Principals honored by city’s school board
RUSSELLVILLE — The City Schools Board of Education recognized the system’s principals during its Oct. 21 meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn described the principals as “the steady center of each campus,” saying they set the vision, support teachers, care for students, and partner with families to make learning possible.
Guinn said he once read a study that stated that a principal makes a decision about every three minutes during the school day and must be right 90% to 95% of the time to be considered competent.
“It’s no easy job,” he said. “We appreciate all that you do.”
Those honored included Dr. Monica Moon, principal of Russellville Middle School; Tiffany Warhurst, principal of Russellville Elementary; and Lt. Col. Norman Lier, principal of Russellville High School. The board also recognized Alicia Stanford, principal of West Elementary, who was not present.
In other business, board members:
• Approved minutes from the Sept. 8 first budget hearing, the Sept. 8 work session and the Sept. 11 regular meeting, along with financial reports and salary schedule revisions for the 2025–26 school year. The revisions cover extended care, coaching supplements, coaching supplements by name and schedules for extended contracts, supplements and other pay.
The monthly payroll totaled $2,227,115, and current bank statements have been reconciled to the general ledger.
• Approved the 2025–26 Textbook Committee, which includes representatives from all four schools.
West Elementary representatives include school administrator Gayla Mills, teachers Amy McReynolds, Jennifer Willis, Krista Burcham and Jamie Boyles; and parents Kim Ergle and Betty Mendoza.
Russellville Elementary representatives include school administrator Channing Wright, teachers Monica Balding, Blair Johnson, Liza Bohannon and LeAnn Little; and parents Jana Hein and Amy Knight.
Russellville Middle School representatives include school administrator Kyle Taylor, teachers Michelle Murray, Nicole Jensen, Amanda Ridge and Kayla Odom, and parents Samantha Hartsell and Addie Harbin.
Russellville High School representatives include school administrator Nichole Erie, teachers Larsen Plylar (social studies), Patrice Smith (arts), Jade Bragwell, Alissa Moore, Melanie Malone and Maria Betancourt.
• Policy updates included a revision and additions to Policy 4.02 Safe Schools on drugs, alcohol, tobacco and weapons; adoption of Policy 5.21 Paid Parental Leave; a revision to Policy 3.09.3 Expenditures; and a revision to Policy 6.28 Optin for Mental Health Services by Parent or Legal Guardian.
• Accepted a $500 bid from Sheffield City Schools for surplus RHS baseball tarp and roller equipment. Russellville City Schools solicited bids for the items with bids due Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Sheffield City Schools submitted the only bid.
• As mandated by State Department of Education guidelines, Russellville City Schools must update certain federal, state and local plans each year. Staff updated the ACIPS (ASSIST Continuous Improvement Plans) for all four schools and the board approved the plans as presented in the agenda.
• Leann Strickland will provide stadium cleaning services for the 2025– 26 school year through an agreement with the RHS Band Parent Organization. The contract totals $425 per event and covers all home varsity football games including playoff games and the Northwest Alabama Marching Classic. The Band Parent Account will fund the payments.
• Selected Howard Hillman Jr. to serve as delegate and Gregg Trapp as alternate to represent the board at the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) 2025 Annual Convention and Delegate Assembly on Dec. 4 in Montgomery.
• Superintendent Guinn highlighted the achievements of the RHS volleyball team, Dr. Monica Moon, and Child Nutrition Director Cindy Coan. The volleyball team captured the Area 15 championship and advanced to regionals in Hoover, marking the school’s first regional appearance since the late 1970s. Guinn said Moon will receive recognition Nov. 13 from the State Board of Education after earning the District 7 North Principal of the Year honor from the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. Coan was recognized for leading a successful National School Lunch Week themed “Taste of the World.”
• Thanksgiving lunches will take place as follows: RES Nov. 4–6, West Elementary Nov. 12–14, RHS Nov. 13 and RMS Nov. 18–20.
• Agreed to move the football game at Athens from Oct. 31 to Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at Athens High.
The following upcoming events were mentioned: • RMS and the CNP program will host the annual retired teachers luncheon Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the school library.
•The district’s Veterans Day program will be Nov. 7 at 8:30 a.m.
The next work session is set for Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
