By By Kerry Whipple-Bean
New Escambia County Schools Superintendent Billy Hines said he looks forward to working with two new assistant superintendents hired last week by the school board.
Mary Bess Powell, wife of former superintendent Melvin "Buck" Powell, will be in charge of federal programs, while Randall Little, the assistant principal at W.S. Neal High School and a candidate for Hines' new job, will be in charge of transportation.
"They're both highly experienced," Hines said Tuesday.
Powell has already worked as coordinator of federal programs, while Little was an assistant superintendent in Natchez, Miss., before moving to Alabama.
Half of Powell's salary will come from federal funds, and half of Little's salary will come from state transportation funds.
The school board also hired W.S. Neal Elementary School teacher and Brewton resident Susan McKenzie as principal at Rachel Patterson Elementary School.
The school board, which approved those hires June 13, will meet again Thursday to discuss support of a resolution seeking county commission approval of a special election in September to renew a 4-mill tax for education in the county.
Also at last week's meeting:
Resignation: Douglas Gerety, Teacher, W.S. Neal Middle School; Mary Ann Minchew, teacher aide, Escambia County Middle School; and John Williford, P.E. teacher, Escambia County High School.
Transfer: Valerie Smith to county-wide LEA school improvement supervisor
Employment: Ashley Gafford, teacher aide, Rachel Patterson Elementary; Ashley Helton, teacher, Huxford Elementary; Crystal Worrell, English teacher, Escambia County High School; Julia Clements, business education teacher, ECHS; Terry Dunaway and Debbie Silcox, special education teachers serving over the summer; summer school personnel, David McKinley, Tanisha Henderson, Julia A. McDonald, Darryl A. Phillips, Detrie Russell, Carolyn M. Luker, Cassie L. Peterson, Robert E. Quarles, Barbara Whatley, Julie Chandler and Bessie Felder.
Employment changes: Kelli Grace, special education teacher aide at W.S. Neal Elementary to first grade teacher at W.S. Neal
Resignation: Brandolyn Barnes, seventh grade language arts teacher, Escambia County Middle School; Betty Carden, teacher, W.S. Neal Elementary School
Transfer: Melanie Kent, part-time teacher, Rachel Patterson, to special education teacher, ECHS; Darly Curry, custodian, Neal High School, to part-time custodian at W.S. Neal Elementary School and W.S. Neal Middle; Adriane Johnson, teacher, ECMS to media specialist, W.S. Neal Middle; Susan McKenzie, teacher, W.S. Neal Elementary to principal, Rachel Patterson Elementary.
Employment: Calvin Richardson, sixth-grade language teacher, ECMS; Josulyn Marshall, parental involvement student aide, Atmore central office.
Employment change: Marsha McCutchin, second grade teacher, Flomaton Elementary, to third-grade teacher, Flomaton Elementary.
Rehire: Britany Blackman, third-grade teacher, W.S. Neal Elementary.