Albertville’s New Magnet School Receives Official Name, Teachers Recognized at February BOE Meeting

February 27, 2024

ALBERTVILLE – The new magnet school at Albertville received its official name at the Feb. 20 board of education meeting.

“Last week marked a significant milestone as the board officially approved the name of the Albertville Innovation Academy,” said Assistant Superintendent Todd Watkins. Watkins, who also leads the district’s career and technical education initiatives, shared the meaning behind ‘innovation’ and why the district chose to use it in the name. 

“‘Innovation’ isn’t just a word we chose; it signifies our commitment to providing cutting-edge education that equips students with practical skills for the real world. We are excited about this decision and look forward to welcoming our students to the Albertville Innovation Academy this fall,” said Watkins. 

The district received state approval for the new school on Feb. 7, which allows them to move forward with plans for the Albertville Innovation Academy.

“The approval of the Albertville Innovation Academy signifies a pivotal moment for our district. With the approval from the state, we can now move forward with meeting with interested teachers, interviewing for key roles and finalizing staffing plans. We are laying the groundwork for a seamless transition,” said Albertville Superintendent Dr. Bart Reeves. 

The Albertville Innovation Academy, which will be housed in the new career tech building that is currently being built, will initially offer twelve pathways. Those include additive manufacturing, advertising design, television production, animal science, building and construction, plant science, cybersecurity, health science, precision machining, teaching and training, welding, and work-based learning.

Former Albertville High School Principal and Coach Paul McAbee and Ed NeSmith were also present at the meeting and asked the board to consider naming the football stadium after Coach Vernon E. Wells. Coach Wells coached at the high school from 1949-1953 and again from 1973-1985. He is the winningest coach in AHS history and in multiple halls of fame.

The district’s teachers of the year were recognized during the meeting as well. Susan Smith was selected as the Elementary Teacher of the Year and Steve Owens as the Secondary Teacher of the Year. This year’s teachers of the year include:

  • Katie Battles, Albertville Kindergarten and Pre-K
  • Susan Smith, Albertville Primary School
  • Lauren Kreuze, Albertville Elementary School
  • Elisabeth Smith, Albertville Intermediate School
  • Ramona Weeks, Albertville Middle School
  • Steve Owens, Albertville High School

Sixteen teachers were honored for having earned the designation of National Board Certified Teachers - Pam Brown, Julie Lee, Hope Liverett, Susan Maddox, Jamie Mayas, Lindsay Harris, Alyssa Rains, Lindsey Rutledge, Amy Hope, Heath Landers, Amy Williams, Nathaniel Haskew, Lori Holland, Stacey Turner, Amanda Pilottte and Kristi Rains. 

Because of the winter weather in January, board appreciation activities were moved to the February meeting. Dr. Reeves recognized the board members for their dedication to seeing our students succeed. Board members include Bobby Stewart, Sandy Elkins, John Gladden, Melissa McKee and Annie Furrer. 

During the meeting, the board also:

  • Approved the January financial report. The beginning fund balance was $54,472,269.49. The ending fund balance is $56,137,130.68. The general fund balance is $23,649,947.30. January revenue totaled $10,220,374.58. Expenditures totaled $6,654,873.14.
  • Approved the curriculum guides for elementary, middle, high school and CTE.
  • Approved the surplus of six buses that will be removed from service and scrapped.
  • Approved two out of state field trips. GATE students from AIS will travel to Atlanta, Ga., to learn about wind tunnels and air on May 8. VocalEase students will travel to Winter Park, Fla., to participate in the ICHSA Semifinals March 21-24.

The following personnel actions were approved:

Retirements/Resignations

  1. Samuel Bishop, bus driver, effective May 31, 2024.
  2. Terri Gillilan, teacher at AIS, effective May 31, 2024.
  3. Rebekah Woodall, teacher at APS, effective May 31, 2024.
  4. Jeana Diamond, teacher at APS, effective May 31, 2024.
  5. Judith Wiggins, bus driver, effective May 31, 2024.
  6. Edward Thomas, bus driver, effective May 31, 2024.
  7. Alton Adams, bus driver, effective May 31, 2024.
  8. Emily Westmoreland, English teacher at AHS, effective Feb. 20, 2024.
  9. Mona Barksdale, teacher at APS, effective May 31, 2024.
  10. Anthony Harper, PE teacher at AHS, effective Feb. 29, 2024.
  11. Kristina Eason, teacher at AES, effective Feb. 19, 2024.

Supplement Resignations

  • Bryant Nelson, assistant track coach at AHS, effective Feb. 14, 2024.
  • Anthony Harper, football defensive coordinator at AHS, effective Feb. 29, 2024, with monthly extended duties effective March 1, 2024.
  • Emily Westmoreland, assistant swim coach at AHS, effective Feb. 20, 2024.

Transfers

  • Caitlin Nelms, from payroll clerk at CO to payroll manager at CO (replacing Sherri Hill), effective Feb. 21, 2024.
  • Naomi Gary, from systemwide bookkeeper to payroll clerk at CO (replacing Caitlin Nelms), effective Feb. 21, 2024.
  • Kendi Alverson, from CNP worker at AHS to CNP custodian at AHS (replacing Jeffrey Lybrand, effective Feb. 21, 2024.

Employments

  • Jessica Turner, English Language Arts teacher at AHS (replacing Emily Westmoreland and pending certification), effective Feb. 21, 2024.
  • Sheena Contreras, lunchroom worker at AMS (replacing Kendi Alverson), effective Feb. 21, 2024.

Independent Contracts

  • Elizabeth Snider, gate worker for AMS/AHS soccer, baseball and softball games, to be paid and not to exceed $45 per day and $90 per day for tournaments from each sport worked not to exceed $2,000, effective Feb. 21, 2024 - May 31, 2024.
  • Nathaniel Hunter, accompanist for VocalPoint, to be paid $1,150 and not to exceed $1,800 by AMS VocalPoint, effective Feb. 23, 2024 - May 20, 2024.
  • Jacob Tyler May, PA announcer at baseball games, to be paid $25 per hour and not to exceed $3,000 from the baseball boosters, effective Feb. 21, 2024 - May 31, 2024.
  • Quinton Williams, assistant track coach at AHS, to be paid and not to exceed $2,000 from the BOE, effective Feb. 21, 2024 - May 31, 2024.

Albertville recognized their Teachers of the Year at Tuesday night’s board of education meeting. They are, from left, Katie Battles, AKPK; Susan Smith, APS; Lauren Kreuze, AES; Elisabeth Smith, AIS; Ramona Weeks, AMS; and Steve Owens, AHS. Susan Smith was also selected as the Elementary Teacher of the Year and Steve Owens as the Secondary Teacher of the Year.