHS, Abby Grissom, Summer Learning Camp substitute teacher, Melissa Marynell Baker, Sena Haddock, Rose Underwood and Dakota White (part-time) as Child Nutrition Program Assistants, Franklin County Schools. REASSIGNMENT of Nicole Busler to Half-Time Library/Media Specialist at EFJH, Miranda Stephen’s to Library/Media Specialist at THS, Kristin Clack, Pre-K Auxiliary teacher at Red Bay Elementary, Amy Hamilton to Reading Specialist at BHS, Lori McDonnell to elementary teacher at Belgreen, Briana Champion to family and consumer science teacher at BHS. TRANSFER of Lindsey Marecle to family and consumer science teacher at RBHS, Eleanor Counts Strickland to business education teacher at THS and Amanda Oliver to elementary teacher at Belgreen. PRINCIPAL CONTRACT for 36 months for Brandi Miller at Red Bay Elementary School.

The next regular meeting of the Franklin County Board of Education will be Tuesday, July 21st, with work session at 4 p.m., and meeting to follow.